Wednesday, May 26, 2010

A Medium Boy, and exciting news

“I am not a good boy, or a bad boy”, my four year old announced unasked. “I am a medium boy.”
“Why?”, I asked.
“I am”, he insisted.

I had to admire his maturity. He had been quite disobedient that afternoon, but instead of getting defensive or angry, he had put himself at a level where he did not have to be ‘good’ all the time. But was that how I wanted him to label himself?

“You are a good boy”, I assured him. “Sometimes, you are naughty, but naughty boys can still be good.”
He loved being told that!

______
Drabble (n) - an extremely short work, exactly one hundred words in length.



As many of you know, I am a member of 'The Burrow", a Writing Group. Many of us participated in NaNoWriMo in November (only two won- though three others did a large chunk of work during the month), and all agreed that November was not a good month professionally or personally, and we should attempt a mini- NoWriMo in June.

Though there is no way I would be able to find time for it in June, a whole host of others aspiring writers are taking part. And the best part is that we welcome rebels.

You can outline, you can do character sketches, you can even start writing before June. All we require is that you write 50 k words in 30 days in the month of June!

We have this really cool logo (thank you, Joris), and a Facebook group If you would like to participate, just leave a comment, and I'll make sure you get an invite.

I am thinking of doing a novel in 30 days too. Only my 'novel' will have 30 chapters of 100 words each. I do not have an idea, or an outline, but given my current state of affairs, that is something I should be able to churn out in June. Whether that will still qualify me for the Winner badge or not, I am almost scared to ask.

17 comments:

Sueann said...

Your son is adorable. And good luck on your novel...sounds ambitious. But I am sure you can knock it out.
Hugs
SueAnn

Ella said...

You son is a cutie; I love what you told him! I think it is so sweet, he considered himself medium. Labels define who we are and you said, it best! I don't like labels, but they exist.
The photo really captures his mood; His waning about his actions! Really well said~ (((HUGS)))

(Fourteen yrs ago)I went to the Dr. thought I had an ulcer. He said "NO, but the heartburn was going to last 18 yrs." I was pregnant! He wasn't kidding, but I think it goes way beyond, 18 yrs! ;-D

Anonymous said...

50 k words. that's a lot... but doable if you think about having small chapters, like you are...

And what a sweet boy... good for him for refusing the label 'naughty'...

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Your son is a real charmer, and a maturity beyond his years.

Good luck with the book.
Also thanks for the visit.

Yvonne,

Mason Canyon said...

Adorable boy and very wise. Good luck with your writing.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress

Jessica Bell said...

Aw, your son is a sweetheart! I couldn't get myself involved in a challenge like that. Good on you for even thinking of attempting it!

dipali said...

Your son is so cute and so smart, too:)

JournoMich said...

What an adorable boy! And creative. I like 'medium.' We had a meltdown this week over my son alway playing the "bad guy" at school when they play super heroes...I told him he had to tell his friends he wanted to be the super hero this time. He did it! Now he confidently says his "is not a bad guy!" I love it when they use their words to know who they are--and who they are not!

Best of luck with the writing...I'm off to do some now! And I blogged about the Books Make a Difference today! Thanks for the info...I quoted you.

Michele
Southern City Mysteries

Jane Kennedy Sutton said...

Your son is so cute and I love his comment about being a 'medium' boy. Good luck with your mini-NoWriMo.

Jackee said...

Cute boy! Tell him I'm not a good writer or a bad writer, but a medium writer. :o)

Good luck on the BuNoWriMo--it'a a great idea! (P.S. I always adopt the don't ask, don't tell philosophy...lol)

Hart Johnson said...

You have the world's cutest kids, you know that? I'm glad my daughter has them for little brothers.

And BuNoWriMo is OVERTAKING THE WORLD!!! (erm... sorry... a little early Thursday activity... you know what I mean)

Unknown said...

Your son is a good boy from what I've read the last few months.

I love the logo and I'm thinking of participating. What do I need to do?

CD

Stephanie Thornton said...

Your son is adorable! Kids do say the darndest things!

Writing fast like that just doesn't work for me. I'm a slow writer on the first draft, but that's all right by me. I admire those of you who can whip out a novel that fast!

Elspeth Futcher said...

Your son seems to have a balanced view of it all and best of luck with your newest project. Wow.

Priya Shankar said...

Hi Rayna! I just stumbled across your blog and I really enjoyed reading your posts! It seems like we have a lot of shared interests- including writing, activism, etc. I'm also assuming you are Tamil? I've actually been in India now for a year and am studying maternal and child health issues, and developing as a young activist/writer! Anyways, glad to stumble on your blog and feel free to check out mine if you'd like priyaishankar.blogspot.com

-Priya

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Your son is a deep thinker!

Natasha said...

@ SueAnn - he is, isn't he?

@ Ellie - what a great story. Yes, the heartburn lasts forever!

@ Fiona - yes, I loved him for refusing that lable

@ Yvonne - I think he was born wise.

@ Mason - I have a lot to learn from him

@ Jessica - I needed it in November, to convince myself that I could write anything longer than short stories. This time round, I can afford to be a rebel

@ Dipali - he is, isn't he?

@ Karen - thank you

@ Michele - good on you.Why should your lovely boy have to play the bad guy all the time?

@ Jane - I love that he sets his own rules

@ Jackee - as are most of us!

@ Hart- the Burrow is taking over the world, isn't it?

@ Clarissa - I definitely think so.

@ Stephanie - they are incredible, aren't they?

@ Elspeth - he is a smart kid. doesn't get swayed.

@ Priya - I did. And yes, I am Tamil too.

@ Alex - he was born wise

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