random musing

[eimarra]

Ever notice that someone else's description of their life can seem like pure fiction, based on your own preconceptions? Maybe that's just me.

Last night, I was reading the most recent Writer's Digest. The woman who won their popular fiction contest is described as a mother of 4 who writes between 6:30 and 8:00 in the morning because the kids don't get up until 8. Based on my experience of kids, I just can't believe this. Maybe if they're teens, but even then, I'd expect at least 1 in 4 to be an early riser.

Fiction . . . but it isn't. When did I have to start practicing the willing suspension of disbelief in day-to-day life?

Comments

[cammykitty.livejournal.com]

The bit she didn't mention was the year she took to train them. When child number 3 got up at 7:00 to see what she was doing, Mom growled "back to bed. And don't touch the refrigerator. The refrigerator doesn't open until after 8:00, and that goes for the TV too."

[eimarra]

You mean there are kids that works with? The mind boggles. Not that I would raid the refrigerator those mornings when I got up early. And forget the TV -- there were books to be read. But go back to bed? It is to laugh!

[cammykitty.livejournal.com]

Years of training. Cattle prods. Pad locks. Little Debbie Snack Cakes for bribes. Years, I tell you. Just wait till she has to get them up earlier than 8:00 to get them on a school bus.

[eimarra]

Padlocks? That only works if the little darlings don't know how to open their windows. Mwah-hah-hah

[cammykitty.livejournal.com]

That's why you plant shrub roses all around the house. :) & hey, if they're outside, they won't interupt your writing. They'll just bother the rest of the neighborhood.

[eimarra]

I think that idea wants to be a plot bunny when it grows up. :D

[underpope.livejournal.com]

It is very strange.

Actually, though, I think it's stranger when you have to do that to your own life. Even if your life was pretty mundane, like mine, I still have to look at it and go, "I couldn't possibly have been that big a jerk to that ex-girlfriend, could I? I mean, that goes BEYOND Fox TV writing!"

[eimarra]

Oh, yeah. There are times in my life I've been such a bitch I blush to remember it. I haven't yet gotten to the point where I'm comfortable mining those bits for my writing. It's just *too much.*

[bonniers.livejournal.com]

It's sometimes easier to train them in batches than singly. And once you've got the oldest in line, they'll turn around and tromp on the younger ones.

[eimarra]

Guess my brothers and I are just untrainable.

[bonniers.livejournal.com]

I said "sometimes" :)

That's assuming your parents wanted to train you.

[eimarra]

Oh, they wanted. We're just incorrigible.

[bonniers.livejournal.com]

I have no trouble believing that.