MWLM Blog

I Have a Dream...

I have a dream...

When I first thought about writing something for a New Year's Blog, I envisioned writing about my dreams, desires, intentions and more. On January 15, Martin Luther King Day, a friend wrote something so powerful and meaningful that it left me speechless - or maybe I should say "writeless". Rather than try to force something, I'd like to share her words...

Today is a very special day. Today is the day that we celebrate the
life and the legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - a man who
dared to dream during a time when he was told that he didn't have a
right to dream just because of the color of his skin. Sometimes I worry
that all that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. achieved during his short
life has been in vain because so many of us still refuse to dream.
Oftentimes so many of us refuse to believe that we have a right to not
only dream but to have our dreams realized.

My father, the late Eddie Myers Johnson, dreamed of becoming a
published author but unfortunately he was not able to have his dream
come true because he never found a publisher that believed in his book.
Every since I was a child, I have dreamed of becoming a published
author and fortunately I was able to find a publisher that believed in
me and my book. In less than 6 months my dream of becoming a published
author will come true and my father's dream will be realized through
me.

It is now that I clearly understand that the work that Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr did has not been in vain because the "Dream" lives on
in all of us and when we leave this earth it will live on in our
children and our children's children.

Get my book published is a dream come true and once I get my first
copies I will be able to scream out loud: "Free at last, Free at last,
Thank God almighty I am Free at last."

May God Bless Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and all who dare to dream.

Peace and Respect,

Malonda Richard
Author - My Life Isn't Perfect But Thank God My Baby Is
http://www.mylifeisntperfect.com
Book Due Date: June 7, 2007

Thaanks, Malonda. And, cheers to all of those who dare to dream.

With inspiration and imagination,

Julie Watson Smith

Happy New Year Everyone!

It is strange to think that we are now beginning a fresh new year.  I feel like i just rounded this corner yesterday.  The new year fills us with promise and hopes for the future.  I hope everyone is off to a roaring start!  Cheers!

Melissa

Hello

Hi!  Paula was kind enough to introduce me in October when I became a part of the MWLM team as poetry editor.  I thought I would give readers and other writing moms like me some more background.

I've been writing forever.  I entered my first writing contest when I was 14.  It was through OWL magazine.  They asked their readers to write a story about the letter M picture from Graeme Base's Animalia.  I won honorable mention and received an autographed copy of the book.  The book was pulled out of the closet last year when my oldest daughter became interested in it.

After that, I didn't send any more manuscripts out until I had children.  After my Little One was born, I joined a writing group working on stories for Strange New Worlds, an annual anthology for Star Trek stories.  I took the plunge and mailed a manuscript, and while waiting to hear from the editor, I found other places to send stories.

"Carousel" was my first publication.  It was a nonfiction story about my oldest daughter's love of horses.  It was published in the anthology, Forget Me Knots... from the Front Porch (2003).  I was so happy to see my byline in print; I wasn't too crestfallen about not breaking into the fiction market.  Since then I have had two poems published in anthologies and several pieces posted online.  Still no fiction sale to Strange New Worlds, but I can't complain.  Most of my days are busy caring for my girls (now 8 and 5 years) and the things they do inspire my writings now.

Over the holidays my oldest daughter had a solo part in the church pageant.  She sang the first verse of "Silent Night".  Her little sister thought this was so cool she went around the house singing, "Round yon virgently."  It was too cute.  And of course mom had to write about it.  This is why I love MWLM.  It's great working with other women who see the inspiration in motherhood.  I look forward to reading even more poetry inspired by children.

QuickPost | TypePad

Link: QuickPost | TypePad.

Just brought my 17 year old son home from the oral surgeon.  Anyone out there still HAVE wisdom teeth?  Remember getting yours pulled?  I do, my brothers made fun of me.  They're still doing that though, 30 years later....never mind!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!  Health, happiness, and success to all for 2007 and beyond.

The start of my year has not been very healthy as we were invaded by an army of flu bugs who attacked all but my husband and my cat.  We finally seem to be winning the war.  Two out of three kids are 100% better and the third should be okay to go back to school tomorrow.  I'm doing much better, too, so we are back on track for health in 2007!

My happiness factor is always high, no matter what life hands me.  I have a wonderful husband to love, three great kids to be proud of, and a job that I love.  What more could a girl ask for?

As for success...if I have health and happiness, I've got success!

So here's to a fabulous 2007!  Cheers!

Lucie

Illustrations Editor, MWLM

The New Resolution

The new resolution is no resolution, which I think is long overdue.  I've seen the usual hype on television, the typical promotions at the gym, but the trend in New Year's Resolutions now is not to have any - to live our goals and make no excuse not to be committed every single day.  To not wait for a specific day on the calendar or put off our own renaissance because we lack the conviction to begin immediately.  When did this happen - this rush to become and reinvent?  I'm pretty satisfied with things as they are.

Myself, I don't think it's wrong to keep dormant from time to time.  I think less action and structure is what January is for.  Sports and activities have ended temporarily, I've usually spent a small fortune the previous month during the holidays, and I hear rumblings of springtime in the chilly air ... yes, I believe January is the perfect time to enjoy mellow evenings making soup, reading  books and rebuilding my savings account ... and recharging my battery from the craziness of December.  All too soon I'll be carting baseball and softball players around again, baking more sugary goods for the Valentine's Day class parties, working on the big end of school year projects.

January just lets me be.  My goals are not determined by age, or months, but by the ever changing circumstances of motherhood - my three little people dictate each day; the moods, the invitations, the growing pains.  I'm going with the flow this month.  I'm going to cuddle my babies by the fire and watch Scooby Doo movies, I'm going to give them baths with bubbles overflowing give them tub crayons without fear of excessive scrubbing.  I'm going to teach them the art of home cooking, and to conserve in the cold winter months ... because all we need is inside these familiar walls.

All we need is within ourselves, not in a diet, not at the gym, not in a resolution.  Whatever we want to write or invent or create, it's been there all along.  When we're ready, it takes form and shape ... on it's own good time, not by the calendar, not by the clock. 

And there's enough for everyone.