Mommy's Pen

A writer's notes on family

You are here: Home / 2019 / Archives for January 2019

Archives for January 2019

Wake, Pee, Meditate, Write

by

Wake, pee, meditate, write.

This is my morning routine lately and it’s working. Mind you I have to wake up at about five a.m. to make it happen so I have the time to myself.

I wake up, resist the urge to check my phone, pee, resist the urge to check my phone, make myself a cup of fake coffee (roasted dandelion root tea — don’t ask), sit down on the couch, resist the urge to check my phone (sometimes unsuccessfully), and then meditate for about ten minutes. I use an app called Insight Timer. It’s free (unlike Headspace) and has both guided meditations and a simple timer so you can meditate on your own. (My favorite teachers on the app are Tara Brach, Sharon Salzberg and Jack Kornfield.)

When my meditation is over, my fake coffee is ready to drink and I open the computer, resist the urge to check email (sometimes unsuccessfully), and work on my current novel until it’s time to wake up the kids for school. By the way, this time it’s a novel for grown-ups. Not sure how that happened. The story is kind of like the movie Rushmore, but if Max Fisher was a fifteen-year-old girl who goes to Waldorf school. I’m super excited about it. But I’m sure that will flip-flop to boredom or straight-up terror soon.

Until then, I’m sticking to this morning routine that helps me feel like my day is on the right track. Hope your morning routine is working for you as well. If not, I’d encourage you to try something different.

The Mommy’s Pen Podcast – S3, E11: Lady Jane Grey

by

Season 3 continues! We’re combining Nora’s passion for history with Sue’s passion for story structure — giving you a historical story and pointing out the structural elements that make it compelling.

You can also listen using any number of podcast platforms and apps including Spotify, Breaker, Pocket Casts, Radio Public, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts.

Show Notes:

Season 3, Episode 11: Lady Jane Grey

This is sort of the prequel to last week’s episode. Poor Lady Jane Grey — named to succeed Edward VI, it came as a bit of a shock to her. Still, she stepped up and reigned for a total of nine days. Nora tells the story and Sue points out the story structure.

Things we mention (or like but forget to mention) that you should check out:

This post was lovingly sponsored by our Patreon supporters (you can become one, too!). 

The Mommy’s Pen Podcast – S3, E10: Mary Tudor, First Ruling Queen of England

by

Season 3 continues! We’re combining Nora’s passion for history with Sue’s passion for story structure — giving you a historical story and pointing out the structural elements that make it compelling.

You can also listen using any number of podcast platforms and apps including Spotify, Breaker, Pocket Casts, Radio Public, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts.

Show Notes:

Season 3, Episode 10: Mary Tudor, First Ruling Queen of England

This week we tell the story of Mary Tudor, the first woman to truly rule England. Also known as “Bloody Mary” her reign was just a big series of progressive complications. We also talk about how Nora got interested in history in the first place and it kinda started with my high school history teacher.

Things we mention (or like but forget to mention) that you should check out:

  • Our mailing list! Sign up today and you’ll get cool subscriber only perks like bonus material and artwork, including an advance copy of my forthcoming novel, The Cat, the Cash, the Leap and the List.
  • Story Grid for all things related to the 5 Commandments.
  • Here’s a pretty good documentary on Mary I. 

This post was lovingly sponsored by our Patreon supporters (you can become one, too!). 

The Mommy’s Pen Podcast – Season 3, Episode 9 – Tudor Love Triangle!

by

Season 3 continues! We’re combining Nora’s passion for history with Sue’s passion for story structure — giving you a historical story and pointing out the structural elements that make it compelling.

You can also listen using any number of podcast platforms and apps including Spotify, Breaker, Pocket Casts, Radio Public, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts.

Show Notes:

Episode art of Anne Boleyn by Nora Campbell.

Season 3, Episode 9: Tudor Love Triangle

This week we tell the story of King Henry VIII of England and how his wish to ditch his first wife lead to the establishment of the Church of England. And we talk about Nora’s new wig and our dirty laundry. Literally.

Things we mention (or like but forget to mention) that you should check out:

  • Our mailing list! Sign up today and you’ll get cool subscriber only perks like bonus material and artwork, including an advance copy of my forthcoming novel, The Cat, the Cash, the Leap and the List.
  • Story Grid for all things related to the 5 Commandments.
  • Secrets of the Six Wives – This is a three part documentary hosted by Lucy Worsley and it’s fantastic and free on YouTube.

This post was lovingly sponsored by our Patreon supporters (you can become one, too!). 

The Mommy’s Pen Podcast – Season 3, Episode 8: Hamilton!

by

Season 3 is continues! We’re combining Nora’s passion for history with Sue’s passion for story structure — giving you a historical story and pointing out the structural elements that make it compelling.

You can also listen using any number of podcast platforms and apps including Spotify, Breaker, Pocket Casts, Radio Public, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts.

Show Notes:

Season 3, Episode 8: Hamilton! 

This week we’re looking at the life of Alexander Hamilton, and Lin-Manuel Miranda did most of the heavy lifting for us, having written a well-structured (and extremely well-loved) Broadway musical. We probably should have mentioned that Hamilton is not suitable for all listeners, due to language and some “adult content.” Parents, please vet for your children.

Things we mention (or like but forget to mention) that you should check out:

  • Our mailing list! Sign up today and you’ll get cool subscriber only perks like bonus material and artwork, including an advance copy of my forthcoming novel, The Cat, the Cash, the Leap and the List.
  • The Reynolds Pamphlet, which was originally titled: “Observations on Certain Documents Contained in No. V & VI of “The History of the United States for the Year 1796,” In Which the Charge of Speculation Against Alexander Hamilton, Late Secretary of the Treasury, is Fully Refuted.” With a byline of “Written by Himself.”
  • Follow Lin-Manuel on Twitter. He is super good news.
  • Hamilton soundtrack. As if you need to be told.
  • Hamildrops. Extra songs from Lin-Manual and a talented array of collaborators.
  • Story Grid for all things related to the 5 Commandments.
  • Larry Brooks is the author of several books on story structure and writes at Storyfix.com

This post was lovingly sponsored by our Patreon supporters (you can become one, too!).