My Scribbler’s Heart

#ShowUsYourList The Antidote to 50 Shades of De-Grey-dation

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I’m near sick to death of reading about 50 Shades of De-Grey-dation. For lots of reasons, but mainly because all the attention is overkill for a book that is widely-regarded as poorly-written, misogynist porn. Erin McCole Cupp has reframed the discussion with a positive spin.

Erin deftly identifies the critical issue for both artists and purveyors of art of all types by sharing this quote from Pope St. John Paul II’s “Letter to Artists.” (If you’ve never read it, this relatively short letter is worth your time.) Continue reading →

Think the Mother of God Didn’t Work? Think Again: Interview with Working Mother Author Erin McCole Cupp

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Meet Erin McCole Cupp, fellow writer, Catholic mother, Pennsylvanian, and Catholic Writers Guild member. (We also share the same publisher, Full Quiver Publishing.) Working Mother and Don’t You Forget About Me are two highly different works, but both worth your time. Working Mother is her latest, and you can find it on Amazon along with my review as well.

We know so little about the Holy Family from the Bible. We read the infancy of Jesus, mention of his being lost in the temple, and then we jump ahead to his public ministry. Where did you get the idea for Working Mother, which takes place during those hidden years? Working Mother by Erin McCole Cupp

I actually wrote “Working Mother” about seven years ago. Our family took some financial hits, and my freelance writing income was scanty and unreliable. I had to go back to working outside the home. I remember the day I told my kids that I’d be going back to work, and my middle child said, “But Mommy, I thought you were a writer!” I don’t remember how I replied, but I do remember being glad that I was driving at the time and the kids in the back seat couldn’t see me cry. I had to lay aside what I was pretty sure were good, holy desires–staying home with my kids and leading them to the Lord–and I could not see the sense in it. Why wasn’t God helping us enough that I could go back to working from home, doing what I loved for His glory? Every Catholic I knew advised me, “Go to Mary. She understands.” I would snicker and say, “Yeah, well, Mary never had to get a job.” Finally, it was like I heard a voice in my heart ask back, “Are you sure about that?” Over lunch breaks and after bedtimes, “Working Mother” was written. Continue reading →

Flash Fiction Challenge: Part One

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In an effort to hit my 1,000 words/day goal, I’m trying something new: Chuck Wendig’s Flash Fiction Challenge. (HT: Sheri Williams) The object is to post a 1,000 word story beginning. Each week, another writer will build on the story culminating in a four-part tale written by four different authors.

I have a definite theme for this piece, and a vague idea of where I’d take it. It will be interesting to see what others do with the story.

Sanctified (Part One)

Bald Eagle in Flight

Marina trudged up the trail. Beads of sweat trickled down her forehead, stinging her eyes. She stopped and leaned her hiking pole against a fat oak trunk. The damp handkerchief in her back pocket smelled of perspiration but was her only means of effectively wiping her brow. Continue reading →

Unethical Authors and Toddlers: Identical Behaviors?

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Have you seen any of the videos making the rounds in which grown men behave like toddlers? [Insert your own dig at men and their big-boy toys here. Out of respect for my husband, I will refrain.] I’m talking about something like this:

Or this: Full-Grown Man Plays Toddler In ‘Convos With My 2-Year-Old’

What makes these so funny? Well, if you spend any amount of time around kids, you know they do these things. In spades. What’s so funny is that adults don’t. Or they shouldn’t.

But some do. Continue reading →

Seven Quick Takes Friday

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Seven Quick Takes Friday

What’s Hanging on the Walls Edition

So, here’s what’s hanging on the walls in our house – aside from dirt, kid prints, cobwebs, and errant crayon marks. This is a glimpse at most of the artwork in our home. I confess to knowing very little about art – from creating to appreciating to buying. In this brief look, our tastes seem pretty narrow: one French romantic, religious artwork, and pop movie posters. Perhaps if we had the wall space, money, and leisure to devote to it, we could enhance our home with some more inspiring pieces, but in this season of life, I’m just happy if I’m not scraping dried food from the wall. (Yeah, I’m looking at you, toddler boy.) Continue reading →

Unrequited Love: Can it be true love?

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Finally, a topic about which I am eminently qualified to write.

It started with Speed Racer when I was five and continued through a seemingly endless series of boys and then young men (of the non-Japanese animé variety) through grade school, high school and college. I was a charter member of the BGFC ([Name withheld to protect the innocent] Fan Club) in fourth grade. I daydreamed of romantic rides on  Kennywood’s dark ride, The Old Mill. There were crushes on classmates, friends of friends, and fellow interns. Every last one of them unrequited.

Speed Racer

What’s not to love?

Continue reading →