It’s been a few years since Love Your Mayhem was first published as an ebook. It feels like a lifetime ago, and when I recently reviewed and edited it again before releasing it in paperback, I was forced to remember the beautiful, messy, chaotic life that is no longer my reality. My little women have […]
Excellence in Literature Handbook for Writers {Everyday Education, LLC Review}
Teaching writing – specifically preparing your student for college level essays – seems intimidating for many homeschooling parents. How do you guide them through the process of building a thesis statement? How do you cite sources? How do you evaluate the finished essay and give constructive feedback? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a complete resource […]
What I’m Reading… January
I go through phases with books. I always love them, buy them, and fail to find enough space on my shelves to store them. I go through phases in my reading. I binge read, then I graze. I find an author I love and I read everything they’ve ever written until I can’t tell one […]
Fresh Eyes on Autumn
I saw the world with fresh eyes this morning. Everywhere my gaze landed glistened with a sprinkle of snow, the first of the season. Instead of dreading winter and complaining (as I typically do), I enjoyed it a little. I enjoyed it because all day long, as we drove her sisters from place to place, […]
Top 50 Homeschooling Blogs Nomination
Voiceboks.com, a parenting website with the subtitle “The Voice of Parenthood,” recently nominated Adorable Chaos in their Top 50 Homeschooling Blogs contest. I’m so thankful and honored to share the nomination screen with some of my favorite and inspiring blogs. If you’ve been around here for a while, you know that I don’t like to […]
Fighting Fear as a Writer
My inner critic has taken over the past few days. It may be the first time she has managed to make me physically ill. She’s keeping me from doing what I need to do, what I want to do. I need to tell you about my new book (self-published /ebook), yet I feel like vomiting […]
When Creativity is Elusive
I’m working on a deadline. It’s been hanging over me for a month and instead of working hard at my goal everyday, I’ve been finding other things to do. When creativity escapes my grasp, I avoid it. I pretend like I don’t want it or need it my life. I play hard to get with […]
Link it up with Raising Imperfection
This week has been packed with play rehearsals and life learning, old friends and new ideas. It has not been full of cheery spring weather. Luckily, the new week is beginning with treat. It might actually reach 50 degrees here and (more importantly) I have the privilege of co-hosting the Raising Imperfection Sunday Link Up! […]
How to Slay Writer’s Block
A major block in my creativity has been keeping me down lately, which is hard to contend with since I don’t believe in writer’s block any more than leprechauns and gnomes. It’s a myth, right? It’s one of those things people go on about that I can’t tolerate. Following this recent struggle, I’m a believer. […]
The Value (or not) of Diverse Blogging Topics
What do mermaids, soap and mooning have in common? According to Google, they are all available here on my blog, right along with Minecraft and homeschool art projects. Why? The explanation is simple. I’m a random diverse blogger. Like most bloggers, I obsessively check my traffic stats. I’m fascinated (and sometimes sickened) by the terms […]
The Fabulous Blogging Giveaway
Does your blog need a face-lift? A shot of awesome to smooth out the wrinkles? A nip and tuck to look more professional and cutting edge? Have you always wanted to blog but don’t know how to get started? Keep reading. This giveaway is FOR YOU! (Can I write crappy sales copy or what?) Have […]
Writing a Death Scene
I walked into the family room and found the Adventurer (13) teary eyed on the couch, computer in her lap. “What’s wrong?” “I had to kill off my favorite character in my story. It was an epic death scene but it made me so sad to have to kill her.” She’s been absorbed in this […]
Mixin it Up: New Friends in the New Year
I’m so excited. I’ve been chosen to be the Mixologist for the More than Mommies Mixer. It’s my job to get the party started! I love a good virtual party. I don’t even have to get out of my fuzzy slippers to have a blast. Want to come out and play? The mixer is […]
How to Not Write A Memoir
I was searching for a document on my laptop yesterday when I came across something rather odd. It was a file simply titled memoir. I don’t remember creating it. I have half a dozen files containing other books competing for my time, crowding up my hard drive and floating around in my head. I’ve been […]
Blogger Day of Silence
Embracing the Awesome Introvert Within: Part II
If you are an introvert by nature, have you ever tried to hide it? Have you pushed yourself past your comfort zone to appear like everyone else? If you have an introvert for a child, do you push them to change, or do you accept them for who they are naturally? In my previous post, […]
Mastering Writing, Unschooling Style
There’s a theory that it takes 10,000 hours to master a complex topic, whether it’s writing, computer programing, tennis or anything. And the people who are masters of their art typically put in their time very early on in their lifetime. I read once that you aren’t a master writer until you’ve written a million […]
Friends Don’t Let Friends Write Alone
Being a freelance writer and a blogger can be lonely. It’s hard work, putting yourself out there daily. It’s tough to tell stories honestly without also getting yourself in trouble. And it can feel like you’re talking to yourself, about yourself, all the time. It can make a person sick. How much can a person […]
Homeschool Novel Writing: NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program
I’m not participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) this time around. I know my limits. I can’t write a novel in 30 days AND homeschool three kids. Last time, I went so deep into the story that I had trouble communicating in the real world. I stopped conversing with the people around me. My […]
A Nap, A Storm and Anderson Live
I need a nap. How’s that for a zippy start to a blog post? It’s true. I’m so tired I can’t write my typical run on sentences. You’ve been warned. I was up at 4:00 AM. In the car at 4:45. It was freezing. In NYC by 6:15. Looked for parking for 20 minutes. Walked […]
