September 30, 2011

My Imago, My Friend, My Inspiration

My mother, my imago, inspired me to write my entire life. I put her on a pedestal and hoped someday to reach the same status. The miasma of constant relocations, although difficult, ended up being our family’s saving grace. Most of my life I only had my mom, dad, and two sisters. We were a team; there was nothing else to fill the lacuna teenagers fall into. I survived in the cocoon of family, protected from peer pressure and temptation.

Writing Depression Cookies with my mom only strengthened our relationship. The synchronicity of the moves became clearer as we searched for their meaning. We believed readers would embrace our journey, especially when we intertwined it with others we had known. Even if they’d never moved, they knew disruption in some form.

It was essential for us to look closely in the mirror and be honest and raw with what we saw now, what we saw then. Our greatest hope was that this novel would open up a dialogue between all women to search for similarities instead of differences. Someday I hope my own daughters will read it and oscitate at all the things their Mom, and Nana, really do understand.

*****
If you are left a bit confused and wondering why my vocabulary seems to be much improved from my last few posts, I must admit this post was inspired by the latest Campaign challenge. My first reaction was to tackle this as fiction, but I wanted to find a way to incorporate the words into a blog post I would write for our readers.

More about the challenge from Rachel Harrie's Campaign site:
Write a blog post in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, whether flash fiction, non-fiction, humorous blog musings, poem, etc. The blog post should:

·         include the word "imago" in the title
·         include the following 4 random words: "miasma," "lacuna," "oscitate," "synchronicity,"

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional and included in the word count), make reference to a mirror in your post.

For those who want an even greater challenge (optional), make your post 200 words EXACTLY!
*****

I’m happy to say I took on all the challenges, even making it 200 words exactly. If you enjoyed my interpretation, please visit this page and vote for me, #173.
While you are there, take some time to my fellow campaigners responses to this challenge.

26 comments:

K.T. Hanna said...

I love that this is your story. Like a real blog post for us to read. You weaved the words in really well. Well done :D

Unknown said...

Love the way you used the words!

-----

Join me at the Rule of Three Writers' Blogfest!

Tia Bach said...

Thanks! Like I said in the post, my gut was to do fiction or a poem, but I wanted to challenge myself to write a post for my readers and incorporate the challenge.

Joanna said...

I am impressed by still managing a 'normal' post for your readers with this vocabulary. Well done!

Tia Bach said...

Normal was the bigger challenge for me this go-round. Isn't that interesting!?! ;-)

Sheri L. Swift, Author said...

Very nice Tia! I def can relate as my youngest is now sitting down to write a story she's been working on since she was in the 4th Grade. ; )

Stephanie said...

Great post. Clever use of the words, and I like the story you told.

Tia Bach said...

Sheri & Stephanie, Thanks so much!

Marcy said...

I like your different approach to the challenge.

Trisha said...

Nice work on including all the words, etc.! Sounds like you and your mother are very close!

Anonymous said...

Excellent. I love the personal approach (went that way myself). Great job with the challenge.

Nana said...

Wonderful post as always. Can't tell you how proud I am of you!

Tia Bach said...

Marcy, Trisha & Raelyn, Thanks so much. I'm looking forward to checking out everyone's tomorrow.

Nana, aka Mom... Thanks. I am blessed to have such an inspiration.

Jen said...

I love your approach to the challenge. And I can relate! My family moved regularly thanks to my father's job. People are amazed at how close my sister, my mother and I are. You know, when you're always the new kid, that you have to rely on family.
And my sister and I are currently writing a book!
My entry is #3.

Tia Bach said...

Jen, We might have been separated at birth. Love that you are writing with your sister. Can't wait to hear more about that.

Thanks for stopping by. I'm heading over to check yours out soon. I need to do some catch-up reading on this challenge.

MISH said...

This is so refreshing ! And there's nothing that beats the personal touch !
My entry at no.#185

Tia Bach said...

Mish, Thanks!

My goal tonight is to take my computer to the couch with my hot tea and cozy blanket and read Imago entries.

Should be fun!

David P. King said...

That was excellent!

Loved how you told us a real story with those tricky words.

Great job, Tia! :)

F.E. Sewell said...

Awesome entry! I love how heartwarming, encouraging, and inspiring it is!

Tia Bach said...

Thanks, F.E. and David. I'm about to pour a cup of hot tea and head over to read some entries. This was fun!

Rachel's giving campaigning a good name. I now no longer only associate it with politicians telling stories to get my vote. ;-)

Dawn M. Hamsher said...

Nice way to tie the challenge into your book!

BTW, the title "Depression Cookies" is interesting. It makes a would be reader want to know more. Like, how does depression go with cookies.

Unless you just eat them when you are depressed. LOL! That does sound like a good idea.

The Write Soil

My entry is #50. I am also a member of She Writes.

Jocelyn Rish said...

Love your choice to go with a non-fiction "regular" blog post, and I was impressed that you worked the words in so seamlessly.

Tia Bach said...

Dawn, Thanks! I'm heading over to check out your entry & find you on SheWrites.

Thanks, Jocelyn.

I wanted to try to use the words in a "real" way (but must admit I had to look up all but mirror and synchronicity).

I love the support, ladies. Thanks!

the wild magnolia said...

You have done a fine job of writing. Good word usage, good story.

It was interesting and it was fun.

#188

Christy Farmer said...

Well done!

Tia Bach said...

Thanks! I'm off to visit more entries. There are so many, and so many good ones.