Strong Women: A Recipe for Success

Today, my family and I saw Brave. We have been looking forward to this movie for so long that I had started wondering if it was ever going to be released. It did not disappoint. I will have a more dedicated review on Mom in Love with Fiction this week.

I have three daughters, so I love "princess" movies that empower women. Mulan will always be one of my favorites as well as Tangled and Shrek. I want my girls to see that women can be strong and self-sufficient and still fall in love and embrace femininity when sthey choose. What I loved most about these titles: the main female characters were not dainty in their beauty. Their beauty was so much deeper.

There's nothing about the "damsel in distress" that I find interesting. Never did.

One of my biggest issues with the popularity of Twilight... Bella seemed so weak and whiny to me. I almost gave up on the series during Book Two. I couldn't understand why two hot men would fight over her, much less a vampire and a wolf-turner (he's not a werewolf, right, so what is he called?!). I didn't see any strength in Bella until she became pregnant in Breaking Dawn, the fourth book of the series.

Compare that to Hunger Games. Katniss Everdeen is an amazing character. She's loving and fiercely protective, going to what seems like certain death for her sister, and quite capable of defending herself. But she also struggles to find love and meaning in the world around her. I found her flaws as interesting as her strengths. One of the best female characters I read in the last year.

Just a few weeks ago, I saw Snow White and the Huntsman. I found myself more intrigued by the queen. I would have loved more of her story: what made her the beauty-obsessed, insecure woman she became.

Please share your favorite female character in the last few years, either book or movie. What made her memorable?

Now that I've opened up this can of worms, I'm going to give some thought to my top five favorite female characters for a future post. Hmmmm...

5 Movie Types that Influence my Blogging

Today is the first theme-day of the 2012 WordCount Blogathon: Five Movies that Inspired my Blogging.

I love movies, second only to books as a choice for entertainment, so I was thrilled to see this theme day. Instead of picking five specific movies, I've picked five movie themes.

Source

Young Adult Books Turned Into Movies
My oldest daughter and I are avid readers, so we share books. It's a way to strengthen our mother-daughter bond. Plus, I've found some great reads this way.

Since I often write about my role as a mother, these shared interests make perfect blog posts. The most recent example was Hunger Games (I hope to have a review up soon). My daughter and I talked for hours about the books and couldn't wait for movie. We did the same with Lightning Thief, but then we were disappointed in the movie.

Related Post: Family bonding, Hunger Games style

Reimagined Fairy Tales
Who doesn't love a fairy tale? Lately, movies (and TV with ABC's Once Upon a Time) like Mirror Mirror, Snow White and the Huntsmen, and Red Riding Hood remind us that even the most beloved stories can be reimagined.

I often struggle to cover new ground in blog posts. I need to remember that I can post about even the most popular subjects, as long as I put my own spin on it.

Related Post: Mirror Mirror

Superhero Movies
Last summer was filled with them, and we didn't miss one. Thanks to my husband's determination to have the girls love his toys, my girls are infatuated with superheroes. We even saw Avengers this weekend (another review I need to get done).

These movies serve as a great reminder to write what you are passionate about. The successful superhero movies tell a good story about well-loved characters. They also realize you can't just bank on a known commodity, such as superhero fans. Blog posts are the same. You can't bank on people coming back if you're content isn't worthwhile.

Women's Movies/Chick Flicks
I'm not a fan of the terms chick flick or chick lit, but I love a movie or book that showcases women's issues and relationships. However, a formulaic chick flick is not for me. I'm not willing to watch a movie just because girls meets guy, guy isn't ready, coincidences happen, man finally falls hopelessly in love. I prefer some depth, wit, and chemistry.

I try to write about women's issues and the wonderful gift of the bonds between women, so these types of books and movies greatly influence my blog and my writing.

Related Post: I am Woman, Hear Me Roar: For Shoes?

Movies That I Should Have Quit
Have you ever wanted to walk out of a movie because it was so bad or not what you expected? Did you? I usually don't, hoping beyond all hope that it redeems itself (It's even harder for me to put a book down). But there are several movies I wish I had walked out on.

There are so many blogs out there to choose from. Our posts should be honest, up to date, and believable so people don't choose to go elsewhere. It might be hard to leave an $11 movie, but it isn't hard for people to click to a new site.

Related Post: You Had Me at Goodbye: Movies I Should Have Quit

What do movies teach you about posting? Or better yet, about life?

11 Questions: Campaign Fun!

I was tagged to answer eleven questions by Jennifer Fischetto, a fellow participant in Rachael Harrie's Writers' Platform-Building Campaign. Thanks, Jennifer!

I am supposed to answer the questions below and then create eleven of my own to pass on to other campaigners. However, I've noticed most everyone has been tagged, so I'm doing something a bit different. More details after my questions.

Without further ado...



1. What is the one thing you wish you knew how to do but don't?

I'm sure my answer is skewed thanks to fighting with my blog today, but I wish I knew more HTML code!

2. If you could instantly know a foreign language (one you don't already know), which would it be?

French. There's something lyrical about it.

3. What is your first birthday memory?

It's a blur of moving boxes. We moved every 2-3 years, and almost always in the summers (my birthday is August 4). I remember some friends throwing me a going-away/birthday party in middle school.

4. If you could go back to age 21 (assuming you're legal, lol), knowing what you know now, would you?

No. If I went back to 21, which does sound alluring some days, I'd want to still live with the spirit and idealism I had back then. No reason to know what you know until you know it.

5. If you went to your prom, was it everything you hoped? And if you didn't, do you regret it?

I moved to a new city the summer before my senior year of high school. I had little to no expectations, so prom was a non-event. I went, checked if off the must-do teenage events, and had a good time with girlfriends. To me, it was the last thing standing in my way before college.

6. Would you rather: perfect health, complete wealth, or never aging?

Above all, I would want happiness, but I don't want to not answer the question. Blame the fact that I'll be 40 in August, but today I'd take never aging. Ask me tomorrow, and who knows.

7. What is your favorite TV show from childhood?
Moonlighting. I had such a crush on Bruce Willis (pretty much still do) and even named my daughter, Maddie (I loved Cybil Shepherd as Maddie Hayes).

8. Which is the best book you've read in the past year?
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. I was never a nonfiction reader before, and this book opened me up to it. Also, Hunger Games, because my daughter and I enjoyed it together.

9. Which is your favorite book of all time?
Tough one. Ursula Hegi's Stones from the River. I also loved I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb.

10. Which kitchen appliance could you not live without (not including the basics, fridge, stove, and sink)?
My crock pot. I love to come home to the smell of dinner almost done.

11. If you had to choose, would you rather use an outhouse or have no electricity, forever?

My kids love the "would you rather" game. I'll have to ask them this one. I'd say use the outhouse and keep my electricity. But I'm paying someone else to clean the outhouse, that's for sure.

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I have one question for people visiting my blog to keep the fun going.

I love to read a good book, but more than anything, I like a book that surprises me in some way. What's the last book that surprised you?

Family Bonding, Hunger Games style

I'm so excited for March 23, 2012 and the Hunger Games movie. Usually I go into movies based on books with a great sense of trepidation. Rarely do they live up to the movie playing in my head when I'm reading the book. I still haven't gone to see The Help, because I really loved the book (even though I've heard the movie is wonderful).

Movies are only a problem if I loved the book. If my feelings were so-so, the movie usually works out fine. I loved Hunger Games, but I must admit the previews are giving me hope that the book will be well represented.

Here's the latest trailer:

Jennifer Lawrence - Liam Hemsworth - Woody Harrelson - Elizabeth Banks - Josh Hutcherson - Stanley Tucci - Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

And I'm lucky because my tween daughter is as excited as I am to see it (she's read all three books, I've only read the first two). As a mom, it is my privilege responsibility to see the movie first and then her (so I get to see it twice!). She didn't get to see Breaking Dawn.

I'm so glad my daughter and I share a love of reading, because I know it's a bond that will last a lifetime.

Do you get excited about books turned into movies? What was the last one you saw that was done well?

A Break for Reading: Guest Post by my Daughter, Jackie Bach

My lovely sixth grade daughter, Jackie, is a great sport. She rarely grumbles when I ask her to write thank you notes after Christmas, and even went along with my idea to write this post.

Enjoy her thoughts on Christmas break.

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Mom asked me to write a post for her blog this week. Like I don't write enough when I'm in school. She didn't even give me a topic, and I was in the middle of watching A Christmas Story when she asked.

She offered to type if I told her the words, so I made the deal.

I love Christmas break because I love being with my family. My sisters are nicer than normal, so I actually like playing with them (a little). I also love being home without homework because I have more time to read what I want.

Santa and my parents got me several books. And my Nana and Papa got me a Kindle Touch and a gift card for Amazon. I can't wait to download books!

I love to read series, so Mom and I are going to sit down later and look through Amazon. I've read 26 books since school started, and they were all 400 pages or more. I hope to read a few more over Christmas.

Right now, I'm reading Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. It's the second book in the Hunger Games Trilogy. So far I love them and can't wait for the Hunger Games movie next year.

Christmas break is all about wearing pajamas all day, playing games with my family, watching television, and the best of all... reading a good book.

Merry Christmas!

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I'm thinking there's a great opportunity to sit on the couch with a book in my hand and bond silently with her! She's definitely her mother's daughter.

Not to be outdone, my other two girls wanted in on the action.

Reagan, a 4th grader and sports enthusiast, is looking forward to doing the gingerbread house that "we were supposed to do before Christmas."

Wait, I think that's more of a note to Mom than a contribution to this post.

Maddie, my first grader, said she was just looking forward to no school and being with her family. I gave her a hug. My other two girls told me to stop treating her like a baby. ;-)

From our house to yours, we hope you are enjoying this last week of 2011.

What's your favorite part of the holidays once the hustle and bustle of Christmas is over?

Middle Child Day: Friday Feature

Somewhere this week, and I say somewhere because I read so much both online and elsewhere I have no idea where I find things anymore, I saw that August 12th is Middle Child Day. I'm the first born of three girls, but today happens to be my middle sister's birthday. Happy Birthday, Tara! I'm also married to a middle child. For today's Friday Feature, the best thing I read this week and why, I wanted to talk about the middle.

My husband and I both come from families of three (and same-sex families of three at that). The nice thing about three... it is well-defined with a beginning, a middle, and an end. The bad thing... it is well-defined. Many scholars have studied birth order and its effect on the family and the individual. What I find interesting is how often you hear the term "middle child syndrome" versus talking about first or last borns. My husband and sister would agree they felt lost in the shuffle.

Then I realized I could tie this into reading. Actually I've found I can tie just about anything back to reading or writing, but I digress. I enjoy series, but almost always note the second book syndrome in a trilogy. This happened for me in the Twilight (okay, second book of four), Hunger Games and City of Bones series. So maybe there's some validity to lost in the shuffle. The first book lands the author the series commitment, so it needs to be stellar and attention-grabbing. The second book usually fills in story to prepare the reader for the thrilling conclusion of the third book. It's sad, because the second book can keep me from continuing the series. I devoured Hunger Games, but Catching Fire lacked the spark to propel me to the third which is collecting dust in my to-read pile.

A lesson can be learned by both parents and writers: give special love to your second baby and make sure they don't feel lost or neglected. I know I strive to do this with my beautiful second daughter, Reagan. Of course, it helps to have both my sister and husband constantly reminding me.

A special shout-out to all who find themselves in the middle. It can truly be a special place, especially if you make sure people see you.

Here I am with my sister, Tara

My middle daughter, Reagan

My two middles, husband Ed & Reagan

Are you stuck in the middle? What's your story?