Friday, August 21, 2009

A Bow and a Curtsy

My Asian-ness says to be humble. My American-ness says to yell, "Aaaaaw snap!" Between the two, I'd like to say, from the bottom of my blogging heart, "Thank you" to Jessica of This is Worthwhile, who chose little ol' me for for a hearty slap on the back. Jessica acknowledged my Chronicles this week with a writer's meme and, of course, I accepted. Read, weep, and feel free to do it yourself (don't forget to tag me).

Which words do you use too much in your writing?
so, fuck, shit, drama


Which words do you consider overused in stuff you read?
therefore, in the end, at the end of the day

What’s your favourite piece of writing by you?
A post I did about my mother, which was painful, cathartic, uplifting and sadder for me than any of the words I typed. I also like writing about poop, sleep, and poop.


What blog post do you wish you’d written?
I wish I would have, could have written this because I think it is such a beautiful tribute to parenthood. I'm not sure I wish I’d have written this , just because of the horror of the content. But, it is undeniably hysterical. Seriously as funny as farts.

Regrets, do you have a few? Is there anything you wish you hadn’t written?
No regrets...yet. I am pretty new to the game, though. There are things I wish I could write about, but at this time need to stay within the confines of my family. Maybe someday, though, maybe someday...

How has your writing made a difference? What do you consider your most important piece of writing?
I’m not sure if my writing has made a difference. That sounds so...big and important. One of the reasons I write is because I’m, by nature, shy. It is a way for me to just go ahead and say what I want to say in a voice that is louder than how I speak in real life. So, if someone finds my stories to be funny, touching, entertaining, or relatable in any way, then that is all the “difference” I’m looking to make. My most important piece of writing? Sheesh. That’s just way too much pressure. I think I’ll just say this one...

Name three favorite words
sinuous, pejorative, jocular

…And three words you’re not so keen on
moist, starts with "c" and rhymes with "punt," and smushy (I realize how that sounds and, no, I don't mean to use them together...)

Do you have a writing mentor, role model or inspiration?
I don’t know if I have a mentor or role model, but I definitely have inspirations. I was an English major in college and then studied Journalism in grad school so I’ve read a LOT of stuff. I do like literature...like really serious literature that reaches the nth degree of pretentiousness, but I naturally gravitate more toward stories about real people. I’m a sucker for memoirs. One of the most searing ones I’ve ever read is Wasted by a young Marya Hornbacher who has since penned another memoir chronicling her struggle with manic depression.

Since we’re talkin’ blogs, though, I have a few that I really, seriously love. These bloggers all walk that magical line of telling it like it is in a no-holds-barred fashion, but with oodles of vulnerability and heart. Plus they can write their mutha fuckin' asses off: Whisky in My Sippy Cup, Knotty Yarn , Motherhood Uncensored, and Cry It Out: Memoirs of a Stay-at-Home Dad.


What’s your writing ambition?
To bring humanity to everything I write -- even if it is a little bit on a local 89-year-old farmer that just loves, loves, loves his snowpeas. My blog is part of that journey. It helps me laugh at the stress of motherhood, reflect on how far I’ve come, remember from whence I came, figure out where I fit in, and on a good day, it reminds me to take a deep breath, close my eyes and...jump in.

If people enjoy and relate to it? Well, just keep pourin’ the gravy.

What is the best compliment you’ve ever gotten about your writing?
There have been two: “I’m sitting at my desk crying as I’m reading your latest post” and “I just laughed so hard I peed my pants.”

The rules:
Please link to my original, then link to three to five other bloggers and pass it on, asking them to answer your questions and link to you. You can add, remove or change one question as you go. You absolutely do not have to be what you may think of as a “published” or “successful” writer to respond to this meme, I hope people can take the time to reflect on what their blogging has brought them and how it has been useful to others.

I’m tagging Momisodes, Asian Mommy, and The Suite Life of Lucy and Ethel, but feel free to do it even if you weren’t tagged.

Next up? Iron Girl!!!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

i personnally like reading your blogs whenever you mention it on twitter, your words come across the screen so well that it is poignant. it's like watching a good movie that you sit through all the way.

Momisodes said...

I loved reading this about you! I feel you on wishing to blog about certain other topics. And I have to say that I love many of those blogs you mentioned as well!

Thank you so much for the tag!

Little Apple said...

Just want you to know I enjoy your writing and can relate to some of your experiences...my kids are about the same age. And you inspire me - pushing 2 kids in a jogging stroller?! I run alone to get away from mine.

Rosana V. said...

@anonymous aw shucks, i'm blushing. thank you so much for commenting.
@momisodes glad you got a kick out of it!
@little apple thank you! trust me, "inspirational" is not what i look like when i'm actually behind that thing. ;-)

Jessica said...

Oh dear, I thought I had left a comment on this, but I guess I didn't! - Anyway, I just wanted to say again how much I love your writing. Isn't it funny that so many of us identify as "shy"? Cuz, ME TOO!

Rosana V. said...

@jessica it is funny! may we should start a bloggers anonymous club for the socially awkward? lol!