The Daring Group Writing Challenge

Somehow, during The Venture, we figured out that if we tell the girls NOT to do something -- like eat green beans -- they would, happily. It started because the girls would hardly eat on the trip and the result was that one of them -- Jaybird, in fact -- kept waking up starving in the middle of the night. Ack! Unfortunately, she's still doing that now that we're home. Double Ack!

So, it went something like this:

Don't you eat that chicken!

And, lo and behold, she'd eat it, smiling, and she'd eat nearly all of it.

That's now a game we can't stop, and I know it's a very bad technique in toddler-world. But, they're asking for it and while we're not delivering all the time, it's hard to resist, especially when they are hardly eating a bite of dinner and we foresee a night of little sleep and proceed to fill her little belly with anything we can find.

In honor of this first-class parenting technique, I'm thrilled to host my next (and long overdue) Group Writing Project. In the past, these contests have made my heart swell with pride for how awesomely dedicated my readers are, and I have gained such wonderful readers from these projects. I encourage anyone looking to gain readership to host their own project -- after mine is over, of course! Read the first three here, here and here. Some of the themes on this blog will change over the course of time as I try to figure out how to remain PRIVATE in a job that is not-so-private. I'm working for a politician, for goodness sake. But, these writing projects will remain, for sure. (And, I have three very cool elements I plan to add in starting in two weeks.)

So, here's the deal: The Daring Writing Project will be just one day this time -- Friday -- yet another pivotal day of my motherhood experience when my days as a full-time, stay-at-home Mama come to end, for a while anyway. So, for you procrastinators who fear deadlines, you have five full days to write and submit.

My heart will be bursting and breaking and sagging and leaping as this transition happens. But, I am ready because my core-being is to ready to serve something other than grilled cheese and carrot sticks. I long to make this world a better place, to make my community and my daughters' world a better place -- and not just by picking up a cigarette butt at the playground. I look forward to adult conversation, lunch breaks and time to actually get my annual Pap smear without having to hire a sitter or beckon the Husband home.

Your duty, my dear village, is to write in any style or genre that you like using a writing prompt about having your Third Eye, an idea I came across via one of my new favorite blogs, Doobleh-vay.

The second I saw this idea, I thought of so many situations in which I'd like to have a third eye, to understand more and judge less. I thought of my neighbors, and their families and how violence on so many levels is a part of their lives and how if I had a third eye what I might see. It would not be pretty or fun, I am sure. I also thought about the fleeting moments of time when I'm driving or walking and feel enlightenment -- mere seconds of pure bliss with the world and all of its imperfections as imperfect people swell my heart with compassion.

So, your job is to write like there is no tomorrow about what your Third Eye sees, or what it would see, or how it feels to be there. If you are a fiction writer, as several of my readers are, write what your character's third eye sees. If you are a mom, like most of us, you could write something funny or serious or memorable about what your Third Eye taps into about your toddler or teenager. It could be true stories about your community, or your family, but feel free to be poetic or dreamy or just plain simple. There is no wrong or right for these so long as you write, and write honestly -- and, of course, link to this here blog post in the process.

Mr. Linky will collect your posts as you submit them for the world to read and devour over coffee and scones next weekend. I will choose two participants, at random, to each win a $5 gift certificate to Starbucks, where you can gleefully indulge in something like an iced caramel latte or something else I often dream about when the sleep faerie visits. To be a valid participant you have to write your post, link to this post and/or Friday's post, submit via Mr. Linky in my Friday post and, above all, comment in the comments of Friday's post as well -- and all before midnight on Friday, August 15 EST. I know, I know ... lots of work but I've learned a few things in this blogosphere about giveaways. Winners will be announced Sunday night -- or when I get around to it. LOL Oh, and please spread the word so we all get some great visitors reading these posts!!

Next week, Daddy Dan will be filling my flip flops and managing the rascals the entire week so I can get used to my new job and we all get used to being apart from each other. Baby steps, I suppose. If he can swing a minute or two, he'll be guest blog posting here and, on Thursday, at How Do You Do It? Otherwise, follow me on Twitter for my "Oh, hell, what did I do?" moments.

See you all here Friday. I can't wait to read your entries!

Thank you for visiting today.

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