Oh, Boy - Obento! Bow Tie Bear Bento

I'm cross-posting this from Sexy Vegan Mama, because it's simple enough that anyone can do it, and cute enough to share!

Happy Vegan MoFo!

Let's make one thing clear... I'm NOT one of those crafty moms who scrapbooks, decorates my house for every season, turns vintage suitcases into shabby chic conversation pieces, or makes masterpieces of boxed lunches.

I'm just not.

What I AM is a mama who's always looking for fun, easy ways to get food into my kids' bodies, while acknowledging our entire family's hodgepodge of food restrictions:

I'm vegan, Pepper has digestive issues (we're still working on identifying those -- she's heading toward a referral to a GI specialist), Curlytop and Snugglebug are allergic to Red Dye 40, and poor little Snugglebug can't have fruit if it's juiced or dried due to the change in sugar concentration.

(Oh, by the way, please go VOTE for this blog in the Circle of Moms Top 25 Food Allergy Mom blog contest! Sexy Vegan Mama was a late nomination, and there are only a few days left of the contest, so I have a lot of catching up to do! You can vote once every 24 hours. Thank you!)

I also don't have a ton of time on my hands, so when I see those crafty moms cranking out cute-as-a-button bentos, I'm absolutely floored that anyone, anyone would spend so much time creating a meal that's going to roll around in a backpack for a few hours before its precious owner gets around to eating it.

Still, there's something to be said for a cute lunch when you're a pigtailed princess in kindergarten or the first grade... So I made a quickie little bento that's so simple, even a caveman mom of seven can do it.

About the bento boxes -- I picked them up in a Tokyo hotel gift shop, and I'm sure I paid too many Yen for them, but they're adorable, and they've held up well over the past couple years, with just a bit of scratching to the adornment on the top lid. I haven't found the exact same ones online yet, but these are similar in design, except they include a spoon, rather than chopsticks. Plus, they're less than ten bucks. Woohoo!

(Read about my adventures in Japan here.)

They have a shallow tray on the bottom with a lid that fits snugly inside the edges, then a deeper tray on top, with removable partitions and a snug-fitting lid. On top of all of it is a clear, shallow, hard plastic top which creates a storage area for small plastic chopsticks (included in the set) or other tiny utensils. (I'm fond of keeping and reusing for lunches the diminutive plastic forks which come in Simply Asia's Sesame Teriyaki noodle bowls (they're vegan!), which I pack when I'm traveling to places where I'll be cooped up in a hotel room or where vegan options are hopeful, at best.)

Anyway, to make this bento, I:

• Cut vegan whole wheat bread slices with a bear-shaped cookie cutter (that link goes to the exact one I use)
• Made a sandwich with PB & J (no "J" for Snugglebug, as she can't digest the sugar, and if your kid's school has a "no nuts" policy, you can use tahini, or make whatever sort of sandwich your progeny will eat)
• Used a wooden skewer to pierce the bread where the eyes, nose and bow tie would be to help the "decorations" stay put better
• Placed a dried currant in each of the holes for the eyes and nose (I had to take Snugglebug's currants out before sending her off to school... She said, "Mom! Are you trying to make me sick? You know I can't have RAISINS!" I tried to argue, "They're currants, Honey, and they're just for the pictures," but... Cue dramatic meltdown.)
• Placed two dairy-free chocolate chips, point-to-point, at the bear's neckline for his bow tie
• Tucked cut broccoli florets around the bear
• Used an inexpensive cupcake paper to line the small compartment, then filled it with slivered almonds and dairy-free chocolate chips (I know they make fancy, colorful bento liners, but I'm cheap, and I always fail to plan ahead. Cupcake papers work fine.)
• Filled the bottom tray with baby carrots, garbanzo beans and fresh peas

That's it! Is that the simplest bento ever, or what?!

"Like" The Gonzo Mama on Facebook, and don't forget to see what's cooking with Sexy Vegan Mama today!

I'm Alive... You?

It's waaaaay past time for an update, and for that, I apologize. Didn't mean to leave you all hanging. As far as you know, I'm still in Miami, right? (More on that next week.)

I took a hiatus from blogging and my column in order to address some family issues, which are settling - I hope. Anyway... Here's what's happened since we last chatted:

1. Mr. Wright and I returned safely from our hard-earned vacation to Miami, Key West and the Bahamas. Well, pretty much "safely." Watch for my column next week.

Key West... "Hemingway Pissed Here"

2. I went to Las Vegas for the Pure Romance National Convention, joining a bazillion of the coolest ladies in the biz (and by "biz," I mean the sexual heath consultant biz). I flew on more than one airplane by myself, and lived to tell about it. In the meantime, I'm romancing between writing and the general hubbub that comes with the Gonzo clan. You can see my product line - from mild to wild - here.

3. The vegan dessert cookbook I'm co-authoring with international best-selling author William Maltese is coming together, after many stops and starts and a general feeling of sheer horror that I wouldn't be able to produce enough content for the book. Turns out I worried for nothing, and now that I'm getting all the parts and pieces stitched together, I feel like a sillyhead. All that worrying for nothing! If worrying was an Olympic sport, I'd have a collection of gold medals to rival Michael Phelps. Let the record show no one has ONCE suspected me of using performance-enhancing drugs - either a testament to my purity, or ineptness.

4. We're adding some additional service for Curlytop, as her IEP only provides for limited therapy during school hours. She's had assessments at the same center Snugglebug attends for speech therapy, and the administrator noticed the same thing I do about Curlytop's learning style - she's a tactile learner. If you can get her to DO something while learning, she'll soak up the information. I'm currently trying to figure out how to engage the school district and her educators to take advantage of this. Any ideas?

5. I recently signed a contract with Momicillin.com to become one of their regular contributors. That means you'll have one more place to get original content from me, me, ME! I'll be contributing featured posts, short bits, and stuff I love, so bookmark or subscribe to the site, and watch for the magic! And look at the cute author caricature their artist made of me:

Image by Momicillin.com

6. Pockets got his driver's license. You've been warned.

What have YOU been up to?

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Let the Voting Begin!

Remember when I asked you all to think of roller derby back-up names for me? Well, it's time to vote!

I had a lot of suggestions on the Facebook page and my personal page. I ran them through the database, and posted the ones with no conflicts or "low" conflicts. So, if you see your suggestion listed in the poll, it means you're original and creative... Get down with your funky, ingenious self! ::bom-chicka-wah-wah::


The poll will stay open until midnight, February 28th, and the creator of the name with the most votes will receive a signed copy of my book, Everything I Need to Know About Motherhood I Learned from Animal House, so make sure you send all your friends to vote for your entry so you can shamelessly stuff the ballot box.

If you're on a mobile device or blog reader, or receiving an email subscription, you may need to visit this post directly on your computer to see the poll and participate. ::Quick check - Can you see the poll below? If not, I'm talking to YOU!::









"Like" The Gonzo Mama on Facebook, and don't forget to see what's cooking with Sexy Vegan Mama today!

I Really Need Your Help. It Might Even Be an Emergency. WIN a Copy of My Book, Too!

Photo source

I went to my first roller derby meeting last night. It was very eye-opening, and almost scary enough to make me say, "Sorry... I must've walked into the wrong meeting," and walk out. But not quite.

2011 is my Year of YES. (More on this in next week's column.) It means I'm saying yes to things that ultimately terrify me, but I know I can conquer.

One of those things is public speaking. I hate public speaking. In fact, in my high school speech class, I had to give a demonstration speech, and my hands were shaking so uncontrollably, I dropped all my props and failed the speech. My Speech grade left an ugly blemish on an otherwise stellar academic record. Well, that, and Wood Shop. Whatever.

Anyway, I walked into Mr. Editor's office at my home paper, the Lake Chelan Mirror, whining because someone was mean to me on Facebook. It's unremarkable that some people don't like me (and by "some people," I mean that one woman who really hates me), because I do tend to be a bit opinionated and often come across as pushy in written discussion. However, this particular (different than "that one woman who really hates me") woman attacked me over something I didn't even say, and nothing upsets me more than someone being upset over something they've only imagined about me.

I mean, good gosh - I beat myself up for my own imagined shortcomings enough, without other people inventing new ones to be ticked off at!

Anyway, Mr. Editor said exactly what I thought he'd say. He's always quoting a couple particular passages from the Epistle to the Romans (11:29 and 16:17), and paraphrasing it to "Don't let the haters get you down, Gonzo."

Then he said, "We're doing a podcast." Podcast? Really? The Gonzo Mama does NOT do podcasts. Then I remembered it's the Year of YES, and sucked it up and did it.

Here it is.

It didn't totally suck, so I guess I can do another one. As you can hear, I'm taking on some pretty scary things this year, like doing the Winterfest Splash, and joining roller derby.

Which brings me to my big problem.

I had the perfect roller derby name picked out ("Tawdry Hipburn"), but - I learned at the informational meeting - derby names are exclusive, and no two girls can have the same name. Or, it appears, even terribly similar names. There's already a Tawdry Hepburn and an Audrey Hipburn registered, so I'm out of luck.

I need you guys to give me a roller derby name!!!!!

I'm thinking something with "Gonzo" in it, or something that highlights my glorious veganism, like Gonzo Gladiator or Tofu Terrifier or something, but I'm totally open to suggestions. My goal is to take The Gonzo Mama, if I'm allowed, but I need a back-up name!

I'll take your comments here and on Facebook for the next few days, then put up a poll, and everyone can vote on it.

Aren't you excited? I'm taking you on this derby journey with me, in the hope you'll keep me accountable when I'm nursing a broken arm and want to quit.

Also? I need a busload of money for skates, equipment, insurance, dues and fishnet tights, which means I'll either have to take a part-time job or point excitedly to the donation button up at the top of my blog.

See the donation button? *points excitedly*

Don't forget to leave your suggestion for my derby name in the comments here or on Facebook! I'll have to run suggestions through the list of registered names, so if you don't see your suggestion in the final poll, it's because it was already registered or too similar to a registered name.

I'll send an autographed copy of my book, Everything I Need to Know About Motherhood I Learned from Animal House, to the suggester of the winning suggestion, and there's no limit on the number of names you can suggest, you suggesters, you... So get to it!

To clarify: The readers' favorite will win a book. MY favorite will win my heart! Just wanted to get that out there before everyone voted for "Fat Bottom Ghoul" and then wondered why I didn't adopt it as my own.




"Like" The Gonzo Mama on Facebook, and don't forget to see what's cooking with Sexy Vegan Mama today!

Sexy Vegan Mama Goes Pro and Other Exciting Announcements

Sexy Vegan Mama was getting a bit big for her britches over here - and I don't mean she was packing on pounds from all the desserts over the holidays. Even if she was, it's really not my place to point out her widening rear end.

*ahem*

No... What I mean is she's outgrown her little corner here at TheGonzoMama.com, and she's moved into a place of her own.

*sniffle* It's so hard to when they grow up and leave home.

Anyway, she's set up shop over at SexyVeganMama.com, where she'll be sharing her best family vegan recipes (like this one), stories about living the vegan life and more.

Oh! And she has big publishing news! Go check it out!

Catch Sexy Vegan Mama on Facebook, too!

WANTED: Vegan Bloggers for Fun, Adventure and Romantic Times

Well, maybe not "romantic times..."


I am: Sexy Vegan Mama with an exciting new project.


You be: A vegan blogger with a sense of adventure, a need for shameless self-promotion and the ability to write a riveting post. 


For more info, email me.

Shop Gonzo for the Holidays!

Do you have a reader on your list?

Everything I Need to Know About Motherhood I Learned from Animal House is riotously funny, and at just $10.00, it's perfect for that office gift exchange. Or, snag a few copies and dole them out to your favorite mommies and daddies.

Front cover (click to enlarge)

Back cover (click to enlarge)

If you're in Chelan, pick up a signed copy at Riverwalk Books.

In Leavenworth, stop by A Book for All Seasons.

Somewhere else? Order online!

* * *

Every Gonzo Mama fan needs some swag. That's why the super-cool folks over at Zazzle are stocking The Gonzo Mama's gear this season.

Something for your beer lover? It's here.

For your little bow-wow? Check these out.

Key chains and flair? Yup.

How about SHOES? Yeah, baby! (Anyone shopping for me can just give me Zazzle gift certificates, because I want a pair of each of those shoes - even the "boy" shoes!)

We have tote bags, including organic-fiber.

Shirts? Hats? Neckties? Get 'em here.

Mousepads!

Covers for your iPhone and iPad? Yes, yes, yes!

Remember... by shopping Gonzo, you're supporting a worthy cause - and by "worthy cause," of course, I mean keeping The Gonzo Mama's Starbucks and Southern Comfort budget in the black.

I'd Like You to See Me In My Pajamas

This Saturday, I'll be reading and signing books at Gallery of THUM's Pajama Party Fundraiser in Spokane, Washington! The event is one of two annual fundraisers Gallery of THUM puts on to provide art materials and classes to disenfranchised children.

Here are the details:

Gallery of THUM
2910 North Monroe
Spokane WA 99205
(509) 413-1489

Saturday, October 2, 2010
9:30 PM to Midnight
Ages 21+; must provide ID

Pajama Party Fundraiser – By invitation only. Attendees must RSVP to galleryofthum@hotmail.com and submit $20.00 per person on the gallery's donation page (bring some cash to the event, because I know you'll fall in love with the awesome gallery items, and want to buy my book, of course!). Space is limited, so RSVP ASAP!

Come enjoy Pixie Dust Chocolates, light BBQ tidbits, fun comedic repartee, and some lovely live music. Tom Quinn will be playing guitar, there will be a surprising singer or two, readings by local authors Christina-Marie Wright - reading from her current book, Everything I Need to Know About Motherhood I Learned from Animal House - and the famous William Maltese, reading from Africa: Spice Island Love (rated sexy so be prepared!).

There will be some other fun surprises including several art demonstrations. Some item of your pajama wardrobe or suitable substitute must be worn during the event - a robe, pajama top, nightgown, etc. Regular clothing underneath is a preference for revealing items. And for you daring darlings who sleep in the buff... yes, wear a robe!

Also? There's a muffin exchange! Bring a muffin to trade, and give it a great name. I'm not clear on whether recipes are requested, so bring yours - just in case.

Spokane is not my stomping ground, so I'm hoping a vast contingent of Gonzo Mama fans will make a strong showing to welcome me to the city. RSVP by email now!

If My Book's Gonna be the Next Bestseller, I'm Gonna Need Your Help

Signing books at Edmonds Winery. I'd like to sign a lot more, too... you can help!

As I've learned recently, writing the book is just the first part.

After that, there's the marketing - and it's a full-time job.

It's not enough that I agonized over each and every word contained within the precious bound pages of my tome - now I have to beg people to buy it. The good news, my devoted readers, is that you can help!

My inbox today contained a link to a very useful blog post by author Eileen Flanagan, titled, "If You Love a Writer." And, well, you love me, right? RIGHT?


So, these are some of the ways you can help me to get the word out about my book (I'm going to hit on the high points of Eileen's post):

1. Buy the book, and buy often. If you haven't bought your copy of Everything I Need to Know About Motherhood I Learned from Animal House yet, please take the leap and do so, here. If you're already the proud owner of your very own copy, buy a copy for each of your friends and family members.
2. Ask your library to carry the book. This is something you can do to help me gain exposure and boost sales - and it's absolutely FREE.
3. Buy local! I'm a huge proponent of feeding local economies (but you know that, right?), so I always recommend that folks order through their local independent bookseller, via IndieBound. You can connect to a local indie bookstore to order my book here.
4. Do a review! If you've read Everything I Need to Know About Motherhood I Learned from Animal House and loved it, please review it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, GoodReads, or all of the above. Reviews help to boost my "cred" as an author, and help others to realize they must read the book.
5. Blog it, Tweet it, Facebook it. Mention the book on your blog, and link to it, or embed the video book trailer on your blog. Or interview me for your blog, so I can talk about it. Send out a tweet with a link to the book's page, or post the link on your Facebook profile. The more mentions out there, the more the word spreads! Blogging and social media not your bag? That's cool... you can send an email to all your friends, instead, telling them your friend just published a book and would love some support.
6. Book me... and my book. If you own a bookstore, coffeehouse or winery (or are good friends with someone who does), consider booking me for a reading and book signing. I promise to make people laugh! I'm also available to speak to your writers' group, book club, mommy group or girls' night out posse.
7. By all means... Yes, if you know Oprah, send her my book, along with my telephone number.
8. Don't forget to pray! Pray that the Lord will allow me to use the talent He blessed me with to be a shining example of His glory. Of course, I won't tell if you pray that I get on Oprah, too.

Woodinville Wine Country, Washington - Woodinville: Bottles, Books, And Babes

Woodinville Wine Country, Washington - Woodinville: Bottles, Books, And Babes

You like books, right? Since you're reading, I'm gonna guess you like me a little bit, too. I know you'll love my friends, Corbin Lewars and Monica Murphy LeMoine, when you meet them.

What? That's not enough to get you off the sofa on a Saturday afternoon? What if I threw in FREE WINE?

If you're in the greater Seattle metro area, be sure to swing by Edmonds Winery - in the Woodinville warehouse district - between 2:00 and 4:00 the afternoon of Saturday, August 14th for free wine tasting, readings from hot mama authors, and book signings.

(Click the image and link for more information!)

If You Read Naked, They Will Come

I may have mentioned, on occasion, I'm terrified of reading in public.

Someone suggested to me the old trick of imagining the audience naked in order to put me at ease. Have you SEEN my audiences? Sure, they're fine, handsome folks, but between people from my church and family members, I think it best not to imagine them, sans clothing.

Perhaps the trick is to arrive naked, myself. That way, the audience will be too distracted to notice how nervous I am.

That being said, I'll be you can't wait for my reading tomorrow at Odd Hours Books. Can you? It's Cindy Davis's tenth anniversary as the owner of Odd Hours. That's a really great accomplishment! I'll be there from 3-5:00pm to help her celebrate, and hope to sell a few books in the process. Check out the event flyer (click to enlarge):

If you're on Facebook, you can RSVP for the event here.

Hope to see you there!

(Banner and bunny ears added to my nekkid self by GonzoJenny. You can thank her. Imagine the alternative! Well, actually, DON'T.)

Mommy Blogger Book Giveaway | Joe Spake's Weblog

Mommy Blogger Book Giveaway | Joe Spake's Weblog

My favorite Memphis darling, Joe Spake, is holding a contest to give away a signed copy of my book!

If you haven't ordered your copy yet, why not click on over and enter?

Photos from Chelan with Corbin Lewars

My first book signing was fabulously fun and was made even more delicious by the presence of my super-talented and hot mama pal, Corbin Lewars. Check us out!

Thank you, LakeChelanOnlineNews, for the awesome photo!

Thanks again, Riverwalk Books, for hosting us! (Riverwalk still has a few signed copies of our books in stock, so don't be afraid to click on over and order!)

The photo was taken at our post-signing dinner at Chelan's hot new restaurant and bar, Tin Lilly, owned by my friends, Jhen and Tony. Awesome, awesome food, drinks and service. What more could a hot mama ask for?

Upcoming Events and Appearances

View past events here.

Riverwalk Books

116 E. Woodin Ave.
Chelan, WA 98816

Saturday, April 13, 2013

1PM-4PM

 



 

There's a Reason Agents Get 15 Percent

So, you’ve written a book. Congratulations! That’s the easy part.

Now, get ready to find an agent. I like to think there are three primary methods of securing an agent:

1. The Set-Up. You know someone who knows someone who met someone who had the business card of an agent. Or, you are fortunate enough to know an author who has an agent and is willing to recommend your manuscript to his agent.
2. The Blind Date. You perform Internet searches into the wee hours of the morning, reading agent profiles and sending queries to those you feel a connection to. After a few rejections, you lower your standards. Your new mandate becomes the ability to fog a mirror.
3. The Destined Deal. By luck, you’re seated next to an agent on an airplane or an agent trips over your laptop cord as you pound the keys in a coffee shop. A conversation about your manuscript ensues, and the agent produces a contract from his briefcase, ready for your signature.

Your agent’s job is finding a publisher for your book, and getting you the best advance and royalties possible. The agent takes a hefty chunk, but you don’t care. She’s worked hard, pimping your manuscript. You’re a grateful little book hooker, and your book gets published.

If you can’t find a book pimp of your very own, there are other ways to get your tome off your hard drive and into the hands of your adoring fans:

1. Compete for Publication. Some publishing houses run contests which award winners with publication. Contests may or may not charge entrants a reading fee, and may or may not offer a cash advance upon acceptance of the winner’s manuscript. Publishers don’t like to take chances; they want to print books that will sell. If your book is atypical in genre, length or style, you’re not likely to find yourself among the finalists.
2. Go to the Source. Most large publishing houses don’t accept queries from writers. Instead, they rely on agents to prescreen manuscripts and submit only the best. Remember, in publishing, “best” means most marketable with highest sales potential. Some smaller presses will entertain queries from authors and negotiate contracts directly with writers. Since small presses have small budgets, an author may get little to no advance and a small royalty per book sold.
3. Do-It-Your-Damn-Self. The stigma of self-publishing is actually relatively new, and already fading. Margaret Atwood, Zane Grey, Benjamin Franklin, Ernest Hemingway, Mark Twain and Edgar Allan Poe are just a few authors who self-published. For a modern-day self-publishing success story, one need only look as far as The Shack by William P. Young, which has sold millions of copies and spent over 100 weeks on the New York Times best-seller list.

I chose Publishing Option 3 for my first book, Everything I Need to Know About Motherhood I Learned from Animal House. That means I have no publisher to market my book, plan a book tour, or provide promotional materials. I know absolutely nothing about any of those tasks. I’m learning as I go.

If you’re lucky enough to secure an agent, and that agent manages to place your book with a publisher, or if you find your way into a publisher’s heart on your own, it will be someone’s job to send copies of your book to important people in the world for reviews.

Should you choose Publishing Option 3, plan to go into the world to find important people on your own. Beg them to review your book. Offer to babysit their kids or weed their gardens. Get them drunk, take photos of them shaking their groove thangs, and promise not to post the pictures on Facebook if they’ll write a review.

Call any relatives within a 200-mile radius and ask if they know a local business owner willing to host a book signing. Ask how many people they can con into showing up at the local self-serve pet wash for an event titled, “Books, Bubbles and Bones.” Voila! A book tour.

Speaking of book tours, I’m hoping you’ll all show up at Riverwalk Books on Friday, June 18th, at 7:00 p.m. for my very first book signing. Can’t make it? You can still order signed copies right here, on my website. Did I mention they make great Father’s Day gifts?

Would you care to review the photos I’m preparing to upload to Facebook before deciding on your purchase?

Book Trailer - Everything I Need to Know About Motherhood I Learned from Animal House

Move Over, Elvis... Memphis has a New Darling!

Okay, maybe I'm not going to be bigger than Elvis.

The undeniable fact, though, is that someone in Memphis loves me - and my book!

Joe Spake knows real estate. He knows Memphis. He's a guy who knows and blogs what he likes, and currently, he likes my book.

Here's what Joe had to say:

Christina-Marie Wright can tell a story. Whether you are reading her stories in her first book, "Everything I Need to Know about Motherhood I Learned from Animal House," or listening to them over coffee or drinks, Christina-Marie is engaging, honest, and incredibly funny.

This collection of essays documents the joys and tribulations of mothering seven kids, while being the charming wife of Mr. Wright, blogging, writing, and teaching. Her blog, The Gonzo Mama, takes “mommy blogging” to a whole new dimension.

Erma Bombeck entertained the moms of Boomers decades ago. With "Everything I Need to Know about Motherhood I Learned from Animal House," Christina-Marie takes the lead as the modern Mama humorist.

Wow! Consider me humbled.

Joe is my go-to guy for social media news and tips, and he can tell me absolutely anything I need to know about Memphis. If you're looking for a home - or a friend! - in Memphis, give Joe a tweet!

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/oddsock/71878427/

Denis Sheehan of "Askew Reviews" Reviews "Everything I Need to Know About Motherhood I Learned from Animal House"

Denis Sheehan is more than the editor/publisher of Askew Reviews ("an independent zine that doesn't suck!"). He's more than the author of A Nobody's Nothings and The Longsberry Letters.

He's a great friend, and not above bribery. As evidence, I present to you Denis's review of my book, Everything I Need to Know About Motherhood I Learned from Animal House:

“Peacefully” crow barring nine family members under one roof may seem to be a nearly impossible task, but Christina-Marie Wright’s humorously and entertainingly crafted 42 stories prove how lunacy and love makes it possible for her family.

Christina-Marie’s wonderfully conducted narratives detail what it’s like to be part of the Wright Family Orchestra and her symphony of words is like music for your eyes - and ears, if you read out loud.

Author Stan Morse Reviews "Everything I Need to Know About Motherhood I Learned from Animal House"

You may recognize today's reviewer from our adoption photo. Stan is not only a good friend and wonderful author, but he was also our adoption attorney! Stan's book, Circling the Earth in a Wheelchair, has a place of prominence on my bookshelf and in my heart. You can order your copy directly from Stan by contacting him on his website.

Here's what he had to say about Everything I Need to Know About Motherhood I Learned from Animal House:

I met a teen-aged Christina-Marie years ago, a dark beauty twirling like a ballerina on the sidewalks of our small town. People in Chelan DO NOT TWIRL ON SIDEWALKS. They behave respectfully. They attend church. They park their cars properly, between the white lines, all the way up to the curb, thank you very much.

Entranced, I managed to introduce myself, beginning a friendship that has matured into a personal need to have conversations that transcend the “social, cultural, intellectual wasteland.”

Christina-Marie actually got it!

Of course, there was that twirling thing. I worried at first that she was destined for some distant, quiet psychiatric ward. And I was never more concerned about her sanity than when she announced several years ago that she intended to become a writer. A GOOD writer, mind you! My own sanity has been repeatedly tested through the process of writing a travel book (published), three unpublished novels, two unsold screen plays, numerous magazine articles for which I was paid nearly enough to buy a good deli sandwich . . . well, you get the picture. And here was this . . . twirler . . . who was going to spin herself into a literary tizzy with no room for escape.

But my dear friend has actually succeeded, and formed herself up into a considerable wordsmith. I mean that. Because anyone who can write tellingly and honestly about herself and her family, and leave you laughing, deserves the Pulitzer.

In Christina-Marie’s prose there is no sugar coating, no fine veneer, no lying. She dissects the world of parenting with the impatience of a Mark Twain, a George Carlin, a Lilly Tomlin. No “cute” urban legends here. Just hilarious facts about what we all suffer through. And from this collection emerges one telling truth: Life may not be for sissies, but with the right attitude, it never ceases to entertain!

My Book's First Review

Dave Peckham, Christian writer and author of several books (including "Shepherd Warrior," cover image to left), reviewed "Everything I Need to Know About Motherhood I Learned from Animal House!"

I am lucky enough to count Dave among my real life friends and mentors, and his review humbles and means a lot to me. Here's what he had to say:

Christina-Marie Wright's collection of essays and musings on motherhood and parenting is a perfect blend of humor and real life happenings. Her recounting of emotions - frustration, happiness, sorrow, doubt and pride in her unplanned family, is a joy to read.


No subject is taboo and includes very personal situations in both her and, dare I say, her cooperative husband's lives.


Christina-Marie is a talented writer with the rare ability of stating the obvious while creating an environment of surprise and laughter for her readers which, I predict, will be many.


David T. Peckham - author and Christian writer
www.onhisshoulders.com

Swing by Dave's site and give him a shout!