Quick update on the events page: I have a signing this Saturday, just added.

My son and I read the book How to Train Your Dragon together at bedtime a few months ago. I promised him that we could also go see the movie when it came out opening weekend.

So, this past weekend, we went on a date.

I met up with him right after my signing. He jumped out of the car, waved goodbye to his dad and brothers, and ran toward me with a fistful of tickets and brochures. Neither of us could stop grinning.

I admit I went in with low expectations. I’d read in reviews that the movie deviated from the book in many, many ways. We loved the slapstick, hilarious humor, and craziness of the books. And even though all the reviewers seemed to love the movie, I was prepared to just love being with my son at the movie. Which would have been plenty. (Is anyone else absolutely crazy about this age? Gap-toothed, excited, learning to read and do many other things, but still willing to hold your hand on the way into the theater?)

But then the movie was really, really wonderful. It wasn’t like the book, in many ways. And it was more serious in tone. But somehow, it still felt true to the story. To the heart of the book. (To me, anyway. I wonder what the author thinks. I imagine she loves it, but still. Does anyone know?)

I love going to matinees because the theater is full of kids, who are bobbing up and down in their chairs because they’re not heavy enough to weigh them down, who are laughing like crazy, who eat popcorn crunchily and with abandon.

When the movie ended, all the kids took a deep breath. Whoosh. You could hear it. And then everyone began to clap.

We walked out of the theater, both with shining eyes and tummies full of popcorn. “I loved it,” my boy said.

“Me too,” I agreed.

I have been thinking about this idea quite a bit since then. How sometimes our life can feel like an adaptation of the one we would have written for ourselves, the one we imagined or dreamed about or worked very hard to construct. And that’s okay. As long as the heart of it remains the same, or as long as we stay true to our own hearts, it’s still our own story.

…because who needs Monday anyway?

I’m posting a day early this week because I want to give a report on the writing marathon. It went great. My goal was to write 5,000 words and get over a sticky spot in the manuscript. I am pleased to report that I wrote about 6,700 words and am firmly mired in a new sticky spot in the manuscript. Which is a giant relief. I’m stuck again, but at least it’s not in that same darn place! I ate a lot of cinnamon bears and Fernwood’s mint sandwiches. And drank a lot of water. And part of the time I was writing with Ann Dee Ellis, which helped, because every time I got tempted to sneak onto the internet to mess around I was scared that she would catch me.

This was such a fantastic experience. And I know Sandy and Ali were rockstars and got a lot accomplished–good for you! Did anyone else participate? It was great to give me the push I needed, and also so much more doable for me than NaNoWriMo. I am a slow writer, so it’s nice to be able to set my own goal. Something to push me, but not something completely unachievable.

And now I can buy something to hang on these very, very white walls.

The ladies over at Throwing Up Words (who organized the marathon) are going to do it again, and I will be sure to link to it when they do.

P.S. Also: this may be the best post on writing I’ve ever read, from Maggie Stiefvater.

P.P.S. I have a signing this Saturday (see the Events page for details).

Okay, so who else out there is doing the writing marathon too? Sandy? Julie? Tasha? Ali? How’s it going?

Only a few more hours. I am taking a break to hang with the kids and facilitate my husband’s watching of the BYU game (which he more than deserves after all he’s done to help out today–he took the kids grocery shopping and to the aquarium all by his onesie). But I will be back. And I will finish. Because it’s like the real marathon–you get to the really hard part and realize, “I have worked way too hard to quit now!”

Go everyone!

So I’m getting ready for the writing marathon. I am cleaning out my office/guest room/place where I throw all the clean laundry when I don’t have time to fold it/storage facility where we keep all our high school memorabilia and childhood items because our parents decided they don’t want to store it anymore and I can’t blame them.

I ordered new blinds for that room because I hate the dark blue ones from 1986 that kill the light dead before it has a chance to get inside. But I don’t think they’re going to get here in time. Rats.

I bought a lot of cinnamon bears.

I read Ann Dee’s post about how she’s going to shave her head into a fun mohawk if she doesn’t reach her low goal.

So I guess I should go on record. My goal is to write 5,000 words during the writing marathon (don’t laugh, I’m slow, and I’m also in a sticky place in my manuscript). If I reach my goal, then I am going to buy something to hang on the walls in this office/etc. Something fun. The poster seen above, for sale at etsy? I like. (This is a modification from my earlier reward, because I already treated myself to it. What can I say. I’m awesome.)

If I don’t, then I have to go through the high school memorabilia that I’ve been ignoring since we moved in.

It’s all about home improvement around here.

I am posting about a writing marathon today, so in honor of it, I thought I would bust out this very old photo of my husband and I as we are about to run our first marathon together. Elves. Skinny happy elves. Where has the time gone?

We got engaged one week later.

So maybe if you have a significant other and you decide to “race” the writing marathon together, you will also become betrothed. I’m just saying.

Anyway, the writing marathon is going on March 18-20 over at the very fantastic Throwing Up Words:Because Sometimes It’s The Only Option blog run by very fun YA authors Ann Dee Ellis and Carol Lynch Williams. Click here for more information. Just think. This might be the opportunity you need to get the jump-start on something you want to finish or something you want to begin or, maybe just get behind you. Like Mile 23 of the marathon. I don’t know what it is about Mile 23–it’s not the end–but it kicks my trash every single stinking time.

Down with Mile 23. Let’s all sign up and get it behind us so we can get to the finish line!

1. This picture of me that my six-year-old drew for his class at school. The assignment was to make a little book that had a picture of each member of his family and a description of why they were special. This kills me. Look at me. Look at my grim expression, my frantic posture, my wild eyes and hair. Oh my goodness. I’m laughing again.

2. The fact that Johnny Weir referred to Yevgeny Pleshenko’s costume as “the red vest situation.”

3. This e-mail that my college-age brother sent to my sister detailing his daily life. Maybe it’s only funny if you know my brother, who is 6’5″ of dry sarcastic understated wit:

“Not much is new with me. Three days ago one of the light bulbs in my living room went out. Then the next day the other one went out! Today I bought some new ones and replaced the burned out ones. You can read about all that on my twitter page, blog, and facebook though.”

And two quick links. The first is to a story published this past Sunday in the Deseret News. The reporter, Jessica Harrison, did a lovely job. I am so pleased. And the second is to an interview with author/blogger Samantha Stewart, who asked some very fun questions.

And, one last thing. I responded to the comments on the last post (which I usually do as I’m getting ready to put up a new post).

The End.