Let the writing party begin!

I am participating in a month long writing challenge at Two Writing Teachers. 

It’s a party! A month long writing party!

My heart is tingling with anticipation.

I know I will mingle with dear friends with whom I have had Tuesday SOL treats. They have seen me laughing and crying, exhausted and exuberant, bold and quiet, rambling and rejoicing.

I hope to meet new people.

Do first impressions count?

Is a first slice of the March challenge as important as entering a ballroom?

This is my fourth year participating.

The first year I joined without thinking long and hid behind a made-up name.

The second year I plunged in without any introduction.

The third year I wrote about myself in third person.

How should I introduce myself?

Does my age matter? Or gender? Or nationality? Or profession? Or the number of children? Or hobbies? My education and experience? (If you really want to know you can read my bio from school website)

I should experiment with a different angle. I remember a question my friend asked after my school opened a human library for a day. My friend asked what book I would be.  Not what a character I would be (I am a dancing giraffe) but what is something I know/do and would like to share. My life doesn’t have anything as exciting as scuba diving or mountain hiking. 

I thought for a second and answered: “How to Make Pancakes.”

I wouldn’t be just a cookbook.

I would speak about creating a happy childhood. The tradition of making Sunday pancakes goes back all the way to my granny.  This simple food goes together with making time for children.  This chapter includes reading, art, board games, nature walks, bedtime rituals, and conversations.

I would speak about finding joy in little things. There is nothing fancy about pancakes, yet they bring so much pleasure. So does a cup of tea, a good book, walking in the afternoon, a phone-call to a sister, picking berries, and writing in a journal.

I would speak about imperfection and variety, mistakes and learning. I can make different kinds of pancakes, and my daughters can too.  It has taken time to find the balance of batter, to practice flipping, to master the patience of waiting for the right color. Our pancakes are never perfectly round and occasionally we still burn few.  It’s still fun to make and eat them.  I have had similar experiences with dancing, baking, writing, teaching, parenting - not perfect, continuously learning, filled with mistakes, yet bring joy.

So I could introduce myself as “How to Make Pancakes” book.

Then again, if pancakes associate with unhealthy eating habits, I could introduce myself as a strawberry – this is my one little word for this year.

I believe that with some people it’s possible to click from the first moment, with some it may take time to learn to know them.

I also believe that everyone has to contribute for a party to be fun.

My plan is to keep my eyes open and notice the world around and inside me; make sense of life and people; enjoy playing and discovering; and once in a while stop, breathe, laugh, and restart fresh.

I look forward to reading the different stories people bring along.

Let’s party!