Mozark Press has a quick call out for humorous stories that I received while hanging out at the beach with my folks. Which is kinda funny…well, let me tell you about the call out first.
The editor is seeking humorous fiction for A Shaker of Margaritas: A Bad Hair Day and you must submit by July 15th. So you probably want to go straight over here for all the submission details. It sounds like a fun premise, and the stories in the Shaker of Margaritas series are always a hoot, so I hope I can come up with something soon. Though I don’t know how good it’ll be if I need to write a humorous story.
See, I brought my mom and dad a handful of Chicken Soup books on this last visit: Chicken Soup’s Messages From Heaven, Boost Your Brain, and Married Life. All books that you may recall have a story from yours truly (also known as their loving daughter). My mom finally got around to reading my contributions (after I’d left) and so when I called to let her know I’d arrived safely back across the state, she wanted to let me know what she thought about my work.
MOM: I really like when you write a simple story…like the one in that Brain book. I don’t know about those stories when you try to be funny.
ME: Well, thanks, Mom. I’m kinda glad Chicken Soup doesn’t feel that way.
(I had two stories in the Married Life book.)
MOM: I’m just saying that your simple stories are better. I don’t know why you try to be funny.
(Notice how Mom kept saying “try to be funny”–clearly implying that I’m not succeeding.)
ME: Well, Mom, the Married Life book asked for funny stories. So I had to “try” to write something funny.
MOM: Oh. Well, I suppose if you had to try to be funny…
So I shall “try to be funny” for Shaker of Margaritas: Bad Hair Day. But I don’t think my mom’s expecting much.
Cathy C. Hall Writes 
Ha ha I was laughing so hard as I read this that MY mom looked up from her sodoku to see what I was laughing at.
My mom thinks I’m brilliantly funny. She said, “Are you laughing at something you wrote?”
Oh, sure, Mom. I always sit here and entertain myself, in uproarious fashion.
Well, Sally, I think you’re brilliantly funny, too. But I’d stay away from MY mom. She’s very particular about her humor. 😉
Love the parents. I’m in the process of “trying to draw” and do small art projects for a class. Oddly, I’m getting a lot of laughs with my work. This may be the way I am funny. Good luck.
Thanks, Stacy. I told my mom that lots of people think I’m funny. That, in fact, I make most of my money (such as it is) from humor writing.
She kinda thought THAT was hysterical. 😉
My husband, when he saw that my first CS story was near the end, said, “They must not have liked it. It’s almost not even in the book.” My second story was near the front, which he also commented on. (He refuses to accept that what “theme” the story falls into dictates where in the book a story is.) Relatives. Can’t live with, can’t always let them read what we’ve written…
I DO think your mother, in her muddled way of thinking, has a point. Sometimes we strain and sweat over getting a great story idea, and many times it’s the small stories that are the most memorable…
Yes, Sioux, your husband and my mom would have lots to talk about, CS-wise. 😉
But maybe you’re right about finding the small stories…then again, I think you’re being generous to Mom. She’s not really muddled. Just extremely opinionated. 😉
Cathy, I loved this post. It was both funny and a little sad, ya know? I think you’re hilarious! Moms sometimes just don’t “get it.” My OLDER sister (yes, by 14 years!) doesn’t “get” most of my writing, and I’ve learned to just not care. Honest, I really have. I am sure that even if she reads all of my memoir, there will be parts she won’t like or be happy about, etc. And I can handle that, too. It’s MY memoir. There are funny parts and there are “sad” parts. I know you’ll keep on writing, whatever you want/like to write and you’ll kick butt, and leave a cloud of dust when you exit!! 🙂
Hahaha! I leave something behind when I write, Becky–not sure it’s dust! 🙂
Yes, I think family is a tough audience. Prophets in their own land and all that. 😉
Mothers censor nothing when it comes to expressing opinions about their kids. I taught a senior writing class in my mom’s building, and she would pass by and wave. I’d invite her to come in just to listen to me read, but did she? I call my kids and ask them to listen to my latest essay. I read to my honey. Nobody really listens. I have to wrangle strangers. For what it’s worth, I think you are a hoot. Your writing is funny, too 🙂
Hahahaa! So it’s not just MY mom? Well, that’s a relief!
(Thanks, Linda! I think you’re a hoot, too.)
Oh, Cath, you’re such a funny, successful, awesome writer that you need SOMEone to keep you grounded. Sounds like your mom’s got it in the bag. 🙂
That she does, Debra. I kinda thinks she considers it a job. 😉
Wait, hang on a sec here. You went to the beach to plot and get ideas, and you heard about this call for stories Mozark Press? You’re amazing. Funny too. Don’t let your mom get you down. I think she and my dad must have talked. Here’s what my dad said to me.
“So you’re trying to write?” (That word trying says it all doesn’t it?)
“Yes. I’m actually published in several magazines.”
“Oh. You know, your sister should be the writer. She’s the one who’s really funny.”
🙂
I wonder if that’s what I sound like to my kids?
Hahahahahaa! That exchange made me laugh out loud, Suzanne! But only because it channelled my mom so well! 🙂
When I got off the phone with Mom, I called Oldest Junior Hall to tell him how much I enjoyed his singing and playing. You know, just in case I DID sound like that, last time I heard him sing and play. 😉
(P.S. You’re pretty amazing and funny, too!)
I’m certain you’re very encouraging to your Junior Halls!
Leave it to moms to keep things in perspective. But I think you are a very funny writer.
Cathy, you are funny even when you don’t try. I just don’t think you can help it! Look forward to reading your stories!
Well, thank you Donna and Linda! I shall “try my best”! 😉
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