Tag: storyteller

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Lifestyle

Native Texans Love This Grocery Store!

A Native Texan

Mostly True Memoirs

A Native Texan

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A Native Texan

If you’re a native Texan, you understand all the hype about the HEB grocery store.

I’m not a native Texan.

I don’t get it.

However, everyone is beyond excited that an HEB is coming to our neighborhood.

It just opened this week.

I tried to go three different times.

Every time, the traffic was so bad that I gave up and left.

The store will still be there tomorrow, and the next day, and the next.

I’m curious, but I’m not THAT curious.

Today I finally found a parking space.

HEB really is an amazing gourmet grocery store with fantastic products.

I get it now.

But OMG, there was a massive, enormous, anxiety-inducing throng of shoppers.

A large police presence was also on site, not only in the parking lot and on the streets, but also inside the store.

Seriously?

What were they expecting to happen?

Fistfights over the fresh tortillas?

Well, maybe.

I told the cashier that I hoped the crowds would dwindle soon.

He said that it could take a year to settle down.

Ouch.

I’m an early riser, so maybe I’ll try hitting them up at the crack of dawn on a weekday.

Maybe it won’t be so crowded then.

At any rate, welcome to the neighborhood HEB!

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

About Me

EVERYONE HAS A STORY TO TELL. WHAT’S YOURS?

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Lifestyle

My Hidden Talent Has Made Me a Winner!

My Hidden Talent

Mostly True Memoirs

My Hidden Talent

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My Hidden Talent

It was a lovely holiday weekend.

The family gathered around the table.

I made some focaccia bread.

The Grown Sons renamed it F*** You bread.

While they wolfed it all down.

And then they reminisced about that long-ago Easter when they rearranged all the Peeps into vulgar and inappropriate scenarios.

So, yeah, this is how Boy Mom holidays play out.

They tried to shock me with their offensive language.

Now that they’re grown, it’s time for them to learn who’s in charge around here.

Don’t try to out-smart-mouth me.

I’m the master.

It’s my hidden talent.

I only bring it out under special circumstances.

This was a special circumstance.

I won.

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

About Me

EVERYONE HAS A STORY TO TELL. WHAT’S YOURS?

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Lifestyle

I’ll Smile Because It Happened

Mostly True Memoirs

I'll smile because it happened

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Smile Because it Happened

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” -Dr. Seuss

We lost a family member.

He was talented.

Kind.

Generous.

Funny.

At his service, there were tears.

As well as a lot of laughter.

And plenty of fabulous music.

The loss hurts.

But his legacy will live on.

He left behind a lot of talent.

And kindness.

And generosity.

And humor.

Yeah, nah, I’m still going to cry.

But I’ll smile too.

While I’m listening to some classic R&B Bombers.

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

About Me

HOW TO SHOW, NOT TELL

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Wait For It…The Waiting Is The Hardest Part

Wait for it...

Mostly True Memoirs

Wait for it...

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Wait For It…

The Grown Son took a flight out early this morning.

He just now called me, furious, from his destination.

The shuttle that he ordered hasn’t shown up.

It’s been 20 minutes.

He told me that he called them, and they said they’re on the way.

But why is it taking so long?

He’s stranded.

I laughed, which made him angry.

It’s morning rush hour where he is.

The shuttle is on its way.

He’ll just have to wait for it.

This young man is so competent in so many ways.

But, obviously, not in this way.

Now I’ve got that Tom Petty song running through my head.

The waiting is the hardest part…

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

About Me

HOW TO FIND FUNNY STORIES TO TELL YOUR FRIENDS

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Dog Lifestyle

The Dog Park – We Go Every Morning

The Dog Park

Mostly True Memoirs

The Dog Park

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The Dog Park

Several weeks ago, when Bob reseeded the back yard, I started taking Blue around the corner to our neighborhood dog park.

We wanted to keep her off the lawn.

Blue loves the dog park.

She’s made a BFF named Rosie.

Rosie is a herding dog.

And Blue seems to enjoy being herded.

It works out well.

We’ve been having lovely spring afternoons, but the nights can still get cold.

This morning it was only 44⁰ outside.

“We’ll go to the park this afternoon when it’s 70⁰,” I promised the dog, opening the back door to let her out in the yard.

Blue was having none of that.

She refused to go outside.

I’ve created a monster.

So I bundled up and took her to the park.

It was a beautiful, bright, but chilly, spring morning.

Apparently the sprinklers were on at the dog park overnight.

It was a swamp.

It didn’t bother Blue in the least, but I was a bit put off.

We had to take a long walk around the neighborhood to dry her paws off.

And my shoes.

I have to admit that these early morning jaunts are becoming a nice routine.

Although I could do without the mud.

And the chill.

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

About Me

TOP SECRETS TO THE BEST CREATIVE WRITING TECHNIQUES

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Lifestyle

Music Theory Will Make You Better At Everything

Music Theory

Mostly True Memoirs

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Music Theory

Music theory will make you better at everything.

Including writing.

Here’s how:

When you’re practicing your speech, or when you’re reviewing your writing, a useful thing to do is to hum the words out loud.

This allows you to focus on the structure of the sound of the piece.

It will give you insight into the rhythm, the pacing, and the underlying shape of your story.

Think of your composition as a musical piece.

Because it is.

Music theory is pretty much underlying everything we do.

When the Grown Son was a kid, he used to spar.

Once I caught him brutally trash talking his opponent.

Who was trash talking right back at him.

“Knock that off,” I told them both, “That’s rude.”

Both boys cheerfully insisted that it was necessary.

It was part of the sport.

They were each trying to figure out the other guy’s rhythm.

While not letting the other guy figure out theirs.

Oh.

Music.

Which was ironic because this kid fought me tooth and nail against his music lessons.

But here he was using music theory in his sparring.

So, yeah, I did let him carry on with the trash talking.

But I also didn’t let him quit his music lessons.

Music theory really will make you better at everything.

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

About Me

TOP SECRETS TO THE BEST CREATIVE WRITING TECHNIQUES

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Lifestyle

Today Is The Best Day To Write A Story!

Write A Story!

Mostly True Memoirs

Write a Story!

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Write A Story

Today is National Write A Story Day.

I never even knew such a day existed.

But it’s perfect!

Everyone’s got a story.

Even if you think you don’t, you do.

I’ve got this incredible writing group where everybody writes from the same prompt.

It’s so amazing to see that every person has a different perspective.

It doesn’t matter if there are 5 or 50 people in attendance, there will be that many different interpretations of the same prompt.

Your story is worthy because it’s from your unique perspective.

No one else could tell it but you.

Celebrate this day and write a story!

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

About Me

EVERYONE HAS A STORY TO TELL. WHAT’S YOURS?

START YOUR OWN WRITING JOURNEY WITH A COMMENT!

IT’S YOURS! A FREE GUIDE – Four Easy Steps To Editing Your Perfect Social Media Post. All you’ve got to do is SUBSCRIBE!

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Lifestyle

Show Your Voice – Why Your First Draft Is So Important

Show Your Voice

Mostly True Memoirs

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Show Your Voice

I’ve read thousands of books about writing.

And thousands of books about writers.

I’ve read thousands of books that demonstrate good writing.

A very clear message has resonated throughout all of these books.

The message?

It’s all good.

There are no right or wrong answers.

There is no right or wrong way to write.

You don’t need permission for anything.

Just write.

Show your voice.

See what resonates with your audience.

Tweak it.

And write some more.

Here’s another thing I’ve learned.

All first drafts are awful.

And wonderful.

They’re awful because they’re raw and unedited.

But they’re wonderful because they’re new ideas going in new directions.

Embrace that raw first draft.

It’s your ticket to a more polished second draft.

That, eventually, is your ticket to a finished manuscript.

Don’t fuss over those clumsy first drafts.

They’re part of the process.

Babe Ruth, who was the home-run king of his day, was also the strikeout king of his day.

He never would have gotten all those home runs if he let each strikeout get him down.

Be like The Babe.

Celebrate that awkward first attempt – it’s a necessary step in your creative process.

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

About Me

WRITERS LOOKING FOR A STORY – HOW TO FIND YOUR NEXT IDEA

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Why Going Cold Turkey Is The Only Thing To Do

Going Cold Turkey

Mostly True Memoirs

Going Cold Turkey

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Going Cold Turkey

Gahhhhh!

I blew it!

My winning streak is over.

This is exactly why I should never multitask.

I’m talking about Wordle.

When I hit 300 wins, my plan was to aim for 365 for a perfect year.

Actually, 366, because it’s a leap year.

But I blew it.

Here’s what happened.

I was at the dog park.

Since I was the only human there, and since Blue was occupied with sniffing, I sat on the bench to start the daily puzzle.

However, I noticed a commotion out on the street.

There was a smashed-up Mercedes, and a tow truck, and a couple of cops.

But there was no debris to indicate an accident.

It was probably a stolen car, and this was where the bad guy was caught.

By this time, more people had arrived at the dog park, and the true-crime excitement was causing quite a stir.

Plus, there was dog chaos.

There’s always dog chaos.

And that’s when it happened.

Oh, I should have known better.

I am notorious for screwing things up when I multitask.

I should have put down the Wordle and saved it for later.

But I didn’t.

I kept half an eye on the puzzle in the midst of the commotion.

And I lost.

Gahhhhh!

That’s it.

I’m done.

No more Wordle for me.

I’m not quitting because I’m a sore loser.

Although I most certainly am.

I’m quitting because I realize, now, that this Wordle winning streak has been an enormous time suck.

I’m going cold turkey.

No more Wordle for me.

Gahhhhh!

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

About Me

WRITERS LOOKING FOR A STORY – HOW TO FIND YOUR NEXT IDEA

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Spring Has Sprung, And Now It’s Time To Say Goodbye

Spring Has Sprung

Mostly True Memoirs

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Spring Has Sprung

Spring has sprung.

The temperatures are pleasant, and the afternoons are long.

Jackets and boots are no longer necessary.

Some early blooming plants have already started to flower including the dogwoods and something pink.

I don’t know what that pink tree is, but it’s beautiful.

Other plants are starting to bud, and the air is bursting with anticipation.

Spring is such a lovely time of year.

Except…

Well, I hate this one thing that happens in the spring.

I hate putting away my weighted blanket.

It’s such a warm and cozy companion all winter.

Bob does not like the weighted blanket.

He says he feels pinned down and trapped.

Of course, he’s wrong.

The weighted blanket is the coziest thing ever.

The only thing cozier than a weighted blanket would be more weighted blankets.

Since he refuses to use it, I never have to share.

But now it’s getting too warm.

It’s time to wash those heavy blankets and put them away, along with my fluff-lined boots and my fleece-lined leggings.

Goodbye old friends, see you again next winter.

Liz Brenner

Everyone has a story to tell.

Even you.

Especially you.

About Me

Let These Life Story Quotes Inspire You To Write

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