Monday, April 26, 2010

Take a Speed Pill

I always thought I'd be one of those fun, creative moms. The kind of who makes a game out of everything, instead of yelling and lecturing. Sadly, I more often fall into the latter category, but one of my best, most innovative moments was when I invented the Speed Pill.

We woke up one Friday morning at the usual time, and as I was getting the kids ready for school, I suddenly realized that I was supposed to bring in the Challah and treats for that morning. (Joshy was the special Shabbat child of the week and I had to be there for the celebration, so being late was out of the question) I went into a complete panic. I asked my husband if he could take the kids to school while I ran to the store and he looked at me like I had three heads.

So, the Speed Pill was born.

I opened an invisible bottle and poured out three magic pills. We each devoured one and then we got ready with lightning speed, raced to the supermarket (which is NOT on the way to school) and zipped through it in record time. My kids thought it was hilarious and behaved like true super heroes.

We miraculously got to school at our regular time.

A friend of mine sold her picture book on October 21st, 2009. I remember the date because it was the exact same day I sold NINJA PIGS. Her signed contract just arrived last week, six months after the offer.

Sometimes I wish I could tell this whole industry to Take a Speed Pill.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Maybe you should turn your magic pill story into a picture book. Would be fun to see the characters running around at lightning speed.

Congrats on your friend finally receiving her contract. Must have been a long seven months of waiting.

Heidi Willis said...

I agree with Susanne. That would make a very cool book!

I can't believe it took the contract that long! That's crazy. One thing I loved about the small press is that it took only six months from the time they offered the contract to the time the book came out. For all the drawbacks, they sure have that part down. :)

Patti said...

I could one of those magic pills everyday. Great idea for book.

I think we should all shed the moniker of writer and just stamp Patient Person on our foreheads.

hytime said...

October 21st is my birthday and when I blew out the candles on my invisible cake (invisible, like the speed pills) I made a wish that my daughter would sell her NINJA PIGS story on that day!

Love,
Pa

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Oh, I love the speed pill idea! I am totally stealing it to use with my kids. Ha ha ha. :-)

Suzanne Casamento said...

I think Susanne is right. The speed pill is a great book idea.

When we're asked what super power we'd want we usually say to fly or be invisible or super strong, but what about super fast? That would be an awesome superpower!

And as far as wanting the industry to take a fast pill - I hear you. Loud and clear. ; )

storyqueen said...

I once waited 9 months for a contract.....

True.

(and one time, a contract on a book arrived that I didn't realize had truly sold...that was the nicest surprise ever!....sooo...I guess it all evens out in the end!)

Shelley

Rebecca Gomez said...

Some things just can't be rushed. And that's usually a good thing. Patience, friend!

Or...Just forget about it and have fun working on our new manuscript!

Sherrie Petersen said...

I thought when I got to the end of that story you were going to say you'd turned it into a book! Sounds like it would be good :)

Rena Jones said...

I love the idea of the Speed Pill, and like everyone else, think that would make a fun book.

I know what you mean about the mom thing though. Somedays I'm the one running up to the puddles to jump in them before the kids. Other days I have my Mommy Dearest moments. I guess it goes with the territory.

Heather Kelly said...

Totally LOVE this! And I'm so glad that other moms are split personality too--I so wish I could keep it together ALL the time. Thanks for the great idea. Some of my kids are speed demons even when they don't have the pill--let's see if I can rein in their energy!!

And, Rena--you made me feel so much better when you mentioned the Mommy Dearest moments. We actually call that side of my parenting the 'Mommy Monster'. So embarrassing when she comes out. She yells.

Anonymous said...

If Jordan goes to school and tells the teacher "Mommy, Joshy, and I took speed pills this morning," it could be worse than the Santa scandal she caused.

Kim said...

Hey, I think you have your next book idea! And sadly, I fall into the yelling, lecturing mom category more and more these days too. :(

Meg Wiviott said...

I don't need a speed pill - I just drink lots of coffee. But I guess its not a good idea to force feed your kids caffeine.
Don't know what the "Santa scandal" is, but I can imagine getting a call from DYFS because one of the kids said something about a speed pill.
As for the industry speeding up?? Ha!

Kelly H-Y said...

BRILLIANT idea ... with the kiddos AND the industry! :-)

Kristin said...

Oh, 10/21 is MY dad's birthday too! Aww.
Love the idea of the invisible pills!