This week at the Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story embraces the mud. What is the mud, real or metaphor? How does it transform a character or place? What happens? Go where the prompt leads!
As you probably already know, as an educator, I primarily write for and about children. Mud is perfect for young children. It has such a great texture for play and responds in so many ways when we squish it, splatter it, stomp it, throw it, roll in it. There is something enticing about getting wet and dirty, and children seem to find puddles and mud totally irresistible. I hope I’ve captured a little of that excitement in my flash.
Mud Cake Recipe
How to Make Mud Cake
Ingredients
A patch of loose soil
A generous supply of water from the sky, hose or bucket
Rays of sunlight
A sprinkle of imagination
A torrent of laughter
Utensils
Gumboots
Method
Add enough water to soak the soil. It must be wet, not moist.
Stomp until well-mixed with no visible remnants of dry soil.
Squish the mush by hand until the hands are completely encased.
Spread by hand the gooey mixture over face, hair and clothing until well covered.
Terrorise the neighbourhood.
Leave in place until dry in the sun and the mud cakes.
Thank you for reading. I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts.
Such a sweet tale; put a smile on my face. Nicely done!
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I’m pleased to share some smiles. Thanks for sharing one back. 🙂
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Thank you for the morning smile!
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My pleasure. 🙂
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This is a family recipe that can be passed down throughout the generations, Norah! I like the playful and mischievous tone.
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That’s for sure, Charli. Thank you for your encouragement.
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Absolutely delightful!
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Thank you, Jenny.
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You’re welcome!
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my favorite line was
“Squish the mush by hand until the hands are completely encased”
because it is such a celebration of being able to fully get into the mud and feel it and really use the heads and get downright dirty
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Thanks so much, Yvette. I’m pleased you liked the line. I worked hard on it to make sure I wasn’t repeating words. 🙂
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Yes – and your editing or care always shows in your work.
Well it doesn’t show per se
But because I did flash fiction for a few years I know what goes into a dense and good-flowing work! I can also
Sometimes tell when someone doesn’t edit much – but to say their own
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Thank you, Yvette. I do try to edit and proofread carefully but am sometimes aghast at the errors that escape my attention.
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Oh Norah – I know – those little errors or typos sneak in.
And quick question – have you published a children’s book yet? I think it came up in your interview commments – so I was curious if this was a goal reached or still on the “to do” list ?
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Thanks for your understanding about typos, Yvette. I’d love to banish them for good.
Robbie commented on your post that I had a number of little picture books published and that is true. They are little texts for beginning readers that are published by Library For All – stories I donated to the wonderful organisation. I am very proud to have them published and am delighted to be able to support such a great organisation in this way. I have also had some stories published in anthologies. However, I have not yet achieved my goal of having a picture book published by a traditional publisher. That’s still on my wish list, but it seems to be becoming more and more unlikely every day. (That’s the funk talking.) But I haven’t given up – yet. 🙂 Thanks for asking. I hope my answer is clear.
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That was very clear and I knew about the library for all resources – and anthology collections
– and maybe for your picture book you should self-publish – it are you not into that idea?
It might be the ideal next step –
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A few others have suggested self-publishing also, Yvette. But I’m not inclined to go that way. I figure I’ve done that with my website and would like a traditional publisher, if I’m ever that lucky, for a picture book.
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Well let’s check back in next year this time – and see how you feel then!!
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I won’t have changed my mind about self-publishing a picture book. I have no intention of doing that. The more likely thing would be that I decided finding a traditional publisher was also unrealistic.
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Got it !
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😅
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And one more note – I think there is a myth that a traditional publisher is better – a myth that a traditional publisher validates the author as more qualified
And just yesterday was listening to the joe Rogan podcast – not sure if you know the name – but he is an everyday guy with a very popular podcast – and he interviewed a lady named ” ”
And part of what they talked about had to do with acting jobs and rejections and then comedy jobs and how much easier it is for a comedian to
Practice their craft and get experience and flow and grow – because they can do open microphone night and find ways to get “in”
In contrast – rogan noted that to act – one has to be chosen – to be selected – and so often it is who knows who
Like the madonna’s hair dresser from the 1980s played a good part in “men in black” (sugar water lady)
So my point is she was chosen all right – but was it training and good acting that got her in? Nope – and maybe they trained her on set but not sure this hairdresser was the most stellar stage actor / but she was chosen
She was selected and Madonna had a lot to do with it
Similarly – book publishing can be similar
To be chosen or selected is so hard
And another example is a book i read last month – the author is Gretchen Rubin and she had other bestsellers and this one was about type (I am going to share about it briefly this weekend so I will link you) anyhow – found out she was an employee on staff for Sandra Day Oconner (Supreme Court) and wanted to change fields – anyhow – I am sure her stellar resume and connections led to book deals – not taking anything away from her content and credit tho – because maybe she hustled and just wrote some great content
But my point is that we cannot diminish the value of self publishing and in this world of being chosen or have money to get a publisher to sign you up – it leaves a lot of good authors out of the loop
–
Now of course some self publishing sucks
I recently reviewed a few that were lackluster – but also the beauty was that they were getting it done – they were getting material out there – maybe like seeing a confidant on their third open mic night.
So anyhow – in my very humble Opinion I think you should ponder this and get going on your book!
It could be resource number 500 on readilearn
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Hi Yvette, Thank you so much for your encouragement. I appreciate it. I don’t know either the podcaster or the author you mention, but I have heard stories like that before. However, I have decided self-publishing a picture book is not something I want to do. I want the support of others for this journey. I have done a lot of projects on my own, but this is not one I wish to do. I have considered self-publishing other books and may do at some stage if I find I have completed all other projects I rate more highly.
I agree with you about self-publishing. There are many wonderful authors self-publishing and if they didn’t do so, we’d never get to read their work. I admire them but I don’t wish to join their ranks.
As for being #500 on readilearn. I have already published quite a few stories on there as part of the collection of resources. 🙂
Thank you again for your support and encouragement.
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Appreciate your reply and so glad to connect more this month Norah – and really glad to be blog friends – have a great day
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I agree, Yvette. I’m so pleased I met you. 💖
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☀️😊
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Miriam Hurdle has a helpful blog post (I will try and find the link)
But also I saw this one recently and loved it
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I think I’ve probably read Miriam’s post.
Thanks for the link to Darley Anderson’s blog. I’ve now followed her.
I do know a lot of self-published picture book authors. It’s a lot of work for them. It will be a lot of work if I am lucky enough to score a traditional publisher, but not as much as it would be if I went it alone.
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Yeah – you could be right about the potentially less work load of a publisher – and they might have a team of folks that can help –
On a side note – do you mind if I mention our mini chat about this in my next post? The self pub vs the connecting with a publisher ? Because Jacqui Murray (so?) also recently posted a nice humorous checklist about self pub
And I am getting ready to feature ferries interview and would love to open with a bit of note about this chat topic ?
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I don’t mind at all, Yvette. I’ve enjoyed our discussion about it. Jacqui and Miriam have both self-published successfully.
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Well it really is a layered topic for sure – (and how we define successful also varies- but we both know that – )
Have a great day
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That’s so true, Yvette. You too. Enjoy the week. 🙂
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Hi again, Yvette,
I was intending to reblog your interview but you don’t have a reblog button – only a press this, which doesn’t work quite as well. Would you prefer I do, or do not, share your post?
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Oh feel free to share away – and thanks again for being so pleasant to work with (and no more picture book chat! Lol )
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Okay. I’ll give it a go, maybe on the weekend, now that this week has slipped away from me.
I’m sorry you think I don’t want to discuss picture books. I love discussing them. I’ve just made up my mind about how I want to be published or not. I’m always happy to hear other suggestions. If someone wants to do it for me, I’d be so happy. 🙂
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Got it!
And I have enjoyed touching base on this topic and so thanks for the time with it
–
The week has slipped away from me too – and cannot believe it is almost the weekend – ⏰
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I know – and now the weekend’s come and gone and I’m no further ahead. I hope you had a good one.
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yes – a little busy but fun 🙂
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Great!
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And I think I wil add part of this reply here to the comment on my post – if that is okay with you 😉 ?
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Of course. Thank you so much for your support.
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Getting muddy is very important for childhood.
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Definitely! There is even a special International Mud Day on 29 June each year. https://outdoorsqueensland.com.au/whats-on/international-mud-day/
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We have mud days every day in the spring! 🙂
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🙂 Fun!
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Yummy, Norah. Did you ever read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis? I think this is the right book in the series (Chronicles of Narnia). Lucy sees the one of the kinds of soil that looks tasty (loam?) and tries it, but decides it looks better than it tastes. I suspect your recipe is kind of like that. On the other hand, some of the first antibiotics (streptomycin and lincocin) were discovered in soil so…maybe??? ~nan.
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Thanks, Nan. Perhaps.
I did read the book but it was a long time ago and I don’t remember the scene, but it does seem vaguely familiar now that you mention it.
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Very clever! You left off the after-stuff–shower, scrub fingernails, wash hair, etc.
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I did. Maybe next time. That part is fun too. 🙂
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This is a great recipe, Norah.
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Thanks, Robbie. 🙂
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Great use of your 99 words, Norah. I don’t want to spoil the kids’ fun, but they shouldn’t try to make their cakes from the soil that’s needed to grow vegetables.
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Thanks, Anne. I think the kids are allowed to have fun before they grow vegetables. As long as they’re not digging up the vegie beds – I think I wrote that one before. 🤣
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sounds like fun! Not sure the parents will be so pleased … 🙂
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It’s more the neighbours I’m worried about – and then the parents when they complain. 🙂
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lol all in good fun!
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For most! 🙂
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Terrorize the neighborhood—haha! That was great, Norah!
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I’m pleased you enjoyed it, Pete. Muddy handprints don’t go well on painted walls and fences, or beautiful clothes. It’s a good thing it washes off and out okay. 🙂
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A little mud doesn’t hurt anyone. I’m all for letting kids be kids.
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Yeah, me too. 🙂
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seems like a rgeat outfit for Halloween. would seem to go well with some stone soup…
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Hehehe. So true, Jim. 🙂
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love, love, love
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Thank you, Beth.
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