Why Do We Write? + Free To-Do List (with space for gratitude) + All the Splendid Stuff
The Weekly Sweep 112
Why Do We Write?
The textbooks sort our reasons into three tidy boxes:
To Persuade.
To Inform.
To Entertain.
Or, as my children all learned, P.I.E., which I could go for right about now, if it were of the apple or pecan variety.
While it’s true that the vast majority of writing falls into these three categories, I’m not sure it truly answers the why of it all.
Yes, I want to persuade you to believe that, out of the wreckage of whatever lies in your path, good will ultimately prevail.
Yes, I want to inform you about interesting books, delightful recipes, activities that will create memories, and whatever other splendid things I come across that I think you should know about.
Yes, I want to entertain you with the silly shenanigans and the ups and downs of life.
Yes to P.I.E.!
But that’s not THE why.
At the root of it all, there is a deep desire to record and inspire.
I want to leave a record for my children, for you, and for your children, of hope. Of triumph through tragedy. Of the splendidness in the everyday. Of the magic in little moments. Of the joy and satisfaction found in a life lived well, or at least the well-est you can manage.
I want to inspire my children, you, and your children to dream big and chase those dreams even though you’re shaking in your boots. To believe that good overcomes. To trust that what has been does not dictate what will come. To see yourself as the incredibly gifted, intelligent, beautiful person that you are. To keep going.
That is my why.
That is why I write.
Now, I think I need to go make pie, possibly with the R.I.I.P.E bananas I have. Too much? Perhaps.
For the writers out there: What is your why? For the readers: What draws you to a writer?
Pictures
The two littles and I got to take a step back in time this week at Conner Prairie, a Smithsonian Affiliate. It’s an interactive history park, and there were so many beautiful things to capture that I will probably share more next week.
What have you been up to?
Splendid Stuff
I just finished a wonderful series by Nita Prose called Molly the Maid. The books follow a neurodivergent 25-year-old woman named Molly. Despite her penchant for keeping things tidy and orderly, she has a knack for finding herself in the middle of dirty, decidedly untidy mysteries.
These warm-hearted books are full of endearing characters, light-hearted mystery, and memorable story lines. You’ll find yourself drawn in amongst friends.
The series consists of three books and one novella:
The Maid
The Mystery Guest
The Mistletoe Mystery (novella)
The Maid’s Secret
There is a movie in the making, though the release date has yet to be revealed.
If you are an audiobook fan, like me, I can assure you that the narration is wonderfully done.
What have you been reading this week?
S. M. H. (Splendid Mess Hangout)
Mornings can be crazy, especially when you need to be out the door for school or work. Having a healthy, fast, protein-packed breakfast that’s ready to go in minutes is always a plus! Budget Bytes has an easy base recipe for egg muffins.
To make 12 muffins, you will need ten eggs, half a cup of cottage cheese, salt, pepper, and 1.5 cups of add-ins. Add-ins could include cheese, meat, vegetables, or a combination of all. For the full recipe, follow this link.
Make these muffins ahead of time and store them in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat them, pop them in the microwave for a minute or so and enjoy!
What’s your go-to breakfast food?
The Mess Makers’ Place
A fall joke for you:
What’s one of your favorite jokes?
Updates
*Insert fanfare, happy dances, shouting for joy, and sighs of relief.*
FINALLY, after months and months of adjusting, readjusting, re-readjusting, and seriously considering throwing my computer out the window, Humpty Dumpty: The Whole Story is now available in paperback on Amazon. (Affiliate link included) In this retelling of the classic nursery rhyme, you can discover how Humpty Dumpty came to be on that wall in the first place, and what he learned along the way. This book is written in the same rhyme pattern as the original nursery rhyme, making it extra fun. You can find the e-book for free through Kindle Unlimited; otherwise, it’s $3.99. The paperback is $9.99. For paid subscribers, you can access the story through the navigation bar at the top of the Splendid Mess home page. If you have the chance to read it, please let me know your thoughts!
What have you been working on this week?
Free Download
I am an avid fan of the To-Do list. Mine usually gets written on a Post-It note, but this is definitely better! There’s space for gratitude, affirmations, and prioritizing your day. Just click the “Download” button below to snag your copy!
Thank you so much for sharing your time and thoughts with me. If you enjoyed this post, please hit the ❤️ button. Not only does it make my day, but it also helps other people discover The Splendid Mess.
I hope you have a splendid weekend! ~Amanda
Congrats!!! So EXCITING!!