It’s Blog Jog Day, Mother’s Day, and my 33rd birthday!
Blog Joggers: Please explore all my blog has to offer, then jog on over to quirky pickings.
First-time visitors may notice that Divorced Before 30 doesn’t feel very “bloggy.” That is, I don’t typically write about my present-day life. This is a “blogoir” (blog meets memoir), and I suggest starting with my first post, “How I Left My Husband on My Lunch Break.”
I first tried to write about my divorce three years ago, but my wounds were too damn fresh. It was like writing in a diary when you’re afraid that someone might find it—you hold back, and the results are bland at best. A fellow writer recently introduced me to a passage that explains my experience with writing and retrospection well:
Our senses themselves are dumb. They take in experience, but they need the richness of sifting for a while through our consciousness and through our whole bodies. I call this “composting.” Our bodies are garbage heaps: we collect experience, and from the decomposition of the thrown-out eggshells, spinach leaves, coffee grinds, and old steak bones of our minds come nitrogen, heat, and very fertile soil. Out of this fertile soil bloom our poems and stories. But this does not come all at once. It takes time. Continue to turn over and over the organic details of your life until some of them fall through the garbage of discursive thoughts to the solid ground of black soil. —Natalie Goldberg, from Writing Down the Bones
Divorced Before 30 is my compost heap. I hope you find some aspect of my story entertaining, helpful, or thought-provoking.
To celebrate my birthday, I am giving away a $25 Amazon e-card (sponsored by yours truly). To enter, leave a comment on this post by the end of the day on 5/10/10. I will pick one winner at random. 5/11/10 UPDATE: The winner was Laoch. Thanks for all the comments!
Then jog on over to quirky pickings. If you would like to visit a different blog in the jog, head back to Blog Jog Day.
I love Natalie Goldberg. She has a wonderful collection of essays called Wild Mind–really lovely. Your blog is so strong and well-written. I look to reading more posts. My blog is a memoirish project as well.
Stopping by from SITS
http://mommamaybemad.blogspot.com/2010/05/freely-forward.html
Hi Emma,
Happy Belated Birthday. You write beautiful posts. Great job. I dropped by from SITS today. Take care.
Anne-Marie
If you want to take a free little trip to Paris, drop by my blog LOL
Anne-Marie´s last blog ..Bucket or Bouquet, the lady of the house speaking….
Hey Emma! Better get yourself over to my place. You won a belated birthday present!
Robynn’s Ravings´s last blog ..And The Winners Are………!
Hi Emma, I got all caught up and can’t wait for you to post! I subscribe so I can read them right away! Happy Birthday!
Wow, that’s quite a quote! Pretty hard to miss the point!
Blissed-Out Grandma´s last blog ..Tag, I’m It
Emma, May 9th is my birthday too! (I am however, much older than you). You will be happy to know that even if you are divorced before 30 (I was) there’s plenty of time…
Happy birthday to you, too!
First, I want to wish you a very happy birthday Emma! And how sweet to be offering a present on YOUR birthday. Hoping that you have the most wonderful celebration and received all the good things in the coming year that you deserve {and more!}
xo Mary Jo
mary jo´s last blog ..this weekend was a lot of fun…
Thanks, Mary Jo! Yesterday was a fantastic day.
I hope you had an amazing bday!!
Happy Birthday. You hit it right on the head about not journaling with heart in fear of someone finding it. Letting go and writing is essential!
happy birthday Thanks for the contest
meandi09@yahoo.com
Happy Birthday! and i loved the post ty for sharing
Happy birthday Emma! Thank you for participating in Blog Jog Day!
What I have read so far I have enjoyed. Seems a bit self-serving and wrong at times, yet, I find it extremely interesting to see how you handled things. Still playing catch up on your posts.
Anne Bender´s last blog ..Meet, well, ME!
Thanks for the honest feedback! I think it’s inevitable that a memoir is somewhat self-serving, though I definitely try to tie my story to more universal themes. It’s a work in progress!
Oh, no! I meant I was self-serving and wrong to enjoy your painful experience. Sorry for the confusion. I finally finished from the beginning and am all caught up.
Ha! That is too funny! My fault. I was probably really tired when I read your comment.
I am impressed that you caught up! Thanks for reading and for leaving such great comments!
Happy Birthday. I hope you had a wonderful day. I will be back to finish reading your blog because your first post has me hooked.
Thank you for stopping by!
Happy Birthday! I have been following your blog for a little while, and I love it. One of my favorite things about it is the brevity and succinctness of your posts. A wonderful contrast to rambling posts I’ve encountered elsewhere. It makes me wonder what I could write about this way. Today’s quote has given me some ideas as to what organic matter I may use in the future, when it is ready. Thanks.
Thanks for the feedback. Some of my posts get a little long, but I try to let the story dictate the length. I’m glad that you found the quote useful!
I found your blog on the Blog Jog. I hope you have a great birthday. I was divorced at 27 and 35, twice was enough.
seriousreader at live dot com
Thanks for visiting. Yes, I am sure that twice was enough! Once was bad enough!
Happy Birthday.
Although I am over 30, my husband just left me and my two little ones. I guess the “D” word is what is coming (NOT my choice, but what can you do). I am going to be reading more of your posts. My married friends have got to be sick of hearing about it and I would love to see someone elses experiences.
Elie N´s last blog ..BLOG JOG!
That sucks about your marriage. Sorry to hear that. I will come check out your blog!
Happy Birthday. Thanks for the tour.
joylene´s last blog ..BLOG JOG DAY
Thanks for visiting! Hope you had fun w/ the Blog Jog!
Happy birthday!! And I love the blog jog idea…that’s awesome.
Thanks! The Blog Jog was pretty cool, though there have been a few broken links along the way, which kind of stinks!
Happy Birthday! Fun way to celebrate.
Thanks for visiting today!
Happy birthday Emma! I hope it’s been a great day.
Shelley (Jennings) Bumpus´s last blog ..Megan can start her bike now!
Thanks! I didn’t know you have a blog–cool!
Oh my gosh. How can I need to run out the door right now? Just came over to thank you for your comments and the follow and you sucked me right in and I want to READ!!!!!! Hey, Happy Everything Today, especially Happy Birthday! I’ll be back to REALLY find out who you are.
Robynn’s Ravings´s last blog ..Parting Is NOT Sweet Sorrow, It Reeks
Thanks, Robynn!
Happy Frikkin’ Birthday!
I just became a follower.
Kate´s last blog ..Blog Jog!
I love the name of your blog!
Happy birthday! I enjoy reading your blogoir!
Thank you! Glad to find your blog as well. I went caffeine-free a couple of years ago. Painful at first!
Have a salubrious and Dionysian birthday.
Laoch´s last blog ..Celtic Fest
This was definitely the most original birthday greeting I received all day!
Emma – I check your blog every day, whether or not you have a new post. Now I seem commercial and greedy!
I love reading your blog and enjoy bringing your blog to all of my friends as well.
Thanks! You are a great supporter!
This quotation is GREAT. I’m passing it along to my mother, a gardener and writer….
I love it, too! Thanks for continuing to follow me!
Divorced at 28, I felt like a loser. And I hated men. Bitter does not begin to describe my attitude. The ex is now married to the other woman (younger and cuter than I was/am). I thought I’d have a serious hissy fit about this (THE OTHER WOMAN ISN’T SUPPOSED TO GET “HAPPILY EVER AFTER!”), but I made peace with it long ago. In the end, I have a happy family and I appreciate my husband much more than I ever would have had I not been through hell in my 20′s. I call it fate. I don’t know what your Josh would say. ha.
Subourbon Wife´s last blog ..Blog Jog
Thanks for sharing your story! I call it fate, too.
Happy Birthday AND Happy Mother’s Day! I’ve caught up on all your posts and am dying to find out what happened next!
Thanks for reading, Laura!
thanks for linking picky in your post. :]
c.c.´s last blog ..blog jog day!
Happy Birthday! Love your blog!
Thank you!
happy birthday, emma! and i think you should trademark blogoir
Thanks, Crystal! I wonder if anyone else is using blogoir? I’ll have to investigate!
Your blog is helping me with my own divorce before 30, even though he is the one who wanted it. You’ve given me hope that there is life after this. Thank you.
So sorry you’re going through a divorce. Happiness and peace will come. Hang in there!
Happy Birthday!!
I saw your tweet and popped over and now am hooked! Have a wonderful birthday today.
Bucksome Boomer´s last blog ..Help Stamp Out Hunger
Thanks for checking out my blog!
Happy Birthday!
Chelle Cordero´s last blog ..Blog Jog Day
Thanks for coming by. I hope you had fun w/ the jog!
Happy birthday and mother’s day! I as always love reading your blog!
DebRa´s last blog ..Book Review- Artemis Fowl
Thanks, Debra! I appreciate it!
happy birthday!!!
c.c.´s last blog ..blog jog day!