In early spring of 2009, my friend Stacey Graham mentioned an idea she had for a new humor blog. Our group of friends continuously amused each other, so why not spread that joy throughout the internet via essays written in the spirit of Erma Bombeck? Thus was born An Army of Ermas. Our ranks have …
Melanie Hooyenga
Nitpicking
I love to pick at things. I won’t disgust you with the details, but if my fingernail can pry it loose, you can bet I’m going to try. I also apply this obsessiveness to theories, plots, and pretty much any story that a person can invent. I often have to warn people that I play …
A Lesson in Positivity
Hi, I’m Melanie, a person with normal problems like everyone else. Things piss me off, drive me batty, and infuriate me so badly I find myself looking for the closest idiot to punch (I don’t actually punch people). When I need to vent I call or text a friend to get it off my chest, …
Odds & Ends
Hi there. I thought I’d use today’s post to catch you all up on what’s been going on with me. Ready? Okay! ********** I LOVE my apartment. Love. The paint, the layout, the trees outside my balcony… it’s all wonderful. Owen’s adapted well and I’ve made several friends through him and the dog park. The …
Determining Your Self-Worth
Do you know your self-worth? I’m not talking about how much you make, what you have saved, or how many things you own. I mean what value you as a person bring to the table—be it the conference table, referee’s table, or kitchen table. Some struggle more than others to figure out what that is, …
I’m a Blurb!
You know those quotes at the beginning of books that praise the author and her writing? I’m going to be one! Lookie! I reviewed Kelly Meding’s book As Lie the Dead last August, and apparently her publisher (or someone involved with the process…) thought my exuberance deserves to be shared. This is so cool! So …
Summer ‘ku
Thoughts from a late night perusing friends’ friends lists and other posts on Facebook… Freakfest on Facebook. Spray tans + protein, oh why did I give you up? … My long-ago crush has a toddler named Owen. The universe speaks! … Oh vague status posts… If only you intrigued me as your poster planned. … …
Getting Out of Your Head
I watched The King’s Speech with Colin Firth last night and the techniques used to help Bertie overcome his stammering got me thinking: most of the hang-ups we face, the things that prevent us from accomplishing what we want or make us think we aren’t good enough—they’re all in our head. At some point someone, …
My New Writing Space
It’s been a busy week! Since last Wednesday I’ve moved, painted, and almost completely unpacked into my new place. Owen’s adapting well to his new home (aside from the spontaneous yelps in the middle of the night that shock me from sleep every hour on the hour) and has already made friends with the neighbor …
#YAsaves : What YA Means to Me
On June 4th, the Wall Street Journal published an article by Meghan Cox Gurdon titled Darkness Too Visible, in which she states, “teen fiction can be like a hall of fun-house mirrors, constantly reflecting back hideously distorted portrayals of what life is. There are of course exceptions, but a careless young reader—or one who seeks …