The following essay was written by our featured guest, Melanie Lynne Hauser.

Well, I’ve gone and done it.

I’ve rocked my kids’ world, I’ve messed with their fragile little minds. I didn’t mean to. All I wanted to do was tell a story, really; give some piece of myself to others. But it’s not that simple. These things never are.

I’ve gone and written a book. And by doing so, I’ve stepped out of the shadows where I’ve lurked as The Mom ever since my children were born. That was me on the sidelines for sixteen years, the cheerleader with the camcorder, a bag of juice boxes and Rice Krispy treats at her feet. First steps — Yay! Do it again for the camera, sweetie! First macaroni picture — Whoo Hoo! I’ll go get a frame! First soccer goal accidentally prevented by a lucky flinch — Astounding! Turn this way, honey, and smile for the camera! I’m the audience; they’re the stars. They acknowledge it with a barely a nod, as stars do; they’ve grown accustomed to their rightful places in the spotlight. And now they’re a little reluctant to make room for me.

It’s not that they’re not proud of my new — well, celebrity is stretching it a little, since my biggest interview was for the PTA newsletter. My boys have shared in all the ups and downs of publication. “Hand me that 3 Musketeers bar” became a familiar request as I accumulated a couple years’ worth of rejection letters; “Cereal for dinner is fun!” was the proclamation whenever I was in the throes of a mad burst of creativity. And when I finally got The Call that every author dreams of, my sons were touchingly proud of me. The little one actually got tears in his eyes that had nothing to do with the fact that this might mean a raise in his allowance. (Or so he said.) And I got a glimpse of something most parents never get to see from their children: Admiration. And that, in turn, rocked my world.

But it didn’t last for long. With each new thrill that came my way — cover art, foreign rights sales, page proofs — interest waned. “Yeah, Mom.” The eldest yawned. “You forgot my allowance last week.” And with that observation he neatly put me in my place, reminding me of what was really important. You know — him.

But still I persisted. “Don’t you want to see the cover? Let’s put it on the refrigerator door!” I trotted over to the place of honor, eager to hang my accomplishment alongside theirs. But there was no room. All the magnets were taken. I stared at the door, papered with drawings, certificates, report cards. I suggested it was time to retire some items. That’s when things turned ugly.

“Get rid of my second grade safe bike rider award? No way!” (This from the current high school sophomore who had just gotten his driver’s license.) “You’re not serious, Mom,” the eighth grader gasped when I fingered his realistic stick portrait of his father, created in a kindergarten art class.

I looked at my boys, looked at the crowded refrigerator door, looked at the cover art proof in my hand, and sighed. “I guess I’ll just — tape it to my desk,” I said, and both boys looked relieved, nodded, and left me to my task.

I suppose I was asking too much. The refrigerator is sacred, a symbol of what our roles are within the family. They take care of what’s outside; I’m responsible for what’s inside — behind the scenes.

And really, who created the monsters? I did, of course. My applause — my attention — was a constant buzzing presence in their ears, background noise, mainly. Yet in this scary world background noise is a comfort. It’s security. With it I gave my children the solid foundation needed to launch them up to the skies as they reach for new goals, bring home new accomplishments to display on the most precious real estate in our house — the refrigerator door. So in a sense my greatest achievements are already there; I didn’t have to ask them to make room.

Still, I’m excited about this new phase in my life; mine alone, no longer reflected glory. I proudly taped the cover art above my desk, right in the center, where everyone can see.

And I can’t help but notice that every once in a while, my boys stop and look at it, heads cocked, sly smiles on their faces. When friends come over, they nonchalantly point it out. And there’s a little buzz in my ear, a slight roar of approval — background noise, if you will.

And it inspires me to keep going, keep writing. Keep reaching for my own stars, so that I don’t have to share theirs anymore.

Read more by the talented Melanie Lynne Hauser at Refrigerator Door, and don't miss her debut novel, Confessions of Super Mom!

Posted by mommybloggers at 8:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Mommybloggers: Your first novel "Confessions of Super Mom" was published in 2005. Congratulations!

Melanie Lynne Hauser :Thanks so much!

Mommybloggers: Now, we've seen you deny time and time again that "Confessions of Super Mom" is autobiographical. But we've see you pictured in Super Mom's outfit, clutching your Swiffer…come on. You can tell us. We won't blow your cover…

Melanie Lynne Hauser :Shhh! It's funny, when my boys were much smaller, we went through a period of time when they weren't quite sure I was joking when I told them I was really Supergirl. I dressed up as her one Halloween, you see, and they wondered why I kept the costume...so I gently pulled their legs a bit and told them that they didn't know what I did after they went to bed, did they? And for a couple of months, I think they almost believed that their mom was really a superhero!

And yes, I'm sure I'll be paying for lots of therapy when they're a bit older.

Mommybloggers: Well, whatever you say, there, Melanie. We feel better knowing you're out there, cleaning up your community.

Mommybloggers: Many blogging moms aspire to be published writers. Aside from talent, time seems to be a major factor. You have two sons at home…how do you find the time to write?

Melanie Lynne Hauser :I'm the world's biggest chicken. I didn't even attempt to do this when they were really small. I concentrated on them, then when they were in school I did a couple of years' hard labor in the PTA. THEN, finally, when they were about 8 and 10, I started thinking about this. I realized it was time for me to start thinking about what I wanted to be when I grew up. And I knew, somehow, that writing was something that I'd have to really devote my time and concentration to; that it couldn't be done properly in dribbles and drabs of time. So I had to be in a place in my life when my kids weren't so demanding and I was ready to wean myself from the busy life of a suburban parent. I told myself, from the start, that if I didn't take my writing seriously, how could I expect anyone else to? So I did, and I learned to say "no," and while I don't think I've sacrificed family time, I have sacrificed some friendships and anything resembling a thriving social life. Which isn't easy, but there are only 24 hours in a day, and you have to learn to prioritize.

Mommybloggers: Your blog, Refrigerator Door, is hilarious! What got you started? How has blogging affected your writing?

Melanie Lynne Hauser :Thanks! Honestly, I started my website and my blog in anticipation of my book's publication. I think every author has to have a website these days, and I was interested in a blog's ability to give readers another opportunity to get to know you, so to speak. And of course, the blogging community is wonderful and supportive and for someone who's sacrificed some real life friendships, it's a godsend. I actually think the blogging has improved my writing; it's like a wonderful little warm up exercise, just to keep the juices flowing and my mind on top of my game.

Mommybloggers: What do you think of the term "mommyblogger?" Are you a mommyblogger?

Melanie Lynne Hauser :Well, I think that labels are, for better or worse, part of every creative endeavor. In writing there's "chicklit" and "momlit" and now even "henlit." I think that's fine - it helps define an audience - as long as we're all supportive of one another. Same thing with the blogging world. It's so vast; I think it's necessary to have categories for all the different types of blogging. Although - I do admit to not loving the mommyblogs that are just a laundry list of someone's child's every burp and slobber. I tend to believe that having a blog is a responsibility in a way; there should be a bigger purpose to it than just reciting mundane events. (Although in truth, I've been guilty of this on occasion when my brain has been fried!) I have no problem being considered a mommyblogger because parenting is, naturally, the main priority in my life. And that writing about it with an eye to entertaining, maybe even enlightening, is a natural progression for me as an author. After all, authors write in order to make sense of their world.

Mommybloggers: You've been traveling quite a bit in support of your novel. You've even had the chance to rub shoulders with the stars in Hollywood. What is the funniest thing that's happened on your travels?

Melanie Lynne Hauser :Oh, this is tough! Funniest? Normally, I'm just relieved to get away from my kids for a little while - happy to be impersonating a real grown up with important things to do, if just for a day or so. So I'm always happy to travel, and tend to just remember the good parts. One funny thing (and it's a little embarrassing) - when I arrived in LA, on my Swiffer/Hollywood party trip, it was such an exhausting, overwhelming time. I'd been away from my family for a week, up in the mountains of Colorado writing the sequel; the invitation to come to Hollywood came at the very last minute, the night before I was supposed to go home. So I had a lot of arrangements to make, clothes to buy (I was literally down to my last pair of clean underwear), traveling to do. By the time I got to my hotel room I was pretty wiped out, to tell the truth. I threw my suitcase down and went out to find something to eat - I hadn't had time to eat in days, it had seemed - and all of a sudden I wanted a beer. A beer, and salted tortilla chips and guacamole, consumed while sitting in my hotel room in my new pajamas watching some trashy movie on TV. It sounded like heaven to me. So I went out and bought a six pack of Corona Light (couldn't find just one bottle, but I didn't care at that point), went to a taco place and got chips and guacamole, raced back to my hotel room, salivating, dying of thirst for this beer - and couldn't find a bottle opener. Nowhere - I turned that hotel room (which had a kitchenette, so it seemed likely to me that it would have one) upside down. I thought I remembered hotel rooms having bottle openers hung on the wall, sometimes - but not in this room. I called down to the desk, frantic - they didn't have one either. And I was just too tired - not to mention already in my jammies - to go back out and find one, so I ate my chips and taco and had to settle for a Coke from the vending machine, and I almost cried, sitting there, staring at the lovely, lovely - unopened - bottles of cold Corona.

I left them for the cleaning staff when I checked out. I'm sure they were very happy to get them! And I've since bought a small bottle opener, which will now travel with me wherever I go!

Mommybloggers: What does your husband and sons think about all this? They must be so proud of you!

Melanie Lynne Hauser :They're very proud of me - although my youngest son now wants to be paid for any ideas he contributes to future books. (He's a mini Eric Cartman.) They're also a bit unsettled, though - you know how it is as a mom. Everywhere you go, people always ask you how the kids are, how they're doing in school, etc. Well, now, when we go out, people ask me about the book first - and it's been a bit of a rude awakening for my sons, who are used to being the only topics of conversation!

But they're very proud of me, and when times were tough, and I was writing books that didn't get published, my younger son even gave me his lucky rabbit's foot to hang on to.

Mommybloggers: We hear that there's a sequel in the works – we can't wait to read it!

Melanie Lynne Hauser :SUPER MOM SAVES THE WORLD will be published by NAL, and will be out in early 2007. I love it - it takes Birdie and Carl to the next step in their relationship, and deals a lot with the reality of blending families. Plus, of course, there's another evil villain scheming to harm the children of Astro Park - this time, the danger involves that hallowed American tradition, Little League. And we might just find out if Birdie ever learns to fly!

The paperback of CONFESSIONS OF SUPER MOM will be out this summer, too - also by NAL.

Mommybloggers: So, Melanie, what's next? Will Super Mom be making the leap to television, or perhaps the movies? Who will play you, er, Birdie? Will Hugh Laurie be appearing as the love interest?

Melanie Lynne Hauser :The book's certainly being read by people who could make that happen, so who knows? And Hugh Laurie would be perfect as Carl! Rowrrr...I am going to have some good dreams tonight!

Mommybloggers: And here are the questions we subject all of our featured bloggers to (With apologies to Bernard Pivot and Inside the Actors Studio):

1. What is your favorite parent related word?

Trust

2. What is your least favorite parent related word?

Gimme!

3. What is your favorite creative censored curse word used around children?

H-E-Double Hockeysticks

4. What is your favorite hiding place within your home when you need to get away from it all?

My bedroom - for some reason, now that my boys are older, they are extremely uncomfortable going into my bedroom for any reason. So it's a pretty kid-free zone!

5. What hiding place have you been found in too often and can no longer use?

Not really applicable; the problem with adolescents is that they hide, not you!

6. If Oprah exists, what would you like to hear her say when you arrive at the Oprah Winfrey show when she features the Mommybloggers?

What do you mean, if Oprah exists? Next you'll be telling me there's no Santa Claus!
Um, I guess I'd like to hear her say that she's a huge fan of my work! That'd be cool!

We hope you've enjoyed our conversation with Melanie Lynne Hauser. Tomorrow, check back as we feature a fantastic guest essay from Melanie!

Posted by Jenny Lauck at 2:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)