GUEST POST and GIVEAWAY
I'd Rather Wear Pajamas
by Chelsea Walker Flagg
I'd Rather Wear Pajamas is currently on tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. The tour stops here today for a guest post by the author, an excerpt, and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.
Description
"Even though a butterfly could beat me up, I am strong and powerful in my own way. We are all capable of being strong. Sometimes, we’re just conditioning for it in the wrong way."
Everybody has the awesome opportunity to find their own strength and path through life. Some come about their self-discoveries through studying and working hard. Others (Chelsea) spend their time nearly burning down kitchens and driving around the country with a car full of hangers.
Chelsea grew up wanting to be "strong". She thought arguing her way through childhood and becoming a world-class attorney would get her there. But, through a series of humorous, and only slightly embarrassing events, Chelsea comes to realize that maybe her strength is meant to shine in different ways.
Spoiler alert: This book is secretly going to brainwash you into home birthing your children. No, I’m not kidding.
Alternate possible titles for this book:
How to Keep Your Pride Intact When Butterflies Attack
When Life Hands You Lemons, Just Eat Them Straight Up to Watch Your Popularity at Parties Sky Rocket
17 Reasons Why I’m Cooler than My Mom
19 Reasons Why My Mom is Cooler Than Me
I Always (Start With the Best Intentions to) Follow Directions
When Life Hands You Lemons, Just Eat Them Straight Up to Watch Your Popularity at Parties Sky Rocket
17 Reasons Why I’m Cooler than My Mom
19 Reasons Why My Mom is Cooler Than Me
I Always (Start With the Best Intentions to) Follow Directions
Book Video
Chelsea Walker Flagg promotes her book in Denver ... wearing pajamas.
Excerpt
I tried to contain my excitement when my second grade teacher announced that our school’s Professional Day was coming up and we were all encouraged to dress up as what we wanted to be when we grew up. Now, just try to picture what your local veterinarian looks like and what they might wear on a daily basis to stand out from other occupations. You can’t, right?
Some parents had it easy; I mean how hard is it to make your child look like a firefighter or a member of middle management? My poor mom had a bigger task at hand. That’s why my costume ended up including a white bathrobe which I think was supposed to be a labcoat and an old pair of tortoise-shell sunglasses (lenses removed). In one hand I carried one of my million stuffed animals and in the other, a clipboard. I’m not entirely sure how a clipboard was going to prove that I was a veterinarian, but I was confident that if the clipboard didn’t give it away, the broken sunglasses definitely would. In a low childhood moment for me, not a single person - student or teacher - could guess what I was.
Even with the setback, I still knew I’d be the world’s best vet. My favorite animals by far were cats. To give you an idea of how in love with cats I was, imagine the person or thing that you love more than life itself, and then times that love by 100. I think it’s fair to use the word obsessed.
Praise for the Book
"Chelsea has a way of crafting scenes that pull the reader in and have you living in each crazy, often hilarious, and sometimes very moving moments ... the author manages to balance her writing with just the right amounts of personal touch, soul searching, and effervescence to make for a really enjoyable read." ~ Reader's Favorite
"This is a heartwarming, funny memoir about a truly genuine woman who is not afraid to share her path of self-discovery in life. You will meet few women more at home in their own skin. Her writing casts the ordinary occurrences of life into a new light as though you were seeing them for the first time through special eyes. I would give her memoir ten stars if I could. Chelsea’s writing is right up there with Erma Bombeck and Tina Fey." ~ Ecrivain
"This book was a pleasure to read. The situations are relatable and the author's straightforwardness very appealing. I just wanted to keep reading. I'm glad I picked it up!" ~ Kristalyn Ford
"It is light hearted and funny, and I particularly enjoyed seeing the pictures of Chelsea and her family. It is a book about the author's life, an honest description of both the good and the not as good parts. She is the living example of 'don't sweat the small stuff'. I enjoyed reading it." ~ mjomin
"Absolutely hysterical, heartwarming, and motivating. This book is an upbeat adventure of finding your own path and going through some hilarious trials and errors to get there. It leaves you feeling determined to tackle your own rhubarb pies and enjoying the missteps and discoveries along the way. Great, fun read!" ~ Meg
Guest Post by the Author
Why Writing a Book is Better than Running a Marathon
Running a marathon is hard work. You start small, talking yourself into a quarter-mile jog instead of eating that extra bag of potato chips. You build up your stamina, running longer and faster stints. You stretch before and after, doing your best to take care of your body. And then, the momentous occasion is upon you. You run a marathon. You run a freaking marathon. High five.
Writing a book is hard work. You start small, talking yourself into writing a few hundred words instead of checking Facebook for the thousandth time that hour. You build up your stamina, writing longer and faster stints. You warm up your brain before and after, finding all you ever do anymore is think about writing. And then, the momentous occasion is upon you. You publish a book. You publish a freaking book. High five.
Same story, right? Yeah, pretty much. Both activities take great determination and perseverance. One of the body, one of the mind. But, I’m here to burst your bubble to tell you that running a marathon and writing a book actually have some differences. *Insert pregnant pause to allow for appropriate shock and gasping*
Let me spell it out for you.
Running a marathon means, well, running
Don’t get me wrong, exercise is awesome. As an avid runner myself, who am I to say running isn’t fun? But, let’s be honest with ourselves, running isn’t fun. All the panting and the burning lungs and the jolted joints. Seriously, what’s fun about any of that? Writing, on the other hand, causes very little physical discomfort. Except for those nights when I would write in bed with my head propped up on a pillow and would fall asleep, waking up with the biggest kink in my neck. Even still, it’s not burning lungs and such.
You can eat whatever you want while writing a book
When you run, you have to really watch what you eat before - and if you’re running a long distance - during your exercise. We’ve all fallen victim to the cruel side cramps that come from eating too much before working out. No bueno. Well, guess what? When you write a book, you can eat whatever and however much you feel like. Hot dog? No problem. Chocolate cake? Yum yum. An entire rotisserie chicken? Hand it on over. You might pass out in a food coma before getting in your words for the day, but at least you don’t have side cramps. Just be careful not to get too much grease on your keyboard.
Writing a book results in a physical award
Wait a minute, you’re saying, don’t you get a cool medal when you run a marathon? Yes, my friend. Yes you do. A cool medal that, unless you’re an incredible runner, says "you finished". Sure, it’s cool. You wear it around your neck for the day, then hang it up next to your little league trophies and spelling bee certificates. It’s not really something you can pull out at parties. BUT, writing a book means that you have a book! You can throw yourself a book launch party, you can get your book into bookstores, and the best part? People will actually pay you for a copy of your book. Pretty sure they aren’t knocking down your door to buy your "you finished" medal, amiright?
So, there you have it. A few reasons why, in my humble opinion, you’re better off spending your time and energy on writing a book than running a marathon.
About the Author
Chelsea was once obsessed with cats, longed to live in a big city, didn't think she would ever have children, and aspired to be an attorney. She now lives in Boulder, Colorado, as a stay-at-home mom and comedic writer with her husband and three daughters. She has no current plans to own a cat.
Giveaway
Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win a $50 Amazon or B&N gift card.
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