You’re Not Going to Believe This

/ roughwighting
flashes of life, memoir, family, three kids

In Section II, Fun Family Drama

No, you may not believe that I – a writer, an author, a consummate reader – rarely (as in hardly ever) read the reviews of my books. How gauche. How extremely weird. Or, you may say, how cowardly.

But when I wrote Flashes of Life (my latest, now a little over a year old) it was nearest and dearest to my writing heart because it’s …. memoir. Fortunately for my readers, it’s flash memoir, which means you can sit outside on the front porch in your rocking chair, and within five sips of your iced tea (or Diet Coke, or lemonade, or beer if it’s almost sunset) you’ll have finished one of my stories in this flash(y) compilation of my life’s anecdotes. memoir, flash, life

So why am I confessing this? One of my writing students recently published her first novel, and she sent me one of the (excellent) Amazon reviews of her book. After checking it out, I thought, “Hmmm, I wonder how many reviews I have of Flashes of Life ?”

And whammo. I began to shed (delighted, grateful) tears. My readers liked it. They really liked it!

love, relationships, memoir

In Section VII, Relationships

But don’t believe me. Read just two of the reviews here in which readers took the time and the effort to not only give my book five stars, but to write paragraphs of why it deserves five stars. And then, if you haven’t read Flashes of Life, go ahead and give it a try.

The paperback version is available either from my (wonderful, independent) publisher BORGO PUBLISHING or AMAZON, where the paperback and Kindle version are available.  Just tap on the pink caps to get there.

Sorry (not sorry) for the shameless promotion, but what’s an author to do? I’m proud as punch.* I know some authors, when promoting, reduce their book’s price, but I think $15.95 for the paperback and $6.99 for the Kindle is already quite a good deal. Just read the reviews and see if you agree. Oh, and many readers have told me that my book is a delightful gift for friends and family.  

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Read, Amy M. Reade

This is the kind of book I find myself reading again and again because it’s full of wisdom, laughter, a few tears, and so, so many moments that make you say “I can totally relate to that.” It touches on every emotion, yet is light and deceptively simple to read. The messages imparted by the author are lessons (in the form of beautiful and delightful stories) learned from a life lived well and deeply.

puppy, Golden retriever, baby, memoir

In Section IV, For the Dogs

There are stories here from the author as a girl, a young woman, a mom, and a grandmother, and they all touch my heart in some way. The story of the lost cell phone is priceless (read: hilarious). The stories of her dog are poignant and oh-so-relatable to anyone who has ever been owned by a pet. I especially love the stories about her summer vacations to the Jersey shore, since that’s where I live and walk those same beaches and sidewalks. More than one of the stories will have the reader humming a Beatles tune, whereas others will elicit pangs of claustrophobia at the thought of being trapped inside a San Francisco taxi or in the back row of an airplane. The author has a self-deprecating brand of humor that can take a calamity and spin it into a funny tale.

The stories about her grandchildren are ones those kids will treasure forever. They are lucky youngsters to have a Madre who is so expressive and loves them with such abandon.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an escape that is fun, filled with love, and takes a fresh look at the things we all experience as members of the human race.

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing! A Must Read!  Balroop Singh

Flashes of Life by Pamela S. Wight brings to life those little moments of joy, which we often miss, those emotions that remain unexpressed, those relationships that we cherish and wish we could hold on to them as they slip out of our hands, however hard we may close our fists.

Wight possesses the knack of converting an ordinary scenario into a humorous one, with her witty style of writing. I’ve never read a more marvelous account of the endeavor of a fourteen-year-old girl to straighten her hair to look like ‘Jane Asher!’

I know Pamela writes with élan, as I follow her blog but this memoir in the form of little stories and anecdotes from her life is amazing! She can look at the mirror and wonder, “where’s the cute twenty-year-old? Who the hell is this freaky lady?” I must have thought that a million times when I look at myself but only Pamela could express it so well in ‘Dancing Our Age.’ Her crisp style and ingenious choice of words adds a dash of delight that touches your heart immediately. Her stories flow like a gurgling stream, cascading at times and shimmering like the first rays of winter sun.

musing, meditation, yoga, memoir

In Section VIII, Musing

I thought ‘Straight Hair’ would be my favorite but then I read ‘How to Embarrass Your Kids’ (loaded with fun) and ‘A Renewal’ – dripping with subtle emotions and ‘Grilled Cheese,’ which is wonderfully narrative: “…kitchen as tiny as an elf’s, and it has already taken me four minutes, thirty-eight seconds to find a knife to cut the cheese.”

Wight is most creative but it hits the sky with ‘It’s All Golden!’ Just look at this: “my thirty-year-old son, once my hard child, as hard as sleet on soft grass. I was the grass.” I loved ‘Nap Time,’ I laughed out loud while reading ‘Burnt Toast’ and would never forget her winter coat that she wore when it was 70 degrees outside! You have to read to find why! I have no words to describe the superb beauty of ‘The Weight of the Soul’ and ‘Benji.’ Need I say this is a MUST READ book? I would like to give it double 5 stars and keep it at my bedside to read it again and again.

So, now that you’ve allowed me to boast a bit, what are YOU proud as punch about?

memoir, blog, flashes of life

*Author’s note. The earliest citation for “proud as Punch” is in the Dickens novel David Copperfield (1850): “I am as proud as Punch to think that I once had the honor of being connected with your family.”

143 thoughts on “You’re Not Going to Believe This”

  3. You are well entitled to boast, Pam. I am forcing myself to stick to my resolve not to buy any more books until I have (never) read all those I have. So I will have to be satisfied with your blog. Although plodding has taken over from crosswords my proudest publication was ‘Chambers Cryptic Crosswords and How to solve them’ – and being featured in ‘the A-Z of crosswords’, being pieces on the top setters

    Liked by 1 person

  6. For me it was just the other way round. My editor made me read every review of my books – well, at least those in the important papers and magazines. I always analysed these with her and my agents and learned quite a lot from that. Especially those reviews that were very critical were helping me getting a better author.
    Congratulation for these reviews!
    All the best
    Klausbernd 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Your editor is a wise person. As I mentioned in the beginning of this post, not reading my reviews very often is a bit cowardly. Thankfully, all the reviews up in Amazon for FLASHES are really great. 🤓

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Wonderful, Pam and so very well deserved. Interesting about ‘proud as Punch’. So chuffed for you. ❤

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    • I hadn’t heard that expression “proud as Punch” in a long time but it just came to my pen as I wrote. Not being English I didn’t even know that much about punch! Not the drink but the puppet. I also love the word “chuffed,” which we don’t hear much here in America. Thank you so much Jane!

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  11. Childhood memories… They are the truth of what we will be when we grow up. Naivety, enjoying something like horseback riding, playing ball ,and yes of course, some amazing cowboys.Beautiful photo as a subject of diverse opinions, psycho activities! Congratulations again, and if you’re going to cry, let it be of happiness, memorable memories, I also miss that naivety…Hug⚖️✍🏻👁️⚕️🕯️💙💛⌛ PEACE.

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  13. Look at you, gettin’ it done, Wight! I hope I’m right behind you. Preparing a memoir manuscript, too. Almost finished with the first draft. Need to find an agent. Advice is welcome.
    R

    Liked by 1 person

    • Oh that’s dangerous to ask me for advice, Rich! I may add more on a PM in LinkedIn. Quite a number of bloggers who are commenting on my post here agents and decided to forgo them and to go with self publishing or and Indie publishing. So many good reasons to do that! First of all when you finish your memoir get a good editor and pay her to go over your manuscript. I have a great one that I use if you’d like a recommendation. PS- I can’t wait to read your memoir!

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  14. I applaud your post, and yes, it’s A-OK to boast a little. And I too wrote a review of Flashes of Life which I enjoyed immensely: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4015576563

    Right now I’m in the throes of revising my second memoir and feel a little down and a LOT tired. This post perked me up on a Friday when I’m running on fumes, strength-wise.

    You asked, “What are you proud as punch about?” I can say that Mennonite Daughter: The Story of a Plain Girl has received 82 Amazon reviews/ratings with a 5* average.

    Liked by 1 person

    • I’m glad this post perked you a bit, and hopefully inspired you to keep going! I’m thrilled that you’re writing a second memoir – can’t wait to read it. You have so many reasons to be proud of your first memoir (even more than 82 reasons, which is an AMAZING number of reviews!). And lastly, I’m forever grateful for your review of my Flashes. Hmmm, should I write a second one? Not sure I have the stamina for that. ;-0 🙂

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  15. This is absolutel wonderful, Pam! And I have zero doubt well-deserved. I shall have to break my own rule to get this, sadly cannot through your publisher as there is no option for Canada so darn Amazon…
    I cannot wait to read it!

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  17. Fabulous reviews by Amy and Balroop. When you get a review from an author you admire, it is a double bonus. I loved your book too and agree with everything they said. You should be proud, Birthing a book is like birthing a child. We love it when people say good things about our kids!!

    Liked by 3 people

    • OH. So. True! Our books are definitely our children, and we puff our (writing) chests when they are praised. But we also know we took a lot of time and effort for them to come out as well as they do. ;-0 (Sorta a metaphor, anyway).

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    • What a nice, nice thing to say. THANK YOU. I love writing fiction AND non-fiction. One of the reasons is because I’m amazed at the stories and how they come out. I truly think I have a muse (up there, out there, somewhere IN there?) to thank for that. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • YIKES!!! My book is buried under other new ones!!! (Laughing). We readers often tease each other about how many books we have waiting waiting to be read. If this post helped you dig out my book from your reading pile, I’m a happy blogger and author. 🙂

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  22. Awesome Pam! So happy for you and I definitely want to read it, its on my list! 🙂 I am sure your heart was soaring at those fine reviews and it should, they were beautifully writtten.
    I am compiling some of my favorite blog posts for a short story collection and I have a novella that I am trying to find an agent/publisher for. Writing is a journey! Congratulations on you succeeding with another book! ❤

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  23. Thank you for sharing your reviews! I concur with them all! I savor your writing style, Pam, and have gifted your books. Kudos to you!

    Liked by 1 person

  24. If I can add my two-bits’ worth, I loved this book. It was so down-to-earth and real. No wonder I could relate to it all, laughing and crying as I went from one adventure to another with you. No one will regret buying this book.

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  25. You know Pam, I write from my heart and when I wrote that review of Flashes… I kept feeling that the words were eluding me, that I would like to say more. Your stories have that magic, which is so rare! I would highly recommend your book to all readers. Thanks for showcasing my review. 🤗🥰

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  26. Congratulations, Pam! What a wonderful thing…to have many glowing reviews! Your book sounds like a fun read. I’m taking this post as a sign to me. You see, I also wrote a memoir style essay collection, that has been professionally edited and almost ready to publish. BUT I got cold feet. I’m now thinking I should publish it soon. My title is, I Don’t Drink Alone and Other Lies.
    Did you get cold feet at all before publishing Flashes of Life?
    It’s a very vulnerable type of writing.
    Congrats again, and I’m so happy you shared this post. And it’s not shameless promo. As an author, we have to spread the word about our own work! 🙂 xx

    Liked by 1 person

    • Oh yes yes yes. Cold feet is part of the process of publishing. In fact, I’ve even written a story about my cold feet (literal and figuritive) and I should post that someday. My advice to you? Buy some thick socks (as well as adding a layer of skin – for thick skin, get it? 🙂 ) and GO FOR IT. I, for one, will be delighted to read your memoir and savor it.

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  27. You’re 100% correct Pam, written reviews such as those means a lot and is more rewarding than the scant income most authors can expect. A shame more readers don’t consider reviewing books. I try to review most of what I read though I must admit to not being perfect in that respect either.

    Liked by 1 person

    • I’ve had friends who have called me after reading my Flashes memoir, exclaiming how much they love it, but when I suggest they write a review, they balk as if I’ve asked them to eat live bats. Some people are extremely uncomfortable with writing a review (don’t know how to, don’t know what to say, think they’ll embarrass themselves with bad writing/grammar, etc.). I’m just grateful for their phone call or e-mail and that they took the trouble to buy and read my book, and then just let it go. (Which is why I suppose I didn’t read my reviews for months and months). If I read a book that is a ‘bestseller,’ I rarely leave a review. But for an Indie author, I happily leave reviews. We need to support each other. Thanks much for your comment, Roy.

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  31. Many authors probably feel uncomfortable about tooting their own horn, but I think that comes with the territory, especially if the author is an indie. While it would be nice if everyone loved our books, we know that will never happen. I sometimes laugh or roll my eyes at the reasons some people give for not liking a book: 1. I don’t like books in this genre. 2. The binding on the book was not good. 3. I just read another book on the same subject. 4. I’m more of a cat person than a dog person. 5. It took six weeks for me to get the book.🤣

    I’ll bet you must feel proud when you see one of your students become published.

    One evening, I remember reading Flashes of Light, thinking I’d read a few short stories. I never put your book down until I finished. Your stories were equally touching and humorous.

    Liked by 2 people

    • I’m laughing – yes. Sometimes I check out the reviews of a book I’ve just finished and really liked. And I feel sorry for the author. Despite an excellent book, some people decide to write an awful comment that makes no sense, like “I hate romance,” and the book is in the romance genre! I had a dousy of a horrible review for one of my romantic suspense books (Twin Desires) which overall got 4s and 5s and great comments. But a few years ago, I spoke at a book club in front of a wonderfully enthusiastic group of women except one, who made fun of where I was raised (New Jersey) and of page turning books (which Twin Desires is). I found months later a one-star review that said “Had to read for my book club. Enough said.” OUCH! I took it badly and even thought “why the heck am I writing and publishing?” But then I thought of the person who wrote this and decided, “Keep on going, Pam!” 🙂

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    • Awww, thankyouthankyouthankyou. You make me think about writing another one. Maybe. Some day. Or maybe not. But if I did, I’d invite you to sit on my front porch with a glass of iced tea (with lemon of course) and I’d thank you for the kudos and your encouragement of me and my writing.

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  33. I loved every word of it and left a review as well. You should be proud of the accomplishment. I’m not as good at writing reviews as many but you do deserve them. I’m always proud of the things I make and actually finish. Full of mistakes but finished is what I call accomplishment.

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    • Your review was LOVELY, Marlene, and I’m so grateful for it. I wish we could write reviews about your blog posts (which are wonderful) and of your creations. Not to brag, but my iced sparkling water is sitting on one of your beautiful (blue heart) coasters right now. My review? 5 stars!!

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  35. I’m delighted (and not at all surprised) to hear that your memoir resonates with readers. Your story telling is always so relatable! Glad you plucked up the courage to take a gander at your reviews!

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    • Haha, Review-reading is definitely a gander (and hopefully not a groaner) and not for the faint of heart. But I’m soooo fortunate that my readers like my Flashes. Thanks so much for your encouraging words, Nancy.

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    • You are the sweetest, Kim. I guess I better get out my tight black leather pants and rock on, huh? 🙂 🙂 🙂 (No, I don’t own a pair, but if I ever get invited on a talk show to talk about my book(s), I’m going to remember your “rock star” comment.) xo

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  39. So happy your book is doing well! I believe reviews can be helpful if you look at them objectively — both the good and the bad. Sometimes the critical reviews open your eyes to things you haven’t thought about before. Congratulations!

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    • Your comment is well taken, and I’ve read many authors/writers/bloggers discuss what’s the best way to review a book that they don’t like. Most feel like I do. If it’s just ‘good’ but with some typos or grammatical errors I’ll give a 3 and explain what I liked about it, and how the bad editing bothered me; if it’s really good , I give 4 stars; and if I enjoyed it tremendously, a 5. But if a book I read is only a 1 or 2, I just don’t review it (and most likely I don’t finish it either).

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  41. Has it been a year already, Pam? I remember having trouble seeing my download of your book from your publisher. After I got it, I made sure that page wouldn’t go away. It was also a time when Amazon started to accept ePub only and hurried over to tell your publisher. I remember your friends gave you a lunch party and you read your book. Congratulations on all the wonderful reviews and the ones from Amy and Balroop are beautiful. I still remember many of your stories made me laugh very hard, I’m so happy for you.

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    • Wow, Miriam, you remember a lot! My wonderful Indie publisher is much more enthusiastic about ‘real’ hard-or softback books. E-books, not so much. But she also owns a bookstore, so I understand her reasoning. I’m glad I went on to make the book available for the Kindle as well as the softback on Amazon. Thanks for those memories of my book and the launch party, which was SO special, and successful despite being in the middle of a pandemic (think back yard with lots of fresh air and proof of vaccination). As you know, it takes guts to be a published author. 🙂 xo
      P.S. I LOVED your review on Amazon – short snippet: “Pamela Wight’s Flashes of Life is a short read which could be done in one sitting in a late afternoon or evening. It’s refreshing to read about the author’s honest emotions, humor, and deep appreciation of life. Wight’s flashes are the fond memories of her childhood, her life as a daughter, mother, wife, and grandmother. They are the everyday experience many readers could relate to. I felt like we chatted on the phone as she recounted them, and I couldn’t help but chuckled over so many.”
      HERE’S TO A GREAT PHONE CONVERSATION! ❤

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      • I couldn’t forget what happened when KDP changed what they accepted. I tried to understand what a flowable file meant and what ePub file it accepted. Your book is perfect for readers to get a glimpse of your life. It was a delightful read, Pam. ❤

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  44. Well, you know how much I loved the book (and thanks for the spotlight on my review). I believe that “Flashses of Life” provides a masterclass in how to look at one’s life from different perspectives and how to find the joy in every moment. I am thrilled for you at the beautiful and well-deserved reviews your book has received. Congratulations! xo

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  45. I love the sense of accomplishment here, Pam. I’m a sad soul who doesn’t possess a Kindle, and I would rarely read memoirs. They’re personal to you and however the experiences might resound they’re not mine. I wish you well, hon. It’s obvious you’re keeping many readers happy.

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    • I appreciate your point of view. In fact, I used to feel the same way! The first memoir that convinced me otherwise was The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. Her childhood experience was so different from mine, and yet I related to the way she handled her life’s experiences. I LEARNED from her. That’s when I realized that we are all so connected, that what happens to one can bond us to another. (That may sound weird.) Anyway, many thanks for your honest comment. Totally understand. And I’m honored and grateful that you visit me here on my blog. ❤

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    • I just laughed out loud, Nicki. Hey, it’s never too late to write a review. And even one sentence is appreciated. 🙂 My son’s father-in-law liked Flashes of Life so much he sent it to Reese Witherspoon, asking her to put it in her book club. Isn’t that sweet? 🙂 xo

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  50. Your wonderful reviews don’t surprise me in the slightest!

    What surprises me is that you’ve never read review up to this point. Oh, my God, I HAVE to read what others write about my books.

    Sometimes the one-stars can be hilarious, I must admit. I still smile at the following one-star for Everybody’s Favorite Book: “I’m not certain of the age range for this book. But I don’t think anyone but very small children will like it.”

    Since EFB is a *picture book*, that was kind of the goal…

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  52. Awww. I’m so glad you finally read a few of your reviews. Great reviews from Amy and Balroop. It’s a wonderful book, Pam, and each flash was a pearl for your readers. Do you have another one in the works? ❤ ❤ ❤

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  54. Congrats on such great reviews and it sounds like you nailed it with the choice six stories
    And memoirs can be so weighty or too much so it seems like this one is not
    Love the images too

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    • Well, I guess this is why authors promote their books a year later. SOMEONE or SOMEONES missed the first time, but now they’ll go see what’s getting the good reviews. 🙂 Knowing your sense of humor, I think you’ll enjoy my “flash” fun memoir. Xo

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