Author: valmanwill

Valerie Manwill writes coming of age novels and stories with quirky twists. She is an award-winning playwright and has a handful of stories published in varying anthologies. Other braggadocio includes being fluent in both Spanish and Golden Era Vines. Valerie melts in the Arizona sun with her two baby boys and snarky husband.

Dressing Up As My Brother to Take Pictures With My SIL Because He Won’t.

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It’s a good day to make fun of my brother.

So my brother, he takes the most unbelievably blue-ribbon-first-prize pictures of my sister-in-law (which I’m sure isn’t too hard because she’s just gorgeous anyways) See below a breathtaking photo my brother took of his wife:

But the funny part is that my brother will not get in a single picture with my sister-in-law.

One day, she was over at my house visiting without him (I think he had to work or something) and she told me of this particular conundrum; that she has such a hard time getting him to pose for pictures… so I came up with this very devious idea… I was like, hey, I look enough like him. Why don’t I just post for some pictures for her so that she can have pictures of them together? HAHAHA

So here below is my transformation and our photo shoot. Also note that the entire time we were laughing so hard taking these pictures. We were dying, it was great.

For quick reference here is a picture of my *actual* brother:

And this is me hahaha

Trying to get that “I don’t want to take pictures right now” face just right.

But also had to give her some cute ones.

Fake a road trip real quick

Getting that man stance perfected.

Have a big bowl of cereal so it’s more believable.

Sister-in-law’s if you really want to step up your game… just a suggestion

For Writers: How to Name Your Story

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Guys, naming your book, movie, or story is pretty hard.

So, I came up with a list of ten ideas that you can use based on some patterns that I’ve noticed with other successful stories! Hopefully, this will help you get your ideas rolling and you’ll have a name in no time!

  1. Name your book after the main character.
    • Ex. Shrek, Hamlet, Emma, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Forrest Gump
  2. Name your story after the group of protagonists.
    • The Incredibles, The Avengers, The Heathers, Ghostbusters,
  3. Name your book after an important setting in your story.
    • Ex. Westworld, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Jurassic Park
  4. Name your book with the main story’s goal.
    • Ex. Back to the Future, Saving Private Ryan, The Great Escape, Finding Nemo
  5. Name your book after the main characters wound or false belief.
    • Ex. The Silence of the Lambs, Better Off Dead, Pride and Prejudice
  6. Name your book after the lesson that your main character learns.
    • Ex. It’s a Wonderful Life
  7. Name your creepiest story after a line said by the antagonist.
    • I Know What You Did Last Summer, Baby Reindeer,
  8. Name your story after your favorite line.
    • Ex. We Were Liars, Some Like it Hot, Gone with the Wind,
  9. Name your story after the main character’s job/calling/identity.
    • Ex. The Pianist, Gladiator, The Lion King, The Interpreter, The Godfather
  10. Describe your story in a single word and use that as the title.
    • Ex. Up, Alien, Jaws, Pyscho, Parasite

Did you think of any more examples or ideas? Comment them below!

Kids Say The Darndest Things (Feb ’25)

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JACK: Mom, I was laying on my arm during the movie and now my hand feels funny.
ME: Your hand probably fell asleep.
JACK: Oh. uses his two fingers as little legs and walks across my lap Look it’s sleep walking.

ME: Before we go to the store, do you remember? What are the rules?
CASEY: No whirling.
ME: …
CASEY: I mean no wandering.

ANDIE: balancing on one foot Weeee! I going!

DAN: talking to the kids Boys and girls, it’s time for bed.
CASEY: No, there’s just boys and ‘girl’. Not girls.
JACK: No, there’s one boy, one girl, points to himself and one man.

ME: Tomorrow we’re going to the park with some friends.
CASEY: ALERT! I LOVE TOMORROW!

Andie calls applesauce “Elsa-sauce”

POSSIBLE PIC

JACK: When Dad gets home can we do tag with him?
ME: Sorry, baby, Daddy’s in Tennessee (for work).
JACK: Oh, that’s right. Dad’s on his field trip.

CASEY: looking through my Nativity set and picks up the donkey Wow, cool, a horse! puts it down and picks up the camel Oh and a moose!

CASEY: We’re not going to watch that because it’s too scary.
ANDIE: Yeah, scary is SO scary.

JACK: Did you know monkeys always make themselves laugh because they tickle their own armpits?

Casey has decided that one of his stuffies is now his girlfriend. And he writes the most dramatic and intense love letters to her.
CASEY: I love you one thousand percent. My heart is full of tears and love. I’m so uncomfortable without you being here next to me. When you get here I will get on my knees and say, ‘Heaven, thank you for sending her to my house.’ I will never forget about you in my whole life.

ME: getting Andie out of her crib in the morning
ANDIE: Oh, hi, Mommy! I miss you!

ME: Do you like being the oldest?
JACK: Yeah because I’m the funniest

ANDIE: hat falls over her eyes Where I go?

Casey insists on cosplaying as a different character multiple times a day. Some of his favorite costumes are The Wicked Witch of the West, Spiderman, Buzz Lightyear, and Blippi. But one day he decided he wanted to “dress up as me”. And all I gotta say is… WHY’D IT HAVE TO BE SO FREAKING ACCURATE?

The leggings, the Beatles shirt, the messy bun. wtf hahahaha