OK, "big sack of crazy" got me. I'm only human, people!

excellently funny read. couple of typos to note:
In the Catalogue Rivalry section: This would felt would = This we felt would
She was very offended when he turns = She is very offended when he turns

In the Solar Bird Hotel section: It's disgusting (period)
In the For Cod's Sake section: Somerfield own = Somerfield Own (?) Somerfield's Own (?) (I'm just not sure!)

Despite my nitpicking, I'm enjoying this immensely! Charming, witty, smart. And I know it's all true; I've seen my sister, who is also my best friend, live through a MIL from Hell. I was nearly motivated to commit a crime, for my sister's sanity. Thankfully, MIL died a few years later of (mostly) natural causes.

tremendously enjoyable! backing it with great enthusiasm. I'm still sussing out what a carvery is but I'm thinking it's like a restaurant? Will read more soon, to be sure!

Lisa~

great voice in the 3 chapters i read - will continue with pleasure

The first real laugh of my day. Even though I've got a perfectly lovely mother-in-law, his aunts do all of those things. It's wonderful. The tone is just right, respectful but...not...With over 400 comments I am sure there is little that I can add, so I will leave it at "Backed."

Sheena, I read the first chapter. Tickled my funnybone. I have nothing to complain about. Happily backed.

Regards,

Joffrey (The Silver Spoon Effect)

OK, I just barked out a laugh at my desk and my co-workers are looking at me funny. (Don’t worry, it’s my lunch.)

This is hilarious and simply marvelous. I couldn’t possibly list all the things that made me laugh – though the bark came at “looks more like two dogs shagging to me.”

There are some edits necessary. Mostly in the form of words repeated or left out of sentences. And are there supposed to be several entries in succession that are all from the same day?

It does occur to me to wonder if this will have a plot, climax, etc. or if it’s just a series of blog entries. I’m only in chapter two so I may not have gotten to it yet. But, as funny as it is, I do hope there’s a plot building.

Other than that, it’s just so entertaining I can’t gush enough about this.

Backed, of course.

Leah Petersen – Mourn the Sun

This is a super monologue. You have such a wonderful grasp of your mc that I found myself caring very early on, and was able to envision all of it--no kidding. You mentioned how it would be as a movie. It would make a very funny movie. Also, I thought the fomat--as blog posts--was great. Was this a blog at one point?

You've captured the spirit of mother-in-laws everywhere (but not mine; I love my mother-in-law. Why, we were there for a visit just last night, and I only needed to move her furniture to different locations seven or eight times before coming back to the original configuration). I kid. We had roast beef, and she's an excellent cook. [psst. I think she comes here to read; act natural and all will be well.]

I only found one paragraph--which I think another already mentioned--in which there were things that needed attention(yup. scrolled down to check their comment):
It is the paragraph that begins "Last year.../" repeated word, then an odd sentence. Likely something left over from an edit. I do it frequently.

I have a feeling I'll be bouncing this back and forth on my shelf until I know everything there is to know about MIL's. Great story, awesome voice, and so very quick of a read. This was a pleasure. You're doing well enough on your own, but "Shakespeare's Short (but bulging at the zipper) List" just garnered a new book. Fine work. Very tight. You have a very engaging style.

Shakespeare's Talking Head
Dropcloth Angels

This is a super monologue. You have such a wonderful grasp of your mc that I found myself caring very early on, and was able to envision all of it--no kidding. You mentioned how it would be as a movie. It would make a very funny movie. Also, I thought the fomat--as blog posts--was great. Was this a blog at one point?

You've captured the spirit of mother-in-laws everywhere (but not mine; I love my mother-in-law. Why, we were there for a visit just last night, and I only needed to move her furniture to different locations seven or eight times before coming back to the original configuration). I kid. We had roast beef, and she's an excellent cook. [psst. I think she comes here to read; act natural and all will be well.]

I only found one paragraph--which I think another already mentioned--in which there were things that needed attention(yup. scrolled down to check their comment):
It is the paragraph that begins "Last year.../" repeated word, then an odd sentence. Likely something left over from an edit. I do it frequently.

I have a feeling I'll be bouncing this back and forth on my shelf until I know everything there is to know about MIL's. Great story, awesome voice, and so very quick of a read. This was a pleasure. You're doing well enough on your own, but "Shakespeare's Short (but bulging at the zipper) List" just garnered a new book. Fine work. Very tight. You have a very engaging style.

Shakespeare's Talking Head
Dropcloth Angels

This is a super monologue. You have such a wonderful grasp of your mc that I found myself caring very early on, and was able to envision all of it--no kidding. You mentioned how it would be as a movie. It would make a very funny movie. Also, I thought the fomat--as blog posts--was great. Was this a blog at one point?

You've captured the spirit of mother-in-laws everywhere (but not mine; I love my mother-in-law. Why, we were there for a visit just last night, and I only needed to move her furniture to different locations seven or eight times before coming back to the original configuration). I kid. We had roast beef, and she's an excellent cook. [psst. I think she comes here to read; act natural and all will be well.]

I only found one paragraph--which I think another already mentioned--in which there were things that needed attention(yup. scrolled down to check their comment):
It is the paragraph that begins "Last year.../" repeated word, then an odd sentence. Likely something left over from an edit. I do it frequently.

I have a feeling I'll be bouncing this back and forth on my shelf until I know everything there is to know about MIL's. Great story, awesome voice, and so very quick of a read. This was a pleasure. You're doing well enough on your own, but "Shakespeare's Short (but bulging at the zipper) List" just garnered a new book. Fine work. Very tight. You have a very engaging style.

Shakespeare's Talking Head
Dropcloth Angels

This is a super monologue. You have such a wonderful grasp of your mc that I found myself caring very early on, and was able to envision all of it--no kidding. You mentioned how it would be as a movie. It would make a very funny movie. Also, I thought the fomat--as blog posts--was great. Was this a blog at one point?

You've captured the spirit of mother-in-laws everywhere (but not mine; I love my mother-in-law. Why, we were there for a visit just last night, and I only needed to move her furniture to different locations seven or eight times before coming back to the original configuration). I kid. We had roast beef, and she's an excellent cook. [psst. I think she comes here to read; act natural and all will be well.]

I only found one paragraph--which I think another already mentioned--in which there were things that needed attention(yup. scrolled down to check their comment):
It is the paragraph that begins "Last year.../" repeated word, then an odd sentence. Likely something left over from an edit. I do it frequently.

I have a feeling I'll be bouncing this back and forth on my shelf until I know everything there is to know about MIL's. Great read, awesome voice, and so very quick of a read. This was a pleasure. You're doing well enough on your own, but "Shakespeare's Short (but bulging at the zipper) List" just garnered a new book. Fine work. Very tight. You have a very engaging style.

Shakespeare's Talking Head
Dropcloth Angels

I'm surprised by how fast I got through that first chapter. I only looked in out of curiousity and just kept going. A sign of good writing; one of the best, in fact. I'm looking forward to reading more.

this is great stuff. virginia owen suggested i read this and i'm glad she did. i'm always looking for stories that make me laugh. yours did indeed. i'm sorry to say right now i didn't have time to finish the whole first chapter but what i read i loved. your wit is fantastic. just a couple nits that might help:

in one paragraph you talk about having "less shoes" than your hubby. it should actually be "fewer" shoes.

stick with the quick and dirty tip that less is for mass nouns and fewer is for count nouns. good way to remember it.

i really like the "from the catalogue" device but i feel it was used too much. i think the comedy rule of 3 times should be employed. anything over that and it's overstayed its welcome.

the paragraph that begins "Last year..." fairly early on in chapter one - talking about what they want for christmas - has quite a few typo/wrong words. might just wanna have a look at it to clean it up a bit. clarify. i had to reread it a few times.

other than that i think you've got a great book here. made me laugh and there's nothing better than that.

best of luck with it.

shelved.

kelly
(chasing kate)

This is an addictive story. I took one nibble and I ended up eating the whole cake. And, like a well-made cake, the feast was delicious. Enough with the similie. You're a masteful storyteller. You've crafted superb characters and pitted them against each other. Thank God for your well-developed sense of humor or this story would be a murder mystery. Backed.

Excellent writing, i loved the way you portray Jeanne; the old annoying mother in law that everyone loves to hate. Very witty and humurous. a great read. backed.

Sheena Ignatia is the heart of the Authonomy community. An excellent writer, a superb humourist and, what's more, a very capable publicist; the whole package in one. :)

You definitely have a great sense of humor and it comes across in your writing. Although I am not a fan of this genre, you have something good going on here.

A few nitpicks:

You used the word "gurning." I was unfamilliar with it. I had a feeling it was regional and I was right. It's actually a Northern English variation of the word "girning."

I have found this to be a problem for me since this site is based out of the UK.

Also, you are missing a few modifiers, and you left out a couple of pronouns where they would have made things clearer. The chapter was way too long to go over every one, but a good edit will catch them.

Best of luck with it!
Mike

So fun and entertaining. Clever and a joy to read. Nicely done and thanks for a good story.

Backed,
MA Hoak
The Secret Diaries of Alex Barnett

Bahahaha! Oh, hun! I'm so glad I read this tonight. My tummy hurts from laughing too much. Great timing! I can never explain how you can have comic timing in writing but you can and you have!
The diary format reminds me of Adrian Mole, which always had me in stitches too.

Hilarious look at an age old "problem" relationship. Well done!

John Wickey
Future's End

I liked the look of this book a while ago before I became lost in the mire of everything going on on Authonomy LOL. This is so appealing to those of us with strange mothers in law [surely most of the population?] that I'm sure it will find a niche. I like books written in the first person [in fact I'm getting a bit obsessed with them] as they take you inside the character's head [even though in this case its actually real]. It is so funny as well.

Oh dear - as a mother in law you make me quake. Please tell me I'm not like that I scream into the silence. I did have an aunt - in-law who was very similar. House smelt of wee - grim rugs and ornaments everywhere and presents included a £2,000 watch for my son and a pair of bloomers and a plastic handbag for my daughter for the same Christmas - not that I would think that she had favourites of course!!

This reads a bit like a diary and a bit like a blog, it is funny and cringe making and real. It is the sort of thing that you could leave lying about and just dip into now and again. I really enjoyed it . Your writing is sharp and together and I am very happy to put this on my shelf and hope that you very quickly get rid of that nasty little red arrow (and maybe your - M no no I mustn't say it)

Sheena, this is a hoot! the perfect narrative voice. on my shelf!
a macro "marketing" thought that may make no sense at all, but here goes: to me, it reads like fiction, so maybe market it as fiction?
in any case, a great read. best, andy

Bad luck girlfriend, I think Ma-in-Law is a problem only time will solve. I offer you only one crumb of comfort, he could have been an only son.

Fun! LOL. Backed.

I am crying and laughing. Getting your tooth pulled.. better than MIL. LOL... This is a fantastic, well plotted book. I need a good laugh today. This book is defiantlely backed.

I think all that can be said about your writing and mother-in-law has been said. This is a good fun read and everyone with a MIL should buy it when it’s published.

My contribution to help you towards the desk. Backed with tears of laughter in my eyes.

Hopefully my bit will get rid of your red arrow.

Ron S

Firstly, what kind of sicko puts a rug on top of carpet? Aren't they for drafty halls and floorboards? Anyway.

The 'voice' of your character is great. Her language imbibes a sense of character, and really get's you sitting in her seat, so to speak. I can really empathise with her, who doesn't love a daydreamer!

"she gets her arse in her hands......"hilarious!

great work.

Oh, dear. This is very very funny, and sounds horribly true, but I really hope for your sake that it isn't, if only because publication would surely cause a family row of Apocalyptic proportions... I really was snorting out loud as I read. Best of luck.

u have good writing skills, and good story. Reading about the characters is nice very easy to follow and easy to understand. great work, goodluck

Alexei
(Memories of an Orphan)

Sheena

I was laughing at your book as soon as I began reading. It is very well written and you have a wonderful way with words, making fun at just about everything. I have backed it and its on my shelf for reading later.
Your book should do well. Anyone reading this could not help but laugh.
The only comment I can make is (Para 3 should it be another think instead of thing)
Wonderful book.
Senyah Nala

Sheena, this is very funny stuff. Not really my normal kind of read but very entertaining nontheless. I shall dip into it from time to time for a laugh.
Happy to back it.
Tim

Sheena - very funny and clever. The writing style suits the material perfectly. It may not be important, but there are frequent references and terms that would mean nothing to an American. For an American audience, you'll have to find a way to explain shagging and car boot and Bank Holidays and Whitsun and footie and so on. Humor does not translate easily when words are unfamiliar. What the heck is a carvery, I've never even seen that word in print! Maybe you will need British and American editions of the book when it's published, which I hope it is. Happy to back it.

Will
(Eirelan/Fair is Foul)

this is excellently written - vivid entertaining non-fiction, something i'm sure is hard to achieve, so well done on that. i love how you first paint the picture of the MIL and then down the page finally announce who she is, and the way that you do it...just perfect. from there it just keeps being enjoyable, page after page. backed.

would you mind taking a look at my book 'the ladder' some time?

- Vrinda -

I enjoyed this very much and hope it will do well. I first wrote The Lucky Bean Tree as a spoof diary but was told that it was not a popular format and I should write it as a novel. This surprised me given that Brigit Jones and Adrian Mole are so much in demand. So good luck. Backed it.
Kop

Oh Sheena,

This is so hilarious, I almost died laughing. Think about it: this woman gave you your DH and now this book !
She's a gem. Almost wished I were related to her - not.

Jolly good read anyway. Happy to back.

Hsiau Hsia Moo

(The Monarch Butterfly)

I like this book and it read it completely with pleasure till to the end. The narration is good.
Backed.
Wishes.

S. Vinay kumar

Is this a winner? No, no, no, YES

Yes, oh yes.

The Mother in Law Diaries is a delight. You really capture the feeling of having to release it all on paper or otherwise commit an illegal act. Good writing. A fun read for all in-laws. Barbara Silkstone

Sheena - I'd seen your book previously, but chose to do a full read with your recent name change. You've answered the bard well with his 'what's in a name' speech. I noted your position at 33 and read the first 3 Chapters.

The opening explanation of the love ( dare I use that word) hate relationship is a good example of your writing style. It's detailed, slightly putting yourself down and gaining the readers support - who doesn't have an MIL.

The diary style works well - tough on Authonomy but I pictured a publisher here helping you with a real diary format in the book.

The wonderful advantage you have over most other books is that the story doesn't need to flow fully. With anecdotal accounts it's almost a series of short stories. We do want to see the various stages of your relationship with MIL, but you can choose when and how to do that.

The catelogue account, with the very dry comparison to Blomfeld's cat left not one iota of sympathy forMIL.

This is a book that must have humour and you keep it coming. In Chapter 2 the MIL watching her employees/carer still stroking her cat Blomfeld style. That's the thread to keep running.

This reads well and is probably just the right time for next years Christmas present - but will you send yourt MIL a copy?

Backed - Steve - Hing Dai.

I'm afraid I'm not the best judge of this book. I enjoy books of an entirely different genre. You have a nice writing style. I'm just used to fiction and I don't read a lot about true-life domestic issues.

I'll put this on my watch list.

Brian

This is why I always tell everyone I'm glad my mother-in-law died before our marriage!! Otherwise, there would have been bloodshed because our bank account couldn't afford so many holidays.

Sessha (Shinobi)

Ok L
I know it's you!
Can't wait to read this one too!
Virginia xxx

Okay - so I have just read Chapter 1 and 2 - and feel sure they are a different 1 and 2 from the 1 and 2 I had read previously...

...But the new 1 and 2 are very good and funny, as were the previous 1 and 2, which i think may now be 3 and 4...

What happens if I back something twice? Does it all get terribly confusing? Will HC banish me from the site as a cheat - a fool who deserves no more than he gets, even though he probably needs a lot less than he desires, given the paradox that he actually wants no more than he has never had... can they do that kind of thing? And is it right?

I think you understand where I am coming from...

Very good

Steve

I am so pleased I found time to read this. Love the humour and it's so well written! Brilliant story telling. Backed.

Though not my usual type of reading, I found myself drawn into each daily entry. Amazingly funny and well written. Backed.
Karen

Hi

You write humour well. I love/hate the mother-in-law. Her characterisation is well drawn.
I would suggest you fill out the husband and the MC a little more. What often happens is that as a writer...we are drawn to the baddie and seem to concentrate our efforts on them. I want to know if the MC is fat or thin, tall or short, etc.
Great story telling.
Shelved.
A swap read and comment would be appreciated.
Cheers Olga

FUNNY! Can't wait to read what else is going to be purchased from the catalogue. Thoughts on who will play the MIL in the movie version?

Backed!

Erika (Neil and Stan: Sanities Collide)

"Broccoli is NOT foreign muck"

Do Toby's still exist? LOL

Kind of tells you the last time I ate out huh.

I will keep my eye on this - and never look at another piece of broccoli without asking, 'is this foreign muck' :-)

Backed!

This is great! M-I-Ls make fantastic subject matter! Believe me I know!!!!!!!!!! Your witty style of writing is fab to read and makes very funny reading. Good luck with this because it deserves to do well. Backed.

Sara (The Organ Grinder)