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You are here: Home / Books / Because it always comes back to the antelope

Because it always comes back to the antelope

March 5, 2013 ·

Listen.

I know there are days that I say I have nothing to write about it and then blah, blah, blah for the next 1,000 words.

But I don’t think today is going to be one of those days.

I’m out of words.

And here’s a large part of the reason why.

I’ve been writing my second book for the last six months. I KNOW. I haven’t even said a word about it.

But it’s true.

It’s tentatively going to be called The Antelope in the Living Room and will be a memoir of marriage. Specifically, my marriage. Because how weird would it be for me to write an entire book about someone else’s marriage?

Not to mention the potential to wind up as part of a lawsuit.

Anyway, my deadline to turn the book in is April 1st. As in this April 1st. As in OH MY WORD IT’S ALREADY MARCH AND WHAT IS HAPPENING?

Apparently I struggle with time management. Or perhaps I write books just like I worked on college term papers which is to say I find new ways to turn procrastination into a form of high art.

Whatever the case, I can’t promise I’ll be posting every day during March and I wanted to give you the heads up because it seems like the right thing to do. Otherwise you might begin to wonder if something is wrong and if I’m not mentioning it and the whole thing could truly become like an antelope in the living room.

Or whatever.

And the truth is that sometimes it gets easier for me to write once I give myself permission not to write. Does that make sense anywhere besides my head?

Probably not.

Thanks for understanding, y’all.

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  1. Kimberly

    March 5, 2013 at 12:23 am

    What?! Another Big Mama book? I just finished the first and already can’t wait for the second. How in the world did you manage to keep it a secret? I would immediately feel the need to throw it out into the internets.
    Congratulations. Can’t wait to read:)

  2. Claire @ My Devising

    March 5, 2013 at 12:27 am

    Oh my gosh! Congratulations!

  3. Rachelle

    March 5, 2013 at 12:29 am

    Yes, that makes sense. :o)

  4. Dina

    March 5, 2013 at 12:37 am

    Oh that’s exciting! I got your book at dotMom last weekend and I read it in one sitting! I NEVER read books. It was wonderful! I related to so much of it! Including the Guess overalls (mine were mint green), and I have one daughter too. I was so happy to hear Gulley’s kids are like Caroline’s siblings. My daughter is just 2 1/2, but it looks like she will be an only child. I always tell my BFF that her twin’s will have to be Katie’s brother and sister. So glad to know that can be true!

    Good luck with your deadline! Do you realize that’s April Fool’s Day? What if it’s just one big April Fool’s prank?

  5. Katy Potaty

    March 5, 2013 at 12:58 am

    Another one already? You’re amazing!

    And ‘The Antelope in the Living Room’ is the catchiest name ever!

  6. Susan

    March 5, 2013 at 1:22 am

    I have purposefully made your FIRST book last a long time — which is like eating one piece of chocolate and putting the box back on the shelf. It’s wonderful and I look forward to the next book.

    Except — this title does not lend itself to little gifts – maybe it should be something like: Every Anniversary ought to be Diamonds? Or … Never ask your husband to carry your new handbag? Just sayin’.

    • Colorado

      March 5, 2013 at 8:18 am

      Exactly! What sort of “give away” could you do with an antelope? (No, P, no one wants any of your spare trophies.)

  7. Melissa

    March 5, 2013 at 1:25 am

    I am so excited about your next book! Sparkly Green Earrings is my new favorite book and I know Antelope will be awesome too! One question, if you received lot’s of pairs of earrings for your first book, are you worried that you are going to be gifted taxidermy with this one?

  8. Becky

    March 5, 2013 at 4:23 am

    I wonder how antelopes will be sent your way?

    • Becky

      March 5, 2013 at 7:27 am

      Oh no, so true. LOL!

  9. Meggie

    March 5, 2013 at 7:18 am

    YAY!!! I am so excited! Congratulations!!!!

  10. Becky

    March 5, 2013 at 7:27 am

    Congrats! Sooo exciting!

  11. Rebekah

    March 5, 2013 at 7:48 am

    Go write! And I’m hoping the 3rd book will be about college. The 4th should be about your pharmaceutical rep job. The 5th…

  12. fitzwoman

    March 5, 2013 at 7:51 am

    Just finished your 1st book and I have to say you had me laughing out loud through most of it! My husband kept asking me what I was reading. You hit the nail on the head with mothering as only a mother could know. Looking forward to your second book and thanks for the 1st one-pure joy.

  13. Katie

    March 5, 2013 at 8:01 am

    My morning is made. Your antelope in the living room story is without a doubt one of my favorite things you’ve written!! It hasn’t been Christmas the past couple of years until I call my mom and we reread it laughing ourselves to tears. My daddy is a hunter. Mama gets it.

  14. Whitney

    March 5, 2013 at 8:24 am

    Whoop whoop!!! In an email I sent you, I actually had written, ‘get your pen going for the second book, sister’. But then I deleted it b/c I didn’t want to seem pushy, or make you feel stressed. (B/c clearly, a faceless person in Indiana should have that effect on you).

    I’m going to go with the crowd and say the antelope and all that concerns it makes me laugh like nothing else.

  15. Jan B

    March 5, 2013 at 8:25 am

    The Antelope of The Lord was one of my favorite post! I laughed so hard and immediately made sure my daughter in law read it as there was a ” discussion” going on at their house about where to hang the deer head. My daughter in law and I refer to the Antelope of The Lord all the time and just laugh.

  16. Megan

    March 5, 2013 at 8:28 am

    Amazing!!!! Congratulations!!!!!

  17. KC

    March 5, 2013 at 8:50 am

    Yay! I’m excited about the book. I hope the writing goes well this month.

  18. MarytheKay

    March 5, 2013 at 8:51 am

    Girl, I am FINALLY getting to read your book and I. Am. Loving. It!!!!!! Not to be overly-dramatic or anything. 🙂 Last night was especially the perfect night to be reading your words. I went to bed utterly exhausted–emotionally and physically. I opened your book and got to escape into giggles and smiles and a lighter heart. Thank you. I also read encouraging Bible verses, and got to hear from another mama who struggles just like I do.

    So, thank you! And I cannot WAIT to read your next book!!! Sooooo excited for you!!!!

  19. MarytheKay

    March 5, 2013 at 8:52 am

    Oh, and I’ll be praying for you this whole month as you write your heart away! 🙂

  20. Alyson

    March 5, 2013 at 8:58 am

    YAY, another book! How exciting! Praying the words will flow through to you so you can meet that deadline!

  21. Elizabeth

    March 5, 2013 at 9:08 am

    I’m so excited for your next book! I really liked sparkly green earrings but since I’m not a mother but I am a wife, I think I will relate to the second book even more! 🙂

  22. Lauren

    March 5, 2013 at 9:09 am

    So excited for #2!! And makes sense to me!!! ( not writing so you can write)
    Blessings on your writing, I know it will be fabulous!!!!

  23. Leslie

    March 5, 2013 at 9:11 am

    OH, I hope the telephone-throwing story is in the new book. That one is my favorite.

  24. Paige Wright

    March 5, 2013 at 9:27 am

    oh.my.goodness.
    My husband will read this next one, any time he walks in the den in the morning and I am laughing he asks me what you wrote haha!! He is a big hunter as well and would have dead things all over our house if he lived alone:)

  25. Emmelie

    March 5, 2013 at 9:33 am

    2nd book?! YES! Any idea on a potential release date? Congratulations!

  26. Mandy M.

    March 5, 2013 at 9:36 am

    AAAHHH!!!! So excited you’re writing another book!!! I devoured Sparkly Green Earrings in 1 sitting and can’t wait to get my hands on The Antelope in the Living Room!!!!!!!

  27. BethA

    March 5, 2013 at 9:38 am

    Okay. Go write! And as much as I LOVE reading your posts M-F, on days you don’t post, I’ll just go back to the archives, because what you write definitely deserves another read. I look forward to visiting with you again at the book-signing for Antelope. Love ya, girl!

  28. Sallie Baker

    March 5, 2013 at 9:45 am

    Yeah for the new book!

    Totally off the subject. . . . but did you see Lesley’s sparkly green earrings last night
    on the Women Tell All….?
    Think she has been reading your book???

  29. wanda

    March 5, 2013 at 9:47 am

    Geez Louise! You’re a rockstar, for sure!

    GO, WRITE & BE MERRY!!! Can’t wait to cheer you on some more!

  30. Daphne Petrey

    March 5, 2013 at 9:49 am

    HOO and RAY!

  31. Tara G.

    March 5, 2013 at 9:52 am

    I can’t wait to read the book!! { But I can’t promise I’ll wear any antelope earrings or put a head on my wall.}

  32. Cynthia

    March 5, 2013 at 9:52 am

    Could. Not. Be. Happier!

  33. Christina

    March 5, 2013 at 10:19 am

    I just finished reading your first book yesterday and loved it. I will be eagerly awaiting your next one because I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to relate. Congrats on a job well-done!

  34. Deanna

    March 5, 2013 at 10:41 am

    Ooh! Another book – how exciting! I can’t wait to read it. Although I was all for the sparkly green earrings, I don’t think that I will be trying to win any drawings you might have that would involve giving away an antelope head. 😉

  35. Megan in GA

    March 5, 2013 at 10:45 am

    Like some of the others, I’m wondering how many antelopes you will receive or will it be an excuse for hubby to hang more dead animals in your house?
    Did you announce the winners of the sparkly green earrings from Fridays post?

  36. Vicki B

    March 5, 2013 at 10:48 am

    Does this mean y’all will be giving away antelopes with the new book? Congrat’s and you’re a brave brave woman to write about marriage.

  37. Joshua

    March 5, 2013 at 10:56 am

    Instead of Antelope in the living room i think it shoudl be called The Antelope of the Lord… Thats what you have called it before on here and my wife and i often refer to The Antelope of the Lord. 🙂 Isn’t always nice when people tell you what you should do…

  38. Erica

    March 5, 2013 at 10:57 am

    You do realize that now that you’ve named a book after it, you’ll never get that antelope out of your living room?

  39. momof8

    March 5, 2013 at 11:30 am

    Wow! You are full of surprises! Congrats! Oh, and good luck!

  40. Maria D.

    March 5, 2013 at 12:20 pm

    Good luck with the deadline!

  41. Sarah

    March 5, 2013 at 12:21 pm

    YAY! Another Big Mama book! Can’t wait!!! 🙂 Go, girl, go! YOU CAN DO IT! 🙂

  42. Trinna

    March 5, 2013 at 12:23 pm

    YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  43. Rachel

    March 5, 2013 at 1:14 pm

    So excited!! Cannot WAIT to read!
    And Good Luck with your deadline!

  44. Jamie

    March 5, 2013 at 1:25 pm

    The FIRST thing I thought when I finished Sparkly Green Earring is you should SO right a book on marriage! I cannot wait to read it!

  45. Dionna

    March 5, 2013 at 1:25 pm

    Interesting title. I’m guessing it’s your husband’s antelope. 🙂 I have an antelope on an alcove wall in our home. My husband and kids really aren’t fond of it. They’d love to see it go. But it is very sentimental to me. You see, it was my grandpa’s. And he passed away in 2009. I asked for it and I got it. One of the last things I saw him doing was at age 90 looking up at that very antelope and carving a similar one for a relative. Trying to get it done before he passed.

    Who knew antelopes could bring so much dissension. 🙂 But I’m holding onto mine.

  46. Nancy B. Kennedy

    March 5, 2013 at 1:50 pm

    Wow! Congratulations! Who ARE you… Superwoman?!? Maybe you type 200 words a minutes?!?

  47. Lindsay

    March 5, 2013 at 2:31 pm

    Oh my, this news could NOT have come at a better time!!! I’ve had Sparkly Green Earrings since it arrived after I pre-ordered it from Amazon. I hadn’t wanted to start it because I knew I wouldn’t want to put it down & I didn’t want it be over. Does that make sense to anyone else but me?!? I finally picked it up yesterday afternoon & just finished it moments ago! It was so awesome, every single bit as much as I knew it would be! So glad to have another of your writings to look forward to! 🙂

  48. Sheryl in WA

    March 5, 2013 at 2:40 pm

    Take your time. We’ll be here when you get back. Ready to purchase the new book. i can’t wait to read the marriage memoir. Priceless…

  49. Sarah at 32Flavors

    March 5, 2013 at 2:50 pm

    Can’t wait! I’ve been loving SGE.

  50. MeganTree

    March 5, 2013 at 3:01 pm

    Oh my goodness! This makes me so excited!! And how exciting for you!!!

  51. Brenda

    March 5, 2013 at 3:09 pm

    Scream! Can’t wait. I’ll take a blog break from you if it means another book! Go, Bigmama, Go!

  52. Kelly

    March 5, 2013 at 3:39 pm

    Can’t wait for book #2!

  53. Joy

    March 5, 2013 at 4:34 pm

    Great news, can’t wait for book #2

  54. Meredith

    March 5, 2013 at 5:08 pm

    WOOHOO! Woo to the hoo!!!!

  55. Kaitlyn

    March 5, 2013 at 5:33 pm

    How exciting! Except…what if everyone starts giving you antelopes instead of earrings? Possible downside…

  56. LeslieR.

    March 5, 2013 at 6:51 pm

    Excited about the new book!

  57. Misty

    March 5, 2013 at 7:03 pm

    Well, aren’t you the dark horse? (Cranford). So excited for the second book.
    As for give away ideas, didn’t P arrange an incredible surprise of Frye boots at Christmas? Yeah, baby.

  58. Tam

    March 5, 2013 at 7:57 pm

    Looking forward to your next book! I really enjoyed the first one!

  59. Kensey

    March 5, 2013 at 8:43 pm

    Wooohooooo. Awesome!

  60. Sarah

    March 5, 2013 at 9:15 pm

    Love the title! I wonder what kinds of gifts your friends will give you when this book comes out! 😉

  61. Mary Beth

    March 5, 2013 at 9:22 pm

    Yay! I can’t wait!

  62. Allison A.

    March 5, 2013 at 9:37 pm

    Hooray!

  63. go

    March 6, 2013 at 7:16 am

    I almost wish you did not write books cause your daily blog is what we look forward to and that is why you became popular, but now being an author comes first and we your “fans” come second lol! Oh the price of fame!!

  64. Fran

    March 6, 2013 at 7:58 am

    Look at you…..how fabulous!!!!

  65. scarlett

    March 6, 2013 at 8:12 am

    So excited, can’t wait!!

  66. Debbie

    March 6, 2013 at 11:45 am

    That is great. i just picked up Sparkling Green Earrings and loving it. Glad to see you have your priorties in order. That is what is important.
    Debbie

  67. Debi

    March 6, 2013 at 12:33 pm

    Yeah! Another book. I JUST finished Earrings this morning while lazing around in bed. I loved, loved, loved it Melanie. I hope that after we all hear about your romance and marriage with Perry (really, it’s time to let the “P” go on the blog now that the cat is out of the bag), you turn to fiction. You are a GREAT writer. I hope everyone in your family is proud of you because they should be. Congratulations on a great read.

  68. Debra

    March 6, 2013 at 5:55 pm

    I just read your book this weekend and have suggested it to several friends and intend to let all the girls at bookclub know about it too!! Was fun to read and boy can I relate to MANY of the 70’s & 80’s references:) Congrats and Good Luck on the next one!!

  69. Jean Marie

    March 7, 2013 at 5:43 am

    I can’t believe you made it this far without telling us about the 2nd book. hahaaha. That’s so exciting!! I love the title. Our whole family has laughed until we couldn’t breathe from the “Lo an Antelope of the Lord” blog post. hahaha. You are the best, BigMama.

  70. nlynch

    March 7, 2013 at 7:26 am

    So exciting about you 2nd book! I saw on your twitter the picture of your hands!!! Wish I would have seen you at Bible Study. I would have said hello! The words on my hands are fading but I will always remember.

  71. CPaulk

    March 7, 2013 at 12:42 pm

    Hi Melanie, I must say that after a few minutes of clicking through another young lady’s blog site…I came across a site called 5 minutes for mom. Very intrigued with all the little gadgets on the page, I saw a picture of a silhouette of a little girl. The beauty of the picture; surrounded by emerald green-one of my favorite colors, caused a warm feeling to come over me. Don’t want to take up your time, but I have to finish….Anyway, I thought it was an app of some kind and I just really wanted one on my blog site, so I began hovering over it to see if I could see a smart tip containing a URL, but no, so I clicked on it. There I was looking at a picture of a beautiful little baby.
    Warmth filled my heart all over again as I watched the video and read the blog on your page. So it brought me allllll the way here. In short, “I’m touched.” I had the honor of reading a short portion of what your books entails and I must buy it now for sure. lol. Bravo! I spend a lot of time online with business and recently blogging, but never really got the chance to read the blogs of others. But now I know I have been missing out on something. Your story is why we as mothers carry a level strength in our hearts that is unprecedented. Congratulations on your second book. I am inspired. I have started on three different books and have not completed one. 🙁 I’m inspired because when you say that you just want us to know that we are not the only ones…that helps a lot. Thank you. I will stop filling up your page now. 🙂 God Bless!

  72. Michele

    March 7, 2013 at 1:55 pm

    I can’t wait! I really enjoyed your other book. Keep up the good work.

  73. kasey

    March 7, 2013 at 11:40 pm

    i just finished your first book! can’t even tell you how great it was. it was really wonderfully funny and so true. super excited about one on marriage! looking forward to it already (no pressure…lol).

  74. Hannah H.

    March 9, 2013 at 9:59 pm

    Congratulations on the book! I’m so, so, so excited to read it… it will be fabulous!

  75. Chelsea

    March 10, 2013 at 10:53 pm

    So so exciting. Perfect title! That means that whenever this is released, I’ll get to see you again!!

  76. Samantha Livingston

    March 13, 2013 at 12:25 pm

    How fun! And oh how I can relate to this: “I find new ways to turn procrastination into a form of high art.” I drove my mom crazy printing high school English papers whilst my carpool ride sat in the driveway. 🙂

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Melanie ShankleMy name is Melanie and, in some strange twist of fate, I’m also known as Big Mama because I started this blog in July of 2006 when my daughter, Caroline, was not quite three years old and I was in the process of convincing her that BIG girls use the potty and BIG girls don’t have pacifiers, thus she thought BIG was the highest compliment in the land and began referring to me as BIG MAMA.Read More

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