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M.J. Pullen is a distracted writer and the mom of two boys in Roswell, Georgia, where she is absolutely late for something important right now. Her books include quirky romantic comedies and playful women's fiction. She blogs erratically with writing advice, random observations, and reflections on raising very loud kids and dogs. Join her Distracted Readers newsletter list for updates, free content, giveaways and more.

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Featured image for Holiday Romance Movie Bingo 2021 - Image Source at https://mjpullen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Screen-Shot-2021-12-14-at-10.31.42-AM-252x300.png
They all know I want it. Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime… They can see the desire in my eyes. Or maybe it’s the stressed-out, “Hanukkah-started-right-after-Thanksgiving-this-year-and-it-will-NOT-let-up” look on my face. In any case… It’s December! The time of year for festivities, family, lots of work, and one of my favorite guilty pleasures.* Not wine, chocolate or online  […]
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Featured image for Postcards from the Pandemic: Covid Whiplash - Image Source at https://mjpullen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Room-Selfie-300x225.jpeg
At no point did I make a conscious decision that I just wasn’t up to blogging at this stage of my life, nor did I formally declare myself ‘on hiatus’ from writing fiction. It happened (or didn’t) like most things in life: with one day slipping away after another. Read the rest
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Featured image for 5+ Things My Kids Never Want to Hear Again - Image Source at https://mjpullen.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ParentingUnderQuarantine-298x300.jpg
Parenting during the COVID-19 epidemic is an adventure, isn’t it? I’m sure my kids are going to grow up with a special appreciation for public gatherings and health & safety protocols. They’ll be able to lead a hell of a Zoom meeting. They will always remember this special, historic time we spent together. They may  […]
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Featured image for Quarantine Week 2 + Social Distance Giveaway - Image Source at https://mjpullen.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Quarantine-Parenting-Goals-300x300.png
Well, we made it through the first week of social distancing, quarantine, and (for lots of us) involuntary homeschooling. Hope you are faring as well as can be expected, and keeping your expectations for yourself realistic. Lots of us are turning to digital reading, which is lovely. Last week I gave away more than 1500  […]
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Featured image for It’s Not Much, But… - Image Source at https://mjpullen.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/LETS-DO-THIS-300x300.png
Knowing that so many of us are sticking close to home right now thanks to COVID-19, I’m doing what I can to make all that quiet time a little more entertaining. Whether you’re in self-quarantine, voluntarily working from home, involuntarily home schooling, or any combination of the three, I’m offering four of my books free  […]
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Featured image for Thunder Thighs: A Love Letter - Image Source at https://mjpullen.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Curvy-Arrow-300x300.png
You’ve never been beautifulby traditional standardsIn high school the boys called outSneering against dented beige lockers All pubescent acne and patchy mustaches  Here comes Thunder Thighs     Boom           Boom                  BoomIn corduroy pants you can hear her a mile offCareful girl you’re gonna rub a hole in those  […]
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Featured image for 2020: Year of Resilience - Image Source at https://mjpullen.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Word-for-2020-IG-300x300.png
If you follow my blogs and social media, you already know the last year and a half has been pretty challenging. I’ve been struggling with chronic pain, work limitations, and some other run-of-the-mill crap. I’ve been busy and tired. But as I was talking with one of my author coaching clients the other day, I  […]
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Featured image for Welcome 2020! (a little late) - Image Source at https://mjpullen.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Screen-Shot-2020-01-19-at-2.34.19-PM-300x215.png
We rang in the new year with family and friends at our Roaring 20’s, Gatsby -themed party. With work and the kids and my recent surgeries, big parties have been a rarity at our house for the last few years. But when we had to postpone a family vacation we’d planned for the winter break,  […]
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Featured image for Happy Holidays from MJ and #FakeAssistantGreg - Image Source at https://mjpullen.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Fake-Assistant-Greg-Holiday-Party-Before-Pic-234x300.jpg
Ah, December… that festive and familial time of year when your company holiday party forces you to hire a sitter so you and your significant other can hang out after hours with the people you’re already forced to hang out with for a third of your life… Okay, fine: I’m not really that cynical. I  […]
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Featured image for NaNoWriMo Starts Tomorrow! Are You Ready? - Image Source at https://mjpullen.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/NaNoWriMo-1-2-300x300.png
There are just a few hours until the start of NaNoWriMo at midnight tonight. I hope you’ve enjoyed the countdown of preparations so far. If you’re just joining us, don’t sweat it. These checkpoints are just a general guide to things you may want to consider before NaNoWriMo kicks off, and you can modify them  […]
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