Introducing (daily) random object (and 7 reasons to read it)

Kelly Roland
Jan 27
3 min read

Updated: Mar 26

The inspiration behind (daily) random object

This blog was originally inspired by my older son, Indy, who always brought something(s) new and different to his daycare. Every. Single. Day. We called it his Daily Random Object. For example: A snow brush. Or a hairdryer. (Or two! See below.) Or a sunrise lamp. Because, why not?! (Disclaimer: We always closely monitored our children for potential dangers/cords, etc. He’s now (ack!) almost 14, very much alive and thriving.)

Indy at 18 months on the way to daycare. Yes, yes, we were parked!

Now that I'm an author, I've found so much inspiration in the daily randoms of life! Our world is incredible! It's joyous and dreadful and hilarious and profoundly sad and magical in so many ways! (C'mon, do you know just how much technology goes into those hairdryers Indy took to daycare?!)

The (daily) random object blog is all about bringing to life the adventures, anecdotes, insights and ideas that I see in our everyday lives that make their way into my books. Sometimes I'll write about big ideas that have me pondering our world. Sometimes it may just be to explain a cameo in a book (like when one of my four (yes, four) cats or two dogs makes an appearance). Or perhaps it's a parenting challenge, or something on economics that I found fascinating, or to explain a science bit that required some digging, or why the multiverse just has to exist. All random, all so inspiring!

Here's what I promise about this blog:

It's really all about YOU! Sure, I have questions and crazy anecdotes from my family, but so do you! Send me your curiosities, the things that pique your interest, your intrigues! I commit that I'll highlight the most interesting ideas in dedicated blog posts. BONUS: If one of those most-interesting-ideas makes it into a book, you'll be in the acknowledgements AND I'll send you a free copy of that book! (DISCLAIMER: Nothing gross or sexual, please! I'm a YA writer, after all!)
Authenticity. Let's face it: I may be a YA writer, but I'm still an adult. There is swearing on this site! Also: I don't have people helping me create posts or doing research or taking photos. (Well, occasionally my 11 year old, Finn, who's an aspiring - but currently terrible - photographer.) But we're authentic. That means the occasional blurry picture or (egads!) ZIT. But we'll make up for it with...
Entertainment! Because...duh! Better yet, quick entertainment since I have the mind of a gnat and flit, flit, flit to the next topic. I'll try to keep posts to 7 minutes or less.
Snark. What is a world without humor and snark?
(My brother saw this in a bathroom in Seattle. There are several websites that sell these signs, but Zanvis Neon takes the cake! This will be a backdrop in a book someday!)
Motivation. Sometimes we all need to be motivated...I definitely did when I burned out, and I still do when I get stuck on a scene or a plot point. I'll do my best to motivate you while I motivate myself! (Do realize that I might sink low and resort to cute kittens or puppy pictures. It works!)
Respect. I'm declaring a bully-free zone. You do you, I'll do me, but we are ALL HUMAN, and we all deserve respectful discourse. Period.
Did I mention it's about YOU? Yeah, yeah, it's a repeat, but I mean it! You deserve two slots, because you are remarkable and curious and everything I write really comes back to what you'll read! Join in!