Flashes of Life: True Tales of the Extraordinary Ordinary

by Pamela Wight

Wow! Life goes by in a flash.

Philosophers and mystics ponder the mystery of these flashes. Pamela Wight writes about life flashes in her short stories that include family and friends, love and life's challenges. Wight's "Flash Memoir" promotes the belief that we all share sparks of the extraordinary that occur in our everyday life. Each short story is true and brings a smile of recognition to her readers: that life transports and enthralls us in all its confusing, amusing, challenging, and astonishing ways. Each story is light-hearted and short - like a flash - but be prepared for a page-turner that keeps you in your seat, smiling.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

140 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2021

About the author

Pamela S. Wight writes fiction for children and adults. She is the published author of flash memoir, Flashes of Life; two romantic suspense novels -The Right Wrong Man and Twin Desires; and two illustrated children’s book Birds of Paradise and Molly Finds Her Purr.

Birds of Paradise received the 2018 International Book Award – Finalist in the Children’s Picture Book – Hardcover Fiction category.

Molly Finds Her Purr was published in October, 2019.

Flashes of Life was published by Borgo Publishing on May 15, 2021.

Pamela earned her MA in English from Drew University, continued with postgraduate work at UC Berkeley in publishing, and teaches creative writing classes in the Boston and San Francisco Bay areas.

She pens a popular weekly blog called Roughwighting (https://roughwighting.net/).

Reviews

[Darlene Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was taught if you look hard enough, you will find something in common with everyone you meet. I haven´t met Pamela Wight in person but I feel like I know her well and it didn't take much looking to find I have a lot in common with her. I love these vignettes of life that she describes so well. She had me laughing and crying, often at the same time. Who hasn´t been caught dancing around the house to a favourite song, embarrassed their children or longed for a heart to heart with a young adult son. The author´s love for her mom, spouse, children, grandchildren and dogs pours off the pages. These ordinary stories prove that when we put together the pieces of our life, we can see it is an extraordinary life after all. A feel good read.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I write a review of my own book? Putting these flash stories together (each one is 1 to 2 pages long) about my life - the good, the funny, the sweet with a twist of lemon - became a dream come true. The feedback has been terrific from those who pre-ordered and already received and read. Here's one from a near-stranger (she owns a Zumba studio!) "Your writing style is so easy to read and it makes me laugh and cry sometimes at the same time. I can't wait for the next book! I will recommend it to everyone and will give it as a gift to many friends!" (thanks, Judy) My publisher calls this book a "flash memoir." I call it an ode to life, and to friends, family, and finding something positive in every day.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a long-time follower of author Pamela Wight’s blog, I was so excited to get my hands on her latest release. This wonderful collection of true short stories is one you don’t want to end. For several weeks after it was delivered, I leisurely devoured each story outdoors on our patio. The wonderful thing about it, I felt like my friend, Pam was sitting with me sharing her stories as we watch the hummingbirds snatch sips of nectar from the Salvia. I loved so many of these stories, but one that really touched my heart was A Renewal. I highly recommend this emotional collection.

[Miriam Hurdle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pamela Wight’s Flashes of Life is a short read which could be done in one sitting in a late afternoon or evening. It’s refreshing to read about the author’s honest emotions, humor, and deep appreciation of life. Wright’s flashes are the fond memories of her childhood, her life as a daughter, mother, wife, and grandmother. They are the everyday experience many readers could relate to. I felt like we chatted on the phone as she recounted them, and I couldn’t help but chuckled over so many.

As a child, she asked her parent what her middle name was again and again. Eventually, her parents told her they couldn’t agree on one, so they didn’t give her a middle name.

She feared flying. On one trip, she and her husband were on the plane, and she wanted to get off because she didn’t want to walk all the way to the last row of the aisle. A passenger in row 5 volunteered to switch seats with her. Eventually, she got over the fear of flying and got to a point of fear of not flying because she didn’t want to miss seeing the grandkids and some exotic places.

There are many memories of food. She talked about shrimp not being her favorite food but loved it when her son-in-law cooked shrimps. She elaborated on it why she loved it.

Wright loves music, and she responded to the Rock-and-Roll with twisting hips feeling like in her twenties. Then she glanced at the mirror on a far wall that showed a middle-aged woman.

There are many more light-hearted stories many would love to read. I highly recommended this book.

I purchased Flashes of Life from the publisher.

[Laurie Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“FLASHES OF LIFE is a welcome collection of bite-sized stories drawn from the poignant depths of author Pamela S. Wight’s experience, an author always worth reading. The tender spirit of her reminiscence induced relatable smiles and tender tears. I went back and re-read my favorites. So will you.”

[D. Peach · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book. I started reading this collection of personal flash stories outside on my deck right before dinner. I read through dinner, and continued reading until the sun went down and the mosquitoes came calling. I just couldn’t stop. In the preface, the author hopes that readers will see glimpses of themselves, their families, their joys, and their lives reflected in hers. And that supposition that human life is full of universal experiences couldn’t be more true. I LOVED this book.

Wight’s flashes (pieces of short prose) read like beautifully crafted diary entries and in a way, the book is a memoir. These are stories about herself as a child, spouse, mother, and grandmother. Funny little stories about yoga and pets, food, even a beloved plant. Poignant stories about aging, illness, time together, joy, and So. Much. Love. Perhaps the feeling that I walked away with more than any other was gratefulness. Wight reminds her readers that life is full of wonderful moments if we are mindful, take the time to notice them, and gather them up for safe-keeping. Highly recommended reading for humans who want their hearts warmed over and over again.

[Marian Beaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pamela Wight’s Flashes of Life dishes out shimmering images of every day life. As her subtitle promises, author Wight delivers vignettes with insight and good humor, “True Tales of the Extraordinary Ordinary in our lives,” including anxiously awaiting a grandchild’s arrival, the case of the missing cellphone, the lesson of burnt toast, or dancing at a multi-cultural wedding. I could especially identify with the vignette titled “What’s in the Middle of Your Middle Name” as I too lack a middle name.

This 132-page booklet, beginning with sparkling prose portraits and ending in a poem “Looking in the Mirror” will delight readers of all ages. May I suggest gifting special women in your life this collection of relatable stories from an author who understands completely what it means to be a mother, daughter, sibling and friend.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in desperate need of a book that would lift me up, make me smile and bring me joy. Flashes of Life did all of this and more. I’ve followed the author’s blog for many years, so I was already a big fan of Pamela Wright’s beautiful prose.

All stories in this collection are genuinely flashes from the author’s life. This book brilliantly transported me to the author’s sunny Californian deck, where we sipped green tea and reminisced. It also made me reflect on flashes from my own life. Most importantly, it reminded me to savour the joy of every single moment – especially of those with family and friends. It is often gone far too soon.

Thank you to Pamela Wright for intimately sharing your life with us in such a memorable way.

[Liesbet Collaert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flashes of Life will draw you in and put a smile on your face. These poetic, personal, fun, and funny vignettes of life are uplifting and relatable. Love, joy, and care exude from the pages, which are beautifully written and fondly shared. By the end of this book, you’ll wish the author was your own mother, daughter, sibling, or friend!

[Anneli Purchase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through a range from Beatle music to soft classical music, we follow parts of the author’s life via snippets of events and adventures, vignettes of life. Singing in the car with gusto on a road trip, making the best of everyday worries, and beach walks on hot sand; these flashes of a life well lived bring the reader smiles, chuckles, and the odd hint of a tear.
This beautifully written book is a joy to read and will have you appreciating and reflecting on your own life. Stories of the antics of little kids, interactions with pets, and events demonstrating the bigger things such as the gift of love in a family, will keep you emotionally engaged.
The author has a great sense of humour without being flippant. She also has plenty of humility and sensibility, all of which come through in the writing of these wonderful “Flashes of Life.” A heartwarming collection of connected stories that you will love reading.

[Pete Springer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have followed Pamela's blog for the past two years. I also had read one of her novels, The Right Wrong Man, so I knew Flashes of Life would be excellent. When I sat down to start it, I didn't intend to read it all in one sitting, but that is what happened. Ms. Wight's writing style reminds one of listening to stories around the campfire. The book is divided into eight sections, but I would have difficulty choosing a favorite section. Many of the stories are delightful memories of her family as her roles as wife, mother, and grandmother. There were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments as readers will recognize and identify with many of these feelings. I melted when she shared her love for her son-in-law and why she was glad her daughter married him. Equally humorous and touching, I highly recommend this book.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flashes of Life is an aptly named title for this wonderful collection of short, personal essays. In an engaging, witty, and relatable manner, Wight chronicles the pieces of life that impart meaning to our every-day experiences: family, relationships, self-reflection, our love of pets, and more. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Carol Balawyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flashes of Life is Pamela S. Wight’s love story to her family: her husband, her children, her grandchildren, her son-in law. It is a treasure for her family to behold. What a wonderful gift!
Having said this, it also goes beyond the personal and into our collective consciousness. Her flash fiction stories are relatable in their universal truths about “extraordinary ordinary” life situations. Think of a middle-aged woman dancing in front of a mirror on a Wednesday afternoon. Or, remember those first days of school, when the teacher asked you to write about your summer vacation? What did you focus on? How about watching the sleep of babies in so total, full abandon? And an old favorite, Life is short, give up what is unnecessary.
Pamela S. Wight (don’t ask what the S stands for…she herself doesn’t know) bears her soul abundant with consideration, kind-heartedness and benevolence. This, is most evident in her flash fiction about the shrimp meal which her son in law made. You have to love her!
We toasted to each other, to shrimp, and to ordinary family get-togethers that are extraordinary in their ability to make us happy.
As someone who writes crime fiction and reads a lot of crime fiction this was such a welcome contrast of pure love and the reassurance that life can and is beautiful.
Flashes of Life is entertaining, sharp and always very perceptive.
In short, Flashes of Life is a treat. Much like ice-cream on a hot summer afternoon.
After all, in the end, All you need is love.

[Annika Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Flashes of Life’ is a gem of a book! It is a wonderful original twist on short stories as within Pamela’s latest book all the stories are beautifully portrayed vignettes based on her own life and experiences!

Her writing sparkles as she reflects upon her childhood, her family, friends, work and her beloved partner. Her zest for life permeates through the pages and her sense of humour, her warmth, kindness and generosity shine through.

Every single story is captivating; I laughed out loud whilst reading some, others had me reaching for tissues. The author’s tenderness and innate wisdom touched my heart and within many of the stories, I recognised myself during various phases of my life. As she hopes in the introduction her smiles have indeed become mine.

Thank you, Pamela, for helping me to see my own life with a philosophical eye, letting my thoughts dwell upon my own guideposts, and finally, for introducing me to ‘fluffing my aura’ — how have I managed so far without this in my life!

[D.L. Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Flashes of Life” is a charming collection of real-life tales. Ms. Wight shares micro-stories that are broken into eight sections and come from all stages of her life. Each one is a quick read that touches on everyday life. I could relate to each story. I found myself shaking my head in agreement with some of these tales, and a couple had me laughing out loud. I appreciated the gratitude weaved in, and it left me pondering on my blessings. The well-crafted writing brought me into Ms. Wight’s world, and I felt like I was sitting next to her on the beach, talking about life. A fantastic glimpse into the world of a daughter, mother, wife, friend, and grandmother. I highly recommend reading about these extraordinary ordinary tales!

[Teagan Geneviene · Rating 5 out of 5]

The concept of these "flashes" intrigued me, partly because of the things that on occasion, suddenly sear through my mind. Also because I'm already familiar with the marvelous way this author's brain works when she puts pen to paper.
I'm rarely drawn to anthologies or collections of stories, but this one is an exception that was well worth it. Her sense of gratitude shines through, no matter what stage of life inspires the individual stories. It was easy to give this book five stars.

[Luanne Castle]

Flashes of Life: True Tales of the Extraordinary Ordinary, by Pamela S. Wight (of roughwighting blog) is a little gem of inspirational very short (flash) stories that explore the divine in everyday life. They remind me a lil bit of the “domestic farce” literature of Jean Kerr, Shirley Jackson, and Erma Bombeck, but more mystical than practical. I suspect because of the piece entitled “How Was Your vacation, Erma?” that Bombeck is a muse for Pam. But Pam’s approach to the material of the day-to-day life of a mom, wife, and grandmother is to look for what lies beyond, rather than in rigorously mining the humorous. Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot of humor in the book, but I am left more with a sense of awe for the majesty of life. For instance, in “Oxen Mystic,” Pam suffers a nighttime seizure in the bathroom when she’s home alone. Alone, that is, except for her dog Henry. He takes charge of her medical care, licking her and then covering her with his warm body, until she can crawl into bed three hours later. After Henry passes away, Pam still can feel his presence, even hear his “voice” in her ear. The storyteller of Flashes of Life is insightful, gentle, and open to each experience. While the book can be easily read in a couple of sittings and the essays are short, the book occupies a large presence in the heart and mind of the reader long after the last page.

[Alex Craigie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flashes of Life is a collection of the author’s musings on life – what she refers to as ‘flash memoir’. It’s a beautiful volume of short pieces that stuck a chord with me. Ms Wight can capture the appearance, mood and feelings in simple situations that rekindle your own memories. There’s a lovely range of pieces from wry humour to poignancy, romance to grief and all beautifully captured on the page.
Some of the pieces reference Beatles songs, which was a nice touch, and I suspect we share an age as I, too, tried ironing my hair to get that trendy sleek, straight look of the mini skirt era.
In one of the first pieces she casually throws in a line about ‘The starless sky wore as blank an expression as the uninterested waitress’ and these little gems are sprinkled throughout the book.
It’s a memoir that encompasses her own life plus that of her parents, grandparents, husband and children. She refers to her son as once being ‘hard as sleet on soft green grass. I was the grass’ – such a vivid metaphor. This is followed later by the poignant The Nest, Emptied where she describes the silence in the house when the children have left home.
Veins of humour sparkle through the pieces and there’s one section devoted to the family dog. I particularly enjoyed the philosophy within My Dog is a Zen Master.
This is the first book I’ve read by Ms Wight. It won’t be my last.

[Amy Reade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book I find myself reading again and again because it's full of wisdom, laughter, a few tears, and so, so many moments that make you say "I can totally relate to that." It touches on every emotion, yet is light and deceptively simple to read. The messages imparted by the author are lessons (in the form of beautiful and delightful stories) learned from a life lived well and deeply.

There are stories here from the author as a girl, a young woman, a mom, and a grandmother, and they all touch my heart is some way. The story of the lost cell phone is priceless (read: hilarious). The stories of her dog are poignant and oh-so-relatable to anyone who has ever been owned by a pet. I especially love the stories about her summer vacations to the Jersey shore, since that's where I live and walk those same beaches and sidewalks. More than one of the stories will have the reader humming a Beatles tune, whereas others will elicit pangs of claustrophobia at the thought of being trapped inside a San Francisco taxi or in the back row of an airplane. The author has a self-deprecating brand of humor that can take a calamity and spin it into a funny tale.

The stories about her grandchildren are ones those kids will treasure forever. They are lucky youngsters to have a Madre who is so expressive and loves them with such abandon.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an escape that is fun, filled with love, and takes a fresh look at the things we all experience as members of the human race.

[D.G. Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy short stories about life and some of its impressionable moments, you will love Pamela’s book of mini flashes of memoir where she shares pieces of her life in flashes of memories. The chapters are wonderfully sectioned into sections of topics – personal reflections, family drama, life is funny, pets, relationships and more! The author shares her joys and foibles of her life as a woman, a wife, a parent, and precious stories about being a grandmaw. Poignant moments of life with the ease of humor.

A few of my favs in this book: the chapter about having no middle name. Ms. Wright, apparently was never given one – until later life, but that’s a story you’ll have to read to find out why, and then you ‘may’ figure out how she became Pamela ‘S’ Wight. Early Morning Spirits – because even when ‘they’re gone’, we can still feel their presence. The Weight of the Soul, where the author questions exactly that. Spa Stress – which the title alone suggests an oxymoron, but after Wight’s glorious spa day she realizes she left her mobile phone behind.

A charming and humorous telling of ordinary stories of a day in the life of the author, which somehow, many of us can relate to. And you can even learn how to ‘fluff’ your aura!

[Dale Rogerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful read. Pamela does indeed share the extraordinary in the ordinary - perfect part of the title. Each story is one to three pages long yet we fully get taken in and are invested in whichever flash she shares. The book is separated into sections, each containing seven to ten flashes. I tried to pick a favourite but it is too difficult. So many times I found myself laughing along with her, nodding my head in agreement and feeling her joie de vivre that jumps from the page. Even when she is whinging about travel, she finds the light (or her guy does for her).

From self to love to family to pets to plants - yes, plants - Pam shares just how wonderful life is.

Only reason it took "so" long to read was I tried to savour it and slow it down. Most enjoyable read.

[Bette Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remarkable!

Flashes of Life gives readers a fresh look at life as author Pamela S. Wight teases us with her personal tales of life, love, loss and laughter.

This diverse collection of short stories and poems is sure to make you smile as the author’s wonderful sense of humor pervades each offering. This book not only transported me into the author’s extraordinary ordinary, but it also inspired me to peek back and look ahead to the future of my own life. Flashes lights the way for readers to laugh at themselves, as Wight shows us how to do so well. ~ Bette A. Stevens, author of AMAZING MATILDA (Award-winning children’s book) and other books for children and adults of all ages.