Let me open by saying that this is an odd topic. We will just get that right out on the table so that I know that you know that I know that I am a little crazy, thereby proving that I am mostly sane. Here goes... confession... I am emotionally bonded with my characters. Let the judging begin. Go ahead! Taunt me like that wacky, cow-throwing, "French" guy in Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail. (If you haven't seen that old classic, stop reading and go watch it. With friends. NOW.)
Look, I know it is a bad idea. If you are too attached, you can't hurt them and put them through the turmoil necessary to make for a really engrossing tale, right? You can't receive constructive criticism and make necessary changes! I've read all the blogs. I know the general consensus. Still, there I go... loving them like my own children. Exactly like my children. My sometimes naughty and needing lessons to deepen their character children. My dirty faced, ragamuffin, go to your room before I murder you children... that I adore and only want the very best for. Honestly. (You're judging again. I can feel it.)
I love my babies. But, I love them enough to be truthful regarding their faults and weaknesses as well as the amazing talents and strengths they possess. I love them enough to let them work things out for themselves and learn hard lessons that will grow them into outstanding people who have lived full and fulfilling lives. I feel much the same about my characters. The main difference between the two is that the literary babies have (hopefully) more extreme circumstances, thus calling for more extreme situations in which to grow and become that which they are intended to be. No one is ever safe in my books... just as no one is ever truly safe in this life.
Now after that warm and squishy post, have some soup to comfort you. This is another of my often asked for recipes... my take on Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana.
• ¾ stick of butter
• olive oil twice around the pot
• 1 small onion (diced)
• 1 lb. ground Italian Sausage (mild)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 4-5 leaves of kale (stem removed, rough chop)
• 2 cans Vegetable Broth
• 2 Veggie Broth cans of water
• Ground Thyme, Salt and pepper to taste
• 4-5 potatoes (peeled and chopped)
• Around 1 ½ -2 cups milk (I really like to substitute milk for heavy cream when I can... FAB!!)
• Shredded Parmesan Cheese to garnish
Warm a large pot on the stove, melt butter and olive oil together. Saute sausage and garlic in butter/onion until brown. Add onions and kale, cook until onions clear and kale is wilty. Add the next four ingredients and bring to a boil. Cook until potatoes are done. Add milk. Stir well, let soup warm back up. Garnish with cheese and serve.
Tell me if you try it!
Monday, August 26, 2013
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
"No" makes us better
This morning I opened my email in hopes of finding a response to one of the three queries I've sent out for the book so far. I typically do this this multiple times a day as I am slightly paranoid and impatient. Lo and behold! My first response!!! I will not name the agent, but I was over the moon that I even had a response. Savor the moment... Sip of coffee... Someone that has made a life out of literature has read my proposal. This alone is awesome! Breathe.
I try not to let my imagination go wild. There are so many scenarios that flip through my brain like one of those cute little moving sketches we all do on the sides of our post it notes... We all do those, right? Oh, just me? Never mind.
I boil myself down into three camps of what could happen. 1.) She loves it and wants to sign me immediately! 2.) She likes the idea of where I'm going, but it isn't for her... and here are a few tips to make it better... 3.) The old, copy/paste, form rejection letter that simply says "nope". And the winner is: (drum roll)
NOPE.
I imagine, if you aren't a writer or person that has done the research to know that most every famous writer has gotten tons and tons of those for books that did eventually become huge, you would see me curled in the fetal position on the floor. You can almost hear the body-wracking sobs that permeate the atmosphere as I pour out my sorrow and failure. Pity me! Pity me! Someone get this girl some chocolate, Adele music, and a glass of Pinot Noir, STAT!
Alas, no. I took a deep breath and smiled. Then, I moved it into a new folder in my inbox that I have labeled "query rejections". I'm going to keep every one I get. I may even take Rick Riordan's suggestion and print them for wallpaper in my craft room! "No" makes us better. "No" forces us to grow and improve! Onward to glory! I will live to query again! Or self-pub... that is always an option...
I try not to let my imagination go wild. There are so many scenarios that flip through my brain like one of those cute little moving sketches we all do on the sides of our post it notes... We all do those, right? Oh, just me? Never mind.
I boil myself down into three camps of what could happen. 1.) She loves it and wants to sign me immediately! 2.) She likes the idea of where I'm going, but it isn't for her... and here are a few tips to make it better... 3.) The old, copy/paste, form rejection letter that simply says "nope". And the winner is: (drum roll)
NOPE.
I imagine, if you aren't a writer or person that has done the research to know that most every famous writer has gotten tons and tons of those for books that did eventually become huge, you would see me curled in the fetal position on the floor. You can almost hear the body-wracking sobs that permeate the atmosphere as I pour out my sorrow and failure. Pity me! Pity me! Someone get this girl some chocolate, Adele music, and a glass of Pinot Noir, STAT!
Alas, no. I took a deep breath and smiled. Then, I moved it into a new folder in my inbox that I have labeled "query rejections". I'm going to keep every one I get. I may even take Rick Riordan's suggestion and print them for wallpaper in my craft room! "No" makes us better. "No" forces us to grow and improve! Onward to glory! I will live to query again! Or self-pub... that is always an option...
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Writing Is Like Making Potato Soup
Don't laugh! I'm serious! Ok, laugh a little, but it is still true. Let me explain.
Most everyone that has eaten my potato soup loves it. I get lots of requests for the recipe. The problem is, I can tell you the ingredients all day long and your soup will still taste different than mine. There is no recipe, even though the ingredients never change. I do not use measurements. I do everything by sight and feel... I experience the soup. I know, that is weirdly deep for soup, but there you have it. It is in that way that writing is like potato soup.
You see, we can write about the same moment, the same event, but our stories will differ greatly based on our writing styles, what we personally experienced in that moment, and what we noticed. All of the same ingredients are there. There is nothing you would have that I do not... It is just the individuality of the experience, and the knowledge we have going in, that changes the soup. It's a beautiful thing! Embrace your own version of the soup, folks!
That said... here is the closest thing to my potato soup recipe you will ever get without cooking it with me in my kitchen:
Potato Soup
8-10 potatoes, peeled and chopped
3-4 green onions, chopped (discard the roots)
salt, pepper, and Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning
A stick of butter
All-purpose flour
Milk
1 small block of Velveeta, cut into small cubes
Toss your potatoes and onions into a big pot and just cover them with water. Season the water liberally and boil until your potatoes are soft, but not floury. Add in your butter. Stir until the butter melts. Add in enough milk to make the soup white when stirred. Bring it back to a low boil. While you are waiting, mix together a couple tablespoons of flour and enough milk to make it about the consistency of pancake batter. Once the soup starts bubbling, mix in the flour mixture and stir constantly until everything is smooth and thickening. Pull your pot off of the heat and add in the Velveeta. Stir until that is all melted and smooth, then serve.
Good luck!
Most everyone that has eaten my potato soup loves it. I get lots of requests for the recipe. The problem is, I can tell you the ingredients all day long and your soup will still taste different than mine. There is no recipe, even though the ingredients never change. I do not use measurements. I do everything by sight and feel... I experience the soup. I know, that is weirdly deep for soup, but there you have it. It is in that way that writing is like potato soup.
You see, we can write about the same moment, the same event, but our stories will differ greatly based on our writing styles, what we personally experienced in that moment, and what we noticed. All of the same ingredients are there. There is nothing you would have that I do not... It is just the individuality of the experience, and the knowledge we have going in, that changes the soup. It's a beautiful thing! Embrace your own version of the soup, folks!
That said... here is the closest thing to my potato soup recipe you will ever get without cooking it with me in my kitchen:
Potato Soup
8-10 potatoes, peeled and chopped
3-4 green onions, chopped (discard the roots)
salt, pepper, and Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning
A stick of butter
All-purpose flour
Milk
1 small block of Velveeta, cut into small cubes
Toss your potatoes and onions into a big pot and just cover them with water. Season the water liberally and boil until your potatoes are soft, but not floury. Add in your butter. Stir until the butter melts. Add in enough milk to make the soup white when stirred. Bring it back to a low boil. While you are waiting, mix together a couple tablespoons of flour and enough milk to make it about the consistency of pancake batter. Once the soup starts bubbling, mix in the flour mixture and stir constantly until everything is smooth and thickening. Pull your pot off of the heat and add in the Velveeta. Stir until that is all melted and smooth, then serve.
Good luck!
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