One Reason I’ve Been Slightly Absent . . .

editing-mama-cartoon-1

 

Yep. That’s me, above. I’ve perfectly captured some of what I’ve been doing, though I’ll be sharing some exciting news about other things I’ve been working on in the next few weeks! I can’t wait!

In all seriousness, I have been working really hard on my authorial business in every “spare” moment that I “have.” Haha! More like “every minute that I’ve brutally removed activities, sleep, meals and many things I recently stamped as unnecessary from.” Wishful thinking, but don’t you all think it would be nice if there were a few more hours in each day??

Editing is going great and coming to an end. That’s why it’s going great! Also, I don’t always look like the above illustration when I’m working through my manuscripts, but I have to admit, it is a difficult task and one I’d prefer to not experience. I definitely relate much better to articles by writers confessing that editing nearly brings them to tears than the writers that cheerfully claim they enjoy the process.

In other authorial news; besides having a few big reveals in November, I am going to be participating in NaNoWriMo2016! First time and I think that I’m appropriately happy and terrified to join the challenge of writing at least 50,000 words of a novel in the month of November. For reference, Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone was about 77,000 words. Stay tuned for my genre reveal tomorrow, plus I’ll be using the blog as an accountability tool and keeping you updated on my progress!

Happy Halloween!

 

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Hershey’s Kitchens Sea Salt Caramel Chip Chocolate Cookies

I took preparations for the big storm that (was supposed to) hit the PNW over the weekend very seriously. At Fred Meyer, before grabbing a few things that could be eaten without heating, replacing one of our emergency flashlights and picking up a couple of candles, I headed straight to the baking isle so that I could hurry home to bake up some cookies that would aid in our survival.

After looking over the many options, I decided to choose something a little different—I grabbed these Hershey’s Kitchens Sea Salt Caramel Chips. Let me tell you, they do not disappoint! I love their sweet and salty essence.

 

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Thinking back on the storm, I can say with all honesty that they were the most helpful thing I purchased in my emergency preparedness. Thank you, Hershey’s! Though I suppose I’m happy that we now have those other emergency items for the coming season.

I used the recipe on the back of the package for Sea Salt Caramel Chip Chocolate Cookies when I whipped up these cookies and I’m glad I did—it’s a great little recipe. It’s kind of similar to the REESE’S Chewy Chocolate Cookies with Peanut Butter Chips Recipe (what’s with the long cookie titles? Are all cookie titles long? Is this a thing and I’m just now noticing?), but I like the Sea Salt one better. I think it would be quite tasty with chopped almonds and white chocolate chips, so I’ll be Pinning that recipe for another time.

 

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Since the power didn’t go out (the kiddos were hoping for that!), we decided to pretend some electricity loss and ate the cookies in candlelight before sending the little turkeys off to bed. They thought it was rad! Also, I may or may not have enjoyed one while getting some authorial work done later that evening.

The Sea Salt Caramel Chips were in the Holiday Baking Section at my local Fred Meyer and I’d guess that you’d find them at your local grocery as well. Let me know if you make them and Happy Baking!

National Talk Like a Pirate Day Plan and Writing and Homeschool Tips

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3a/Talk_Like_a_Pirate_Day.png
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Did you know that it’s National Talk Like a Pirate Day? Ay, matey! It ‘tis! Excited to take a fun learning approach on this seriously drab day, I ordered my children to get their pirate gear on while I looked around for all of our piratey books. Suddenly, I had a Pirate Homeschool Day prepped!

  1. Listen to the pirate-speak educational song, Talk Like a Pirate from Jake and the Neverland Pirates. Also, note their attire! It will help with the next step.

2. Next, tell your mateys to head to their rooms or the scrap pile to grab some pirate pants, a hat, or a scarf to tie around their heads. Don said attire while speaking pirate.

3. Here’s an article on what pirates likely ate from National Geographic (The Plate) that’s very interesting, especially the bit about William Dampier! This is a good opportunity to pull out your purse, leather jacket, or any other leather—synthetic or otherwise—that you might have in your house to show them what some pirates ate in desperation. Ugh! Leather satchels cut into strips and fried? Nasty!

4. Do you have Treasure Island (Stevenson)–Free Kindle Version, Or how about Pirates Past Noon (The Magic Tree House #4 by Osborne)? We have the Fact Tracker Pirates Magic Tree House book, which has some great info about the scallywags. Or HERE is an article that’s kid friendly on Black Beard, the crazy pirate that lit braided-into-his-hair ropes on fire to terrify those he attacked.

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5. Perhaps have a go at a Pirate Craft! My kiddos decided to make scull and crossbones pirate flags, but I’ll probably help them with some of the crafts in the above link later. You may want to hand them a glue stick before they grab the tape and start making flags on their own! Lots of tape–yikes!

6. Finally, take all of this Pirate knowledge and go write a story. Questions that will help children (or yourself) to get the story going would be:

What would your ship be named if you had one?

What would your pirate name be?

Would you have a parrot if you were a pirate?

What would you do to terrify those you attacked?

What kinds of food would you want to eat if you were a pirate?

Where would you travel as a pirate?

Where would you hide your treasure?

While it may be too late to fully use all of these ideas, you can celebrate your own Talk Like a Pirate Day on a different day. Or, take the gathered list of ideas to create a lesson plan to learn about pirates. Though they made some pretty horrific choices, there’s so much history to be learned!

Now, take to the sea, matey’s! And please let me know if you try any of these ideas! I’d love to hear about it.

What’s on the Inside of People…and Characters

Apple Pic

My neighbor invited us to come and pick apples last night and we happily took advantage of the offer. My kids were so excited and we had a great time talking about eating fresh applies, apple pie, apple cobbler and applesauce as we filled up bags of the delicious fruit.

As we were chatting, my neighbor kept warning me that there would be spots to cut out once I began working with them in the kitchen. Checking over the apples, I understood his warning of some, but I didn’t really believe him about the perfect ones. They were too…perfect!

My neighbor was right, though. Each apple that I have sliced into has some inner blemish. Every. Single. Apple.

This morning, I even chose one as carefully as possible–there wasn’t a single thing wrong with the outside of the fruit. But I sliced into it, and behold! Several brown markings, quite a bit like the apple pictured above.

Apple-wise, it’s fine. I’ll chop out the bad parts and the chickens will love it.

But my mind that often needs to be kicked out of the thinking-of-the-deeper-meaning pool, went for a swim. I couldn’t help but think about how profound it is that, like the apple, people–and the characters of our written design–need to be thought of with inner wounds and blemishes that we often cannot see.

For the sake of those non-fictional characters that we live with, we certainly need to give the benefit of the doubt. I can’t say that I know a single person that hasn’t had some tragedy in their life that wasn’t a factor that molded and shaped their mind and character. On the flip side of that, I have experienced the occasional burn of a person that looked nearly perfect on the outside but ended up showing different colors upon better acquaintance.

On writing, though, we need to make certain that our characters have blemishes and bruises that can be shown at the right time within our composition. Otherwise, our characters are unbelievable and difficult to relate to.

When I trashed 95% of the first manuscript of my first novel, I spent time a lot of time on character sheets. One particular character had me feeling just awful for the poor thing and if I remember correctly, I pathetically shed a tear or two for the figment of my imagination. But I honestly didn’t really care about this character until I gave the person dimension and obstacles that had been overcome…or not.

While I wish I would have given my characters more depth in the first place, I learned. And learning can be powerful. May yours and my characters be as three-dimensional as possible in the First Draft. And may we remember that people are pretty much never what they seem–a heart or possibly a shield are usually necessary.

Seeking Inspiration

Clams

 

Gooseneck Barnacles

 

On a recent trip to the ocean, we discovered a rock wall that was covered with all sorts of mussels and creatures that closed up during low tide. We got to explore it for some time and it was incredible to see the vast numbers, many varieties and very different sizes of the captivating beings.

We gently brushed our hands over the shells of many of the creatures and it was fascinating to watch the wall come alive with slow-motion movement at our touch. Our kids kept calling out when they found an especially large or unique one and we each chose our favorites.

I must say, though, that these Gooseneck Barnacles were the CREEPIEST!!

It was crazy to watch the black necks retracting back toward the rock with their wild shells up top. I didn’t know what they were before trying to identify them, but I learned their name and that apparently they are a delicacy–people eat their insides. Honestly, the thought of that sort of makes my stomach turn inside-out! Gordon Ramsey has some videos posted on youtube if you’d like to check them out. Just remember that the amazing Ramsey has quite the liberated tongue if that sort of thing bothers you!

Why the photo and article on Gooseneck Barnacles?

Well, after observing and feeling completely disturbed by them, I snagged my husband’s phone and took a picture. They are amazing inspiration and part of the puzzle of a book I’m working on right now. Between their other-worldly appearance and the chill-your-spine movement, I know they’ll find a home there.

Researching for a New Book

Last night as I was laying in bed–trying to fall asleep–I was doing a little research for a book. I LOVE doing research for books. I love learning new things, finding a different take on my prior knowledge, and it just feels great to know that my work has greater dimension and authenticity because I (NOW) actually know what I’m writing about.

I also HATE doing research for books! With all of the information out there, it can be very difficult to sort through and make sure you’ve got correct, up-to-date info.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruby-throated_Hummingbird/id
Image Credit

My research of last night followed the habits of hummingbirds. And who wouldn’t enjoy that???

We have a hummingbird feeder and it was quite active for about a year, but then we moved to a place that is swarming with ants and I know that the feeder would simply attract more, so I haven’t put it up…yet.

I loved learning the sounds of the hummingbirds, and they sometimes got quite close to me. They are most certainly my favorite birds.

https://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/humm/NestWeeklyCQs.html
Image Credit

The thing about hummingbirds that I always find incredible is just how teeny-tiny their nests are. And their incredible construction. Bits of the softest materials and tiny feathers are strapped together with spider webs.

When I was a young girl, a hummingbird built a nest in my Granny’s yard and I couldn’t believe just how tiny those little eggs were. The size of jellybeans!

After my research, I’m thinking that I’d better find a way to defy the ants and get my feeder up once more. They’re just such neat creatures, I can’t resist trying to persuade them to come and visit.

Anyone have tips for keeping ants away from hummingbird feeders?

A Perfect Place for Writing

I don’t love everything about being outside. In fact, as I get older, there are lots of things that I really dislike about being outside. Some perfect examples would be mosquitoes, over-zealous wasps, being extra sweaty and that feeling you get when you’re exhausted and want to sit on a sofa instead of a stump.

Looking up at trees

But overall, I am one of those many people that loves to be outside. The reasons listed above cannot countermand the immense satisfaction and serenity that I feel when getting fresh air. And the quieter it is, the more fulfilling it is.

Little Creek

We hiked, played, sang songs, ate yummy food and generally enjoyed the picturesque woods in which we stayed on a recent camping trip. It was so inspiring to be out in such a place of beauty. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I think it’s possible to become used to our other-worldly surroundings. Especially when it rains. And rains. And is overcast when it isn’t raining. It was amazing to take the time to fully submerse and enjoy it. And tuck away bits of writing inspiration for the nighttime when all was quiet and I turned on my laptop and easily wrote out a chapter that–even the next day–turned out great.

I want to go back and stay a week all by myself–sorry hubs and kiddos–to hike, drink tea, eat food cooked over a fire and hang out in this awesome yurt in between writing. It really was the perfect place for writing!

Yurt

It’s fascinating to me to learn how other writers get their inspiration. Do you think about your book while doing the dishes, walking, on your commute? Please share in a comment below–perhaps I’ll try some of your tactics!

On Tea and Writing

I didn’t grow up drinking tea. I remember an attempt that my sister once made at getting me to try it and I thought it was bland and strange. And, quite frankly, disgusting.

A few years after marriage, I found myself turning to tea when I was pregnant. I began drinking all kinds of herbal teas to try to help with this ailment or that and found that I actually liked tea. Whether it was holding the warm cup, or tasting the interesting spices and flavors that I learned to appreciate, I’m not sure what made me finally enjoy it.

When I decided to embrace the writer within, tea became a huge part of the experience. Instead of helping with pregnancy ailments, it now helps me to overcome writer’s blocks, keeps me alert with the lovely spices or helps me to sleep. Even when a story is tempting me to write on later into the night.

Ahhh, tea. You are delightful!

Do YOU have a favorite tea? Please feel free to comment.

Click HERE to see today’s favorite cup–Tahitian Vanilla Honey by Yogi.

tea mug

(This link is placed here for your benefit, but is not an affiliate link. It’s simply a tea that I enjoy!)