Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I'm a touch behind schedule. I wanted to send the revised draft of Garrett's story to my editor over the weekend. I'll be doing that today instead. I'm also sending it to a few of my beta readers to get their thoughts and feedback as well. 

Motivational Quote:  "Be true to who you are. Being somebody you are not is exhausting." ~ Hope Solo (American soccer player)

What I'm Reading:  I'm currently reading The Whisking Hour by Ellie Alexander but should finish it this evening. It's the 22nd  book in Ms. Alexander's Bakeshop Mystery series. If you like cozy mysteries that include recipes, this is a great series. 

Random Things:  It's finally getting cool enough to bake. The weather is supposed to be in the mid to low 60's for the majority of this week. I've pulled out all my bread and cookie recipes. Now the problem is trying to decide what to make first. One of my nieces gave me some of her sourdough starter a few months ago that I've been feeding every couple of weeks to keep it viable so I definitely want to try making sourdough bread for the first time. I also want to make chocolate Babka. Maybe some oatmeal cranberry cookies. I'm not a fan of raisins so I use dried cranberries instead. Of course, I'll be making focaccia. That goes without saying. So many things to bake and so little time. 

Random Photo:

Chocolate white chocolate  chip cookies I made last weekend despite it being in the 70's. I made them as a thank you for one of my nephews who did a huge favor for me but wouldn't let me pay him for his time and trouble. 
 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I hit the 100 page mark in revisions. I still have two-thirds of the book to go. Despite that, I feel like I'm making good progress. I'm trying to do the developmental edits and line edits at the same time. I usually do them separately but this book is so far past its original publication deadline that I want to get my edits done so I can send it to my editor and beta readers by the end of March at the latest.

Motivational Quote:  "At the end of the day, you can't have it all. And if you take care of your mental well-being first, the rest will fall into place." ~ Simone Biles (American gymnast)

What I'm Reading:  I'm not reading anything at the moment. I'm going to the library this afternoon to pick a few books that I requested that have come in.

Random Things:  It was cold and snowy over the weekend so after I finished the usual Saturday housework, I did some baking. I made focaccia bread (our new favorite homemade bread) and tried a new recipe for peanut butter muffins. I love peanut butter so I had to try out the recipe. After I finished baking and cleaning up the kitchen, I curled up on the sofa with a book and a cup or two of tea. It was a nice way to spend the weekend.

Random Photo:

                                  Here's how the peanut butter muffins came out. 
 

 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I had a good productive week and am on track to finish this first draft by the end of the month. I'm hoping to get some extra writing in this week since the following week will be Thanksgiving and I'll lose a couple of days of writing time due to the holiday and doctor appointments for both myself and my mom.

Motivational Quote:  "You'll have bad times, but it'll always wake you up to the good stuff you weren't paying attention to." ~ Sean (played by Robin Williams) from the movie Good Will Hunting.

What I'm Reading:  I'm a little less than halfway through We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter. This is the first book in her new North Falls series. It's a good book. I'm finding it hard to put down. 

Random Things:  We're getting a new stove delivered today. Buying a new one wasn't planned. I turned the oven on to pre-heat to bake bread and when I went back into the kitchen to check that it was up to the correct temperature, there was a noticeable gas smell and the oven had only heated to 150 degrees despite being on for 30 minutes. Needless to say, I immediately turned the oven off. My nephew who is a firefighter for our city came over to make sure there was nothing wrong with the gas line connection. There wasn't so rather than risk blowing up the house, we went shopping for a new stove the next day. I baked the bread dough I had ready in the toaster oven. It came out pretty well. It's the first time I ever really baked something in it. We usually use it for things like toast, melting cheese on something, or making hash brown patties and such.

Random Photo:

   Mrs. Green likes to sleep on my house shoes whenever I take them off to sit on the sofa.
 

 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related: I'm making headway on Garrett's story. It's taking me so much longer to write this book than I originally anticipated. I keep telling myself even a few pages a day is progress and is bringing me closer to the end.

Motivational Quote:  "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt 

What I'm Reading: I started reading A Garland of Bones by Carolyn Haines over the weekend.  This is the 22nd book in the series. There are a total of 29 books published so far so I'm getting closer to the end so to speak, at least until the next book is published. 

Random Things:  It's finally been cold enough to do some baking. I made semolina bread for the first time this past Thursday. It has a tangy taste, not quite as strong a sourdough, but enough to notice. I will make it again, but I think I'll bake it in a loaf pan instead of on a baking sheet that the recipe calls for. The dough didn't rise as high as I would have liked, rising in width instead so I'm hoping it will rise higher in a loaf pan.

Random Photo:

                  Here's a picture of the semolina bread. It looks taller than it actually is. 
 

Monday Check In

Writing Related:  I'll start writing the first book in the Eden's Crossing series this morning. I'm using the same plotting method that I used when writing Coming Home. Prior to that book, I didn't really do a lot of plotting, just a couple of sentences for each chapter but the new plotting method worked really well so I'm going to use it for this next book too.

Motivational Quote:  "I mean, I'm human, I have moments. But...when gratitude is an option, I'm going to choose that every time." ~ Anne Hathaway

What I'm Reading:  I started reading Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis yesterday afternoon. This is the 7th book in the Sunrise Cove series.

Random Thoughts:  I received a copy of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes A Day by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois from a friend because I like baking bread. I'm looking forward to trying the master recipe and a number of the other recipes that were included. Luckily, I have a big freezer to store the extra loaves in.

Random Photo:  

       This is outside at my house. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to spring.

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  The first draft of Coming Home is done. Whew! I wrote it in 10 weeks. That's the fastest I've ever written a first draft. I will edit it this week. I used a new plotting method which not only helped me write the first draft faster, but also helped me write cleaner so I'm hoping there won't be a lot of revisions or rewriting to be done. 

 Motivational Quote: "I'm always trying to be better. Better, better, and better...in all ways and in everything that I'm doing in my life. And it's not about [being] perfect. It's about [being] better." ~ Evgenia Medvedeva

What I'm Reading:  I started The Body in the Backyard by Lucy Score yesterday afternoon. It's the 4th book in the Riley Thorn mystery series. This isn't a typical mystery or cozy mystery series. It's like a rom-com and a cozy mystery were mixed together resulting in a fun and engaging series. 

Random Thoughts:  I tried a new recipe for chocolate orange swirl bread. It came out well. I think when I make it again, I'll add a touch of orange extract for a bit more orange flavor. The recipe only calls for orange zest and 2 tablespoons of orange juice so you can taste some orange, but it's like a subtle hint. I'm baking banana bread this afternoon because I have two bananas that are a little too ripe to eat as is. 

Random Photo:

                                Here's a photo of the chocolate orange swirl bread

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  Ivan's story is done and off to my editor for one last look through. This week I'm going to nail down the final version of the story summary (blurb) for the back cover.

Motivational Quote: "And though hard be the task, keep a stiff upper lip." ~ Phoebe Cary

What I'm Reading: I'm reading Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off by Darci Hannah. This is the second book in the Beacon Bakeshop mystery series.

Random Things: This week the forecasted temperatures from Wednesday onward are 68 degrees and lower. I'm trying to decide if I want to bake bread, or even better, cookies during the cool spell. I do miss baking so I'm sure I'll make something. I just need to decide on what to make.

Random Photo:

                                Celebrating being finally done with Ivan's story.
                           

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related: I made really good progress last week on Ivan's story. Unless something unexpected crops up, I should have the revisions wrapped up in the next 2 to 3 weeks and then it's off to my beta readers for one last read through.

Motivational Quote: "Anyone who is moving forward is going to falter at times; that's part of the growth process. Forgive yourself and keep going." ~ Unknown

What I'm Reading: I'm reading Tell Me by Lisa Jackson. She is one of my favorite romantic suspense writers.

Random Things: Yesterday I made the cinnamon swirl bread I mentioned in last Monday's post. I made two loaves and froze one. They came out pretty well. I've posted a picture below of the cut loaf so you can see the swirl. I'm really happy with how the swirl came out. 

Random Photo:

                 My cinnamon swirl bread (ignore the tip of my finger in the corner.😀)

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related: Still working on revisions for Ivan's story. I feel like they're never ending but at the same time I feel like I'm making progress and more importantly, that I'm making the story stronger.

Motivational Quote: "I compare my situation to a person on board a ship. When there is a shipwreck and the passenger falls into the ocean and has no choice but to keep swimming...I had no choice. I could not get tired, I could not lose hope." ~ Shirin Ebadi

What I'm Reading: I started reading The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery yesterday. I've read most of her books. They're quick, light reads.

Random Things: I've been baking quite a bit, but I need to start baking bread to freeze to have over the summer months since I refuse to put the oven on when it's 80 degrees or higher. I made a quick dozen muffins yesterday instead of baking the bread. Next weekend, depending on what's going on, I hope to make a couple of loaves of cinnamon swirl bread. 

Random Photo:

                              Here's one of the vanilla sour cream muffins I made.

 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related: Last week was a bust as far as getting work done on Ivan's story. I ended up having to work late three days and my mom had an appointment on one of the other days so I accomplished next to nothing. 

Motivational Quote: "Half hearted commitment won't produce half hearted results, rather it will produce no results worth measuring. Real results will only come with full and total commitment." ~ Unknown  I'm repeating the prior week's quote because of my lack of progress last week.

What I'm Reading: I started reading Live and Let Chai by Bree Baker Friday evening. This is the first book in the Seaside Cafe mystery series.

Random Things: I made baguettes for the first time last weekend. They came out pretty good. Sadly, I didn't take any photos before we ate them. I'm going to use the same recipe this weekend, but instead of making long thin loaves, I want to try making one round loaf. We'll see how it turns out.

Random Photo:

              Chocolate cookies because a rough day (or week) always deserves cookies.

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My Current WIP (Work in Progress): Due to the flu-like illness I suffered from most of last week, I didn't get much done. I'm working hard this week to get some forward progress.

Quote of the Week: "Don't be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart." ~ Roy Bennett

What I'm Reading: I started Outfox by Sandra Brown on Sunday. I'm not very far into it yet. 

Random Thoughts: One thing I love about the colder weather is that I can start baking bread again. I rarely bake in the summer due to the heat and humidity. I have a number of new bread recipes I want to try. I made herbed focaccia rolls this past Sunday that came out pretty well. 

Random Photo of the Week:

                                  The herbed focaccia rolls I mentioned above.


  

Baking Bread Part 2

Last Monday I wrote how developing characters is similar to the process of baking bread. Keeping with that theme, I'm sharing a recipe on how to make your own pita bread. I've always wanted to try making my own and finally did it this past weekend. They came out okay, but I think they'll get better the more I make them.

Pita Bread

1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 cups warm water
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar
3 cups all purpose flour

Combine the yeast, sugar, and warm water in a large bowl and set aside for 5 minutes
Add 3 tablespoons of the extra virgin olive oil, salt, and 1 cup of all purpose flour to yeast mixture. Stir until mixed well. Add 1 cup flour, stir, then remove dough to a lightly floured surface and begin kneading. Add the remaining cup of flour and knead for about 3 minutes or until the dough and flour have combined and will form into a ball.

Grease the bowl with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, then put the dough back into the bowl. Turn dough over so all surfaces are coated in the oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and then with a thick towel. Set aside to rise until double in size or 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Uncover the bowl and divide dough into 10 equal pieces. lightly dust with flour, and cover with plastic wrap or a moist towel.

Lightly flour work surface and rolling pin. Roll out each dough ball to 1/4 inch think and place on a baking sheet. Let the rolled out pieces sit for at least 10 minutes before baking.

Bake for 3 or 4 minutes or until dough puffs up into a ball. Remove from the oven and transfer to a plate and cover with a lightly damp towel. (If a pocket doesn't form when baked, you can spritz the next batch with water and continue to bake it.)

Makes 10 pitas. These are best if used within one week.

Developing Characters and Baking Bread

I love to bake bread. I find the kneading of  the dough very relaxing and maybe be a little bit stress relieving. In a way, the process of developing characters is similar to baking bread (although not as a stress reliever if the character(s) aren't cooperating).

When I first start developing a character, I make notes about his/her background, height, hair and eye color, occupation, family, what is his/her hang up(s), and his/her name etc. This is like mixing the ingredients together when making bread.

After I have all of the above characteristics written down, I leave the sheet on my desk for a couple of days in case I have a new and or better idea or come up with more information I think will be relevant. This is like leaving your dough to rise.

After a few days, I go back and massage the information, changing some things, deleting some things and adding more information such as the goal the character is striving to reach. This is like kneading your dough.

I'll leave the newly revised character sheet alone for a day or so just to be sure I like how everything has developed. Again, this is like letting your dough rise.

If I feel like I know the character well enough, I'll start writing their story, sometimes tweaking things as I get further along in the manuscript. The writing of the story is like baking the bread.

Finally I'll have a completed draft and the character(s) have gelled in the way I imagined/wanted them to, then it goes off to a beta reader to see how they like the story and characters. This is like giving your nice, freshly baked loaf of bread to a friend to enjoy. (And maybe keeping a loaf to enjoy yourself as a celebration of finishing the book.)

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My current WIP (work in progress):  Still working on revisions. Met with my critique partner and had her read the new beginning. She liked it much better and so do I.

News from the publishing world: This article is an Indie author's interpretation of Amazon's algorithms in relation to sales. The article is a little long but I thought well worth the time to read. Link: Rachel Aaron Numbers  

Quote of the week: "Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out." ~John Wooden. Something I need to remind myself of on a regular basis.

Health news: According to a new study from Tufts University, drinking soda or other sugary beverages can be just as detrimental to a person at a healthy weight as to an overweight person. Our bodies store excess calories as visceral fat. This type of fat is a dangerous form of adipose tissue that surrounds our internal organs. It can increase the risk for heart disease and diabetes. 

Random things: Now that the weather has gotten cooler, I've started making bread again. There's something about the process of kneading the dough, letting it rise, and kneading it again, then letting it rise once more before baking it that I find infinitely relaxing. 

Random photo of the week: 

Here's a picture of a loaf of olive bread I made late last week.

This I know for sure...

Surprisingly these posts of things I know for sure are the hardest to write. When I first started this blog, I thought they would be the easiest. I had a whole list of things I knew for sure but I quickly exhausted them. I still have a few, but I'm not sure I'll ever post them. Those few topics can be incendiary and the point of this blog is not to start flame wars because my opinion is different than someone else's.

So for this week here are a few random things I know for sure...

• My mom is amazing. She raised 5 of us all by herself at a time when single parenthood was unusual, not the norm, whether you were a widow or not. And coming from a "broken home" (a home without 2 parents) guaranteed you were either going to end up in prison or be a drain on society. My siblings and I are all productive members of our communities, holding down jobs and supporting our families. And not one of us has seen the inside of a jail cell.
• A good song can do great things for my spirits. 
•  My definition of a good movie is one that touches me whether through laughter or tears.
• I was a huge X-Men fan long before it was popular. I've collected the comics for years. When the first movie was made and they announced some unknown Australian was going to play Wolverine, I was less than thrilled. I will admit Hugh Jackman did and continues to do a great job bringing the character to life.
• While I love moody and broody characters in books and movies, they are too hard to live with in real life.
• I have the utmost respect and admiration for anyone who serves in the military.
• I love to make homemade bread. I find the whole kneading process very relaxing. On those extra stressful days, you'll find me in the kitchen whipping up a batch of bread.
• I honestly can't understand how people can say they don't read or don't like to read. It's like they're speaking a foreign language. 
• Don't let anyone talk you out of your dreams. I wasted years not writing because I was told I was wasting my time.
• I'd rather read than do almost anything else...except maybe eat cookies. LOL

What are a few random things you know for sure?