Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I started writing the first book in the Eden's Crossing series. I'm going to refer to it as Garrett's book going forward because I rarely come up with a title until after the first draft is written. I didn't set a word count goal for last week but wrote a decent amount considering I had a lot of other stuff going on and the first few chapters usually take me longer to write than the rest of the book. 

Motivational Quote: "Do what you can do." ~ Mary Oliver, American Poet  This is good advice in general and for anyone feeling overwhelmed.

What I'm Reading:  I'm reading Track Her Down by Melinda Leigh. This is the 9th book in the Bree Taggert series. If you like suspense with a little bit of romance, I highly recommend this series. 

Random Thoughts:  Last week I mentioned getting a bread cookbook. I made the Vermont Cheddar Bread recipe yesterday. I didn't have high expectations because I've tried a number of different cheddar bread recipes and have always been disappointed. Either the cheese melts into the bread and can't even be seen, much less tasted, or the bread itself is really dense. This recipe came out well. I've posted a picture of it below.

Random Photo:

                                          The Vermont Cheddar Bread I made

Monday Check In

 Last week...

Writing Related:  I did okay writing wise last week. I didn't hit my weekly goal of 12,500 new words but I did manage to write 7,750 new words so I'm about 19 pages short of where I should be at this time. This week should be quieter so I'm hoping to be able to make up most if not all of last week's shortfall along with this week's writing goal.

Motivational Quote: "So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-- It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit." ~ Edgar Guest

What I'm Reading: I'm about halfway through State of Affairs by Marie Force. This is the first book in the First Family series which is a spin off of the Fatal series. Both are a suspense or romantic suspense type series.

Random Things: It's been cold (highs in the 40's) for a few days then it warms up to the low to mid 70's then back to the 40's so I've been doing a lot of baking on the colder days. I've made cheese bread, tiger bread, shortbread cookies, and chocolate chocolate chip cookies. The problem with baking is that I've been eating all the things so no more baking until it's time to start the holiday baking. 

Random Photo:

These are the chocolate chocolate chip cookies. They taste like a cross between a cookie and a really fudgy brownie (which is my favorite kind of brownie).
 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I started writing the last book in the Echo Company series. It's a little slow going. I usually struggle to get the first few chapters written and then it gets easier. I also did more plotting this time than I usually do. I'm hoping it'll help me write the book faster as I would really love to get it out before the end of the year. 

Motivational Quote:  "You have to take risks and make mistakes in order to really get into the good work. In theory YES!  But in practice...oh the misery! ~ Liv Aanrud

What I'm Reading:  I started reading Identity by Nora Roberts over the weekend. I haven't read any of Ms. Roberts's books in a couple of years. My sister lent me her copy of Identity insisting that I had to read it, so I am. 😄

Random Things:  Now that we're in September I thought I'd be able to do some baking. I want to make some bread, cinnamon swirl bread in particular, but it's been in the mid 70's and 80's so still a bit too hot to put the oven on and heat up the house even more than it already is. I make bread quite a bit during the fall and winter months. I like the kneading process of making bread. I find it to be relaxing and a great stress reliever, not to mention the fact that I end up with all this great bread to eat. 

Random Photo: 

                                 Starting the last book in the Echo Company series.