Diaries of a Determined Cook!

After the birth of my daughter, 12 years ago, I was completely turned off to meat. You see, I was a woman who liked my beef with a side of beef so this was very strange. I ate vegetarian for about 6 months and shed almost all 60 pounds I had gained. I felt great, my skin looked incredible, but after a while I missed, and my family, meat. And trust me, they complained about it!

My husband was never too thrilled with some of the recipes I made during my veggie days, however, here we are over a decade later and he's asking for some of those 'meatless meals'. That's what he announces, "Mom's making a meatless meal! RUN!" LOL At least they all know I'm only trying to make them healthier, not kill them--I attempt that with other meals I make and burn. Heeheehee.

Here's a healthy spicy slowcooker favorite that even my vegetarian friend Sera Rivers loves.


SOUTHWEST BEAN STEW
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 4 1/2 or 8 1/2 hr
Makes 4 servings
 
1 15oz can red kidney beans
1 15oz can black beans
1 14 1/2oz can Mexican style stewed tomatoes, undrained and cut up (I can never find these at our grocery stores so I use spicy diced tomatoes with chiles)

1 14oz can vegetable or chicken broth (I prefer the vegetable because I like the taste)

1 10oz pkg. frozen whole kernel corn

2 medium carrots, thinly sliced

1 large onion, chopped

1/2 cup water

1 4oz can diced green chile peppers, undrained 

2-3 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. bottled mince garlic (Forgot this last time and it made all the difference!)

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup yellow cornmeal 

1 tsp. baking powder

1 egg white

2 Tbsp. milk

1 Tbsp. cooking oil

1) rinse and drain kidney and black beans. In slow cooker, combine beans, tomatoes, broth, corn, carrots, onion, the water, chile peppers, chili powder, and garlic.

2) Cover an cook on low-heat setting for 8-10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4-5 hours.

3) for dumplings: In medium bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, dash salt, and dash ground black pepper. In small bowl, combine egg white, milk, and oil. Add egg white mixture to flour mixture; stir just until combined. (Truthfully, I don't do this. I've screwed up dumplings enough in my years of trying to learn how to cook that it's not worth the frustration and bad mood it puts me in)

4) If using low-heat setting, turn to high-heat setting. Drop dumpling dough from rounded teaspoon it eight mounds on top of stew. Cover and cook for 30 minutes more (do not lift lid while dumplings cook). 

To accompany the stew, serve a purchased dip with fresh veggies, pineapple slices, and cookies.

Hope your all enjoy this and have a Sparkling Day!
Rebecca Rose 

Talkin Tuesday Ramblings!

Aaggggg! *pulling hair out* "I love my children, I love their friends" I repeat this to myself because it's true and I don't want to lose track of the fact most children don't want to spend time with their parents (let alone talk to them). Not our cretins. "Hey mom, can we go for a hike" "Hey, can we go to the mall...Game Stop...Doug's house...Amber's house...ice skating, ect?"

Mark and Leah the pre-teen. :)

I'm looking around my home (and its only Tuesday of Winter Vacation) and I see the future. In four month my 16 yr old, 12 yr old, 8 yr old, will be on summer vacation. There will be dishes in the sink, dirt on the floor, shoes and clothes spewed everywhere, extra kids running around and NOISE. How can anyone get work done in this environment? Have I mentioned attitude yet? LOL "Mom, why do you always have to work?"  Well, my dear sweet children, because I keep getting interrupted so a half-an-hour of work has turned into 3 hours. Of course, I'd never say that. I want them to come to me when they need/want something. It keeps the communication open. Why else would our 16 yr year old son, Isaac, want to 'just hang out' with us? Personally, I don't think Mark and I are that cool nor fun. After 18 yrs of marriage, you tend to lean more toward the couch or bed then the party going on at a friends house. Sleep is a beautiful thing! But, back to the cretins and vacation...

Jack, the child my mom wished on me

Yesterday I came to the reality that I shouldn't push myself and be disappointed when I only get half to nothing done when they are home. For the most part, I can tell them that I need an hour of alone time so I can get a few things done and not kill them. For the most part this works. But, I've also learned to be careful with what I say.

EXAMPLE: I was finishing up edits on my last novel. The kids were restless because I'd been putting in long days. As with most families, the youngest tends to be the guinea pig and the most clueless to what's going on. I told the fighting, screaming, complaining children, they needed to give me an hour or I was taking out the duct tape. When they continued to let me know how unfair life is, (the two older ones) I said, "Go dig a ditch or something. I really don't care!"
They left quietly, which should have been an indication that something was up. An hour later, the two older ones come bounding and laughing down the stairs and into my office.
 "Mom! Come look at what we did!"
I looked at the dirt smeared on their faces and clothes with a questioning brow. "Do I want to know?"
They grabbed me by the hand and pulled.
"Where's your little brother?"
"Don't worry," Isaac announced. "he's okay."
YIKES!
I followed them out to where the tire swing hangs from the old maple tree. The day was beautifully clear and made me wish to be out there with them...especially after I heard Jack.
"Hi, Mom!"
Down in the 5 foot hole stood our youngest waving and completely happy to be apart of something his older siblings where doing.
I began to laugh uncontrollably. What else could I do? After all, they'd done exactly what I told them, which they reminded me of when I said, "A 5 foot hole under a swing really isn't the smartest place to it." They proceeded to compare it to the video came Pit Fall (Yes, they know that ancient game). I reminded them that playing the game doesn't include broken legs when the man falls. LOL
I laid on my belly and pulled Jack out. He was so happy and filthy.

*Over the next few months, this hole was filled in and re-dug numerous times.

Isaac telling a story at Ben's Christmas party

So, the lesson I learned on that school vacation...Never, ever, no matter what, tell your cretins to do anything that you really don't want done!

I guess in the grand scheme of things I really can't complain too much. They're great kids who do find things to occupy themselves. I'm just missing my quiet time.

Have a Sparkling Day!
Rebecca Rose

Diaries of a Determined Cook!

Hello, hello, hello! It hasn't been a really good week in the cooking area. LOL Not too big of a surprise there. :)
The recipe I have for you today is one I've made before and my children loved. I mean, it really had come out perfect! Unfortunately, it didn't work out as well this time and we ended up with 'soak and scrub' for three days with the crock pot.

I like to use easy recipes you can toss in the crock pot for the nights I teach. (otherwise, I end up going hungry) When done right, this is a delicious twist on Lasagna.

Mama's Best Lasagna

1 lb.ground beef
1/2 lb Italian sausage
1 (32-OZ)can spaghetti sauce with mushrooms This is where I went wrong the last time I made this--the first time I used more sauce. So personally, I'd put 1 1/2 - 2 jars of sauce in so you don't have to 'soak and scrub'. I also don't do mushrooms. 
1 egg, beaten
1 (12-oz) ctn. cottage cheese
1 (12-oz) pkg. broad noodles, uncooked
1 (12-oz) pkg. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 onion, chopped

Brown ground beef and sausage; drain. Place enough spaghetti sauce in slow cooker to cover bottom I'd put a little more than that. Combine egg with cottage cheese. On top of sauce, layer noodles, cheese mix, mozzarella, remaining spaghetti sauce, meats and onion. Save a little mozzarella cheese to put on top. Cover and cook on low for 5-10 hours.

That's it for now. Everyone have a sparkling weekend and remember life is too short for half-ply toilet paper! 

Rebecca Rose

  

Talkin' Tuesday Ramblings

Good morning everyone and Happy Valentines Day!

Today I'm rambling about proper etiquette when it comes to talking to writing professionals. Recently I was contacted by some aspiring writers. I love talking and helping others because this can be such a hard business to get into. However, the disappointment when conversing with them soon became frustrating and the need to write this blog a necessity.

As many of you know, I'm dyslexic. I've worked years upon years to make my writing the best it can be. To train my mind to see words and number for what they actually are. And, like many writers, have given my work to others to edit and critique. (One major and obvious error can kill a potential contract along with sloppiness. These will guarantee a slush pile query or manuscript.)

Example:

I writing to you today for you to look at over my work. i believe it to be the next big thing and would love. you to look it over for,. me.

REALLY? Why would I, or a potential publisher/agent even consider looking at anymore? This person didn't even take the time to reread their email to me and fix the gross mistakes. What does this say about how hard the aspiring writer will work to make their story the best it can possibly be? The fact is, publishers, agents, editors demand the piece be what the writer believes to be 'print ready'. They are there to polish the work till it shines, not fix obvious errors that will eat up time and money.

With that said, I've made some guidelines that every aspiring writer should remember:

1. Leave your ego at the door. There is no room for it. Every author loves their work and thinks it's the best.
2. If you are given advice from a seasoned person in the published field, don't dismiss it. It's insulting.
3. It takes sweat, sometimes tears, to be introduced into the published world. Your heart will be broken numerous times.
4. Check everything letter, email, text-- whatever-- for gross spelling and grammar errors.
5. Read and reread your work. Have others look it over for plot holes. It's not the editors job to fix all the mechanical  and story missteps. Our time is valuable and if there's too much to fix, we will send it back with a little note saying, 'Thank you for submitting to ____ but at this time your story isn't anywhere close to being ready for the publishing world.'
6. Tell the ending! A potential editor/pub/agent will need to know this to decide how or if they are going to help/represent you. If the obligatory scene and climax are week and contrived, there's a lot of work needed to be done.
7. As much as you'd like to, as much as we'd all would like to, we are friends second. It helps with
emotional attachment to your work. Constructive criticism will come in soft careful words, or bold and harsh. Thicken your skin.

It's very rare I rant on like this. However, in our world of text and email, manners have waned along with proper etiquette. This can be a downfall to any aspiring writer and an author taking suggestions too personally.

Hope this helps.
Have a Sparking Valentines Day!
Rebecca Rose

Diaries of a Determined Cook!

These diaries are my entries to discover if I really can learn how to cook. Now, I can make a mean coffee cake or chocolate chip cookies, unfortunately my family can't live on these. LOL Even though the kids would love to! 

So, here I am with a new kitchen and the culinary skills of my 8 year old son. My husband has cooked for the last 18 years we've been together--"Out of survive," he likes to say. :)

I'll be putting up recipes that have worked for me and letting you know the ones I've majorly screwed up on. And, believe me... there will be quite a few! LOL

Who doesn't like a healthy dinner? Many years ago I took on the challenge to cook this way. Some might say that isn't a really feat, but to a woman who grew up on fatty French foods with lots of butter and cholesterol, it was! For a few years it was tough, however, the kids and my husband have finally come to 'The Healthy Side'. Don't get me wrong, not all these recipes will be that way, but now that I'm in charge of dinner. Heeheehee. They're eating vegetables!

First on the cooking menu a new favorite in my home:

SPICY BEEF STEW

Makes 6 servings-- Prep is 15 min-- Cook 13 min--Slow Cooker 4 1/2hrs on High or 6 1/2 hrs on Low

1 Tbs olive oil
1 pound chuck steak, trimmed and cut into 3/4 inch pieces I buy the packages that are pre-cut because. Yes, just because. :)
1 large onion, chopped
2 Tbs tomato paste
3 Tbs flour
1 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth
2 tsp cumin
2 plum tomaties, chopped
2 cans (15 ounces each) white hominy, drained and rinsed  (You can find this in the Goya section)
1 each green and yellow bell peper, chopped
1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (from a 7 ounce can), seeded and chopped, plus 1 Tbs of the adobo sauce (You can find this in the Goya section) I tend to put a little more in because we like spicy stuff!
2 Tbs lime juice
sour cream (optional) But, it's sooo good with it. 
 
1) Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over med-high heat. Add steak and cook 7 min. Remove to slow cooker bowl.
2) Add onion to skillet. Cook 3 min. Stir in tomato paste; cook 2 min. Add flour and cook, stirring, 1 min.
3) Scrape onion mixture into slow cooker bowl. Stir in broth, oregano and cumin; cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 5 hours.
4) Stir in tomatoes, hominy, peppers, chipotle and adobo sauce. Cook 1 1/2 hours more. Stir in lime juice. Serve with sour cream, if desired. I actually cut this step out and mix everything together right at the beginning. Nothing has come out mushy and being the beginner that I am, LOL, I'll forget to do all this!

Great meal on a cold day! I'd never had Hominy before and now it's a favorite. :)

Enjoy and Have a Sparkling Day!
Rebecca Rose

Talkin' Tuesday with Candace Gold

It's a cloudy day here in New England. The only sound is my kitties purring next to me on the couch. I often ponder who put 24 hours in a day. With conferences, stories to finish and contracts to sign, how can I find the time to do it all? 

Speaking of people who utilize there time to the fullest, I have contemporary romance author Candace Gold/erotic author Candy Caine.

Welcome Candace! Come in, sit down. Coffee? Tea?  Just push the fat cat over, he'll roll. LOL

So, what's your favorite read and series?
Favorite reads: definitely Sandra Brown and Linda Howard.
Favorite series: Lee Child's Jack Reacher books, Daniel Silva's Gabriel Allon books, Steve Berry's books about Cotton Malone and those wonderful books that Clice Cussler conjures up.

What/who got you reading?
I guess the reading gene came from my mother who was always reading.

You're quite an accomplished writer. Did you ever think your career would take you this far?

Yes and no. Originally, I wrote for children. In a way, I found it more difficult to get published for the children's market. However, I refused to give up and kept at it until I became published.

Too organized Plotter or Maniac Pantser?

Definitely a maniac pantser. When an idea hits me, I'll think about it for a few minutes and try to develop it into a one sentence or two plot outline. Though I try to write from chapter one straight to the end, I sometimes get ideas for the story out of order. Rather than lose the thread, I run with it. Eventually I get back to where I first detoured. Sometimes a title will grab me and I end up writing a story using it.

The Sexy plots in the stories Candy Caine write are very *blushes* erotic and fun. Who/What inspires them?

For the sexy plots, I tap into my own fantasies. Luckily for me, my hubby is a good sport and is always willing to help me work the kinks out of scenes.

Is there any thing we all would be shocked to know about you?

That I secretly envy my characters who seem to live a more exciting life than I do.

FOR FUN
Red & sexy or Black and mysterious?

When I write as Candy Caine, definitely red and sexy. Candace Gold can be more black and mysterious.

Wine with cheese or Beer with TV?

Wine and cheese.


Paperback or ebooks?

I have my stories in both forms, but nothing beats the feel of a book--especially when it's your own.

Independent kitty cat or adoring lovable dog?

I'm a dog person. They love you unconditionally. Yellow Labs are my favorites.

Great cook or master at ordering take out?

My picture hangs on the wall in my kitchen. It has a red diagonal stripe running through it and has a warning written across the bottom that says: Eat at your own risk. My husband is the better cook.

Romance, comedy, or horror movies?

I'm a big baby who likes to sleep at night. Definitely romance or comedy. I still have nightmares from the horror movies I saw as a kid.

What's your biggest pet-peeve, in the world, that makes you want to beat something/someone?

That people can't get along with each other. For all the technological advances man has wrought, he still acts like a big ape clubbing his neighbor because he's a different race or religion.

BACK TO WORK
Are you insanely organized or are there note written on everything?

I'm the clutter queen. I have a zillion pads with half-started stories and notes all over the room I write in.

What's the biggest misconception people have about you and your writing?

That I live what I write.

Does your husband like to brag about your career as a romance writer?

Definitely. Waiting for him outside our dry cleaners in the car while he picked up his shirts, I watched as he handed the Vietnamese clerk, who hardly spoke English, a bookmark for A Heated Romance. It had a half-naked fireman on it. Her eyes opened as wide as silver dollars when she looked at it. I could just imagine what went through her mind.

Do you ever get so overwhelmed you want to quit?

I get overwhelmed sometimes, but writing is in my DNA and definitely not an option.

What's the writing no-no that makes you want to scream?

When an author ends all his chapters with a cliff-hanger. It exhausts me.

When writing, must you hide from the husband? (I know I have to!)

My hubby is a character. When I'm writing an erotic story, he sometimes likes to stand behind me and finish my sentences. He thinks he's being funny. One time, I left his sentence in as a joke and the editor liked it.


You were involved in the making of Chicken Soup for Kid's Soul. How cool! How did it happen and how long did it take to come down from Cloud 9?
As I mentioned, I started writing picture books for children. As my writing progressed, so did the age of the child it was intended for until I was writing young adult stories. When the Chicken Soup editors contacted me and asked if I'd like to contribute to the Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul, I was already writing for the adult market. I really didn't have any stories that would fit what they wanted, so I sat down and knocked one out in about a half hour. They had a panel of kids choose their favorite entries and mine was picked. For charity, all 101 authors each had two book signings in their hometowns. I had a blast, but at one signing my table had replaced the train which upset one little girl.

Any advice for aspiring writers?
Perservere! Believe in yourself. Learn from the rejections.







Blurb: What would you do for love?


When Abby Minton agrees to host a book signing for Charles Greer in her bookstore, she doesn't expect she'll end up giving the man dating advice…or dating him herself! As she falls in love with Charles, she becomes more and more petrified that their relationship would be history if he ever met her dysfunctional family. Between her brother's failed bank heist interrupting Charles's book signing and roses from a persistent stalker making Charles think she's taken, their relationship is one mishap after another. But when Charles finally proposes, Abby is faced with the most ridiculous prospect of all: introducing him to her crazy family. The only solution is to hire actors to portray her family members. But will that just set them on the road to unending lies?


http://amzn.to/xMbu5k




Candace Gold ~ www.candacegold.com
The softer side of Candy Caine

Thank you Candace Gold for visiting me!
Everyone Have a Sparkling Day!
Rebecca Rose 

Talkin' Tuesday with Barbara Kellyn

Oh my Gosh, it's supposed to be near 50 degrees today! I'm getting Spring Fever and it's not even close. :(

Today I have contemporary romance comedy author, Barbara Kellyn, visiting me. She's a hoot! Barbara, come, sit down and chat. Would you like some coffee, tea? Don't mind the noise, it's my husband playing a car racing game on the XBox 360. He'll probably come and join us at some point. Mark is the noise sort. Oh good, I'm glad you don't mind. :)

So, what's your favorite read and series?

My favorite author is Jennifer Crusie, and I would say she’s my favorite study as well. She writes in my genre (contemporary romantic comedy) and is a great storyteller. I would love to emulate the career she has carved out for herself. I have to admit that I don’t read many series (nor am I compelled to write one), but do find that once I get hooked on a new author, I read my way through their catalogue as if it were a series.

I love Karen Hawkins. She always has me belly laughing. 

 

Okay, what/who got you reading?

I was fortunate to grow up in a home where discovery and creative expression was very much encouraged. Because of this, I was an early reader and haven’t stopped since, although I don’t make as much time for it these days as I should. My mother is still the most voracious reader I know – she’s been known to have close to a dozen books on the go at one time! 

Really? Wow, I have a hard time with two.

 

Writing was a natural thing for you, but what part of it is the hardest?

The hardest part for me is the forensics, or the analytical side of writing. Why isn’t this scene working? How come this patch of dialogue seems stilted? How do I build enough tension into this chapter? When writing “clicks,” this is never an issue. It’s when something isn’t flowing right that I am really challenged by the process.

Too organized Plotter or Maniac Pantser?

My new book, The Company She Keeps, was a pantser project; it was my first foray into NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) which is 30 days of quantity over quality seat-of-the-pants writing. Of course, the finished book bears only a vague resemblance to my first draft, but it was liberating to have the framework done so I had something to work with over the next year and a half. By comparison, my upcoming book, Morning Man (April 2012), was loosely plotted before I dove into writing. That process went very smoothly – it was started, finished and submitted inside six weeks. So, when it comes down to it, I function best as an “organized” pantser.   

You wrote as a professional writer. What kind of writing did you do?

I am a professional writer by day as well as by night. I work in marketing and communications as a writer and editor and own my own creative consulting business. I do mostly corporate communications (newsletters, websites, branding) and contribute to a number of magazines and newspapers. It has been immensely helpful to take what I’ve learned over the past 20 years and apply it to writing books, whether it be the importance of having a strong “hook” or the need to be concise and clear for readers.

-Is there any thing we all would be shocked to know about you?

I got my second tattoo last month; I now have one on the inside of my left wrist as well as one above my left ankle. Most people I know are surprised to find that out because I’m quite conservative and don’t really look like the typical “tattoo” type of girl.

Awesome! I have a Phoenix on my right hip. What do you have?

For Fun

Wine with cheese or Beer with TV?

Wine with cheese – because that means I’m probably dressed up in something sparkly and out having a good time.

Paperback or ebooks?

Since getting my Kindle, I have not purchased any hard copies. I’m an ebook convert now preaching the gospel to my friends and family.

Independent kitty cat or adoring lovable dog?

I’ve been a dog person all my life, yet I relate strongly with cats. I was probably a feline in a previous life.

Great cook or master at ordering take out?

Oh, hands down – it’s cooking. I absolutely love everything about being in the kitchen, it’s relaxing and it’s very satisfying because the results speak for themselves, plus I’m able to nourish or treat my loved ones with something I’ve made myself. I’m also a Food Network junkie, which (pardon the pun) feeds my creative side and encourages me to try new things.

Sexy in flannel nightwear or hopin' to get lucky silk?

When it comes to romance, I’m all about being a girly girl. Silk feels sexy to wear and it feels even better to touch.  

Romance, comedy, or horror movies?

I love a good laugh, so I’ll pick a comedy every time. A romantic comedy is even better. 

What's your biggest pet peeve in the world that makes you want to beat something/someone?

Call me the grammar police, but it drives me bonkers to see typos on signage, advertising or even on menus, for crying out loud. Uh no, it’s not a “Ceasar” salad or a “Rueben” sandwich. My favorite is a local Chinese restaurant that sells “Noddle” soup. I mean really, how hard is it to ask someone to proofread a message before putting it out there?

Good Morning America this morning had a video for a pavement sign of a school zone-- shcool. Really? The building was right next to it with the proper spelling on it! LOL 

Back to Work

You seem to have an insane amount of energy. What do you do to ground yourself to stay focused?

Thank God for that energy! I’m a single mom to two teenagers and let me tell you, nothing grounds you quite like parenthood. When it comes to my writing work, I’m an extremely disciplined person. I may not write every day, but when faced with a deadline or a goal, I’m committed to finishing not only on time, but ahead of time. That’s probably the overachiever in me. Even when I’ve struck gold with an idea and get on a roll, I wring every last drop out of that opportunity before throwing in the towel.  

LOL My husband says, "Hi!" to everyone. 

 

-What's the biggest misconception people have about you and your writing?

It’s probably that once you publish one book, you automatically become prolific. I’ll blame that on the James Patterson Effect. Come to think of it, that was probably one of my biggest misconceptions about becoming an author too. Of course, it’s not true. Each book is an entirely different experience from the next. Writing one, or even two, does not mean you will be cranking out books continuously.  

Aaggg. Isn't that the truth. I find every book after the first to be more important and more time consuming.

 

Do you ever get so overwhelmed you want to quit?

I’m not a quitter, but I do recognize that sometimes I need to step away and take a break. When I get frustrated, it’s always best to shift my creative energy elsewhere for a while and then come back to tackling the project with a fresh perspective.

What's the writing no-no that makes you want to scream?

I don’t like when things happen a little too conveniently for the main characters, whether it’s their initial encounter or getting out of scrapes. I want to see them struggle a bit, because that’s what makes them relatable. Don’t give me any of that “our eyes met across the room and instantly, we knew it was meant to be.” Yuck, I just don’t buy that stuff as a reader. As a writer, if things happen a little too easily, I’ll go back and throw in more tension and make my characters work for it. It makes the payoff better for everyone.   

Who's your favorite story character and why?

All the characters in The Company She Keeps are close to my heart, especially our heroine Harper, but I would say I had the most fun writing the men in the story. I adore wisecracking Kenny, who is Harper’s best friend; and I fell in love with charming Jed, an “everyday” hero with a secret beneath his idyllic surface. But my favorite character is probably Marty, who is Harper’s boss and the antagonist keeping Harper and Jed apart. He is colorful and despicable, yet there are hues of likeability too. I thoroughly enjoyed writing the push-pull dynamic of his and Harper’s love/hate relationship.     

What part of writing makes you want to pull your hair out and scream like a banshee?

I’m fond of stories that get inside more than one character’s head. But writing from multiple POVs is challenging (and that’s the nice word for it) and it can be confusing. I can self-edit until the cows come home, but it never fails that my editor will flag a spot with a note that says, “Aren’t we in her POV right now? We shouldn’t know how he feels yet.” D’oh!  

Give us some advice for aspiring writers?

I would suggest starting as I did. Pick up NaNoWriMo founder Chris Baty’s book “No Plot, No Problem” and then concentrate on writing quantity over quality. Personally, I believe the “rules” of writing can bog you down creatively. It’s more important to focus on the storytelling and it’s certainly a confidence booster to be able to get your first 50,000-word novel out of your head and onto the screen. Write, write, write first and foremost. There will be plenty of time to go back and fix things later.  

So, true!

Barbara Kellyn is share her last with us, The Company She Keeps. Enjoy!

 

Talk about taking your work home with you...

For better or worse, Harper Bukoski is married to her dream job at a small marketing agency. Thanks to the mismanagement of its morally-lax owners, it's on the brink of disaster. Despite the dysfunction around her--including a nagging suspicion that the clueless new account rep is her boss’s mistress- Harper clings to the hope that her loyalty and diligence will keep the office on an even keel.

But the tightly-wound workaholic goes into a tailspin upon meeting Jed Sanderson, whose account is keeping the agency afloat. Harper is troubled by her undeniable attraction to a man with three potential dealbreakers stacked against him: he’s a client; he’s a recently-divorced father of three, and (the doozy!) he’s buddies with her disapproving boss. If Harper listens to her head, she might miss out on something extraordinary with Jed. But if she follows her heart, she risks imploding her career and bringing down the entire agency along with it.

 Thank you everyone for joining me today. I'll see you next week when I have sweet Candace Gold/spicy as Candy Caine join us.

Have a Sparkling Day!

Rebecca Rose