Mother’s day has passed and yet I still feel the need to make my tribute to the two women who inspire me every day and make me strive to be a better mother, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend. To my mom and my sister, thank you for always being there for me and teaching me a little bit more about myself every day.
Thank you for the wonderful day we had yesterday, every day leading up to it, and every day we will have after.
You know, the one that was a little weathered and beaten down, but helped me stay in the ‘swing’ of things? It kept me tethered to the place where reality and fantasy collide. The one place I could escape into the worlds where my stories took shape. I desperately need it back.
There is a favor I must ask if the swing happens to be in your possession. Please do not repair it. The state it was in at the time of it’s disappearance is the state I would like it returned in. The rope is a little rough against the palms of my hands, and the seat will leave a splinter in your arse if you slide too quickly from it. It is falling apart and not worth much, but in my eyes, it was the most perfect swing I could ever ask for. If you see it, please be kind and return it, so I may fall back into the swing of things.
I would post a reward for the safe return of my swing, but alas, you know the old saying about starving artists….
Sincerely,
Yes I’m pinked out! October is breast cancer awareness month and it seems as though we all know someone who has been touched by this disease. I have many friends who are either currently fighting or who’ve fought the battle and are living pink! Everyone celebrates and shows their support in their own way. My girls and I do it through food and of course….drink (you expect nothing less from someone with Scots-Irish in her blood). So in honor of all the women out there, fighters and survivors alike, I raise this glass to you!
THE LIVING PINK RASPBERRY MOJITO
Ingredients:
2 oz rum
.5 oz Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur
6-8 fresh mint leaves
2 lime wedges
1/2 tsp sugar
club soda
Directions:
Add sugar, mint leaves, lime wedges and a splash of club soda to a tall glass. Muddle until sugar is dissolved. Add ice to glass. Add rum and Chambord. Stir to mix. Top with a splash of soda.
Remember to always celebrate life, to remember those who’ve gone before us, and support and offer strength to one another…and most of all, remember to LIVE PINK AND ALWAYS FIGHT LIKE A GIRL! Slàinte!
Please stop on in and see some of my fellow authors and their fantastic and delectable pink recipes!
Thinking Pink in the Kitchen – Simple Salmon by Selena Robins – : http://
Get yer Basil Buzz by PG Forte - http://
Pretty in Pink Pancakes by Kimberley Troutte - http://
There is just something about the works of the past. Greats like Edgar Allan Poe, William Blake, Oscar Wilde, along with countless others. Their words draw you in, painting pictures that leave a lasting impression. For this Monday, since my brain is tired and I’m steeped in research, I thought I would share a few of my favorite lines from those who came before us.
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before. ~ The Raven, Edgar Allan Poe
Cruelty has a human heart, And Jealousy a human face;
Terror the human form divine, And Secrecy the human dress. ~A Divine Image, William Blake
Ambition, love and all the thoughts that burn, We lose too soon, and only find delight, In withered husks of some dead memory. ~Desespoir, Oscar Wilde
Most of the themes of the past seemed steeped in darkness. Morbid…I think that was the word one of my friends used when I was discussing some of the above quotes. I guess I can see where one would see that as a commonality between them. Still, the words paint a picture. There is a poetic beauty to them regardless of their tone that really appeals to me. So tell me, who are some of your favorites from the past and are there any particular lines that really stick out to you?
We all have them. The people we admire and look up to. Our heroes and heroines that drive us to move forward, pursue our dreams, and reach beyond where we ever imagined was possible. I have several authors that inspire me every day. And I thought I would share some random quotes from a few of them this fine Monday morning, to inspire me and remind me why I write the way I do and what I do.
At its best reading is a connection between the author and reader … between people, but in romance we get to see that human connection played out on the page.~ Vicki Pettersson
Vicki Pettersson was a fairly new discovery for me when I first started writing seriously in 2009. I often wonder how I hadn’t discovered her a few years earlier when her first book was released. I love her tortured characters, the depth of her writing, and her personality. If you ever get a chance to sit in on a chat or go to a signing, I would highly suggest you do!
Like anything else that happens on its own, the act of writing is beyond currency. Money is great stuff to have, but when it comes to the act of creation, the best thing is not to think of money too much. It constipates the whole process. ~ Stephen King
How can one think of writing and not think of a man who has really stood out in his field. One thing about Stephen King that draws me in are his descriptions. He paints such a vivid picture. It’s really hard to envision his world any differently than he does as a result. I admire that.
I always treated writing as a profession, never as a hobby. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will. ~ Laurell K Hamilton
The first book I ever picked up of Laurell K Hamilton’s made me fall in love with her. She writes what she wants and she does it well. She writes for the story and for herself. She has not always pleased her readers. But she’s stayed true to her characters. I think that is admirable in any writer. It’s hard not to be tempted by outside forces. To take your story where the rest of the world thinks you should take it. In the end you just have to believe that you are being true to yourself, your characters, and the overall story.
I could go on about the authors that drive me every day. Nora Roberts, Janet Evanovich, Kelly Armstrong, Jeaniene Frost, Sherrilyn Kenyon…need I continue? Every author I enjoy brings something to the table when I need a little inspiration. When I need an idol to look up to, honor, or worship, they are just a book (a tweet, facebook post, or blog spot) away.
Tell me, who are some of the authors that inspire you? Or perhaps a quote that pushes you forward? Think about it and have a great Monday!
Now go out and celebrate the start of a new week. A chance to show your world who the boss is and that you are taking no prisoners! Go forth and enjoy the day and make it what you want it to be!
How did that happen? Where did the week go? And more importantly…who ate my homework?! Kidding. Seriously though this week has flown by. Been reading about Egyptian and Mesopotamian Creation stories for class. That has been interesting. Been writing a LOT (except for last night when I took the night off for homework). Following the Rangers games with the lil zombies and enjoying their commentary on the game. And overall just plain busy as usual. So what am I doing here right? I needed a music break…so here’s a little fun to kick off the downhill slide into the weekend.
Have a great Thirsty Thursday peeps!
Between the Kindle, the Nook, and my bookcases, there is no shortage for reading material around my house. However, it seems as though I’ve read very little over the last year. In fact, I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I’ve only read about two and a half books in the last twelve months that I know of. And one of them was required for my English class.
So the lovely Bethanne Strasser and I were discussing this reading drought we both seem to be painfully suffering at the moment. We decided to each choose a book and we would both read them. It seems like such a small thing. Make a commitment to read. It is fuel for the muse, not to mention that it often offers us an opportunity to escape and recharge.
I’ve chosen the first book, and so far it’s off to a great start. The cover is fantastic, and the story is intriguing right from the get go. My enthusiasm for this book will hopefully last throughout the end of the book. Is your interest piqued? Fine, I will share.
New author, new book, and lots of reading to do when I’m taking a break from writing or winding down at the end of the evening. My summer of reading is going to start early. I miss reading. Lets see if I can increase my overall reading total beyond ten by the end of the summer shall we? An aggressive goal? Perhaps it is with all that is on my plate, but even if I don’t reach it, the fun is in the journey isn’t it?
And boy do I have goals. Loads of them. They might take an entire day to list out. (I might be over exaggerating here, but run with it). I have long-term dreams that I hope to achieve and short-term ones. Usually I don’t have the patience to see them through, but they are still there, nibbling at my brain like little goal zombies. I decided to share them. So here goes…
Actually, as I review this list which only scratches the surface of what I aim to achieve in life, there are many goals that can easily fall into both short-term and long-term. I say this because some can be achieved on a short-term, but should be ongoing. Goals that might need to be revisited to gauge your progress or to take stock of where you may be falling short. The thing is to have the goals to begin with and make yourself accountable to them. I’m off to start mine…what are some of your goals?
No this isn’t a post about food. Though I could definitely do that. Today though, I decided to talk about the one thing that I’ve slacked on lately. Feeding the writer is a bit of a necessity. Why and how are likely questions you have at this juncture. Well my own opinion on the matter is simple. To breed creative works, you must view the world differently. You must view it through the ‘what if’ glasses to take a simple thing and let it blossom into something great.
The avenues I choose to take when feeding my writing soul are by no means a one size fits all approach. However, there are three distinct things I turn to for creative fuel.
Reading ~ when I delve into a book, be it an awesome NYT Bestseller that I can’t put down or a crappy book no one’s ever heard of, there is inspiration and knowledge to be gleaned from those glorious pages. From the character development to the plot, you can learn a lot about what works (or doesn’t) for a particular story. Even better, a book can light a fire under my arse if I’ve been slacking on getting my words on paper.
Movies & Television ~ Stories acted out for a viewer can be a great source of creative fodder. Everything is visual. So depending on what your eye is attracted to, you can see what works or doesn’t work in a story. Sometimes, the characters might not stand out to you as ‘the evil doer’ because of the way the screen/script writer drafted the character. They make the character blend. On the other hand, you have characters that are so in your face that you can’t forget them even if you tried. Settings are another big thing. When you read a book, everything is left to your imagination. If the author did a good job, then your mind can recreate the scene effortlessly. Television and movies leave little to the imagination in that arena, but from an author’s perspective, you can pick apart the setting and try to describe the pieces that really set the scene.
Life ~ Nothing sparks the ‘what if’ game more to me than life itself. For example, let’s say you were on a road trip. Everyone else in the car is sleeping. You’re tired. So you start playing the game to entertain yourself. Here you are, driving down the road, late at night, a long drive. Darkness surrounding you. Two jails set back from the highway. A sign that states hitchhiking prohibited. Tell me that doesn’t just set the minds wheels into motion. Go on I dare you.
It’s always easy to blame the ‘muse’ when it seems the creative well has run dry. Honestly though, she can only work with what we give her. So if I’m not feeding my creative self, then she’s got zilch to go on. There’s only one way to keep her working for me and not against me. I’ve got to feed her with more than just Guinness (though that definitely doesn’t hurt). So tell me what are your tricks to feeding your creative self, or share what book or movie really stood out to you because the story was well told. Better yet, what are you reading now? Me? I’m reading Sacre Bleu by Christopher Moore and so far, enjoying it. Sláinte!
