Writing With Hungery Kids

Summer is in full swing with the kids. This means my writing has taken a backseat to the grueling demands of four children. On the days I can write I found a system that works. I do have to admit it was hard getting used to the realization I no longer had the two plus hour time slot for writing that I now notably took for granted during the school year. I’m lucky if I get a few twenty minute jolts to punch out a chapter in between very loud children, messy diapers and hungry cries. ( This blog post has taken me an hour. Seriously.)

Feeding my children is what seems to interrupt my writing the most, next to them pestering each other. They eat all the time lately and it’s a never ending abyss of, “Mom, someone ate my snack.” or, “What’s for dinner?” And, that question is asked through out the day, even when it is well before noon. If they don’t know that I have an idea of what I will prepare, they think they won’t eat. EVER. Kids….. (Okay, here is a confession. If I don’t plan ahead we will end up getting drive thru  or a bowl of cold cereal.)

Here is a little system I’ve found works so the whole snapping me out of a writing zone for food cuts back a bit. I make a scheduled menu. Our town does this free lunch program and gave out menus so we knew what was being served. The kids knew this is was it and that was that. Light bulb! I made one for my family. Every Sunday afternoon I sit down and plan it out on paper then hung it on the fridge door for the family to see. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner. It really helped with the grocery list as well.

On the days that I have to crunch and meet a deadline, I get real organized. The night before I pack lunches for each child in their own containers, then put it in the fridge where they can reach it. Snacks too. It works! It’s just when I'm done with a writing session and come out to find the kids have turned the house upside down and that solution is for another post.

　

　

Getting the Feeling with Mini Pot Pies

Getting the right feeling in your writing is essential to the story. The reader needs to feel as though they are in the story and not watching from a distance. Getting this right isn’t easy sometimes. For me, I have to imagine myself as the person whom I’m writing. I have to tune out the world and place myself in the scene, imagine the sun on my skin, the sound of the leaves crunching under my feet. If it’s a scene where the reader will need to understand their feeling, I have to picture myself being chased, dodging bullets, hiding from a monster. That panic, heart pounding fear that would go along with it. My husband hates when I have to write a fight scene between a couple because I may take it out on him and give him a stink eye for a day or two, forgetting that it‘s not him I‘m mad at but a character in my story. When I do this, I have to make nice with the hubs, so I make him one of his favorite dishes to say sorry, it’s not him. It’s my crazy writers mind. (I’m sure I’m the only one who is this odd)

　

Mini Chicken Pot Pies


Ingredients

• 2 cups COOKED chicken breasts diced  (I use 2 larger cans of chicken, like the ones you get by the tuna in the store)
• 1 can cream chicken soup
• 1cup FROZEN veggies
• 1cup shredded cheese
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 can Pillsbury (any brand really) biscuits

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit

2.  In a large bowl, combine the chicken, soup, frozen veggies, cheeses, and seasonings.

3.  Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin and place the biscuit dough into each cup, pressing into the bottom and up the sides.

4.  Evenly spoon the soup mixture into each biscuit cup. Place filled tins in oven and bake for 15 minutes, Check at 12 minute mark.

　

Easy Fudge

The past few weeks have got away from me. Time seemed to be going at warp speed around me but I was standing still. One day my kids brought a reminder note home that I needed to send a baked treat for them to share, tomorrow. Only, my child didn’t give me said note until bedtime the night before. For the love!

 

Thankfully, I’m a chocolate hound and stash bags of chocolate chips in my pantry. (When I say stash, I mean like four or five bags tucked under the rolled oats inside a sealed plastic container in the back of the pantry… You never know when the craving will hit…) Anyway, I knew how to fix this. I have a simple quick recipe for fudge that tastes like a chocolate bar, and what child doesn’t like a candy bar?

 

You will need:

1 can of sweet and condensed milk

2 bags of milk chocolate chips

Dash of salt (I seriously do two pinches)

1 tsp of vanilla

Nut or Toffee (optional)

 

Melt s&c milk, salt, and chocolate chips together on low to medium heat.

Once melted to a creamy consistency remove from heat.

Add Vanilla (and optional nuts or toffee).

Stir well.

Pour into lined pan and chill until set. Dump out and cut into squares.  

 

 

A Sequel Dish; Not Just A Leftover

Seasons Greetings everyone! Have any of you ever got done reading a book and couldn’t wait to pick up the sequel? That excitement is pretty sick isn’t it? It’s even better when the second book surpasses the first. Pretty soon you are looking forward to the following installment. Each book similar with characters but different with plot and obstacles. You’ve met the characters and seen their growth as well.
This time of year with all the get-togethers with family and friends, the fridge sometimes gets over ran with leftovers. I know mine does. I feel like I am throwing out good food just so I can fit a gallon of milk on the bottom shelf. That juicy leftover turkey, fluffy stuffing, crisp carrots, and beans. All still good and waiting to be consumed, just taking up too much room in their little separate containers. Aw-ha! I have a yummy solution to help. Turkey casserole. The same food items as before, just now added to a new "format." Just how a book can go on to a sequel, that first good meal can be turned into a second tasty dish.

I bet I just made half of you go what? And squirm in your seat. Flashbacks of your mom’s days of cleaning out the fridge for Sunday Surprise Casserole just flooded back to you didn’t it? Well, this is different. (kind of, as in it’s planned and not, Hmmm is this still good?) That turkey you work hard on to serve at Christmas dinner can be enjoyed once more. (Other than in a turkey sandwich)

Turkey Casserole

6 cups cubed turkey

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 small carton sour cream

½ cup onions, chopped

1 cup carrots, shredded

1 cup green beans (canned or frozen)

2 pkg. Stove Top stuffing mix.

　

Sauté onions in butter until transparent. Cook carrots for 5 minutes in boiling water then drain, Add carrots to onions, soup, green beans, sour cream, and cubed turkey. Make stuffing mix accordingly to box directions. Spread half of stuffing in a 9x13 casserole dish. Pour turkey mixture over top of stuffing. Add remaining half of stuffing mix by spreading it over the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, until bubbling hot.

Neal Middleton of Royal Bliss Tells What Helps Him Write Music

 Neal Middleton is the lead singer in the rock band Royal Bliss. Neal has also had to over come some huge events in his life. In 2004, he was seriously injured in a near fatal accident that left him paralyzed in a wheel chair. After months of rehabilitation, Middleton miraculously got back on his feet and was able to walk again. (Neal still has only partial feeling in his right leg, but when you see him on stage, you‘d never know.)

I met Neal back in 2008 after one of the bands high powered concerts. No over exaggeration, this band really gets the crowd on its feet and pumped. I bought an album and couldn't stop listening to it. One night a particular song sparked an idea. The idea grew into my novel. All from one line in a song. (Hear the song here)

Some people have to have food to write. Me, I have to have music. This is why I asked Neal to join us today. He writes a lot of the band's music and lyrics.

Pots ‘n Pens: When writing, what is or has been a major influence?

Neal Middleton: Life, people in it and the experiences I have had. When I write lyrics they just kind of come out. I don't write them until the studio for the most part, it's just what is on my mind at that time. The songs on the new album are reflections of everything that we’ve been through over the past couple of years. I wrote the song “Crazy” about my son. He’s three years old and it’s really hard for him to understand why I’m not home. I explain to him that Daddy’s job is to travel. But it’s really tough to be away from family. 'Singing for Our Lives' is a song we wrote with Monty Powell (Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum) about the last 13 years of our lives. I sing for my life every day to provide for my family and put food on the table.

PnP: You mentioned before that when you guys (the band) started writing your last record, Waiting Out The Storm, you originally had written about 100 songs that over a 3 year process widdled down to the 16 to 18 songs recorded. I know with me I end up cutting and changing a lot of scenes as I go through edits as well. How does your writing lyrics and music change from start to finish?


NM: It's very similar to a movie or a book. You have your rough draft, then you take out the things you don't need and add ones you do. My lyrics are usually pretty rough in the start and then I fine tune them to drive it home a bit more.

PnP: When you toured with other bands such as Hinder, Puddle Of Mud, Buckcherry, Candlebox, and Papa Roach and appeared on the television show THE VOICE last year, did anything help influence the way you now write or perform?

NM: Not really. I think all of those experiences really taught me to be myself, be proud of who I am and my story. The Voice was strange and I am glad I made it our alive.

PnP: Is there a certain type of food or snack that is a must while writing or producing your music?

NM: Late night Mexican food, Cheez Its, beef jerky, and whiskey.

PnP:  I wondered if you would bring that up since two songs "I Was Drunk" and "Whiskey", both great by the way, sound like they were inspired by this style of beverage. If you were marooned on an island with only your guitar, one other musician and only one type of food, who and what would you pick?

NM: Wow.... Uh , hmmm marooned huh... How long? My wife will kill me but since its hypothetical situation I would say Gwen Stafani and Mexican food . That sounds like a good combo.

PnP: Indeed it does. Well, I bumped into Gwen a few months ago. Next time I’ll pass on the word. Only joking. Plus, the Gwen I saw wouldn’t make it very long on that island since she was made of wax.

Thank you, Neal, for chatting with us. It has been great getting to know this side of you. Be sure to check out Royal Bliss and their latest video "Crazy" by clicking here.

Royal Bliss

 



Reading With A Snack: Cake In A Jar

Fall is one of my favorite seasons. The kids are back in school and I can get a little time in to catch up on the to-be-read list. I enjoy curling up on the couch and (yes, I'll admit it) indulging a high calorie snack while I read.

One of those snacks is a nice slice of cake. The only problem, juggling the plate, fork, and book without getting crumbs all over your lap. Well, I found a simpler way. A friend of mine dropped by the other night with a treat. Cake in a jar. We ate it like you would a pudding cup, and it was lip smacking good too. With the holidays approaching I thought these would make cute little neighbor gifts as well. They are simple and quick to make, even the frosting is almost too simple.

Cake In a Jar

Ingredients

Yellow Cake:
1/2 stick of butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup half-and-half
Non-stick spray

Makes 4 mini glass jam jars

Chocolate Ganache Frosting:
1/4 cup half-and-half
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions
For the cake: preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy in a medium bowl. Add the eggs one at a time, beat/whisk in between each time. Add the vanilla and beat until mixed well.

Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together in a small bowl. Add half the flour mixture to butter mixture and mix until incorporated. Mix in the half-and-half, then remaining half of flour mixture.

Spray the inside of jars with nonstick spray and fill each jar up half way with batter. Place jars on cookie sheet and bake for about 20-25 minutes.

Meanwhile, for the Chocolate Ganache: Boil half-and-half in a saucepan. Add chocolate chips. Remove from burner and let the Ganache sit for 5 minutes. Whisk until smooth.

Once the cakes are done, let cool for 1 to 2 minutes. Spoon the Chocolate Ganache On top. Top jars with vacuum seal lids, the heat from the cake will seal lids as the cake cools.

Overwriting

Last night I made some of my dad’s famous country fried steaks he made back in the day at our family restaurant. The scent of worchestire sauce made my mouth water while flipping them over the final time. My hands shook with anticipation as I cut into my first piece. The fork inches from my mouth, I shut my eyes and closed my mouth around the meat, and chewed. My eyes popped open. The overwhelming taste of salt buzzed my tongue. I swallowed hard and instantly grabbed the glass of milk in front of me. Downing half of it in three gulps.

Too much of something can ruin a good thing, as you can see I have a pesky habit of over-writing. If I would have paid more attention while seasoning the streak would have been fine, but I got carried away. In my writing, I do the same. I have to tell myself keep it simple then after I tasted it, or re-read it, I can add more if needed. Although it is much easier to go back and review the story before anyone else can see it. Cooking is a little trickier, but like writing it takes practice.

　

Lee’s Country Fried Steak





Cubed steak
Flour
1 Egg
1 can evaporated milk
Your choice of steak seasonings
Melted butter (about 4 sticks)
Worchestire sauce
1 can of beer *OPTIONAL*
　
　
Mix flower with pepper in a cake pan. Whisk egg, milk, and beer together in brownie size pan. Pool about 2tbsp melted butter on hot grill.

Dip cubed steak in milk mixture then flour. Place battered steak in pooled butter. When blood raises to surface of meat, season, drizzle worchestire, and butter over top. Turn over and repeat until steak is cooked through center. *season to taste* *drizzle butter before you flip meat over each time.*

When done, top with gravy of choice and enjoy!

　

Simple and Sweet; Lemon Cake

At a family get together my cousin brought a cake. When we dished it up, we thought it was just a regular yellow sheet cake, but the first bite revealed we were wrong. It was lemon with homemade cream cheese icing and very delicious.

She whispered to me I’d never guess how easy it was to make it. After she told me I thought how this recipe could go along with what I’m experiencing with my revision. The base of the dish is lemon cake, nothing out of the ordinary. The frosting made from scratch adds a refreshing twist from the store bought can or in the literary world, cliché. In writing the base of the plot could be basic, but add your own new “flavor”, tone, or voice to the story and you have something that will stand out and be remembered.   

Yes, I know this post is short and sweet (see cliché), but its summer and we need to be outside moving around instead of looking at the computer screen all day. Well, I think I’d be fine doing such a thing but since I just said this to my kids, I’d better set the example. Enjoy your summer everyone!

Lemon Cake

• 1 box of lemon cake mix
• 1 small can of lemon pie filling
• 4 eggs

     Combine ingredients together and mix in large bowl. Bake as directed on cake mix box. Cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1 package (8oz) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ c butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp lemon extract (optional. I add this if icing for lemon cake)
• 4 to 4 ½ c powder sugar. (about 1lb)

     Beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla and lemon extract in bowl on medium speed. Add sugar gradually, beat until smooth. Spread on cooled cake.

Guess I'll Make Lemonade

My life is crazy busy right now. The kids are finishing up their last day of school, today actually. Summer program schedules are getting filled out and I have a deadline for a revision on Monday. Plus, this weekend also has a few events, my daughter’s birthday and it’s her year for a party (We let them have a b-day party on years they turn an even number), and a family reunion at my parents house that coincides with Memorial weekend.

After that I have a week break, kind of, because the following Saturday is going to be crazy. My son wanted to earn some money to buy his brother a bike that he could ride that costs around $400. See, his older brother has Autism and Fragile X Syndrome. He has sensory issues making it hard for him to balance a normal bike. He used to use training wheels but now that he is almost 12 years old, he is too big. Anyway back to what my other son is doing. I told him he didn’t need to buy the bike that his father and I were still saving to buy one. But he insisted the he wanted to work and earn the rest of the money so he could get it for him.

How could I tell him no? He’s almost 9 and wants to work, earn the money and not for his personal gain. I had to support him. He wanted to sell all his toys but his sister came up with a better idea, a lemonade stand. Here is the link to the post.

I posted the event on Facebook and sent a few invites out to my friends thinking it might get them ten or so customers. I never expected what would happen. It spread like wild fire. Those friends sent invites to other friends and then they passed it on. A newspaper contacted me and asked if they could run a story about the two’s lemonade stand for their brother. A valley magazine and local news station all called as well. As of today there has been over 1000 people invited to this juice stand and it still has a week until the event. That is a ton of lemonade.

This got me thinking about what kind of lemonade to make. I have an amazing recipe for one that looks like water. I love taking this to gatherings because everyone thinks its water until they take their first sip and it turns out to be sweet and lemony. Most of all addicting.

It reminded me of the old saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” I love those kinds of books that surprise you at the first chapter and you can’t put it down. That is how this drink is. You can’t just have one sip. You have to keep going even when your mind is telling you “Stop! Think of the calories.” Just like when you’re deep into the good read and it’s three in the morning but you just have to find out what happens next. That is when I know something is excellent and needs to be shared.

You will need:

• 5 gallon water cooler
• 8 cups sugar
• 4 tbls. lemon extract
• citric acid
• cold water
• ice

In 5 gallon water cooler add sugar and lemon extract. Add water ¾ the way to the top of cooler. Mix well with long spoon. Next add citric acid. This I do to taste starting at 4 tbls. If you like it stranger add a little more. Usually I use half the bottle. Stir. Finish by adding ice to the top off at 5 gallon mark to make it colder. Pour in a glass and enjoy.

This is another link to my blog, Writing My Chaos, that has a little video clip my son made to help explain how he feels about being the only child that doesn't have Fragile X Syndrome in his family.

Lists; One Ingredient Can Change Everything

I’m one of those crazy people that when they start a project, whether it be a story or let’s say a backyard barbecue, a list is made. My husband use to make quirky remarks about my jumbled notes scratched out on paper. He learned real quickly how important the lists are when he took off camping without me and didn’t have a spatula to flip his burgers.

Once I’ve decided who the main character is going to be, I give them their age. For me this sets the backbone for the whole story. Like when making the punch for your barbecue, are you going to make one the teenagers can drink or is it going to be for adults only? Sometimes you can add a little bit of fizz (you know, like that certain kind of tension teen’s like between characters that leaves them wanting more) for the young adults by mixing in a carbonated drink. But, if you’re entertaining for the more mature crowd that added adult kick might be just what you need. Simply changing one ingredient can alter the whole recipe.

After the choice of age, my lists have lists. What are the steps to get the outcome? The experience with relationships, if it’s a first love then everything is new. Then what happened to make the person who they are. That is cataloged for me to know how to develop the character and 90% of it never makes it in the story.

These lists are what help you make sure everything is ready to begin, stay on track, and provide an ending result that is pleasing to your audience.

With all this talk of beverages, I am sharing a punch that is family friendly but can be easily adapted for over 21.

CITRUS COOLER PUNCH

Photo courtesy of Shannon Swainston

1 can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

1 can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

½ cup grenadine syrup, chilled (optional)

1 bottle (32oz) ginger ale (or Sprite/7up) chilled

Prepare concentrates as directed on cans. Mix lemonade orange juice and syrup in large punch bowl; stir in ginger ale.

*If you’re going for the adult version, exchange the ginger ale with champagne.

Interview with Jasmine Richards

Today we have a guest all the way from England! I'm so excited to introduce you to this amazing and very beautiful Jasmine Richards. Now a little background about her. She was born in London, grew up in a library, and was the first in her family to go to university. After graduating from Oxford, and following a brief stint at New Scotland Yard, Jasmine chose a career in publishing over being the next Sherlock Holmes. Today she's a senior editor at a leading British publishing house. She now lives in Oxfordshire with her husband in an old wool mill. The Book of Wonders is her first novel and she would love to know what you think about it. Her website is JasmineRichards.com

Jasmine, I love the idea of you living in a renovated mill. I bet it could help give someone great writing ideas. Others (like myself) enjoy nibbling on something while working. What is your A+, number 1 writing snack?

On a good day it is hummus and pitta bread and on a bad day it is sweets, especially chewy cola bottles! Chewing helps me think!

I agree, gummy treats are awesome. Real quick, give us one cheesy “writing is like cooking” thought.

Writing is like cooking because sometimes the best dish is the one you didn’t know you were going to cook.

Speaking of writing, your book just came out. Share with us what inspired The Book of Wonders and what "ingredients" do you hope make it a tasty treat for readers?

The Book of Wonders draws on the tales of 1001 Nights also known as Arabian Nights. Many of the stories in 1001 Nights are well known and include Aladdin's Wonderful Lamp, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor. For those of you who haven’t read Arabian Nights they begin with a young woman called Scheherazade who tells tales to a cold-hearted sultan for 1001 nights in order to escape execution [the sultan has a nasty habit of executing his new wives!]. Through her stories, she manages to melt the sultan’s heart and they end up living happily ever after.

As a young reader, I loved these stories. I loved that Scheherazade was such a good storyteller and that she always made sure that she was at the most exciting bit of the story when the sun rose so that she would get to live for another day.

However, the 9 year old me was enraged by the idea that the sultan got a happy ending after killing lots of innocent young women! Even back then I wanted to create a new story, where the sultan was challenged and maybe even defeated.

With The Book of Wonders I have created an alternative version of events which I hope will keep readers guessing!

In terms of the ingredients that make my novel a tasty read I would say magic, friendship and adventure. That is what I like writing about and I hope that is what readers will get from my book. I also hope that reading The Book of Wonders might inspire them to read some of the tales in Arabian Nights. That would make me very happy indeed!



Can you share a bit about your next project?

At this very moment, I am writing the second part of Zardi’s and Rhidan’s adventure. It is provisionally called the Spell Scrolls but I still need to agree that title with my editor! In this second novel we get to learn more about Rhidan’s home, The Black Isle, and Zardi’s and Rhidan’s relationship is put under massive strain. I’m having an absolute blast writing it.

Sounds like you are busy writing away then. What’s your go-to meal when you need to serve something quick and easy?

Chilli Prawn linguine – it is so easy and so tasty.

Here is a link to this amazing dish!


If Pots ‘N Pens could grant you the wish that you could only live with one book and one food, what would it be?

I would choose Sophie’s Worldby Jostein Gaarder. This book had a huge influence on my understanding of the world and people when I was a teenager. I almost did a philosophy degree because of it! I love this story for its clarity yet complexity and urge you to have a read – you won’t see the world in the same way afterwards, I promise. I think if I could have only one book this one would keep me entertained.

In terms of food it would be my Grandma’s soup. This is a good old fashioned Caribbean soup which I have whenever I feel low or am feeling run down. I do a pretty good version of it but it is never as good as my Gram’s! It has pumpkin, chicken, carrots and dumplings in it. Yum, yum, yum.


Looks like we are out of time. It was a pleasure chatting with you. Congratulations on your book release.

Thanks so much for having me on your blog. If you would like to find out more about my book, read an excerpt or see the book trailer, please visit jasminerichards.com.

Valentines and Chocolates

Valentines Day brings out the mushy side in me and got it me thinking about the things I love. After compiling a mental list, I noticed that after my family the next two items were books and chocolate.

We’ve all read books that have us rooting for a certain girl to end up with that one guy. But, sometimes the author has done such a good job of creating characters it’s darn near impossible to pick what TEAM you want to win the girls heart. At the moment that series is Wings by Aprilynne Pike.

I usually have my favorite but she has made it really hard to pick. It’s kind of like a box of chocolates (got to love my Gump). They all look so good when you first open up the package. Then you taste a few, finding which ones have that flavor you’ve been craving. The truffles outer coating melts away to reveal a luscious center that coats your tongue, but the square shaped chocolates keep whispering to you, “When your teeth cracks my shell the rich gooey caramel will go perfect with that strawberry centered one you just ate.”  It’s vicious. Do I want Tamani or David to end up with Laurel?  They are completely different, but both desirable.

To go along with this post I’d planned on making my chocolates and sharing how great they are, but it didn’t happen. I got new floors instead and my house was turned upside down. I’m not joking, my children were lucky they were fed and dressed this past week. So, as a consolation prize I’m going to share another thing from the awesomeness of Aprilynne, a link over her post about her chocolates. Trust me they are WAY better than mine have ever turned out. Enjoy and have a great Valentines everyone.

Author Interview: Megan Curd

Hey everyone! Today joining us at the table is the talented Megan Curd. Megan is an exciting new author of fantasy books. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband, Matt, and their son Carter (aka Peanut). Bridger is her first book, soon to be followed by its sequel, Traitor. In early 2012 she will release Forbidden, the first book in a new series, The Guardian Chronicles.

What are three must-have seasonings in your kitchen?

I have to have red crushed pepper, lemon juice, and salt. I like my food hot, extra lemon juice on my seafood, and I'll end up giving myself a heart attack with the amount of salt I use on my food!

What is your A+, number 1 writing snack?

Texas Chili and a Turtle Mocha from Acoustic Cafe in Eau Claire, WI! Love that place.

What inspired your latest book, THE GUARDIAN CHRONICLES: FORBIDDEN, and what ingredients do you hope make it a tasty treat for readers?

THE GUARDIAN CHRONICLES Actually started from a dream I had. Cliché, I know, but that's the truth. I dreamt about this guy that was trying to fix his wrongs, but couldn't. I wondered what that'd be like, so I wanted to see what would come of that. Ingredient wise, readers will get a fresh take on a YA book and enjoy the twist on what the afterlife might hold. Plus there are cute boys. What more do you need? :)

Tell us about your edible specialty, and rate your skill in the kitchen: novice, not bad, or nominate me for a Michelin star.

I honestly stink at cooking. I'm lucky I married a man who loves to cook. :) I can make a pretty good chicken alfredo pizza, but that's the extent of my prowess in the kitchen.

If you could invite a character to dinner who would it be and what would you serve?

I would invite Albus Dumbledore, and I'd probably ask him to bring a house elf and have the little guy whip up some of the awesome food they have at Hogwarts! Is that cheating? :)

One final question, if you were marooned on an island, and Pots 'N Pens granted your wish for only one book and one food, what would you choose?

I would choose Angels & Demons by Dan Brown for the book, and my Mamaw's potato casserole for the food. I could live for quite a while on those!

Thank you Megan! Come visit us again when THE GUARDIAN CHRONICLES comes out. Oh, and have fun with your new baby!

A little info about her book BRIDGER, Ashlyn McVean doesn’t believe in fairy tales.

That is, until Ashlyn is thrown into the crosshairs of grudges her grandmother created long ago. After finding out she is one of two people able to cross between faerie realms, Ashlyn is faced with trying to understand her abilities, along with navigating a new relationship with her boyfriend, Liam. As if being on a centuries old hit list and dealing with crazed pixies isn’t enough, her new abilities mean trouble for Liam.

Knowing her new life puts everyone she loves in danger, Ashlyn must decide what’s most important in her life between friends, family, love and ultimately, realms.

BRIDGER is available now. Click here for more details. Megan Curd Books

Three Ladies Chatting at a Table with Lisa Amowitz

Good morning everybody! Today we are in for an amazing interview. We get to have a conversation with two amazing authors. One you have met already. She is another contributor on Pots ‘N Pens, Michelle McLean. *blows kisses to our wonderful readers* The other is the beautiful Lisa Amowitz. *smiles and waves to everyone while the room irrupts with applause*

Lisa is an artist, graphic designer and illustrator who writes young adult fiction. She is a mom of  an actual teen, so YA; She's living it. She is represented by the incredibly awesome Victoria Marini of Gelfman, Schneider, and is currently working on her most recent book, BREAKING GLASS. You can visit her on the web at: http://lisa-amowitzya.blogspot.com/

Hello Ladies, welcome to the table! If you were serving one of your characters his or her ideal meal, what would it be and why?

LA: Well, let's see. I write both dark supernatural YA and illustrate and write picture books (I have just completed a collaboration with your blogmate, Michelle McLean), so I would have to feed my two most recent MCs very different meals. For Jeremy Glass, the lovesick boy from BREAKING GLASS, I'd make chicken soup. Poor Jeremy can really use some mothering. As for Lyria, Michelle and my highly imaginative MC from our picture book, LYRIA'S EXTRAORDINARY WISH, I'd probably make something nutritious, yet magical--like a delicious yogurt parfait, topped blueberries, bananas, strawberries and honey.

MM – LOL the first thing I thought of was this cake I saw that was called Unicorn Birthday cake (or something like that). It was seven layers, each color of the rainbow, neon bright, covered in white frosting that glittered with sugar crystals. I think Lyria would LOVE that :)

I think my daughter would love that cake as well! She loves unicorns and glitter…Anyway back to your character. Let's say they are raiding your fridge right now, what are they most likely to eat? Are they disappointed or excited about what they find?

LA: I think BOTH my MCs would be incredibly unhappy. Jeremy exists on a diet of pizza, meatball heroes, Indian food and whatever takeout stuff his dad brings in. Lyria would most likely want mint butterscotch chocolate ice cream or whatever. I don't bring much sugary stuff into my house, so if either MC is interested in leftover broccoli soup or seafood pasta (actually Jeremy might approve of that) they'll be in heaven.

MM - I agree. Lyria is pretty much unhappy with everything about her ordinary world, and there is certainly nothing extraordinary in my fridge. She could probably dream up something fabulous though.

Share your favorite literary feast or treat. What makes this food and/or writing so memorable?

LA: I guess a memorable moment for me is when, in the first book of the Hunger Games, Katniss is treated to her very first sumptious meal in the train on the way to the Games. The way her mouth waters, even though she is consumed with guilt over how her friends and family back home will never experience such a savory delight, is so vivid and well written I can still practically taste the meal.

MM – one scene that has always stuck with me is that one from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (I believe) where Voldemort possesses Harry for a moment. Dumbledore and his friends are standing there helpless while Harry writhes in agony trying to fight Voldemort off. Just the thought of watching a loved one suffer like that, or suffering like that for your loved ones, was an very memorable image for me. If we are going for plain food…every feast scene in Harry Potter LOL How awesome would it be to just have tables full of amazing food appear before your eyes!

Is there a food you'd love to learn how to cook or a different genre or type of book you'd love to try to write?

LA: Hmmm...I think working on this picture book with Michelle was a big stretch for me. Though I am trained as an artist and illustrator and have been writing YA for years, I found writing in picture book language was nearly impossible. That's how I ended up begging the amazing Michelle for help. But I got more than help. I got a partner--a partner who has inspired me and spurred me toward real enthusiasm for the project. One thing I do plan to tackle down the road is a middle grade book. But first my agent would dearly like me to write another YA thriller to pair nicely with BREAKING GLASS.

MM – I’ve got to say, working on the picture book with Lisa has been beyond amazing for me. I actually write several different genres. Non-fiction, historical romances, and YA urban fantasies, as well as picture books. But I can’t draw to save my life. And the really stunning ideas for PBs aren’t always there for me. So to pair with Lisa, who had this amazing vision and is able to create these absolutely gorgeous illustrations has been a dream come true for me.

Actual cooking…yeah, I’d like to do it ALL better LOL I can bake, but my husband is the gourmet cook in the family. When I attempt anything other than spaghetti, the family revolts :)

What are three must-have foods/seasonings in your kitchen?

LA: pepper. olive oil. fresh garlic.

MM – chocolate, bread, chocolate :D

I love chocolate too, but my kids can sniff it out so it is never in my kitchen longer than a few hours. Speaking of kitchen, what's your favorite kitchen accessory or appliance? How about a favorite writing accessory or reference?

I LOVE my blending stick. It's how I make all my puree soups. My favorite writing accessory is the software Scrivener. I put all my research in there and do my outlining.

MM – umm it’s a toss - up between my microwave and toaster :D For writing, google. And I’m just starting to use Scrivener and liking it so far.

What is your A+, number 1 writing snack?

LA: that's easy--late at night it's a steaming mug of chai tea. For a writing lunch its egg salad on a rice cracker topped with a slice of tomato. Or if I want a quick breakfast, I make a scrambled egg, melt some cheddar cheese and top that with a slice of tomato.

MM – okay, Lisa is making me feel like such a slob LOL I generally go straight for the Goldfish crackers :)

If you could borrow one person's zest for writing and/or life, whose and why?

LA: I think I would borrow Michelle's! She is one of the most disciplined, positive and amazing people I know.  And she is lightning quick, reliable and super-efficient. Then there is my critique-mate Dhonielle Clayton, who is brimming with ideas, plans, and so much imagination I don't know how it fits into one tiny little woman. And last, can I borrow genius? I would borrow a QUARTER of the brain of my critique-mate Kate Milford (THE BONESHAKER, 2010). This woman is utterly, insanely brilliant and so jaw-droppingly creative it takes my breath away. And, guess what, she's as nice as a person can be. And one more? How about the amazing Libba Bray? I have had the good fortune of meeting her several times and she is SO funny, and kind that I would like a little (or a lot) of her GRACE. To be so successful, yet so grounded and have a sense of humor about herself is a thing to behold.

MM – I think my kids’ zest for everything. They get so excited over the littlest things – it always reminds me to look at the good in everything. Last Christmas, we got my kids little work desks and I stocked them with office supplies – pens, crayons, glue, paper – and I wrapped everything just for fun. My son opened the paper, looked confused but with a smile, and then said “I don’t know what to do with this but it’s awesome!” :) And I’d love to have their energy for sure :)

Please share one cheesy "writing is like cooking" thought.

LA: Don't have one of these.

MM – *crickets*  

What inspired your latest book, and what ingredients do you hope make it a tasty treat for readers?

LA: I guess part of what inspired BREAKING GLASS was thinking back to high school and how there was always some guy who would put me on a pedestal, but not really like me for who I really was. In other words, they would form some romantic notion of me, and love that person. I had a boyfriend like that and it always annoyed me that I couldn't really be myself. That's why we broke up after I went to college, because I came back as ME and that was that. Then, there is the somewhat spooky magical Northern Westchester town my close friends live in. The town is Croton-on-Hudson and the town in BREAKING GLASS (Riverton) is close visual replica of Croton, with its winding roads, gorges, reservoirs and rivers. Otherwise, I have no clue---it's just a mishmash of the dust collecting in my head.

MM – My lips are sealed on this one. Sorry.

Hey. I totally get it. What's cooking? Can you share a bit about your next project?

LA: Michelle has a whole lot of PB ideas up her sleeve, so she'll have to fill you in on those. My next WIP will be about a country boy who finds himself afflicted with a strange supernatural malady that puts him on the trail of a serial killer. I don't really want to say too much more about it!

MM – ah yes, poor Lisa…I’ll keep her drawing till the end of the century :) Since Lyria’s story is a bit more girl-centric, we want to do a book with a cute little boy hero who will have all sorts of fabulous adventures. And…I have a few more but I don’t want to send the illustrator into a panic attack ;-) For my other projects, I have an NF book on how to write poetry and my fiction WIPs a historical about 3 sisters set in Gold Rush California and a YA urban fantasy partial verse novel :)

 What's your go-to meal when you need to serve something quick and easy?

LA: A variation of the above---melted cheese on a rice cracker topped with tomato.

MM – spaghetti – it’s fast, easy, and my kids will eat it

If your book were a menu item, describe the restaurant that would serve it?

LA: BREAKING GLASS CAFE would be dark, moody and candlelit. There would be Tarot card readings and the waitresses would all be dressed like Pirate Queens. There would be no alcohol, but you'll have to read the book to find out why.

MM – hmm I think it would be very bright and colorful, with wispy drapes of iridescent fabrics hanging from the ceilings, crystal drop chandeliers, with a glass bottomed floor above a massive fish tank…and they would only serve desserts :D

LA: I think I’d rather eat at Lyria’s Luncheonette than the Breaking Glass Café. J

Tell us about your edible specialty, and rate your skill in the kitchen: novice, not bad, or nominate me for a Michelin star.

LA: I make a great ratatouille with eggplant, zucchini and polenta. I would rate myself as an intermediate cook--definitely not Julia Child, but not half bad. No one starves in my house. One thing I am awful at is baking. I leave that to my husband (not that he is that good, but beggars can't be choosers). :)

MM – I can bake – I make a chocolate cake to die for :D but cooking…yeah, not so much. I mean I’m not horrible…but I’m close :D

Describe the best cook you know and something wonderful he or she has served you.

LA: My dear friend Debbie Cohen is a great cook, but her son, college student Josh Karp is an awesome baker. Now, 20, when Josh was 13 he made a peach tart that was literally the best thing I ever tasted in my life. Sadly he is much too busy (and far away) at college--but I know we'll get him back in the kitchen eventually. (Hi Josh!)

MM – my husband. He really should have been a chef, he’s AMAZING. We do a huge taco night once or twice a month with the neighbors. He makes this incredible marinated shredded pork with homemade chips and a corn guacamole that I could live off of. And his souvlaki is soooo yummy!

Leftovers can be great, especially when the same ingredients are retasked into another magical meal. Name a book that you wish had a sequel (or another sequel) and what kind of story you think that literary remix would tell.

I adore the Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness. I would nearly sell my soul for a fourth book in that series (or fifth or sixth). AND I am still waiting for another book by Marcus Zusak of the Book Thief. Drumming my fingers. Marcus? What the heck is taking you so long? Oh, and while we are at it, Libba Bray, what about a sequel to Going Bovine? And lastly--if only there was a sequel to one of my favorite books of all time. The Secret Garden. Hmmmm..maybe my MC can bring Frances Hodgson Burnett back from the dead to write that one.

MM – hmm you know, I really liked The Host by Stephanie Meyer. Keep hoping for a sequel to that one.

Not every idea is a winner. Written or not, what's the most ill-conceived story idea you've ever had?

LA: I had this idea of alien kids growing up on Earth with a jewel in their bellies that transmitted a signal to the other alien kids. Yeah. NOT!

MM – lol I wrote this picture book about a caveman who had to learn to share and he gathered a bunch of stuff for a meal and ended up sharing his fish and caveman salad with a dinosaur (because, you know, I wanted him to have a healthy meal lol) :D

Too much salt can ruin an exquisite meal and the perfect dessert tempers earlier mistakes. What ingredients can destroy a book through overuse or salvage a book despite its flaws?

LA: I have a long list...

Negatives:

LA: Too many exclamation points.

To many dialogue tags. Add adjectives and it gets even worse. (said, Mary, excitedly.)

Passive writing--I think that's what this is called (I saw the man lift the vase. I smelled the lingering smoke)

An unlikable MC

excessive description of items, scenes, etc that have nothing to do with the narrative

Telling the reader in the first paragraph the color of the mc's hair and eyes--particularly while they look in the mirror.

Positives:

Beautiful, lyrical writing

a great mc with great dialogue

a clever and unique plot

MM – negatives – too much body language, especially during dialogue. Force-feeding the reader info or being redundant. Trying to use dialogue to info dump “You know Mom, the tall blonde with the glasses who went to Harvard and then gave up her career to raise five boys? She’s making lasagna for dinner, your favorite meal!”

For me, a great character saves the book every time. The rest might be dreadful but if I care about the character, I’ll usually put up with the rest.

Tell about a time when food inspired your writing or a book inspired your cooking.

LA: I have a blog post from February 2010. I had just seen Julie/Julia, the movie and ran out to buy a fancy French casserole dish. It was a time that I was feeling rather blue about my writing..but cooking excited me--and not just for the outcome, but for the simple joy of it. I decided to approach my writing the same way--focus on the process and worry about the results later. It paid off--that summer I signed with my wonderful, wonderful, (I can't praise her enough) agent Victoria Marini and haven't looked back. Oh--and I do like to make sure Victoria gets her share of cupcakes, though she wouldn't want any I baked myself. :)

MM – I read a blog post from someone who had just come back from a trip to England. They had tried lime marmalade there and loved it. I’d heard of orange marmalade, but never lime. It sounded delicious lol So it became my MC’s favorite breakfast item :)

If you could invite a character to dinner who would it be and what would you serve?

I would invite Molly Weasly from Harry Potter and ask her to conjure the meal. She is one tough chick and I love her!

MM – agreed!

Me too! She’d have to be a great cook with all those boys. One last question, if you were marooned on an island, and Pots 'N Pens granted your wish for only one book and one food, what would you choose?

LA: Oh--man. Harry Potter of course! And the food? Papaya? Refreshing, healthy and sweet? Uhhh--I think I would hate that after the first day if it was all I had to eat. Maybe I should change it to rice pudding. I never get sick of rice pudding, but I try to avoid it since it is one of the most fattening foods on the planet!

MM – hmm probably Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I love that book (well the series really). And it’s really long so that would be helpful. As for a food…something I wouldn’t find on the island…like steak LOL

Pudding and steak, sounds good to me. Thank you, ladies. It was a joy talking to you. We look forward to reading your work.

Author Cami Checketts Shares Homemade Wheat Bread

Cami is a part-time author, part-time exercise consultant, part-time housekeeper, full-time wife, and overtime mother of four adorable boys. Sleep and relaxation are fond memories. She's never been happier. For more information on Cami's books: www.camichecketts.com http://camicheckettsbooks.blogspot.com.

Cami's latest release is The Sister Pact

Savannah Compton finds her sister, Allison, unconscious. Blood is spurting from Allison’s head and her toddler is screeching for Mommy. The handsome detective at the door believes Savannah is to blame.

Is there a food you’d love to learn how to cook or a different genre or type of book you’d love to try to write?
I'd love to learn how to make sugar cookies. Mine are always hard or falling apart. It's a sad situation when young boys never get the chance to decorate sugar cookies because their Momma is too cheap to buy them from the bakery and too lazy to master them.

I would love to write historical fiction but it's kind of like sugar cookies - too lazy to do the research. I'm sure if I tried historical fiction the readers would have to correct me often and it would be horribly embarrassing.

What’s your favorite kitchen accessory or appliance? How about a favorite writing accessory or reference?
Favorite kitchen appliance is the dishwasher. I throw things in dirty and they come out clean - fabulous!

Favorite writing reference is the internet. When I started writing I didn't have internet access. Imagine anything you needed to research (agents, publishers, the layout of New York City's subway so you can blow it up in your book) instead of just typing a few words and clicking you had to go to the library and actually read a book.

What inspired your latest book, and what ingredients do you hope make it a tasty treat for readers?
I had a nightmare that I was playing with my boys in the backyard and a man walked up and shot me. I started thinking, What would make someone do that to a sweet little Mom?

I hope it's a treat they can't get enough of. I hope it's so intriguing they want to keep reading and reading and then go and tell all their friends about it. (I like to dream big.)

What’s your go-to meal when you need to serve something quick and easy?

Spaghetti. We bottle our own sauce straight from the garden. It's amazing. I used Ragu once and none of my boys would eat it. (They're cute but definitely spoiled.)

Oh, do I understand wasting a perfeclty good plate of pasta. My husband hates spaghetti and will only eat it if I use a certain sauce. Picky Picky!

Tell about a time when food inspired your writing or a book inspired your cooking.
I love Josi Kilpack's culinary mysteries. I cannot read one of those without trying at least a couple of the recipes. The only time I didn't like all the yummy food references was when I tried to read Key Lime Pie while in labor with my fourth son. Contractions and thoughts of food do not work well together!

If you were marooned on an island, and Pots 'N Pens granted your wish for only one book and one food, what would you choose?

Wow. Thanks for the easy question. Hmm, the food would be my homemade bread (though I'd likely perish without Extreme Mouse Tracks ice cream).

The book would have to be The Book of Mormon. There are a lot of amazing books out there but The Book of Mormon is my all-time favorite.

Cami's homemade wheat bread

3/4 cup applesauce

2/3 cup oil

1/2 cup honey

2 Tbsp. salt

Mix together

Add:

5 1/2 cups warm water

10-12 cups finely ground wheat flour

1/3 cup vital wheat gluten

Mix for five minutes.

While you wait, mix 1/2 cup warm water with 2 1/2 Tbsp. yeast.

Add yeast mixture and 1-3 cups white flour or until dough pulls away from the edges of pan.

Shape into loaves, let raise.

Bake 350 for 20 – 40 minutes (I’m obviously not good at timing things. I wait for mine to smell good and pull them out when they’re brown.)

Thanks Cami, it was a joy to talk to you. I LOVE fresh baked bread and can't wait to try baking (I should really say murder 'cause I tend to burn my bread *sigh*) this.  Check out what Cami is up to over on her site by clicking on the links by her picture above.