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Thursday, May 26, 2011

Don't Be A Victim Of Your Past - Be The Author Of Your Future

Drawing by KT
When I'm writing a book, I find the middle is the most difficult part - and when you think about it, it's pretty much that way with everything in life.
Relationships start out awesome - it's the middle that's the rocky part - and if you get through the middle - the rough edges smooth out and it's usually smooth sailing.
A project always starts out great - everyone is excited - the middle drags because the excitement fades - and then suddenly you're closer to the end and the speed picks up again.
I'm in the middle of a book - I've been stuck here for awhile.
Many writers advise to write even when you don't feel like it. That's what I was trying to do yesterday, force the words.
There's a scene where one character is telling the other to forget the past and move on. I wanted a really good quote for that - I wanted it to be the character's own quote. What came out was long and sub par.
Finally, I gave up on writing and watched the finale of Oprah - damn if I didn't get teary eyed - then hang out with JT - and then, on the way to the gym, an idea of how to move the story forward came out of nowhere.
Lying in bed later that night - still thinking about the book,about life really, about my life, and how lucky I am and how all the struggle and drama in my life seemed to fade when I took responsibility for everything that happened. And when crap happened to me - I'd always try to find the lesson in it, or the 'silver lining' - my life became one long rainbow. Then a quote popped into my head:
"Don't be a victim of your past - be the author of your future." It was the perfect quote for my character.
You can't re-write your past - but you can write your future. You can change your story any time you choose.
Now - go forth and forget about your past and write the most fantastic story of your life!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings: So Good So Good So Good!

Since I've been getting back into shape this month, the sweets have been few and far between. But then Sara called me FREAKING OUT because she HATES apple pie but had these "Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings" at a friend's house and LOVED THEM.
So, here is the recipe. You can always use apple pie filling in place of the apple if you hate coring and peeling apples (even though it's only 1 apple!).

Enjoy, bitches!

Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1 package Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
1 granny smith apple (or whatever you have on hand!)
1 stick butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 light brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon (or Chinese Five Spice)
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup Mountain Dew
Grease 8x8 Dish.

Separate and stretch out Crescent Rolls.
Peel, core and cut apple into 8 pieces.  Place apple slices onto crescents, roll up and pinch to seal and place in dish. Melt butter and mix in sugar, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla. Pour on top of crescents. Pour Mountain Dew in pan. Bake 35 - 40 minutes. Serve with a side of locally made vanilla bean ice cream!