A slump. The doldrums. Listlessness.
You know--the middle of winter with no spring flowers in sight?
It's not easy to stay inspired.
Ever since January 1, 2013, I've been inspired and I've stayed there. No, I don't have supernatural powers. I have no exciting developments in the works. I can't even attribute the success to my usual culprits--Coke and chocolate.
When I thought about why this year was different, why this year I've managed to stay on top of my goals and not get down about where I want to be as opposed to where I am, I can attribute it to two things.
1. I'm surrounded by people who inspire me.
2. I surround myself with things that inspire me.
I've contacted several good writer friends regularly over the last six weeks, and each of them is taking on a new challenge. I love hearing the excitement in their voices. I anticipate getting e-mails on their progress. And I applaud their willingness to try something new, something a little scary, something without any guarantees.
Hearing their go-get-em attitude boosts my own. Worry disappears. That bud of an idea in my head, the one I've pooh-poohed for a few years? Maybe it's time. No, it IS time.
The negative side of me throws up objections. That's when I go beyond my friends to the things that inspire me. I listen to positive music. I read Bible passages and say affirmations. I set lofty goals each day, and I do my best to meet them.
I'm convinced worry and doubt keep us from our goals. They are killers. We allow these insecurities to dig a grave for our most precious dreams.
It doesn't have to be that way! We can fight the negativity. Ignore the doubts. Set fire to the inactivity holding us back.
Think of a friend or acquaintance who inspires you. Contact her (or him). Ask her what she's working on. Let her enthusiasm light your own. Gather a slew of tools to keep you inspired. Music, books, quotes, a pretty picture, magazines, videos, flowers--I don't care! Just make it happen!
How do you stay inspired? Do you have a go-to person who encourages you?
Have a terrific Wednesday!
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Shredded Chicken as a Meal Starter
I've been a stay-at-home-mom for years, and I've learned invaluable tips for easy, delicious, inexpensive meals. We, like any other family, are on the go a lot, so I need several go-to recipes on hand.
One of my favorite tricks involves bone-in chicken breasts and my crock pot. Around here, bone-in chicken breasts regularly go on sale for under $2.00 a pound, sometimes as low as $1.19 a pound. When I spot a good deal, I'll buy a family-size package. It usually contains five large breasts and costs between five and ten dollars.
I load all of the chicken in my crock pot, and I add a chicken bouillon cube, 1/4 cup of water, and a dash of salt and pepper. The chicken cooks on high all day, and later that evening, I remove the skins and all the bones before shredding the meat. Then I package the meat from each breast into an individual Ziploc baggie, and throw the baggies in the freezer. This gives me four to five meal starters.
Here are some of my favorite ways to use shredded chicken.
1. Homemade chicken noodle soup.
2. Homemade chicken pot pie (I used refrigerated pie crusts when I'm crunched for time.)
3. Chicken salad sandwiches
4. Chicken enchiladas
5. Chicken Tetrazzini
6. Chicken & stuffing casserole (This is super simple. Take a package of Stove Top stuffing mix, prepare it according to directions, stir in a can of cream of mushroom soup and a package of shredded chicken, throw the whole thing in a casserole, top with cheddar cheese, and bake at 375 for 20 minutes.)
7. Chicken over biscuits
8. Buffalo chicken dip (with tortilla chips)
9. Barbecue chicken sandwiches
It's amazing how easy it is to put dinner together when you already have cooked meat prepared!
Do you have any meal starters you can share? I'm always on the lookout for easy, inexpensive meals!
Thanks!
One of my favorite tricks involves bone-in chicken breasts and my crock pot. Around here, bone-in chicken breasts regularly go on sale for under $2.00 a pound, sometimes as low as $1.19 a pound. When I spot a good deal, I'll buy a family-size package. It usually contains five large breasts and costs between five and ten dollars.
I load all of the chicken in my crock pot, and I add a chicken bouillon cube, 1/4 cup of water, and a dash of salt and pepper. The chicken cooks on high all day, and later that evening, I remove the skins and all the bones before shredding the meat. Then I package the meat from each breast into an individual Ziploc baggie, and throw the baggies in the freezer. This gives me four to five meal starters.
Here are some of my favorite ways to use shredded chicken.
1. Homemade chicken noodle soup.
2. Homemade chicken pot pie (I used refrigerated pie crusts when I'm crunched for time.)
3. Chicken salad sandwiches
4. Chicken enchiladas
5. Chicken Tetrazzini
6. Chicken & stuffing casserole (This is super simple. Take a package of Stove Top stuffing mix, prepare it according to directions, stir in a can of cream of mushroom soup and a package of shredded chicken, throw the whole thing in a casserole, top with cheddar cheese, and bake at 375 for 20 minutes.)
7. Chicken over biscuits
8. Buffalo chicken dip (with tortilla chips)
9. Barbecue chicken sandwiches
It's amazing how easy it is to put dinner together when you already have cooked meat prepared!
Do you have any meal starters you can share? I'm always on the lookout for easy, inexpensive meals!
Thanks!
Friday, February 15, 2013
Things I Just Didn't Get This Week
Sunday rolled around, and I'm not going to lie, I was a bit sad football was over. *sigh*
But...the 55th Annual Grammy Awards and the mid-season premier of The Walking Dead were scheduled, so I figured I would survive.
I didn't watch the entire Grammy Award's show, but I caught enough to think huh. And the episode of The Walking Dead? Not my favorite.
Here are some things I just didn't get.
1. Jennifer Lopez's dress. An ill-fitting, shredded Hefty bag? You can see it on this MTV link.
2. Jack White's performance. All I could think the entire time I watched it was--opium den? In a backwoods shack, perhaps?
3. Adele's dress. Yikers. You can see it on this Huffington Post link.
4. Unnecessary exposure. Katie Perry and Rihanna, please cover the girls up.
No, I'm not a grouchy old hag (well, okay, I am). There was plenty to like about the Grammy's, and Bruno Mars topped my list. He's an amazing live performer. The tribute to Dave Brubeck with "Take Five" made my night! I also thought Taylor Swift was adorable, and I loved how she sang along to all the performances. Carrie Underwood always keeps it classy in the dress department, and I hope more starlets will take their cues from her.
Moving on to The Walking Dead. (Spoiler alert!!)
5. Andrea. She's on my nerves.
6. When Rick and company went on a mission to save Glen and Maggie (previous episode), they left the prison manned with a crippled elderly man, a middle-aged woman, a shady convict, an older teen girl, a young teen boy, and a baby? Really? You wouldn't leave one of your stronger, reliable men to help defend the prison? Okey-dokey.
7. Rick is going crazy? Again? I realize it's only been one week since Laurie died in childbirth and was eaten by a zombie, but this storyline doesn't work for me. Unless you introduce a new character who is a psychiatrist to the group, I don't get it, I probably won't get it, so let's make this storyline go away.
8. No one trusts Michonne even though she's helped them, but they trust the the new people in the prison enough to give them shovels to bury their dead? Yes. Smart move.
I miss the revelations, zombie killing, and heightened danger of the first two seasons. Yes, they are kind of safe in the prison, but the whole show has a dreary feel to it and with so few original characters left, it's hard to root for their survival. I'm glad new characters have been introduced, and I'm hoping the depressed vibe dissipates soon. I also want more answers to how the outbreak started, how long zombies can survive, and what the future holds.
So there you go. Sorry I'm such a snarky meanie sometimes. Was there anything you just didn't get this week? Please share!
Have a terrific Wednesday!
But...the 55th Annual Grammy Awards and the mid-season premier of The Walking Dead were scheduled, so I figured I would survive.
I didn't watch the entire Grammy Award's show, but I caught enough to think huh. And the episode of The Walking Dead? Not my favorite.
Here are some things I just didn't get.
1. Jennifer Lopez's dress. An ill-fitting, shredded Hefty bag? You can see it on this MTV link.
2. Jack White's performance. All I could think the entire time I watched it was--opium den? In a backwoods shack, perhaps?
3. Adele's dress. Yikers. You can see it on this Huffington Post link.
4. Unnecessary exposure. Katie Perry and Rihanna, please cover the girls up.
No, I'm not a grouchy old hag (well, okay, I am). There was plenty to like about the Grammy's, and Bruno Mars topped my list. He's an amazing live performer. The tribute to Dave Brubeck with "Take Five" made my night! I also thought Taylor Swift was adorable, and I loved how she sang along to all the performances. Carrie Underwood always keeps it classy in the dress department, and I hope more starlets will take their cues from her.
Moving on to The Walking Dead. (Spoiler alert!!)
5. Andrea. She's on my nerves.
6. When Rick and company went on a mission to save Glen and Maggie (previous episode), they left the prison manned with a crippled elderly man, a middle-aged woman, a shady convict, an older teen girl, a young teen boy, and a baby? Really? You wouldn't leave one of your stronger, reliable men to help defend the prison? Okey-dokey.
7. Rick is going crazy? Again? I realize it's only been one week since Laurie died in childbirth and was eaten by a zombie, but this storyline doesn't work for me. Unless you introduce a new character who is a psychiatrist to the group, I don't get it, I probably won't get it, so let's make this storyline go away.
8. No one trusts Michonne even though she's helped them, but they trust the the new people in the prison enough to give them shovels to bury their dead? Yes. Smart move.
I miss the revelations, zombie killing, and heightened danger of the first two seasons. Yes, they are kind of safe in the prison, but the whole show has a dreary feel to it and with so few original characters left, it's hard to root for their survival. I'm glad new characters have been introduced, and I'm hoping the depressed vibe dissipates soon. I also want more answers to how the outbreak started, how long zombies can survive, and what the future holds.
So there you go. Sorry I'm such a snarky meanie sometimes. Was there anything you just didn't get this week? Please share!
Have a terrific Wednesday!
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
What Are Your Valentine's Day Plans?
Another Valentine's day is almost here. When I was young, I loved Valentine's Day. I adored the little cards and their teeny-tiny envelopes. Someone in my class always gave out cherry-flavored red heart suckers. Sometimes I would talk my mom into letting me take heart-shaped sugar cookies with strawberry frosting.
Yes, Valentine's Day was lovely back in the day.
Now that I'm older, it all too often involves a round of:
- Figuring out how many after-school activities are on the schedule that night.
- Moaning about how expensive restaurants are and remembering the recent mediocre meals we paid top dollar for.
- Wondering what says "romance" to a guy on a twenty dollar budget?
- Flipping over a greeting card and gasping. They're really five bucks now?
- Coming up with alternatives to the whole thing--a nice meal at home, maybe even a romantic movie, all guys like candy, right? And he'll just throw away the card so why bother taking out a second mortgage for one...
Yes. I write romance and am romantically challenged. Romance probably should mean not looking at the price on the back of the card, not caring if the restaurant isn't worth it, going over budget on a cool gift, and just saying no to any extra-curricular activity. But I'd be lying if I said I did all that!
As I write this, I'm brainstorming a fun gift basket for my hubby. I'm planning on making a tasty meal. And--since I'm being really romantic--I'm scoping out what college basketball games are on television that night. I know the way to his heart!
What are your plans this V-Day? Is it stressful for you? Or do you love it?
Have a terrific weekend!
Yes, Valentine's Day was lovely back in the day.
Now that I'm older, it all too often involves a round of:
- Figuring out how many after-school activities are on the schedule that night.
- Moaning about how expensive restaurants are and remembering the recent mediocre meals we paid top dollar for.
- Wondering what says "romance" to a guy on a twenty dollar budget?
- Flipping over a greeting card and gasping. They're really five bucks now?
- Coming up with alternatives to the whole thing--a nice meal at home, maybe even a romantic movie, all guys like candy, right? And he'll just throw away the card so why bother taking out a second mortgage for one...
Yes. I write romance and am romantically challenged. Romance probably should mean not looking at the price on the back of the card, not caring if the restaurant isn't worth it, going over budget on a cool gift, and just saying no to any extra-curricular activity. But I'd be lying if I said I did all that!
As I write this, I'm brainstorming a fun gift basket for my hubby. I'm planning on making a tasty meal. And--since I'm being really romantic--I'm scoping out what college basketball games are on television that night. I know the way to his heart!
What are your plans this V-Day? Is it stressful for you? Or do you love it?
Have a terrific weekend!
Monday, February 11, 2013
My Blog's Greatest Hits!
Guess what? This is my 637th post! Can you believe it?
Yes, I started blogging way back in August 2008, and I've had so much fun along the way. On a whim the other night, I skimmed through the titles of my old posts, and I realized how many of them are still relevant. So I selected my favorite--and most popular--posts and created a Best Of List. It's on my Articles Page, and I will continue to add to it throughout the year.
I'm fascinated by what topics cause readers to read my blog. Based on number of pageviews, here are my most popular posts.
1. Vision Boards (03/24/2010)
One of the reasons this post became popular is that it caught attention on social media sites, and many people who don't normally read my blog stopped by. Unfortunately, someone pirated it and I had to send a cease and desist letter. With the good comes bad. :)
2. 3 Topics For Writers To Avoid on Social Networks (01/14/11)
I wrote this at a peak time in social networking. Many writers were getting their feet wet on Twitter and in Facebook, and this post wasn't your typical "don't talk politics and religion" advice.
3. 17 Simple Steps to Build a Fiction Platform (06/06/11)
The title sums it up. In 2011, agents and editors started really changing their tune about writers needing an Internet presence. Writers who had successfully avoided marketing themselves online realized they needed to build a platform or get left behind. All of my posts on social networking did, and continue to do, well.
For easy access to the complete linked list of my most popular posts, head to my Articles Page, which can always be found from the Extras Page. This is a permanent feature in my website, so please stop by anytime! You'll also find links to all of my videos, a page of resource links, and information about my speaking topics in the Extras.
If you're a blogger, do you know what your most popular posts are? Did the topics surprise you? Care to share?
Have a terrific Monday!
Yes, I started blogging way back in August 2008, and I've had so much fun along the way. On a whim the other night, I skimmed through the titles of my old posts, and I realized how many of them are still relevant. So I selected my favorite--and most popular--posts and created a Best Of List. It's on my Articles Page, and I will continue to add to it throughout the year.
I'm fascinated by what topics cause readers to read my blog. Based on number of pageviews, here are my most popular posts.
1. Vision Boards (03/24/2010)
One of the reasons this post became popular is that it caught attention on social media sites, and many people who don't normally read my blog stopped by. Unfortunately, someone pirated it and I had to send a cease and desist letter. With the good comes bad. :)
2. 3 Topics For Writers To Avoid on Social Networks (01/14/11)
I wrote this at a peak time in social networking. Many writers were getting their feet wet on Twitter and in Facebook, and this post wasn't your typical "don't talk politics and religion" advice.
3. 17 Simple Steps to Build a Fiction Platform (06/06/11)
The title sums it up. In 2011, agents and editors started really changing their tune about writers needing an Internet presence. Writers who had successfully avoided marketing themselves online realized they needed to build a platform or get left behind. All of my posts on social networking did, and continue to do, well.
For easy access to the complete linked list of my most popular posts, head to my Articles Page, which can always be found from the Extras Page. This is a permanent feature in my website, so please stop by anytime! You'll also find links to all of my videos, a page of resource links, and information about my speaking topics in the Extras.
If you're a blogger, do you know what your most popular posts are? Did the topics surprise you? Care to share?
Have a terrific Monday!
Friday, February 8, 2013
Why I Recommend the Frasier Contest
Last year I was polishing a manuscript, and I noticed the announcement that The Frasier Contest was open. Several friends were members of My Book Therapy, the Craft and Coaching Community for Novelists founded by Susan May Warren, and they always had wonderful things to say about it.
I read through the Frasier guidelines, saw the terrific line-up of final judges, and figured I might as well enter. If I made it to the final round, I'd be a clear winner since I would get feedback from Susan May Warren, a top agent, and a top editor. Expert advice isn't easy to come by in this business.
Last year was pretty rough on me, but entering this contest was a bright spot, because on the day they announced the finalists, I got a message on my answering machine--from Susan May Warren herself!
I quickly made a house rule--no one deletes the message from Susie. No one! (Yes, I listened to it many times in the upcoming months!)
The winner would be announced during the MBT Pizza Party at the ACFW National conference, and I was actually attending the conference for the first time.
Did I win? No, but I truly was not disappointed. For me, being one of the final five was winning.
Not long after, I received all of my score sheets. When I read through the comments of the final judges, I was filled with gratitude. They all gave great suggestions and were very kind and encouraging. I reworked the opening 100 pages as a result!
Besides the great advice, I benefited in a few other ways. As a finalist, I had the opportunity to write an article for the now-retired e-zine, Voices. My Book Therapy also pays to advertise the finalists of The Frasier in the ACFW conference program, and several people I'd never met congratulated me. Ego boost! The pizza party gathered a small army of writers, and Susan herself made a point to encourage each finalist. This woman's generosity amazes me!!
I have been writing full-time for six years. There has never been a time that I didn't welcome expert advise. I still need it. I'll always need it. This kind of knowledge is precious.
What are you waiting for? The Frasier Contest can only help your writing!
Have you entered The Frasier contest? Are you considering entering this year? I'd love to cheer you on!
Have a terrific weekend!
I read through the Frasier guidelines, saw the terrific line-up of final judges, and figured I might as well enter. If I made it to the final round, I'd be a clear winner since I would get feedback from Susan May Warren, a top agent, and a top editor. Expert advice isn't easy to come by in this business.
Last year was pretty rough on me, but entering this contest was a bright spot, because on the day they announced the finalists, I got a message on my answering machine--from Susan May Warren herself!
I quickly made a house rule--no one deletes the message from Susie. No one! (Yes, I listened to it many times in the upcoming months!)
The winner would be announced during the MBT Pizza Party at the ACFW National conference, and I was actually attending the conference for the first time.
Did I win? No, but I truly was not disappointed. For me, being one of the final five was winning.
Not long after, I received all of my score sheets. When I read through the comments of the final judges, I was filled with gratitude. They all gave great suggestions and were very kind and encouraging. I reworked the opening 100 pages as a result!
Besides the great advice, I benefited in a few other ways. As a finalist, I had the opportunity to write an article for the now-retired e-zine, Voices. My Book Therapy also pays to advertise the finalists of The Frasier in the ACFW conference program, and several people I'd never met congratulated me. Ego boost! The pizza party gathered a small army of writers, and Susan herself made a point to encourage each finalist. This woman's generosity amazes me!!
I have been writing full-time for six years. There has never been a time that I didn't welcome expert advise. I still need it. I'll always need it. This kind of knowledge is precious.
What are you waiting for? The Frasier Contest can only help your writing!
***
Entries for the 2013 MBT Frasier Contest for unpublished
novelists will be accepted through Saturday, March 31, at 11:59 p.m. The
contest is open to Voices members. The winner will receive a scholarship to a
My Book Therapy coaching retreat ($500 value). Final round judges are
award-winning author Susan May Warren; literary agent Steve Laube and a TBD
fiction acquisitions editor. For more information, FAQs and to enter, visit www.mybooktherapy.com.
***
Have you entered The Frasier contest? Are you considering entering this year? I'd love to cheer you on!
Have a terrific weekend!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
How I Multi-Task My Writing
I have big plans for the next two months, and it means being very specific with my time.
In order to achieve my writing goals, I decided to work on more than one project at once. Yes, I'm multi-tasking, and yes, I'm enjoying it!
When faced with a towering to-do list, I always take twenty minutes to plan what I can delete from the list and how I'll get the remainder done.
First, I determined what would feel like a win each day, and I knew without a doubt that making progress on my most pressing project, we'll call it Book A, would give me that boost. Since I want this done soon, I'm devoting the bulk of my hours to it.
Here's the thing, if I don't make progress early in the day, my mood sours, I inhale chocolate, and I mentally beat myself up. Then the procrastination sets in, and Facebook becomes much more important than work. Oh, and Book A? Grows into a big, ugly bear--one I know I can't defeat.
The solution? Rules!
Here is my list of rules for the next two months. (I'll reevaluate my goals in early April and make a new set of rules then.)
1. After a short session of checking in social media sites and reading e-mail, I block off a large chunk of time for Book A. I also set a deadline for each phase to stay on track and prevent myself from quitting early.
2. Twice a week, I work on my Extra Projects. I set aside thirty minutes to an hour to research, write, or edit these.
3. Late in the afternoon or in the evening, I spend an hour working on Book B, which is in the early stages. Right now I'm working on pre-writing tasks, but soon, I'll be writing the first draft.
4. When Book A is finished later this month, I'll bump Book B to top priority, continue setting aside time for the extra projects, and I'll throw revising Book C into my late afternoon, evening spot.
Honestly, I can achieve more when I make smart decisions. If I only worked on Book A, I would be short-changing myself. Switching gears helps me stay fresh, and I find I'm not as mentally tired at the end of the day because I've challenged myself on different levels.
Do you work on more than one writing project at once? Or does your brain work better with one at a time?
Have a fabulous Wednesday!
In order to achieve my writing goals, I decided to work on more than one project at once. Yes, I'm multi-tasking, and yes, I'm enjoying it!
When faced with a towering to-do list, I always take twenty minutes to plan what I can delete from the list and how I'll get the remainder done.
First, I determined what would feel like a win each day, and I knew without a doubt that making progress on my most pressing project, we'll call it Book A, would give me that boost. Since I want this done soon, I'm devoting the bulk of my hours to it.
Here's the thing, if I don't make progress early in the day, my mood sours, I inhale chocolate, and I mentally beat myself up. Then the procrastination sets in, and Facebook becomes much more important than work. Oh, and Book A? Grows into a big, ugly bear--one I know I can't defeat.
The solution? Rules!
Here is my list of rules for the next two months. (I'll reevaluate my goals in early April and make a new set of rules then.)
1. After a short session of checking in social media sites and reading e-mail, I block off a large chunk of time for Book A. I also set a deadline for each phase to stay on track and prevent myself from quitting early.
2. Twice a week, I work on my Extra Projects. I set aside thirty minutes to an hour to research, write, or edit these.
3. Late in the afternoon or in the evening, I spend an hour working on Book B, which is in the early stages. Right now I'm working on pre-writing tasks, but soon, I'll be writing the first draft.
4. When Book A is finished later this month, I'll bump Book B to top priority, continue setting aside time for the extra projects, and I'll throw revising Book C into my late afternoon, evening spot.
Honestly, I can achieve more when I make smart decisions. If I only worked on Book A, I would be short-changing myself. Switching gears helps me stay fresh, and I find I'm not as mentally tired at the end of the day because I've challenged myself on different levels.
Do you work on more than one writing project at once? Or does your brain work better with one at a time?
Have a fabulous Wednesday!
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