You Are What You Read

Set your timer: Take a page from a book you love and copy it down, feeling the author's words in your own. Now continue on using your own words, and notice the difference.
I have always heard (and hated) the expression you are what you eat. If that were the case, I'd be a chocolate chip cookie, pretty sweet and heartwarming I guess. I have never heard, you are what you read, but I'm finding it to be a little genius-y this morning. I believe it's the absolute truth, and in many cases, I think you can tell a lot about a person by the kinds of books they read.
That being said, here is what my choices in books says about me:
~ I have a need to self-improve. In other words, I'm not done yet.
~ I am a hopeless romantic.
~ I like to laugh.
~ I like to vacation.
~ I love my friends.
~ I love underdogs.
~ Kids and animals are the bomb.
~ I love my crazy family... yes, even though they drive me nuts.
~ I'm not sure I'll ever get over my mom's death.
See? You're looking over the list and nodding right now. It makes perfect sense that you are what you read. Books are our escape from real life, but at the same time, reminding us of who we are. And when we find that book that we love and tell everyone about, is possibly the one book that explains everything about us. When someone says they only read historical non-fiction, I might flinch. How can I be friends with you, I think to myself. Everyone is different, and that's what makes it perfect.
For better or for worse, we are a combination of all of our favorite books. They change us and the way we think, and for that reason alone, I want to write something that will change how someone views life. I want to open eyes to possibilities and connections that weren't there before. And I want them to smile.
What do your books say about you??

Revision

Set your timer: For the next 15 minutes, find a piece written a while ago, and read it out loud. See how it flows, or doesn't, and work on it till there's nothing left to do.
Out of all the aspects of writing, this is easily my least favorite. I hate revising, afraid of red pens, and up until recently, have thought of proofreaders as the devil. I literally start to sweat when I send something out for someone else to proof. But like the alcoholic blindsided by an intervention, I am beginning to see the harm in my evil thinking. Not only with this chapter, but I've been reading up on it for the past week in trying to get over my phobia over writing this exercise. I'm beginning to understand why I didn't finish this book the first time.
I have heard it for years, too, how writing the first draft is actually the easy part, and that writers will go through 10, 20, sometimes 50 revisions until they're happy with it.

Shoot me now.
However, read this part from an article I found on twitter recently:
In JK Rowling’s case, she realised after writing the entire first book that she had given away the entire plot of the seven books. She rewrote it in this light, and held many things back.
Now, imagine she didn't do those revisions. Where would we be without the masterpiece she ended up with? I am beginning to see how the planning and revising are just as important, (if not more) to the process than the actual writing of the first draft. First drafts suck and are supposed to. No one will ever write the perfect novel on the first try.
I have to get over myself and learn the beautiful craft of revisions and rewriting.
And I will finish this book...

Friday Reads

Goooooood Morning!  Are you surviving the heat?  I for one can't stand it, but thank God for AC and working in an ice rink. 

When I finished After You by Julie Buxbaum, I had that mini-depression when you're done with a book and it just sits with you for a while.  I was sad it was over, and I didn't have anything around here to get me out of that rut.  I loved that book, and her writing, and her characters, and the fact that she didn't take the easy way out with any of the plot.  L. O. V. E. D.  Read it if you can.

Also, a book like After You reminds me that yes, indeed, I want to be writing again.  While I love my little blogs, and having more people read them is something completely new (and fun) to me, in my heart, I want to start (and finish) another book.  I have about 3 starts to books in the last year, but never got out of the introduction stage.  So when I came across Sarah Pekkanen's post on Wednesday about process, I knew what my Friday reads would be.  She mentions two books that have helped her with her writing, and I'm happy to announce that one is being held at the library, and I purchased the other on for the low, low, price of $1.99!

The first one, the one I found on Amazon is Plot and Structure, by James Scott Bell.  I started it this morning and can already see what has been missing and why I have three starts but no finish!  Good stuff.

The second one is Writing the Breakout Novel, by Donald Maass, and waiting patiently for me at the library, and I can't wait to study, I mean read it. 

I know, I know, this might be the biggest letdown of a Friday reads choice.  It's summer, you're thinking, we should be reading something fun, something light!  Not homework for a new book.  So if you're not a writer enthusiast like myself, I will recommend two other choices this week.  Based on the fact that Sarah has helped me with my choices this week, I think it's only fair to give her books the attention and praise they deserve. 

If you haven't read The Opposite of Me or Skipping a Beat, you are missing out.  Clearly, she has studied the art of writing and her process isn't failing her.  Skipping a Beat literally changed how I think about my marriage.  They go fast, so get them both if you can.

I hope you all have a fabulous week!

Happy reading...

Recipe for a happy life

Before I spend one more minute on the I Hate Summer Campaign (I am the campaign manager after all) I woke up this morning and had different thought:

What if I spent less time on bitching and more time on how to fix the damn problem?

Hmmm, sometimes we actually have to be smarter than politicians in order to get things done. Reason # 879 I won't ever be in politics.

Well, the summer drama of yesterday that plays out every year is over, and today I pick myself up, put on a little make up, and move forward. It always feels good to let it go. Every. Single. Year. Maybe that is her gift to me. Maybe it could come earlier next year?

So, I'm not sleeping again, but seriously having great thoughts in the middle of the night. Writing thoughts. Cooking thoughts. How can I lose this f@#$*%! weight thoughts, when it dawns on me. I need a recipe for life! I know, I know, it sounds cliche and maybe like a song, but what if we figured out everything (EVERYTHING) we loved and needed in our lives to be happy, and simply went by the recipe every day? Maybe there are somethings we only need once a week or month, and we knew to include those things as well.

Not everyone will have the same recipe, in fact that would be just weird. The beauty of this is you have to make up your own recipe and tweak it till it's perfect. The perfect recipe won't happen over night either, and given the Seasons and our work schedules, it might need a seasonal adjustment now and again. The trick will be noticing when and why it's not working at times.

I will go first and put it out there, and hopefully, you can start yours after you read this. For instance, right now in my life I am seriously lacking any free time at all. You could sum up my mood on any given day as resentful. I know, not pretty, but I am so tired of work and parenting (yes, I said it) and as I write this, Blake keeps interrupting. It's hard to go through summer on a budget without much left for fun stuff or vacations. Wah-wah, I know, most of us are in the same boat. That's why I'm doing this.

My first ingredient? Sleep. If I don't get it, I'm a crabby mess, or a hot mess these days. Either way, not pretty. I must get sleep so I can get up before Blake and actually remember what it's like to sit by myself for a moment with a cup of coffee.

My second ingredient? Equal parts reading and writing. I simply shouldn't even try to get through a day without them. It's silly to try, really.

Third? Cooking. Real recipes using real food... simple as that. I don't know if I can do this every day, but at least 5 out of 7 should include some culinary chances. I'm tired of tacos, eggs and pizza. In fact, if I see a Little Ceasars pizza anytime soon, I may throw it across the back yard like a frisbee.

Fourth? Walking 3-4 times a week. I've already talked about the benefits of this lovely one. However, in this heat, I'm "tweaking" the recipe this week.

Right now, that's it. If I can get these things done I'm going to be happier. It really isn't rocket science, and I'm tired of making it so. As for losing this weight? I don't have that answer... if you have one for me send it along!

Now go figure out what you need in your day, and have a great one at that!

A new day

My mantra for today...

I hope you will do the same!

the comfort list

I hate this day. It's the day before, and no matter how many times I try to "forget", life has a way of remembering and seeps into my thoughts. I remember the stupidest of things.

Like I hadn't seen her this day before, 8 years ago. I had worked, gotten a bad haircut, and gone out to eat with friends, but I didn't take the time to go over there.

I had talked to her and she sounded pretty much the same. A certain level of hopelessness had creeped into her voice, but I had tried to ignore it.

We were gearing up for chemo and the long haul. She wanted to get to Florida again.

Sigh...

So tonight I try my hardest to cling to a comfort list. Something that will make everything okay, even if it is reruns of Criminal Minds. Scary, I know. Something that is so ordinary in it's request, that it couldn't possibly make everything okay... only it does.

I think it's the things we completely take for granted every day that make our lives easier.

Going out to dinner.
The Young and the Restless.
Reading.
Ice cream.
hugs.

It won't take the pain away, but it will comfort me tonight, and I will spend tomorrow smiling and pretending the day away, forcing it to pass quickly. It always does.

And in my usual fashion, I will give you homework on this day: Call your mom or visit her if you can. Don't take for granted that she is still here...

And always remember to laugh when you can. 

Friday Reads

Without sounding like the annoying youtube girl, I must say "It's Friday!"  I have been waiting for this day all week long.  With Blake being gone this week I cranked out some extra hours at work, and believe I have work hangover (when you're too exhausted to think straight) this morning.  I'm fuzzy, and the coffee doesn't seem to be working.  Huh.

But it's Friday!  And it's Harry Potter day for me.  Last week I re-read the last half of The Deathly Hallows in anticipation of the movie today.  And I have to tell you, I learned something new again.  The whole wand thing confused me the first time, or I might have been rushing through to see what happened in the end.  Not sure, but I think I finally understand it now, and this time there was something I read that made me stop, read again, and think BRILLIANT! 

"Tell me one last thing, " said Harry.  "Is this real?  Or has this been happening inside my head?"

Dumbledore beamed at him, and his voice sounded loud and strong in Harry's ears even though the bright mist was descending again, obscuring his figure. 

"Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?"

I simply adore J.K. Rowling. 

I also had the pleasure of reading Dee's cookbook (yes, I read the entire thing in one sitting).  I loved it so much I finally splurged and bought my own copy, and I'm going to try and make at least one recipe every week. 

My Friday Reads pick for today is going to be After You by Julie Buxbaum.  I cannot figure out why I haven't read any of her stuff yet, but seriously looking forward to settling in with this one.  I will let you know how it goes!

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend and thank you for stopping by! 

(Oh, and if you haven't yet seen the annoying "Friday!" girl, here's her video.)