Think Yoda.

What happens when you have so many ideas for different blog posts?  You get overwhelmed.

I have been working on some different posts, one that I will probably never post (because I'm too afraid).  The others are works in progress.

However, I found this picture and felt that I should definitely post it on here because it is so true! Something that I really need to live by right now.  Just think Yoda and everything will be okay.
(P.S. I'm usually not a fan of the "Keep Calm and ____" stuff, but I really like this one.)

I love Star Wars <3

-Christine

Confidence in Writing

Confidence.  A word that can sometimes literally terrify me.  One day while I was hard at work on my novel I took a break and started to draw on a few Post-it-notes.  I started to think about my confidence as a writer and realized that I have never felt 100% okay with telling someone that I was a writer.  After graduating from University, I thought that I would march out the doors and declare such a thing to the world proudly.  Turns out it wasn't so easy.  It seemed that almost everyone I ran into would have the same conversation with me.

Them: What did you major in?
Me: English Literature
Them: Oh, are you going to teach?
Me: No, I'm going to be a writer.
Them: Oh...

So, the other day I had a revelation.  Scratch that.  I want to say that these types of thoughts have crossed my mind before, but I never had enough confidence to hold on to them.  Well guess what?  I'm holding onto them now.

I am a writer.  Even if I never get published and a thousand people tell me that my writing sucks, I will forever be a writer.  Writing isn't just a hobby for me, it's a passion.  It will forever be a part of me that is always there when times are good and bad.

There are so many doubts in life, but if we focus on them we will never accomplish anything.  So back to my original story...I decided to write "I am a writer" on Post-it-notes, and asked my friend/photographer/artist Kelly McGovern to photograph me next to it.  That way it will always be a reminder that even if no one believes in my writing, I do.

So there you have it.  Confidence.  It wouldn't be right for me to say that I will ALWAYS be confident in my writing, but as long as I try and stay confident in myself as a writer I will persevere.

Thanks for reading,
Christine

Eggplant!

So you're probably thinking this is some kind of joke, but it's really not.  I am actually writing a blog post about Eggplant.  Why?  Because it's DELICIOUS!  I have been addicted to it for probably a month and have prepared it a few different ways.  My favorite way would have to be like my Grandma used to make it.  (Well she still does, but she's in Florida and I never see her.)  Anyway, I made eggplant the other day along with some sauce, which I think I mentioned in a previous blog this week. My Grandma usually prepares the eggplant fried, but I add sauce! (No it's not eggplant parm. because when I think of eggplant parm, I picture a bunch of mozzarella cheese on top.  Not that there is anything wrong with that, but it's not for me!)

I'm one of those people who loves having leftovers so I have delicious food already prepared.  I found myself starving shortly after eating breakfast this morning and I just couldn't focus on my writing.  Then it dawned on me...I really can't write unless I have a full stomach!  If I write when I'm hungry I either start to day dream about food or write about it! So, I went to the fridge and pulled out the last of my eggplant leftovers.  As I bit into the final delicious saucy bites I was a bit sad that it was all gone.  I've actually decided to take a break from making it because I'm afraid I'm going to get sick of it.

Now it wouldn't be fair if I didn't share the recipe that I use to prepare the eggplant so here it is:

*You have to make your favorite pot of tomato sauce to go on top of it!*

Ingredients:

-2 large eggplants

-2-3 eggs

1-2 cups of Italian breadcrumbs

-Olive oil, salt, and pepper

Directions:

-Slice eggplant

-Season with salt and pepper

-Put eggs in one bowl and breadcrumbs in another

-Dredge vegetable in eggs until coated and cover in breadcrumb mixture

-Fry in olive oil until golden brown and crispy on each side

-Pour your favorite tomato sauce on top of the eggplant

-Stick it in the oven at 350° for 15-20 minutes

-ENJOY!

Now that I have a full stomach I'm going to return to my writing! ^.^

Thanks for reading,
Christine

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Idea Journals

The life of a writer can be a tricky one, so we arm ourselves with things that will aid us in our venture to "success."  My weapon of choice is usually an idea journal.  I try to never leave my house without it.  (Along with a pen and pencil of course.)  I've done this since 2005.  It all started when I was a sophomore in high school.  I was taking my first creative writing class, and it was great.  My teacher really inspired me and he had us thinking about journal writing one day.  He said it was good to always get your ideas down.  It sounds like a simple idea, but how many times have you found yourself thinking of something clever and saying "I'll remember it."  No need to write it down?  Think again.  Life gets hectic and sometimes our brains block out the good stuff to let in the bad.  So, I'm a firm believer in writing down ideas! It's simple, and easy.  Just don't do it while you're driving or anything.  

The picture above was taken by the great Kelly McGovern.  It's a picture of my first idea journal from way back in 2005.  You can kind of tell how beat up it is in the picture, but trust me, when I hold it in my hand I'm so happy that it's still binded together.  It looks like it has been through a war and it certainly feels like it.  It has to be one of my most prized writing possessions. 

So you're probably wondering what inspired me to write a second blog post for today...(I know it never happens.)  The answer is, as I was looking through one of my more recent idea journals I found this thought that I wrote down back in March of 2010.  

"Heroes and villains of my own creation fly around in my head all day long

 writing their stories."

At the time of reading it I couldn't help but let a big smile spread across my face.  I thought for a moment, "There is no way I would have remembered writing something like this if it wasn't for this idea journal."  It might not mean a lot to you as you read it, but today was a rough editing day and it was the breath of fresh air that I needed.  (I talk about air a lot don't I?)  I'm so proud of myself for writing a line like that.  It pretty much sums up who I am as a writer in one sentence. (I am now recalling a statement from writer's group on Sunday...I guess I'm "falling in love with my words." ^.^ Guilty!) Anyway, I think in my future office (when I escape from this place I call a house) I'm going to paint those words on my wall! If they make me feel the same way I felt today, it will be awesome! 

Okay, I'm going to stop rambling now and end my second blog post.  (Still can't believe I accomplished  two blog posts in one day.) 

Thanks for reading,

-Christine 

Rainy Days and Chai Tea

With less than a month until Nyle and I go to Disney World, I can't help but be super super excited!  We both haven't been there since 2006 and I can confidently say that we are both deserving of a vacation.  It's hard not to day dream about how magical it's going to be.  Especially on a day like today.

I started to think about rainy days as I drank my hot cup of chai tea and looked away from my pile of chapters to edit.  Come on, it's easy to get distracted when you hit a rough patch of editing...

Anyway, what are some of your favorite things to do on a rainy day?  Of course most people find themselves having no choice but to go to work, but if you could choose, what would you do?

I'd have to say my first choice would be writing of course.  Rain makes the world quiet down which can sometimes be very helpful when you're sitting in your creative world.  I spent the morning doing some writing and editing.  I'm happy to say that I'm 80% done with my first revision of my novel.  I can't wait to print out the revision and go through it again! There's something about fresh paper that helps the writer's mind breathe better.

Reading would for sure come next, because there is nothing better than curling up in a chair and reading a good book while you listen to the rain outside of your window.  I'm considering walking away from the computer for a few hours to read the Wonderful Wizard of OZ Marvel graphic novel.

Cooking would come last.  Cooking is one of my favorite hobbys, and it can be quite nice to cook on a rainy day.  Make a big pot of homemade tomato sauce, and take a big whiff as the wonderful smell fills the air.  Can you guess what I'm having for dinner?  I actually made sauce yesterday along with some eggplant.  I'm currently so obsessed with eggplant!

So that's it.  My top 3 recommendations for a rainy day.  What do you like to do?

Thanks for reading,
-Christine

With a dreamy far-off look...and her nose stuck in a book!

Hey Everyone!

So, I hope by now you've all gone to the movies to see Beauty and the Beast in 3D.  I'm not a huge fan of 3D in general, but I can honestly say that Disney does it right!  I went to go see the Lion King in 3D when it was in theaters and loved it.  However, Beauty and the Beast is my all time favorite Disney movie, and Belle is my favorite princess.  She always has been, and always will be!

I figured it might be fun to make a list of my favorite moments in the movie!  Seeing them in 3D really enhanced the experience of watching the movie.  

My Favorite Scenes (in no particular order because it's too hard to choose):

1. The Library Scene:  Beast surprises Belle by giving her the castle library.  Not only is this a DREAM of mine, but it's just so sweet and romantic.  

2. The Wolf Scene:  Belle runs from the castle after the Beast yells at her for coming into the West Wing.  As Belle makes her way through the forest, a pack of wolves show up and start to attack her.  The Beast shows up and shows the wolves a lesson!  He rescues Belle, and then she rescues him after he passes out from exhaustion.  

3.  Belle runs across the field:  "I want adventure in the great wide somewhere, I want it more than I can tell...and for once it might be grand to have someone understand, I want so much more then they've got planned."  (I seriously want to live where she lives so I can do the same exact thing!) 

4.  The End "Please don't leave me...I love you."  Come on...don't even tell me it doesn't make you teary just thinking about it.  Belle lays her head on Beast's chest as he is dying.  The final rose petal falls...MAJESTIC TRANSFORMATION! 

5.  THE SONGS!!!!: It's impossible to choose ONE favorite song because they are all so good.  So I have to just say that hearing all of the songs, and watching the beautiful scenes play out in front of me was so amazing.  I will rank my favorite songs in order..."Tale as Old as Time," "Belle," "Be Our Guest," "Something There," and "Gaston."     

6. The Dinner Scene:  Right before the song "Something There" Belle and the Beast sit down for some oatmeal.  It is soooooo adorable how the Beast eats, and how kind Belle is towards him.  (P.S. A few years back Disney was selling a painting of this scene.  It was like $8000 so obviously I will never be able to afford it, but if someone can find the dinner scene in high res. (when they raise the bowls in the air) so I can print it out and frame it...I'd love you forever.) 

Mind you, I do OWN this movie.  I've probably watched it like a thousand million times.  However, seeing it in theaters was just sooooooooooo amazing! 

I love Belle 10 million times more than Batgirl...

This clip below shows the dinner scene that I was talking about before.  So sweet! 

Okay, well that's all for now.

Thanks for reading my ramble!
-Christine

Breaking the Wall

Hello World,

How are you today?  I'm happy to say that I'm doing much better.  I successfully broke through the wall that I was writing about yesterday, and guess what?  It felt great.  As always there is nothing more satisfying than being able to see your creative world sprawled out in front of you.  I could see everything clear as day, and I was able to get a decent amount of writing done.  I've realized that this novel is so complex, and it is SO EXCITING TO WRITE!   I've eliminated some unnecessary things and have begun to fill the empty spaces with bigger and better things.

All I can do is hope that I can stand on top of that wall for awhile longer and keep on writing the way I have been!

Just thought I'd update everyone!

See...less complaining.  ^.^

-Christine

p.s. Chibi Lady Design is going to design my business card, WHAT UP!?