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Friday, March 14, 2014

Foodie Fridays: Portion Control and the Nation of Over eaters


I think a common problem is that we eat too much...

I have an expectation of quantity in my meals built in from growing up in a nation of large portions, over-eaters, and finishing what's on your plate. Slowly, as a culture, we've been moving away from this but the damage has been done. I want to eat and I want it to be a lot. Every time.

I also have an expectation that the food should fulfill qualities of a stereotypical meal when in fact not every time I eat do I need to represent carbs or sugar or meat. But I still think eating without any of these constitutes an incomplete meal that I must make up for in subsequent meals.

My appetite expectations don't meet my realistic amount of hunger and instead of allowing this disparity to exist, I reconcile the difference by consuming more than I want or need to. And then I do that two more times every day. So many extra calories!

We must first change our eating attitudes and then amend our eating behaviors.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Author Tuesdays: Writing About Children for Adults

AWP Panel with Suzanne Berne, Ann Pancake, Melanie Rae Thon, and Kent Meyers.

What makes for a compelling child character in literary fiction?

Here was my take-away from the panel:

  • Children are unable to pretend not to see what's in front of them such as the homeless person in front of a Bloomingdale's
  • Children don't always have purpose in what they do or where they go
  • Children's dreams can be small (such as taking a bath every day or going to the neighbor's tree house).
  • Children can have unexpected insights
  • Children create unusual metaphors
  • Children are a natural fit for stream-of-consciousness writing style

What other advice do you have for an adult writing a compelling child character?

Friday, March 7, 2014

Foodie Fridays: Vegan burgers - You're Eating Them Wrong

What do you see when I say (write) the word "burger" ?? Probably a slab of beef encased in buns with some lettuce/cheese/onions/ketchup/etc. Essentially a traditional burger, right?

What about a vegan or veggie burger? Do you still see the same thing? Does this burger still have buns, lettuce, ketchup, etc?



I'm hear to tell you that you've been eating those vegan/veggie burgers wrong. They aren't like meat patties. They are best eaten without all the burger accessories. They can be crumbled and placed atop a salad or with rice. They are like a patty stir fry. I think the best way to eat these bad boys is plain or as a 'side' with your meal.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Author Thursdays: AWP - an Effort in Futility, Confusion, Overeager Expectations, and the Occasional Schmooze


As you dear readers know, I was at the AWP conference last Thursday and Saturday. Here is the short assessment: Don't pay when you don't have to. AWP, this year, was able to offer free admission to the bookfair. I'm not sure they advertised the fact that at the book fair were three stages and there were at least 3-5 lectures at each stage on Saturday. This means that they were FREE. The only portions of AWP that required the pass (and the money to purchase the pass), were most of the other panels/discussions/readings, Thursday and Friday, and the receptions/parties at night. 

I only attended 2/3 days, didn't go to any of the receptions/parties, and didn't think much of the panels.  



There was also a free networking with visiting authors event hosted outside of AWP by several groups at the Sorrento Hotel on Thursday, which I did attend.

Just going to Seattle was a treat in and of itself and Saturday was no exception. Traffic was easier. Parking was easier. Pike Place Market was open. Next time AWP rolls around, I suggest saving the $200 and just spending the day in Seattle and checking out the book fair.

Pictured above are two pieces of excellent writing advice written by AWP event goers, hosted at a Writing Advice booth at the book fair. These two were my favorites.


Monday, March 3, 2014

Medical Mondays: Why I Do and Do Not Like the Nuva Ring (birth control)

Here's the breakdown according to my experiences:

Pros:

  1. Regular periods
  2. Convenience of only dealing with it once every three weeks
  3. No side effects 
  4. Availability
  5. I can take it out myself without the aid of a doctor
  6. Easy in, easy out
  7. Low dose of hormones


Cons


  1. Price (try $100 a month)
  2. Price (insurance hardly covers this thing!)
  3. Price (Every month!)
  4. I can take it out myself, which means it does not sit that far back and can be 'felt'
  5. Did I mention the price?



Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Author Tuesdays: AWP is in Seattle this week...

AWP's Conference is held in Seattle this year, are you going?

"Each year, AWP holds its Annual Conference & Bookfair in a different city to celebrate the authors, teachers, students, writing programs, literary centers, and publishers of that region. More than 12,000 writers and readers attended our 2013 conference, and over 650 exhibitors were represented at our bookfair. AWP’s is now the largest literary conference in North America. We hope you’ll join us in 2014."

Here are a few events I will be attending:

R142. Once It’s Out of the Gate: Post-Publication Marketing and Platform-Building.
R164. 20 Things You Need to Know About Starting a Writers Group & 10 Things You Need to Know If You're Already in One!.
R208. I’m Just Not That Into You: Unsympathetic Characters in Fiction.
R257. New Fairy Tales from the North


This is my first ever conference! My first ever writer's conference! Any suggestions, tips, pointers for me?