Susan Wiggs's Blog, page 43
August 10, 2011
August 9, 2011
off to see the wizard
Of OZ. Love Australia. Here are my liast-minute things. No idea why I'm bringing a bubble-blowing wand I got at a wedding, but it might come in handy if I need to summon Glinda. The cupcake is actually a Betsey Johnson necklace. Oh, and that mess in the top right corner? That's right, it's my manuscript. CAN I BE DONE?
get your groove on
Ooooh, I feel so of the moment! Not only am I hosting a "Mad Men" themed party to benefit the critters…there is now a line of clothing out just to make the evening perfect! C'mon people, you know you want to join in the fun. And look the part!
August 8, 2011
good question
…asked of me recently. I'd love to hear your answers, too!
"What makes babies and children excellent secondary characters in romance novels?"
Babies and children are excellent characters in any story, if you ask me. They're particularly welcome additions to a love story because they create a balance between fantasy and reality. The absolute, in-your-face reality of a colicky baby with poop leaking up its back at 3am balances out the rosy magic of the unfettered joy of having this amazing, fragile, sturdy creature to love with every inch of your heart.
Kate, the single mom in Lakeside Cottage, has an adorable but challenging son. She has to be all things to Aaron, even if it means putting her own needs aside…until she discovers a love powerful enough to turn them into a family.
August 7, 2011
the hardest part of packing
I think it might be those guilty looks from Barkis & Lenny.
But…helloooo, Melbourne! Brisbane! Hong Kong!
August 6, 2011
making a friend appointment
I recently had dinner with two of my besties and favorite writers, Lois Faye Dyer and Debbie Macomber. You should have seen the hoops we had to jump through just to set aside time for this. Were things always this busy? Suggestions, please! How do you go about getting together with your friends? I am all ears.
August 3, 2011
August 1, 2011
FIESTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lenny loves Mexican food.
July 28, 2011
July News from Susan Wiggs
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July News from Susan Wiggs
In this issue…
Can a romance novel save a life?
I would love to meet you! Upcoming Tour Dates
Coming soon
Connect with me
My most-requested recipe
Dear Friends,
Lakeside Cottage won the RITA Award. I'm not gonna lie, I'm ridiculously proud of this achievement. It's an award granted by fellow writers, who are notorious for being the world's pickiest readers. However, what I'm proudest of when it comes to this book has nothing to do with awards and everything to do with a particular reader.
Alma M. wrote me a letter saying that she believed reading this book saved her daughter's life. Whether this is true or not, I'll never know, because I've never met this woman or her teenage daughter, Kimmy. But the letter was sincere. Kimmy had been suffering from mysterious symptoms, just like the fictional teenager Callie in Lakeshore Cottage. Kimmy felt terrible but they could never pinpoint what was going on with her. While reading the book, Alma realized Kimmy might be suffering from the same problem as Callie, so she took her back to the doctor. Turns out the diagnosis was exactly the same. (Trying not to include a spoiler here.) Anyway, this is by far the proudest moment for this book.
I can't promise Lakeside Cottage will save your life, but I bet it will brighten your day. A struggling single mom, a mysterious man with a secret past, a secluded cottage by a lake, a fun recipe collection in the back of the book…come on, what's not to like? Jump on in. The water's fine!
Upcoming Tour Dates – see my web site for details
August 11-14 RWAustralia
August 27 Mad Men Party, Bainbridge Island WA
September 12 Puyallup Fair
October 1-2 Northwest Festival of Books, Kirkland WA
October 15 A crazy Seattle event – stay tuned
What's Next?
Home Before Dark , in a special edition with extras, including a reading group guide
The Goodbye Quilt trade paperback edition
Table For Five with a sneak peek of the upcoming new hardcover
The Apple Orchard , a new hardcover in May 2012
A new Lakeshore Chronicles book about Sonnet
Connect with Moi
For book recommendations, silly updates, occasional pictures, provocative questions, snarky comments, funny stuff, library stuff, instant giveaways and more, please follow me on Twitter or go to my Facebook page and click "Like." For more in-depth reporting, subscribe to my blog here.
My most-requested recipe:
Wendy Gaynor's "Perfect" Chocolate Chunk Cookies *
*I have nothing to do with this recipe other than forwarding it to people who ask. It appeared in The New York Times on October 27, 2002. Skip the parchment paper at your own peril.
8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 cups semisweet chunks (preferably imported)
1. Place the butter in a large bowl and cream at high speed until fluffy. Add the sugars and beat until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes, scraping down sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until completely mixed.
2. In a separate bowl, mix flour, salt and baking soda. Add to the butter mixture at low speed until just combined and add vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed, scraping bowl down, until blended. Do not overmix.
3. Add chocolate chunks and mix till thoroughly combined. Refrigerate batter until cold, preferably overnight.
4. Preheat a conventional oven to 350 degrees or a convection oven to 300 degrees, and line several baking sheets with parchment paper. Drop heaping spoonfuls of batter 2 inches apart on the lined baking sheets and bake, turning tray once, until golden brown around edges and soft (but not bubbly), about 9 minutes in a convection oven or 12 in a conventional one. Cool on a wire rack.
Yield: 36 to 72 cookies, depending on size.
Enjoy,
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July 27, 2011
Martinis & Mad Men Party – save the date!
Martinis & Mad Men Party
Save the Date!
Saturday evening, August 27
More tickets are available…see below
You'll meet well known and up-and-coming local authors including Susan Wiggs, Garth Stein, Bob Dugoni, Stephanie Kallos, and Kathleen Alcala. During the 60s themed party, you'll enjoy tasty appetizers, desserts, and a full bar, all at a stunning Bainbridge Island waterfront home that's been featured in a number of magazines. 60s party music will be provided by professional DJ Matt Sayers. A party photographer will be on hand to capture shots of you having fun with friends. Put on your 60s garb – or come as you are – and join the fun!
Do you know someone who'd like to join in the fun? We still have tickets available, for $100 each. Call Elsa at elsa before August 8 to reserve tickets.
