Marian Allen's Blog, page 382

Weaving Imaginary Vegans

Yes, it’s another bizarrely titled Friday Recommends post. So sue me.

First, get out your calendars, because you want to save this date: The Imaginarium creative writing convention is coming to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky from September 19-21 of 2014. And guess who one of the guests/panelists is going to be. Go on, guess. No, not Katya. Moi, that’s who! I told you about this new convention before, but now it’s absolutely, positively written in stone that it’s happening. I’m so excited! It’s gonna be a lollapalooza of writerly goodness!

Next, allow me to direct your attention to Three Fates Press — “We weave the tales you were born to read.” — a brand new publisher on the literary block. This is the brainchild of T. Lee Harris, Amanda Rotach Huntley (aka K.A.Davur), and me. We started talking about it when the future of Hydra Publications was uncertain. Like the mythical Hydra, the press has recovered its health, but we were already drunk with power, so there we are.

You know I love my veggies. I got a haircut yesterday at Great Clips, and the stylist (Jill. I also like Jennie.) said, “I can’t believe how fast your hair grows! What do you EAT?” And I said, “Vegetables, mostly.”

ANYWAY, here are a couple of nifty vegan/vegetarian recipe sites for you to peruse. Jean Yates put me onto the first one, Positively Vegan, which also has gluten-free recipes, which I like, since I have some gluten-intolerant friends. I also like it because Kim Miles’ recipes are simple, use-what-you-find, and use things like cashews and nutritional yeast which I have in the house rather than saying things like, “buy a package of high-priced vegan fake cheese.”

Kim referred readers to EverydayMaven(TM) food blog, and I went there and fell in love. I mean, how could I not love a site where one of the pictures looks like she burned every single iteration of her sweet potato latkes? Oh, yeah, let’s just pretend they’re supposed to look like that. Beautiful!

Both of these ladies are monetizing their recipes. Do you think I could sell my recipes? I mean, like: Soup — boil stuff. Salad — don’t boil stuff. How much would you pay for that?

Okay, I’ll just stick to fiction.

A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: A character burns the vegetables.

MA

Goofy, Yes. But Public? Why?

So we went to Magna cum Murder mystery festival, which was in Indianapolis for the first time, at the fancy-schmancy Columbia Club, a mostly Republican bastion, where I felt as out of place as a fish on a unicycle. Here I am arriving:Yeah, I’m lying. This was in a glass case on the balcony. It’s a porcelain piece made by Llandró of Spain.

Here’s a view from the balcony.Here’s anudder one.An’ anudder one.Here are the freakin’ elevators.The place was GAWgeous!

The festival room price was dead cheap, which made $25 a night parking a bit of a shock. Then I got home and checked my charge card, and found an extra charge of $45 and change.

WTF? I thought, which, of course, is short for What’s That For. (Hi, Mom.)

So I emailed the Club and asked. And the nice man asked for the room number and/or the name the reservation was under, and I told him. And he asked if the charge was billed separately or as part of the total. And, in grubbing around through my bits of paper, I found a receipt for a meal for two, which I charged and T repaid me her part of, and which I had forgotten to enter in my register.

Can somebody please tell me WHY I find my answers only AFTER I’ve attracted attention to the question? And why, in these cases, the problem is invariably that I’m goofy?

~deep, dramatic sigh~

A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: A character asks a question with an answer that reflects poorly on himself or herself.

MA

Minor No More

Here’s an amazing thing: Our oldest grandson just turned 21. Twenty-one honkin’ years old. Not even in dog years, mind you; in people years. This is amazing, because I’m only 28, myself.

Having dodged the lightning bolt God sent down at me for lying, I continue with my post.

This oldest grandson and I have shared many jolly times through the years. When he was wee, we played with Legos together, until he had successfully smuggled all the wheels out of the house and we couldn’t make cars anymore, at which point he lost interest.

I used to read Beatrix Potter stories to him, especially The Tale of Samuel Whiskers, and “Make it properly, Anna Maria!” was our watchword for a while.

When he was a bit older, I taught him how to cook scrambled eggs and potato soup.

When he was a teen, we homeschooled him briefly, and I drew the short straw and had to “teach” him math, which he patiently endured while I floundered.

And now he is 21. So what could be more natural than for me to take him out to hoist a pint at Point Blank Brewing Company?

I suspect this isn’t the first pint he’s hoisted, since he knew exactly what he wanted to order.

I tried one of the brewed-on-the-premises ales — just a taste, fortunately, since I thought it tasted like Alka-Seltzer. When I declined a full glass, 72 Imperial was recommended, and I liked it very much. It’s dark and smooth and rich.

Dill and I swapped tastes, and I liked his Ayinger, too. I may get one of my own, the next time I go, although I may have to ask for a doggie canteen.

Isn’t he a handsome young man? He’s a sweetie, too. But I still want my Lego wheels back.

A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: A character celebrates a grandchild’s birthday.

MA

Project Finished or Unfinished?

Here is the knitting project I’ve been working on. It was supposed to take 4 skeins of yarn, and this is nearly three. It’s already longer than the pattern called for because I used bigger needles. Because I’m like that, that’s why. So I stopped knitting it and cast off.

The subject now under discussion is: fringe or no fringe? The pattern calls for fringe along the short edges. I don’t like fringe. Mom likes it. In fact, she suggests fringe along both short edges and one long edge. I have enough leftover yarn to do that. So: fringe or no fringe?

The white blip is a piece of cat fur. Katya HAS to get into the act!

I’m posting today at Fatal Foodies with a food review.

A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: Two characters get into a rip-roaring argument over a craft project.

MA

Jay Noel’s DRAGONFLY WARRIOR Cover Reveal

Wow wow wow! Wotta cover! I’m so tickled that Jay has chosen my blog to be part of his Cover Reveal Street Team!

After doing some freelance writing and editing for more than a dozen years, Jay decided to stop procrastinating and pursue his dream of being a novelist. He’s been blogging for over eight years, and even had a comedy podcast syndicated all over the internet. All of that was fun, but all the steampunk-inspired stories in his head just wouldn’t leave him alone. Jay spends his days working in medical sales, but he can be found toiling over his laptop late at night when all is quiet.

He draws inspiration from all over: H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, Shakespeare, Ray Bradbury, Douglas Adams, and Isaac Asimov.

And Jay loves cookies.

What’s not to like, right?

The Mechanica Wars: Savage Machines Are Afoot…
At the age of twenty, Kanze Zenjiro’s bloody footprints mark the bodies of those who stood in his way to protect the throne of Nihon. Now, the tyrannical Iberian Empire is bent on destroying his kingdom, and they send their steam-powered giants and iron spiders against him.

Zen embarks on a quest that takes him on the most dangerous journey of his life. To succeed, Zen must live up to his nickname, the Dragonfly Warrior, and kill all his enemies with only a sword and a pair of six-guns. He is called upon to somehow survive a test of faith and loyalty in a world so cruel and merciless, it borders on madness.

Book Information: Dragonfly Warrior is a steampunk adventure like no other. It’s a dynamic mix of Asian and European mythology, the Wild West, martial arts, traditional fantasy, and high powered steam action that will keep you turning the pages.

Dragonfly Warrior is the first book of The Mechanica Wars, and will debut on January 6, 2014.

~*~

One word, my sweet little baby angels, one word: WANT!

Jay says:

I will be doing a drawing out of my steampunk hat for the lucky guy/gal who will receive a very cool steampunk bookmark, and I’ll be announcing the winner on my November 11th post.

I appreciate everything, and I can’t thank you enough for your love and support.

– Jay

Jay Noel’s website: www.jaynoel.com

Facebook

Twitter

~*~

Thank YOU, Jay! Can’t wait for the book!

A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: Invent a book that your main character can’t wait to buy and read.

MA

#SampleSunday Shhh! Sekrit!

I’ve begun my NaNoWriMo journey for 2013. There’s a widget in the sidebar tracking my progress — or lack of progress, as the case may be — because I am a glutton for punishment.

What’s the sekrit? Well, it’s that I’m attempting to write a romantic mystery comedy, and I’ll be publishing it (assuming I finish and it isn’t too bad) under a pen name: Lois Meredith. Like it?

Here’s a bit — and please remember that NaNo is all about just knocking stuff out without worrying about the quality. This is a rough draft.

~*~

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She was so disappointed in herself, she could have cried. Oh, well, it’s not his fault I’m a goofball. Maybe he’s really a nice enough guy, once you get to know him, instead of expecting him to be somebody he’s not. Maybe.

By the time she pulled into the turnaround, she felt more herself.

The cousin – Waddy, for heaven’s sake – opened the passenger door and unfolded himself. When she got out, he had his head cocked, listening.

“Are those chickens I hear?”

“We keep a dozen, for the eggs.”

She opened the back door for Mr. Worthington, and a streak of black-white-and-brown launched itself onto the cobbles.

“Feisty!” Del Worthington nearly went head-first onto the drive, trying to catch his dog.

Chirp-chirp! faded around the corner of the garage, and the chickens exploded into panic. The crazy dog had run off with Del’s cell phone!

She and Waddy were neck-and-neck after the dog and found the little hound chasing one chicken after another, chirp-chirping all over the yard. That’s the dog? What kind of bark is that?

Waddy grabbed her arm, but she shook him off. No damn dog was going to worry her chickens, she didn’t care whose damn dog it was! She clutched at the dog, but his sleek body slipped through her hands. With a volley of chirps, he turned on her and fastened his teeth on her ankle.

“Ow! Owowowowow!” She had the sense to not jerk away or shake her leg. Punctured would be bad, but torn would be worse.

Waddy sat down next to her leg and the attached canine. Del stopped when he saw the tableau and said, in the hard, quiet voice Mayer had used for intense dramatic scenes,

“Look what you’ve done.”

“Excuse me,” she said, “but I’m not the one biting him. And it hurts!”

“He’s had his shots.”

Shots. I’ll give you shots.

“Ow,” she said.

Waddy was murmurring to the hound. “It’s okay, Feisty. You’re okay. Let the lady go. She didn’t mean to scare you. Let go, boy. Leave it. Leave it, Feisty. Leave it.”

The dog’s tail quivered. He released her in what Parma thought was a highly uncertain manner. She didn’t move until the dog was safely nestled in Waddy’s big arms and out of reach.

“If you don’t mind,” she said, “I’ll let the two of you tend to the luggage. I’d better see to this dog bite.”

“You frightened him,” Del said, coldly.

“He frightened my chickens,” she said, with equal ice. “Plus, he bit me.”

“He was frightened.”

“He’s a chicken chaser.”

“You don’t know anything about him.”

“I know he bites.”

~*~

Well, it’s fun to write, anyway.

A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: Set aside ten minutes and write on the topic of camera buttons. Why camera buttons? Why not camera buttons?

MA

 

#Caturday Little Miss Helpful

Katya Graymalkin here.

I’ve been very busy, helping around the house. Mom appreciates it especially this month, because she’s trying NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) again this year. Sometimes she finishes, sometimes she doesn’t, sometimes she doesn’t even try. This year, I think she’ll do it. That’s probably because I’ve been so helpful lately.

I regret that I couldn’t help Charlie put in the sink, but I’m not too terribly fond of water, you know, so I steered clear of anything to do with that particular project.

I did help him paint the basement steps, though. I know he was proud of me, because he made sure Mom saw what I had done. He made certain to point out every single contribution I made, especially this particularly fine example.

I would have been happy to carry the detailing through onto the bare wood of the kitchen floor, but Charlie had thoughtlessly put down newspapers, so he has nobody but himself to blame. Oh, well — Another time!

Even though I’m a domestic shorthair, I’m not much for housework, but here I am, helping Mom make the bed. You might think she takes that for granted, but she doesn’t. She even says, quite often, “Every time I start to make the bed, there you are!” I hope your human is as diligent as mine are about giving credit where credit is due. It makes one’s hard work worthwhile, to know it’s noticed and remarked on.

A WRITING PROMPT FOR ANIMALS: What do you do to help your human(s) out around the house and yard?

KG

Go Flash Some Bread

First, hop over to my Hot Flashes page and read the new monthly Hot Flash. Go on; I’ll wait.

Okay, it’s officially official: T. Lee Harris, Amanda Rotach Huntley and I have formed Three Fates Press / Line by Lion, and have a buncha books (including other than our own) in the pipeline to be re-issued/published. I have the rights back from my dear Echelon and my also-dear Hydra, so all my eggs will be in one basket. If you’re so inclined, go to our Indiegogo page and toss a couple coins in the kitty to help us get going. Well, we’re going already, but it’s fun to share the buzz of a new beginning.

With winter coming on, I’ll be baking a lot of bread. We all like this recipe, and I love the technique. It’s called Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day which is, frankly, a lie, but it IS quick and it IS easy and it IS good. It’s also vegan, so our vegan daughter can eat it freely. Beautiful, delicious bread, and very versatile. You can work some sugar and cinnamon in and make sweet bread or even sweet rolls, you can break the dough off in lumps and make buns, you can roll bits out flat and bake them in a hot oven and make pita, you can use it for pizza crust…. Great stuff!

Oh! Almost forgot: This is National Novel Writing Month and I’m making the attempt after a couple of years off. Wheeeeeee!

A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: What kind of bread does your main character choose in a restaurant or a grocery store?

MA

Gettin’ Mah Hands Dirty

Okay, our sink sprang a leak and was drooling all over itself. Not a pretty sight. Damn O-rings. So Charlie says, “How about we go shopping for faucets together?” Sweet talker!

So we went to Home Depot, because: Where else? And we found a whole entire sink for quite a decent price, and the convenience of doing fiddly plumby things out it God’s fresh air (the living room) rather than in the bottom of a kitchen cabinet more than justified the price.

Imagine my surprise when my part of the business turned out to be more than writing a check!

I got to hold stuff, peel the backing off sticky things, wipe excess sealant off things that didn’t need to be sealed, endeavor to decipher the directions (which seem to have been written by some of my spam commenters in committee), and watch for leaks when the water was turned back on.

I feel as if I ought to swagger and spit and work my hands in a grimy rag and hitch up my tool belt.

Yes, I removed my fingernail polish and cut my nails before I got all Bob the Builder wit’ my bad self.

And here it is: TA-DAAAAA! As Charlie’s Aunt Ora Mae used to say, now ain’t that pretty?

I’m as proud as if I had done some of the actual work.

A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: An unlikely character helps with a home improvement project.

–Oh — Happy Halloween.

MA

Baba Baba Baba GANOUSH

Made some. Et it. Loved it.

Yes, I made some baba ganoush before and did NOT like it, but ain’t a lady allowed to change her mind? (Hint: The answer is yes.)

Anywho, I got some fresh eggplant from the farmers’ market, which may have been the difference between this time and the other, disappointing time. I roasted the eggplant, cut it open and scraped out its guts (HAPPY HALLOWEEN E’EN, EVERYBODY!), added some peeled and chopped tomatoes, garlic olive oil, sesame oil, (you can see the oils glistening in the light of my powerful flash — FOOF), lemon juice, and salt and pepper, and ate up every scrip and scrap.

I was very happy to enjoy it, since I love the name. How can you not love something called baba ganoush?

I’m especially happy to like it because I love Josh Woodward‘s song, Baba Ganoush, which I used for the 30-second book trailer I did for my short story collection, LONNIE, ME AND THE HOUND OF HELL.

Delicious song! Delicious dish!

A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: Write about a food-related song. 100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall does NOT count.

MA