Jennifer Shirk's Blog, page 36

Three's a Crowd? Children in Romance Novels

Hope all you moms out there had a great Mother's day! (I did) Mine started with sleeping in, lovely homemade gifts from the kiddo, then a brunch with my mom and family, then I read all afternoon, then the hubby cooked me dinner.

It doesn't get better than that!

Anyhew, last week I was at a writer's forum and they were discussing children in romance novels. (Maybe Mother's Day prompted this. I'm not sure.)


But considering, um, I write romance novels, I couldn't help but join in on the discussion. And I learned something that surprised me.

Not a lot of readers (at the forum, anyway) enjoy seeing children in romance novels. In fact, I think I was the only one who said they liked seeing children in them.

*Gasp*

What is it? Too close to reality?
Actually, yes. Most felt children or a child or a baby took away from the actual romance, the "fantasy", and was too real world for them.

Considering two of my soon-to-be three published romances have a child or children in them, I don't find that the case. :-) And apparently Harlequin's family style and/or secret baby romances do quite well too. Unless I'm the only one reading them, and I know that can't be.



But here's why I think a child or children can be a nice addition to a romance novel:

1) a child is a great vehicle to show character growth in one or two of your main characters. Your character may have started out a selfish playboy but now that he learns he has a family, he can change and be a responsible father by the end.

2) a child is a great vehicle for comic relief. I know my kiddo says the funniest things--and some of the things she's said or even the situations she's gotten herself into, I've used in my books.

3)a child can provide "likeability" for your character. Maybe your main character isn't the nicest person on the planet, but she/he can show a different side and have a different heart around a child. Very likeable.

4) a child can add great internal or external conflict for a character. Your main character doesn't have just he/she to worry about now, they have the child to consider in their quest for their goal. Conflict!



I happen to be a real sucker for children in books--maybe more so now that I'm a mom myself. But as long as there is balance and the child doesn't control the story, a child can really add some nice depth to a story.



What about you? Do you read romance? Do you like children in romance novels or books in general?

2 4 6 8, Who Do We Appreciate?

It was Teacher Appreciation Week this past week!


Yep, and to show how much I appreciate my kiddo's teachers I made a homemade chocolate chip cheesecake for a luncheon we had for them at the school. I even cut some flowers from my—er, my neighbor's-- lilac bush, so my kiddo could bring them in for her teacher too. (I'm really thoughtful that way)

So yes, I really do appreciate my kiddo's teachers. They weren't getting store-bought cheesecake from me! In fact, I appreciate ALL teachers.

But, uh, that being said…

When I was working as a pharmacist I never had Pharmacist Appreciation Week. Although someone did just tell me we have an appreciation DAY. (Jan. 12) Huh. None of the patients I saw seemed to know that. I would have even settled for a short Thank You note from a customer thanking me for working 14 hours a day with no lunch or dinner breaks (and barely a bathroom break), dispensing the correct medication, and not killing them.

I'm sure it was on their "to do" list somewhere.

So let me just say now…

You're welcome. And I'm really glad you're not dead.


And what about authors too? (Can't forget them)

Do they get an Appreciation Week thanking them for all the hours upon hours that they spend crammed up against some computer somewhere, unshowered and in yoga pants muttering to themselves just so we the reader can get a few hours of entertainment?

No. Apparently authors only get a DAY for that too. (Nov 1st)

The list could on.

This has all made me think long and hard about people I've taken for granted.

So allow me to now hold high on a pedestal and appreciate some people who might have been overlooked in my life. After all, everyone deserves a little recognition:

Thank you to everyone who has has ever worked with me and my slight case of self-diagnosed OCD. I know. You know. Thank you.

Thank you to my thyroid surgeon. He could have given me one nasty Frankenstein scar right across the throat. Instead, I have a little bitty one that only I notice. (in certain lights)

Thank you to Tony Horton of P90x. Thanks to Mr. Bring It I actually look forward to exercising and most days I actually do "bring it".

Thank you to the garbage men in my area. You always manage to keep my trashcans tightly together after emptying them. Wow. That little extra yard effort is so very appreciated.

Thank you to every waitress or waiter who has ever served us while we were eating with my father-in-law. He can be tough and a jokester too. You deserve every penny of that tip we give you.

And lastly, since Mother's Day is in a few days, I can't forget to appreciate Mom.
Thanks for giving me life and putting up with me (especially during those trying teenage years!) and when I forget to call.



If you're a mother, have a Happy Mother's Day!



Did you know it was Teacher Appreciation Week? Anyone else you want to appreciate?

A to Z Blog Challenge: Z is for...

I'm late. I know. But I am finishing this blog challenge.

Thanks so much to all my new followers and for everyone involved in this challenge! It was long but fun, and I really enjoyed meeting so many new people!

Anyhew, Z is for: Zoboomafoo!

Ha! You're probably thinking zoboomawhat?

Zoboomafoo was actually a PBS children's television show.
It used to one of my kiddo's favorite shows. (I liked it too)
Every week you'd learn about some new animal--and most of them were pretty funky.

I remember once when the kiddo was in preschool, she took a field trip to the zoo. I was one of the mommy chaperones and walked around with her and a bunch of her friends plus some other moms too.

Well, my kiddo looks nonchalantly in one of the pens and says, "Oh, look Mommy, a capybara."

I laugh when I think of the other mom's face when she heard that. I mean what four year old can identify a capybara?
What forty year old can identify a capybara? LOL

Anyhew, the mom looks at me and asks, "Um, can your daughter read?"

I was like, "Nope, she just watches Zoboomafoo." :-)

I think the show still might be on reruns now. At least, I hope so. There should be more educational and FUN shows like that on today.

Have you ever heard of Zoboomafoo? What is your favorite children's educational TV show?

A to Z Challenge: Y is for...

I'm feeling rushed lately--rushed to finish my WIP, rushed to get painting and repairs around the house done, and now all of sudden Mother's Day is around the corner and I have no gifts for my mom or mother in-law.

So Y is for: yada yada.

Why yada yada?

Remember this term from Seinfeld? People were using the term yada yada to gloss over details of a story to get to the end. Well, I feel like that. All of a sudden I was finishing getting ready for Easter, I was working on my writing, I just put away the plastic eggs, and yada yada ...

Mother's Day is in a week.

How did THAT happen? I have no gifts and no gift ideas for my mom OR mother-in-law so I'm scrambling today.

What are you getting your mother or mother-in-law for Mother's Day? Any ideas?

A to Z Challenge: X is for...

Got some great writing done the other day! Big thanks for all the rah-rahs and support. :-)



But now for something even more personal...


X is for: X-ray.


I've only had ONE broken bone in my life. (Okay, technically it was two: the radius and ulna in my ONE wrist, ONE time).


Here's how:
I was a sophomore in college, living on campus and being totally stupid and irresponsible as only a sophomore living away from her parents can be. We were at a party, I had a few drinks, and suddenly wanted to climb up a friend's bunk bed because I've never been in a bunk bed before (And yes, my life has so vastly improved from that experience).


Anyhew, this wasn't your average bunk bed. It was much higher. My friend lived alone in her dorm and thought it would be cool to suspend her bed between two desks instead.

I don't really know how I got up there to be honest. The ladder didn't reach all the way to the top. So when it was time for me to come down my friends pulled out a chair for me to lightly drop down on. Brilliant idea except I was in socks so when I dropped onto the chair I slipped right off of it.


And landed in a trashcan.


(True story)
Well, luckily another friend was nearby to drive me to the ER, where I had X-rays and was put into a cast.

End of story. Well, not really the end. My boyfriend at the time was not pleased that I went to a party without him, I missed a lot of classes and had to reschedule exams, I had THE worst time trying to fend for myself with one arm and no mommy around, and my parents weren't exactly thrilled with how I broke my wrist either. Good times.
Anyhew, that's the first and last time I ever broke anything.

How about you? Have you ever broken a bone? What did you break? How old were you?

A to Z challenge: W is for...

This post will be brief. Sorry.

Today I need to crank out some major wordage and do double-time because Thursday I have a hair appointment and literally it'll take all day (cut and highlight)

So W is for: Words!

Here's what I've on my WIP and have to go on it:



Oooh...I'm so close I can practically taste it!

Anyhew, if you're as obsessed with word counts and word meters as much as I am, then you need to check out this link.
There are lots to choose from.

Now go write and be merry, too! :-)

A to Z Challenge: V is for...

Ah, the letter V.
Now, I could be all cool and writerly and talk about "voice", but I'm not feeling cool or writerly. :)



Instead, V is for: Vegetarian!



I am not a vegetarian--although I think I easily could be. (The dang meatarian family is holding me back) But I try to cook a few meatless meals a week. Anyway, as I was cleaning out various drawers I found some recipes that I had cut out of the newspaper. (They were yellow so it had been a while)
There was a recipe for Mexican Vegetarian Lasagna so I decided to make it. It was great! In fact, it's even better the next day.


So here it is:

cooking spray
5 large flour tortillas (10-inch)
1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes with mild green chilies
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon sugar
1 large egg
16 ounces regular sour cream
2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided use
1 bunch green onion (for 1/2 cup chopped)
1 (2 1/4 ounce) can sliced black olives (optional)
Change Measurements: US Metric

Directions:
Prep Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 1 1/4 hr
1 Preheat the oven to 400 F; Spray a 13-by-9-inch baking pan with cooking oil spray; Set aside.
2 Stack the tortillas on a cutting board, and slice through them lengthwise into 3 strips each (The strips will not be uniform because of their circular shape; This is OK) Set aside.
3 Pour the corn and black beans into a colander, and rinse with warm tap water to begin defrosting the corn and rinse the beans; Set aside to drain.
4 In a small bowl, stir together the tomatoes with their juice, the tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and sugar; Spoon about half of the sauce into the bottom of the dish; Cover the sauce with 5 of the tortilla strips (it's fine if they overlap somewhat).
5 Break the egg into a medium-size mixing bowl, and beat with a whisk or fork until foamy; Add the sour cream and 1 cup of the cheese; Stir to mix well; Spoon half of the sour cream mixture evenly over the tortilla layer and spread it out with the back of a spoon; Scatter half of the corn and black beans over the sour cream mixture.
6 Place 5 more tortilla strips evenly over the corn and black bean layer; Top with the remaining sour cream mixture, and the remaining black beans and corn; Place the remaining tortilla strips over the dish; Pour the remaining tomato sauce mixture over the tortillas, and spread it evenly with the back of a spoon to moisten all of the tortilla strips.
7 Cover the dish with foil, and bake for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
8 While the dish bakes, rinse and trim the green onions; Slice the green onions thinly, using all of the whites and enough of the tender green tops to make 1/2 cup; Set aside.
9 If using the black olives, drain them well, and set aside.
10 After baking lasagna, scatter the green onions and olives, if using, evenly over the dish; Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, for 5 more minutes.
11 Remove the dish from the oven, and scatter the remaining cup of Mexican cheese evenly over the dish.
12 Return the dish, uncovered, to the oven, and bake until the cheese melts, about 3 minutes.
13 Remove the lasagna from the oven, and let it stand 10 minutes; Slice into squares and serve.

**The kiddo especially loved this meal!

Do you cook vegetarian? Any good recipes you'd like to share?

A to Z Challenge: U is for...

Well, today is the last day of spring break. (Kiddo goes back tomorrow.) And considering I still have yet to touch my WIP, I realized something.



Thus, U is for: Unable.

Ugh. Unable. I don't like that word.
(and U is for "ugh" too, now that I think about it)

But anyway, between the two birthdays, Easter, and spring break, April proved to be a tougher month than expected, so I'm not going to complete my book in three months goal.

WAH!

But it'll be okay. My crit partners are giving me an extension! (They're so sweet). So I now have until the end of May to finish my book. I only need about 20K more.
If I can't finish by then, then...

Well, I don't know what will happen.

But I know I will wear the L for LAME on my forehead for awhile, I'll be slightly depressed, and I won't be able to treat myself to anything nice for a job well done. So I think all that will be punishment enough.

So today I'm chillin', because come tomorrow I'm on a mission to finish.

Did you realize you were unable to do something this month?
Did you accomplish anything recently?

(Or tell me what you did for Easter) :-) **We went out to dinner with the family (all nine of us)

A to Z challenge: T is for...

It's Easter Sunday, so...


T has to be for: The Resurrection!


If you are Christian then you know that the resurrection is the belief that Jesus returned to bodily life on the third day following his death by crucifixion. It is a key element of Christian faith and theology and the reason we Christians celebrate Easter.


LUKE chapter 24:1-9

Now on the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the aromatic spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood beside them in dazzling attire. The 11women were terribly frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has been raised! Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again." Then the women remembered his words, and when they returned from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.


If you're celebrating, have a happy Easter!

A to Z Challenge: S is for...

Morning, all!

I'm a little late in today's post because my kiddo had a sleepover at our house with TWO friends. But sleepover is not my word of the day, although it could be.

Instead, S is for: Saturday!

Original, huh? But as I said in the beginning of this blog challenge, these posts are not planned. I'm just rolling with it. :-)

Yes, so Saturday. And what have I done so far?

The kids were up at 5:30 (lovely) so that means I was up at 5:30. And because I'm a spoiler, I made homemade buttermilk chocolate chip pancakes for them (with whipped cream and sprinkles) and fried up some bacon.

I had a protein bar for breakfast.

Now I'm waiting for the kids to be picked up so I can go exercise. Yes, my hubby is around to watch the kids but he begged me not to leave him alone with them. He was like, "Don't leave! I'll easily lose control. You they'll listen to. Me, I'm practically one of them so they won't."

That made me laugh and take pity, so I'm blogging instead.

Later today, I plan to make a picture album for the whole 2010 year and put together Easter baskets. Then maybe read and make some cookies.

I love rainy Saturdays. :)

What are you doing today?