A Writer's Life is Like a Commercial

Several decades ago, there was a commercial on TV. In it, a man walks out of his house. It's dark outside. "Time to make the donuts." In the next frame, he returns (still dark) saying he's made the donuts. The scenes repeat and repeat and repeat. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=petqFm94osQ

Everytime I sit down to write a novel, I feel like that donut maker. Since I work full time, I have to rise early. Very early. The sun isn't even up early. To write.  And there's always writing to be done. Sentence, paragraph, page, scene and chapter. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

And even when I have to get ready for work, I think of the scene while I'm dressing, feeding the cats and dog, showering and eating breakfast. I think of the scene while I'm driving, badging into my work building and organizing my day.

Rain or shine, sleet or hail, it's time to write the words that make a sentence that make a paragraph that make a scene that make a chapter that make a book.

And some of my books have had over 50 chapters in them.

Even if I write one chapter a day, that's fifty days without rest from the book. And that's not counting edits and revisions. Think about it when you decided your next project. Be in love with what you're creating and look forward to spending time with them. You're going to be there a while.

Whoops, there goes the alarm. Time to make the donuts, er, write the chapter:-)

Recipe for Dieting

I am glad to report I am still on my modified version of The South Beach Diet and still losing. I'm not very good at eating vegetables, so I decided to cook something up. In the book they have a recipe for cherry tomatoes with mozzarella stick pieces heated up inside. I don't know where I saw a variation with mushrooms and couldn't find the recipe. This is my version. I enjoyed them and hope you will, too.

Ingredients to make 6:

6 Portabella (aka Portobello) Mushrooms
1 Tomato, cut into 6 slices
3 Mozzarella Low Fat Cheese Sticks
Parsley Flakes if desired


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
I used a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, but only because I hate to clean. It takes away from writing time.

 First, I sliced the caps off the mushrooms, brushed olive oil on top, and heated for 7 minutes on the side with the oil facing up and 2 on the other. You can change this how you see fit.

Next, I placed a tomato slice on top of each mushroom, and then mozzarella on the very top. I had to slice cheese sticks because that is all I had available. You can use shredded mozzarella or slices.

I baked them for 10 minutes, but they are done when the cheese is melted.
Optional: I sprinkled parsley flakes on top for added color.