What Would You Do?

So I find myself at a crossroad. I have several projects in various stated of completion. There's a contemporary that's about 40% done that's calling to me. I have another contemporary that's at about 20% that I am really liking. Then there's book #2 in my witch series, which is also about 20% complete but I kind of want to get that one out soonest because the first one is already out. Problem is if I finish that one first, I really ought to start plotting out book #3, yet there are the others to finish as well as three or four new ideas tickling my fancy.

So I want to know - what would you do? How do you choose between projects when the choice is completely your?

Confessions of a Downton Abbey Addict

My name is Wynter and I am an addict. My drugs of choice aren't substances or pornography or gambling. I am hooked on Mary, Matthew, Edith, Cora, Mr. and Mrs. Bates, Daisy and the like.

Thankfully, my addiction isn't a harmful thing except that I have turned down a few Sunday evening social invitations in order to stay home and indulge! But it's okay because the show has so much going for it, I don't mind occasionally forgoing live human contact in order to watch.

Besides, I think Downton's success has had some very positive effects on the viewing public. First of all, it's gotten a whole lot of folks watching who've never given public broadcasting a second glance. Yay for that!

The show has risen above the Honey Booboo-esque reality shows that are contributing to the dumbing down of the US. Hopefully Downton Abbey will set a trend -- a raising of the bar of the caliber of television programming.

I know I am not alone in my addiction because the show's market share is high. So step up and admit it. Are you addicted?

Giving In

My trip to the eye doctor last week was eye-opening. Literally! I had to face the fact that I am getting older. Yup - reading glasses. Now I've worn contacts for years - since my college days. And several years ago my friends started taking out cute little pairs of readers at dimly-lit restaurants to read the menus. I'd compliment the glasses and mention that I still didn't need reading glasses.

Well, those days are over. Now I am the one who has bought half a dozen pairs of Foster Grants and stashed them around my house so I can read a recipe or a paperback or a bill.

It's time to face it - I must give in to this damn aging thing. At least now I can read the instructions on how to do it!

My family has always referred to me as "cookie challenged." It's not that I am a bad cook - I regularly make gourmet meals from scratch. And I even bake sometimes. But for years, mastering almost any kind of cookies seemed out of reach.

But this year I decided I was going to try anyway. I found a recipe for chocolate chip cookies that sounded yummy and they actually came out perfect. So I moved on to something a little more challenging - meringue cookies. If the egg whites aren't beaten enough or if they are overcooked, the delicate cookies are ruined. But guess what - I did it. And on the second try, I added some peppermint and mini chocolate chips, customizing the recipe and making it more my own.
My next challenge will be pralines, which are pretty difficult since they require the use of a candy thermometer. And between you and me - I've screwed them up more than once.

All this has taught me a little something that I can apply to writing. Sometimes we fail at writing something because we don't yet have the knowledge or experience we need. So we start with small steps - a short story or a single chapter. We work at creating characters that leap off the page and romantic tension that sizzles. We take the challenges that come with each phase or writing a book until we master them.

We kick it up to the next level by adding elements of language and character that are uniquely our own voice. I can add those chocolate chips or even a sprinkle of lemon zest or cinnamon to spice it up. So yeah, I can do this.

Okay - back to work. I hear my Work-in-Progress calling.

Watching Helplessly

So I have a whole lot of family in the area hit by Superstorm Sandy. And all I can do is keep my eyes on the news reports. Thankfully, I've been able to reach my loved ones and all are safe. But others are having a harder time getting hold of their friends and relatives.
As someone who lives in a hurricane zone, I try to always stay in touch with my peeps in times of disaster. But there's nothing more nerve-racking than not knowing.

So many people have been affected by this unprecedented storm that it leaves many of us feeling helpless. But we're not. Want to do something to help out those who've been devastated by this event? Here's something you can do: Donate to the Red Cross.

Please send your prayers, thoughts, energy or what have you to all the victims of this storm. It all helps!

Frustration!

Those close to me know that I have been on a diet/exercise plan for the past year. I've done pretty well for the most part, with the exception of a few months when my parents had to stay with us after my dad's knee replacement surgery.

But lately the scale has been on an upward slide that is really unnerving me. I haven't missed any workouts - usually five per week - and I haven't added any new stress to my life. I think what's happening is that I've gradually eased up on my diet restrictions. Low carb/high protein has worked great, but I've stopped charting my food intake on a regular basis. In addition, I have an inner dialog going on with the classic angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other who usually wins. He tells me just a couple cookies won't hurt or a few french fries won't kill me.

So how do I squash the little devil and stay on track for the long term? I know the first thing I need to do is to start journaling my food every day because that worked for me for a long time. Do you have anything that's worked for you in the long haul? I'd love suggestions.

Passionate Cooks

Here's a great op for a completely free cookbook. Passionate Cooks has loads of delicious recipes including one from yours truly! And the best part? It's absolutely FREE!!!

One of my family's favorite recipes is included - Succulent Spinach Pie. So head over to All Romance EBooks and pick up your own copy.