Happy, Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!!

It's hard to believe another year has zipped right by. But it has, and a new year always makes me feel like the slate has been wiped clean and there's fresh hope for the coming year!

I wish you and your families all the best for a fantastic, healthy, and prosperous 2011. I'll leave you with this Chinese fortune.

Good news will come to you by mail.

Okay, I cheated and opened another one so I also want to leave you with this -

Nothing can keep you from reaching your goals.

Keep Writing!

Kimberly

Why You Shouldn't Censor Your Writing

I met with my muse last night and I had an epiphany. A good one. A really good one.

For months, I haven't really cared for my opening, particularly my first 2 pages. They were okay, I think, but somehow I knew they could be better. I struggled to think of a way to rewrite or fix them.

Well last night, I figured out what the problem was and it all stemmed from something I realized I had done with this WIP. I had censored it. The reason: I won a critique from an editor at a well-known publisher. And I was censoring out inappropriate things that I felt this editor might not like. I didn't specifically remove or change those things, I just subconsciously did it while writing the novel because I didn't start this WIP until after I won that critique. Doing this was actually a huge detriment to my story and what it's underlying theme is all about.

Once I realized what I had done, (because you are supposed to do terrible things to your characters, right, even if you don't want to-and even if it is inappropriate) I knew how to rewrite those first pages. And, actually, I just rewrote it as a whole new chapter 1. It's only 2.5 pages long but I think it has a lot of punch-er, I mean creepy. :)

It's supposed to be creepy and I'd taken a lot of that creepy out by being appropriate. I'm now quite pleased with it. (we'll see how I feel in a few days after I let it 'rest')

I wanted to share - and remind everyone to make sure you're not censoring your own work in some way that will limit your WIP and prevent you from taking it to it's fullest potential. Don't be afraid to make your characters struggle - that's why we root for them. That's how we connect.

Happy Writing!

Kimberly

Be Jolly by Golly Blog Fest

Welcome --

and Happy Holidays!

First of all, a huge THANK YOU to Melissa and Jen for hosting the Be Jolly by Golly Blog Fest. Here are some pics (okay, so I only have one of a Christmas Angel to the left here) and a recipe that I hope you'll enjoy! I know I'll be indulging in everyone else's blogs during the blogfest - I am so looking forward to it!

Gooey Chocolate Cashew Bars

I found this recipe in the Land O Lakes butter several years ago and it is so good, melt in your mouth, you won't get enough of this -believe me! I always make it during the holidays. (And since it is their recipe I'm including their butter in the ingredients.)

Crust
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup Land O lakes butter, softened
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

Topping
1 1/2 cups salted cashews, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet real chocolate chips
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup dark corn syrup
3 eggs, slighty beaten
3 tablespoons Land O Lakes Butter, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla

• Heat oven to 350. Combine all crust ingredients in small mixer bowl. Beat at low speed until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Press crust mixture onto bottom of ungreased 13x9 baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
• Meanwhile, stir together all topping ingredients; mix well. Spread topping over hot, partially baked crust. Continue baking for 28-33 minutes or until set. Cool completely. Cut into bars. Cover and store refridgerated.

Thanks for stopping by - I can't wait to check out your blog too!

Kimberly

Revision Mode

I'm in the revision stage on one of my WIPs and that means lots of changes and lots of reading the same thing over and over. Thank goodness I love my stories, otherwise I might never get through the revisions to a polished and finished manuscript.


And speaking of revisions, I came across this sparkly gem of a post awhile back and wanted to share. It is one of the most helpful posts I've read about revising.


Taking out the Trash by Sylvia Rochester via the Heart of Louisiana website.

I'd love to hear what your tips on revising are. I'm certain I can use all the tips anyone can spare. :)

I'm Back - Woot!

Wow, I've been gone for awhile. I left due to a health emergency in our family that has long been (and mostly) resolved but then I became sidetracked with other things. Bad, bad me.

I haven't made New Year's resolutions in ages, however, I think I'll make at least one for the coming year and that is to try to blog/post, whatever the correct term is, at least once a week.

What about you - do you make resolutions each new year? And if so, what sorts of resolutions do you make?

Now back to writing! More later - :)