Monday, September 30, 2013

License Plate Interpretation PART 2

My husband saw this at work and, thoughtful man, took a picture for me:


This one had me curious . . . did someone choose to put this on themselves because it is a nickname from someone they love? Or did a dad do this to his daughter? Or maybe a different option all together . . . like they are a fan of that children's show . . . This is the song that never ends . . . Gah! What have I done?! Now I'll be singing it all day. :(

What do you think? What is the story?

Monday, September 23, 2013

License Plate Interpretation

Last Saturday we were headed off to my son's soccer game when we came across this license plate:

CANT-B

It was on a white SUV made by GMC. So my question to you is: What can't be?

Monday, September 16, 2013

Tools

I have this cookie recipe that is just . . . Yum. So yum that people ask for the recipe all the time. Now I'm no master baker, but seriously, these cookies rock.

Which is why I was so surprised when I got some feedback that the cookies weren't working out. Had I missed an ingredient? Forgotten to tell them something? What was the secret that I was withholding?!!

I couldn't figure it out until I made them during a visit to my parents. The cookies weren't the same at all! I'd used my same recipe. I'd done everything the same, so why had I failed?

And then it hit me. The pans! At home I always use a baking stone. My parents didn't have one. And oh, what a difference it made.

So it turns out that my cookies aren't amazing because of any special talent I have, but rather because of the tools I use.

A lesson that applies to life. When I started writing, I thought that getting published was about talent. Only those who were born with an intrinsic ability to write could attain such a lofty goal. But I've since learned differently. Writing (or drawing, or playing a sport, or whatever it is you love to do) isn't about talent. It's about tools. And getting those tools is about work.

You want to write characters who are real? Start reading about characterization. In the blogosphere alone there are countless articles on how to do this. Check out a few books on writing, then practice, practice, practice. That is how you gain the tool of creating awesome characters. And the same goes for any other aspect of writing, or really of anything.

You don't think your talented enough? So what! Get out there and do the work. Practice, practice, practice. Because that, my friends, is where it's at.

Have you ever gotten a "tool" through practice and hard work?

Monday, September 9, 2013

This vs. That: Potato Chips vs. Cheese Puffs

I really meant to get to this a long time ago. And I could sling excuses all over the place in explanation, BUT . . . I know you're all dying to hear the results of this debate. Dying!

And I cannot in good conscious be the cause of anyone's early demise, so here we go:

Total votes: 13

Potato Chips: 9 votes; 69%
Cheese Puffs: 3 votes; 23%
Popcorn: 1 vote; 8%
Interesting. Everyone had an opinion. Not one person was split or wanted to vote for both. I place the blame entirely on the powdered cheese. It has a polarizing effect kind of like Hilary Clinton. Either you love, love, love it, or you can't stand it. No middle ground involved.

I voted for potato chips, but I confess that watching Toy Story 2 kind of makes me want to inhale a bowl or two of cheese puffs. Gross, I know. Which in the end is why potato chips won.

Another interesting note on this topic is that they have inverted initials: PC (Potato Chips) vs. CP (Cheese Puffs). Funny, huh? AND both initials stand for something else. PC: Politically Correct OR Personal Computer. CP: Critique Partner.

If I had noticed the initial thing sooner, I might have chosen Cheese Puffs solely for the preferable word association. Because I LOVE my critique partners. Hi guys! *waves at all my CP's*

Alas I digress.

So on to the next debate:


Cold Cereal

vs.

Pancakes

Monday, September 2, 2013

We Have a Winner!

Thanks to everyone who entered my giveaway and helped spread the word. You guys are awesome!

Rafflecopter has chosen a winner . . .

Sandra

Congratulations! I have e-mailed you with instructions to claim your prize. Thanks again to all who entered. Now go enjoy your day!