Sunday Salon: March 20, 2016

What a nice spring break we celebrated here in Kansas City. The weather even cooperated: we had some sunny warm days along with some much needed rain, and even a few snowflakes at the end.

Reading:

While I didn't necessarily plan it, I had a pretty big reading week.

First, I finally completed The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah. My struggle with this book had nothing to do with the author's writing style (I am in awe of her vivid descriptions) or the storyline (she creates such compelling characters I swear I would recognize them on the street). But instead, I struggle with the time period.

I know the importance of remembering the atrocities of Hitler and World War II, but my imagination runs wild and I can hardly handle the emotional flood as I read.  I wanted to discover what happened to the two sisters, Isabelle and Vivianne - but I could only read in short bursts of time.



In the end, I am glad I persevered. I would give this book high marks, not only for the well-told story, but also for the poignant writing of difficult events we should never forget.

I drove south for a midweek getaway and decided I would try to fill the four-hour car ride by listening to a book. For long-time readers of this blog, you may remember that audiobooks and I have not had a good relationship in the past. I find them exhausting.

But because of Laura's great review last Sunday, I decided to give them one more try. I obtained a copy of Blame on CD from my local library and managed to listen to a little more than half of the book on the round trip. GREAT book - GREAT audio experience - and I'm excited to try some more. Any recommendations?

Lastly, I quickly skimmed two more MG novels to keep my mind in-tune with that age group. One was the first book in a new series by Robin Newman entitled: The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake. The story takes place on Ed's farm where two mice detectives must solve the clues to the missing food mysteries. There is plenty of humor, adorable play-on-words, and a clever enough plot to keep children entertained.

The last book I read could possibly be considered a modern-day classic (of sorts): Island of Time by R. A. Montgomery. This is one of the many popular choose-your-own-adventure stories from the 1990s. I'm not sure how I missed this engaging series, but I adore the concept! In fact, I wonder if my own children would enjoy reading more if they had the opportunity to relate to the text in such a meaningful way.

I would love to adapt my own MG novel to this interactive format, but I'm not sure I have the imagination to develop so many different storylines.

I'm somewhat surprised there aren't more books like this available today. Was it a fad that lost its appeal?

Writing:

I got away for a couple of days this week so I could devote time to writing.

My husband had business appointments in the morning, which afforded me a solid 3-4 hours each day to write without interruption. And I did... sort of.

I began to pre-write the A-Z challenge posts and made some good headway there. And writing is writing, right?

I also started outlining the chronology of events in the search of Cassatt's missing dog. I know the Paris sights I want to visit, and I know the logical order of the chase.

But truth be told, all of this was a way to justify procrastination.

Writing non-fiction is well within my comfort zone. Planning and outlining and researching are my strengths. But crafting a fiction story is nearly torture for me.

I still have no conflict. I still don't know how the various characters will intersect and relate to one another. I still don't know if I want the focus to be on art appreciation or a tour of the city.

But as Julia Cameron quoted on social media this week: A page at a time, a day at a time, we slowly build strength.

Consistency, perseverance, endurance (and perhaps a bit of stubbornness) will help me win the race.

Blogging:

... In case you missed any posts this week:

• How to Journal: Writing Prompts from the Artist's Way
• French Friday: Rue Montorgueil
• Totoro Family Recipes: Fudge Muffins

"FUN"

I did make good on last week's promise to take myself on an artist's date with my camera to the arboretum. The weather was spectacular and the first signs of spring quite evident.

 As I indicated above, my husband and I went on a midweek getaway to Springfield, MO, where we visited local coffee shops and enjoyed relaxing dinners. I had hoped to take my camera on another date and visit Sheldon the giraffe at the Wild Animal Safari, but rain thwarted those plans.

Instead, we visited the local scrapbook store where I oohed and aahed over all the paper, stickers and embellishments. Perhaps next week I will report having some "fun" scrapbooking.