Week in Review: Spring Break Plans

This year our school break coincides with Daylight Savings Time ... which in my mind is the non-official start to Spring. While I missed the one hour of sleep last night, I will relish the extra hour of afternoon daylight for the next several months.

Reading Progress:

I'm currently reading The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult. One of the challenges for #MarchMysteryMadness is to read a historical mystery/thriller, and this book fits the category.

The story focuses on two survivors of World War II: a Jewish woman who witnessed the atrocities of the Halocaust, and a German SS soldier. As is typical of Picoult, the story unfolds with alternative viewpoints as well as alternative time periods, with flashbacks to the 1940s.

Italian Family Christmas

I first had the idea to write Italian family Christmas in December 2016. I wanted to document our holiday traditions to leave as a legacy for my children.

The cornerstone of our celebration is Christmas Eve - when we prepare the Vigil, or The Feast of Seven Fishes. This tradition was introduced to my husband's family by his adopted grandmother, Cora McKee. It has been a part of southern Italian heritage for centuries.

The origin of the Feast is linked to the Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church. Some Italian families pare the feast down to three courses, representing the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

By the time I joined the family, the tradition remained without the religious symbolism.

Twelve Ways to Bless an Author

Writers write. It's what we do.

We write because we have a story or message that aches to be told. We write because we can't NOT write. It is a part of our DNA.

We also write to connect with others. We want our words to bring joy, knowledge, and/or healing to those who find themselves in a similar situation or season in life. We may write in solitude, but we envision our audience as we pen our next work.

Trusting the Creative Process

I do not procrastinate. I like organization and routines. Each Sunday I sit down with my planner and contemplate the week ahead. I review both appointments and tasks and then create a schedule to meet those demands. I strive to make life as stress-free as possible.

This is my normal, left-brained world.

My creative life is a different story.

While I try to plan manageable schedules, editorial calendars, and brainstorming sessions, my right-brain refuses to cooperate. Sure, I go through the motions, but there is little concrete evidence on the page. Stress sets in and I begin to doubt: Do I have anything worthwhile to say?

Week in Review: July 2, 2017

I know it's been a while since I've participated in my favorite weekly meme... but I did not realize it had been nearly five months! How does time pass so quickly?!

My lack of participation does not mean a lack of reading or writing, which I will detail below.

Reading:

My GoodReads Challenge is well-ahead of schedule.

I set the goal to read a book-a-week, and currently, I've read 47 books. Now, many of these are Kindle Unlimited books on writing and self-publishing (more about that below...) and a few have focused on Middle-Grade historical fiction focusing on 19th immigrants (research for a new writing project). But I've also read several notable works of contemporary fiction.

Week in Review: January 15, 2017

We've spent the last 48 hours bracing for the ice storm. I bought plenty of groceries to hunker down for the long weekend. I prepared a Thanksgiving dinner on Friday so we could eat leftovers the remaining days, just in case we lost power.

As is typical with Kansas weather, the storm took a slightly different route. We were completely dry on Friday. Totally dry on Saturday. And barely a glaze on the road surface this morning. By this afternoon, temperatures will rise and all will turn to rain.

But I'm not complaining. Friday night's dinner (with wine tasting) was delightful, and the dreary forecast provided the perfect excuse to stay inside to read and write for four straight days!

Week in Review: August 14, 2016

For many here in the Midwest, the first day of school is quickly approaching. Normally I would be caught up in excited anticipation, but this year, I fully embrace retirement.

On a somewhat related note... Did I hear McDonald's will start offering Pumpkin Spice lattes at the end of the month?! As much as I long for cooler temperatures, I'm not quite ready for fall. How about you?

How to Write an Essay Others Want to Read

This will be the final post in my How to Journal series.

The last few posts focused on leaving a legacy ... using journaling notes, old photographs, and memorabilia to craft family stories that preserve our values and milestone moments for future generations.

The two most common complaints I hear from those who want to develop a journaling routine are:

1. I don't know what to write
2. I don't know how to write

Travel Journaling

This post is the final one in my How to Journal series from another blog. I thought it was a suitable transition post, as My Cozy Book Nook is now my primary blog.

Last week I shared my Travel Bucket List - one that I'm sure will change and grow over time.

Today  I will discuss how I document my travels ... and how these same techniques can also be used to document my life journey.

I owe much of this content to Dave Fox, author of Globejotting: How to Write Extraordinary Travel Journals, a book I highly recommend! I refer to this resource at least once a year, and each time I find a new nugget to incorporate in my own journaling routine.

In essence, Dave suggests there are four different stages of travel journaling:

• Pre-Journaling: when you journal your plans for the trip, your expectations and anticipations.
• In the Moment: when you journal while on the trip, speed journaling a few minutes at a time. 
• Post-Journaling: when you journal after the trip, reviewing the notes from above, and crafting meaningful entries
• Re-Journaing: when you journal several months or even years later, revisiting these essays and discovering meaningful themes or lessons learned.

The Sunday Salon: July 31, 2016

How is it that tomorrow is August 1st?!
Does anyone else feel as though time is on the express train?

Reading:
I maintained a decent reading schedule this week.

I managed to finish the Jessica Fletcher mystery, Manhattans and Murder, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I'm sure it helped to have the old 80s re-runs playing in my head as I read along, but ultimately I thought this was a well-written whodunit. I truly escaped into the holiday season of New York City, and I enjoyed the Cabot Cove characters.

DIY MFA - Book Review

DIY MFA: Write with Focus, Read with Purpose, Build Your Community
by: Gabriela Pereira
published by: Writer's Digest Books
copyright: 2016

Book Summary from GoodReads:
Get the Knowledge Without the College!

Sunday Salon: March 27, 2016

Happy Easter!
Fortunately the glory of this Sunday is not dependent upon the weather.... cold, rainy, and a bit of snow here in Kansas City.

Reading:
I managed to continue a good reading streak this week - for me.

"Research" reading for my MG novel took precedent. I finished three books and gleaned a few ideas from each.

Madame Martine Breaks the Rules by Sarah S Brannen. This is the second book of a series. I read the first one last year and thoroughly enjoyed it (you can read my brief review here). Of course, what's not to like: a cute little dog runs through Paris, winding up at the Eiffel Tower. Through this mischievous behavior, the dog teaches Madame Martine to leave her comfort zone and enjoy life.

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.

Sunday Salon: March 13, 2016

It's spring break here in Kansas City, and the weather is certainly cooperating: we are supposed to reach 80 degrees tomorrow! Of course, this is the Midwest, so I anticipate much cooler temps by the end of the week. No worries...I have indoor and outdoor activities planned, so I'm prepared no matter the weather.

Reading:

I'm not sure where I discovered this new MG series, The Flashback Four, but I certainly enjoyed the first book, and I'm excited to read more in the future.

Dan Gutman is the author of another popular time travel series, the Baseball Card Adventures, which I will now read. He nails the middle grade voice which is a skill I need to improve.

TSS: February 21, 2015

We enjoyed a glimpse of spring this weekend with sunny 70s both Friday and Saturday. I know it won't last long, but I'm grateful winter will soon come to a close.

Health Update:
It's hard to believe the accident was six weeks ago today.

I am now walking well without a cane - although endurance is lacking. I used to walk three miles every morning with no difficulty; now walking around the block can tire me out. Oh well... baby steps to recovery, right?

I am also sling-less, now focusing on range of motion exercises. I can easily become discouraged when I realize how far I have to go ... but I stop myself and instead focus on how far I've come. I can drive now - shower myself - and style my hair (somewhat). Again, baby steps.

TSS - May 31, 2015

I heard on the news this morning that Kansas City has experienced only 4 days of sunshine the entire month of May. Yesterday, the high was 62 degrees! I now know I am not meant to live in London nor the Pacific Northwest :) I need more color than gray, overcast skies.

While I might be complaining a wee bit, I know the weather is just a bit of an inconvenience here in Kansas City. I am praying for those in Texas who have endured so much worse this past week (and grateful my family in Houston continue to do well).

Reading:

I am reading quite a bit of writing 'how to' books, which I will discuss a bit later, but I am trying to work my way through the historical fiction novel, A Paris Apartment by Michelle Gable. So far, I have mixed feelings.

On the one hand, I am thoroughly enjoying the non-fiction storyline. Mme de Florian led a colorful life in the 9eme arrondissement during la Belle-Epoque. She fled Paris in the late 1930s, never to return. When she died in 2010, the apartment was discovered - with everything left in tact. This portion of the narrative is told in diary form, and I love imagining I am right there with her - walking the back streets of Paris, meeting the artists of the day, witnessing the grand society of the time.

On the other hand, I am not quite as fond of the modern day story. April Vogt is a PhD graduate and furniture specialist. She has been called to Paris to authenticate the furnishings for the auction house. Her marriage is on rocky ground, however, and there is the possibility of a Parisian love interest. The story is written well enough, I just don't find it as compelling as the life and times of Mme de Florian. I find myself skimming through these chapters in order to quickly return to the journal entries.

I will certainly finish the novel, but I'm curious if any of you have read it. If so, what is your opinion of the two story lines?

Writing:

I am always amazed how the slightest shift in paradigm can completely change my outlook.

As many of you know (and I'm sure are tired of hearing...) I have struggled with calling myself a writer. Some days I experience confident determination, and other days I am overcome with oppressive self-doubt. Because of this, I am erratic in my writing endeavors. I know I need to practice to improve, but it often seems pointless. I am definitely lacking in self-accountability.

However, last weekend I had an idea.

I am an academic at heart. I will always complete an assignment on time and to the best of my ability. So the solution to my writing problem seemed clear: register for a class to help keep me accountable.

I am not yet prepared to spend the money for graduate classes (nor am I ready to share my writing with others), but I do have several books on the subject sitting my shelves at home. I spent some time reviewing them, and then I developed a syllabus for a my own writing class.

I have structured the class to follow a typical college level course, that is, three hours spent in the classroom and another six-to-seven hours spent on assignments. The class will focus on fiction as well as creative non-fiction, and I will continue to develop my own Works in Progress (WIP) while completing textbook exercises.

Some might find this system too structured, but I love it so far! I am excited to write and I try to find a bit of time each day to further my studies.

I plan to share the class in a bit more detail in a later blog post, but for now I will list the books I am currently using as texts.

How to write fiction "texts" include:

• Anatomy of Story by John Truby. A wealth of information here. I have only read the first couple of chapters, which focus on a story's premise, and I have several exercises to complete before I read on.
• Screen Writing Tricks for Authors by Alexandra Sokoloff. I have read her blog for several years, particularly because I enjoy the way she analyzes popular movies according to the three act - 8 sequence structure.
• Story Engineering by Larry Brooks (and his second book, Story Physics). I have also read his blog for several years and thoroughly enjoy his no-nonsense writing style that is filled with writing wisdom. So far I have only read through the chapters that deal with Premise and Concept.

 How to write memoir "texts" include:

• The Power of Memory by Linda Joy Myers, PhD. Such a powerful book. I have read the first four chapters and have numerous exercises to complete, as well as ideas to add to my current work in progress. This is the perfect book for me at this stage in my process
• The Memoir Project by Marion Roach Smith. I have actually read this book twice before - it is that good. I will be using this resource more in the revision stage than in this first draft process, but it is a delightful read anytime. Her sense of humor and personable style make me feel as though I am having a one-on-one conversation with the author.

Of course, writers are also readers - and I have several books to read in each genre. Reading published authors and analyzing their works will only help me improve my craft. Hopefully I will also be able to share my thoughts and impressions of these books in future blog posts.

Delight:

I have continued to focus on this 2015 word of the year - and I am fortunate writing brings such delight to my life.

But aside from writing, I have also found delight in other pursuits, like morning walks (although the rain has postponed several of those this month) ... making a few greeting cards (although I would like to make a few) ... knitting colorful dishcloths, occasionally taking photographs, and scrapbooking.

I finally edited the pictures from the European trip and had them printed. I organized my colored cardstock and even created a two page spread of Sorrento plus a few journaling cards for future layouts. 

I am hoping to organize life enough to start blogging about the trip; I would love to share the experience (and a few of the pictures) with all of you.

Stay dry my friends... and I hope this week presents several reading (and writing) opportunities for you :)

Fake It til You Make It

I am not fond of the phrase Fake it til you make it.

I understand the concept - we must first conceive before we can achieve - but I take issue with the semantics.

To me "fake" means untrustworthy. A fake friend is not loyal. Fake jewelry is cheap. Someone who is faking is essentially lying.

I do not want to be fake. I want to be authentic. But is my authentic self a writer - or just a writer wannabe?

This week I realized if I want to become a writer, then I first need to act like one.

Rather than faking it, however, I am choosing to imagine myself an writer: what she looks like, how she lives, what she does... and then I will do those things. Consistently. Until I actually become an author.

Because I have a difficult time with self-accountability, but I respect an academic syllabus, I am beginning this process by taking a 3-credit hour class. I am going to read the writing books sitting on my shelves and actually do the exercises at the end of each chapter. A typical college course involves three hours of class time and about six hours of homework. I will therefore plan to dedicate 9-10 hours a week to my writing career.  I imagine an author devotes that kind of time to her craft.

I currently have two works-in-progress: a non-fiction memoir and a middle grade novel. Besides the book exercises, I plan to work on one or both of these each week as well. For now I do not have a deadline for completion - or even a weekly writing goal - but I'm sure that will come in due time. While a writer simply writes, I imagine an author determines to complete projects and is not content with just journaling and writing prompts.

I also need to develop a confident answer to the constant question: what do you write? For I imagine an author would not simply smile meekly and admit she is still trying to find her niche.

For now I write, but I imagine myself becoming a writer in the not-too-distant future.

Notice a pattern?

I still struggle with this blog's identity.  When I started writing about four years ago, I categorized myself as a book blogger.  I absolutely loved to read and I thought that writing book reviews (and other such literary posts) would be a way to focus my consistent writing efforts.  But then life happened... and while I still love to read, I have learned that I also have other interests that seem to demand a voice.  I am grateful to those of you who have chosen to continue to read my feeble words throughout these personal struggles, and I hope to find a rhythm to these posts in the very near future.

In the meantime.... here is a literary post that will give you some insight to my current obsession.  Can you notice a pattern here?  I feel almost compelled to start writing a memoir, or at the very least, a collection of family memories.  I'm not quite sure if this is related to turning 50 years old and knowing that I have lived more than half my life - or if it is related to the fact that all the "grandparents" have passed away and I am now matriarch of the family - or perhaps if it has to do with the old adage, "write what you know" and the only subject that I really know is me (or do I?  Isn't the discovery of self a lifetime process?  But I suppose that is the topic of a different blog post all together).  But whatever the reason, I have an overwhelming desire to start writing memories and I am trying to learn the best way to do that.

But at this point and time I feel as though I have read enough.  If I am going to write memories then I need to ... well... write.  Just sit down and put pen to paper (or as the case may be .. utilize the journal writing website Penzu or perhaps the Scrivener writing software).  Do I think I have lived a life that others would find worth reading?  Absolutely not.  My life is about as boring as a slice of white bread... but I harbor the idea that perhaps someday my children - or perhaps my grandchildren - might like to connect to the stories of their past and at this point, I am the only one who can provide that.  Am I the best writer for this particular task?  Absolutely not.  But I am here and I am now and I am willing.

I hope to start this endeavor sooner rather than later (that is... tomorrow...) But I know at the very least I will begin the process this summer.  I have already enrolled in the July offering of a Spiritual Journaling class at the Iowa Summer Writing Festival ... and while I am very much intimidated to share my writing with others, I am also very excited to begin this next step in my writing endeavors.  In fact, I am so excited by the prospect of this new adventure that I may even enroll in the Travel Writing course offered in June.  I have harbored this dream of writing a travel memoir where the photograph that is "worth a thousand words" is accompanied by an essay of 1,500 words to create a complete short story narrative.  How cool would that be:  to marry my love of photography, travel and writing into one cohesive project?!

Yes, the future is bright and I am excited.  Life is indeed good.

A Book Club of One

For years I have wondered what it would be like to be a part of a book club.  To meet with other adults and discuss a novel:  the likes and dislikes, the themes and how to apply them to everyday life, the fictional characters that have somehow become our personal friends.  But apparently this is an experience that I am not meant to have.

Perhaps I am supposed to focus this "book club" desire on developing that environment in the classroom.  I do try to have round table discussions rather than teacher lectures, and I always enjoy hearing the insights of the students.  I now teach only one literature class, Brit Lit, and the juniors and seniors are near adults, right?

Perhaps I am supposed to take part in an online group read, something that I have so far avoided for fear of not keeping up with the reading schedule, or with the intellectual conversation.  I think I might wait until retirement to give that a go.

But then it occurred to me that I could engage in a self-discussion of the books I read.  This past weekend I completed two books, Keepsake and The Wednesday Sisters, and both had a detailed reader section at the back of the book.  This section included an interview with the author (I LOVE those!!) as well as several questions on the work itself.  While I think these questions are included to help foster discussion in a group setting, I believe I can use these questions as personal writing prompts --- helping me to perhaps dig deeper into the reading than I did on my own -- as well as helping me learn to relate the book to my own life.

And I am rather excited about this prospect of being a member of this book club for one --- although I must admit that I feel a bit ostracized like Woody Allen in the movie, Annie Hall when he quotes Groucho Marx:  I am a bit leery of joining a club that would have someone like me as a member.

If not now.....when?

I took an online writing class this summer, VerbTribe, offered by the author of Life is a Verb, Patti Digh.  For those of you unfamiliar with that book (I offered a series of writing prompts about two years ago based on its contents)....it was born out of the death of her step-father.  He was diagnosed with cancer and told he had just a few months to live -- 37 days later, he was gone.  Since that time, 37 days has become a significant demarkation of time in Patti's life, and she asks her readers this basic question:  If you knew you only had 37 days left to live (and truly who knows how many days we have left) - how would you live your life?

On the day of our final VerbTribe conference call this summer, Patti's husband was diagnosed with cancer.  One week later Patti turned 53 years old --- the age of her father when he passed away - and her eldest daughter turned 20, the age Patti was when her dad passed.  In addition, Patti had submitted the manuscript of her newest book to her editor just one week prior to the diagnosis.  The topic?  Grief and Loss.  An amazing set of coincidences, don't you agree?

So Patti has decided to do what she does best and write - documenting events, thoughts, feelings and insights.  In the process of sorting through all these changes in life, Patti discovered that there are exactly 137 days from her birthday until New Year's Eve.  Another coincidence (?)

And Patti has decided to use this opportunity to build community.  She is now offering an online course, Project 137, where we can join her on this journey of self-discovery through writing prompts from now until December 31.  The cost is whatever you choose to give - and ALL proceeds go towards medical bills, which are overwhelming due to the fact that they are currently un-insured!

I realize that this course may not be for everyone - but if you are at all interested, I urge you to check it out and consider it.  The writing prompts are thought-provoking, and the donation is for a great cause.

In the meantime....I want to share the prompt from the first day.  I am still thinking about it - and the truth contained - and how I can begin to take those first steps toward living fully:


For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time to still be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.             -Alfred d'Souza

Suffice it to say...I think I have been waiting a long time for life to get perfect before I start living - and I have missed the point.  I used to think, when the children were young, that I would start living when....

• they would sleep through the night (and truthfully, I am a more functional human being when I have had 6-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep).  
• Then it became, I would start living when they all would be in school.  
• Then I thought I would start living when we entered the empty-nest phase of life.  

But guess what?  With each phase of life there comes joys - and there comes sorrows; there is a renewed sense of freedom on the one hand, and newfound responsibilities on the other.  As I have been reminded several times this summer during my devotional readings:

If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never plant anything and never harvest anything.              (Ecclesiastes 11:4 - Good News Translation)

No, life is not perfect, but life is good.  And it is time to start living --- because if not now, when?!