Category: Tasty Treats

Surviving Revising…

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Ah, another round of revisions is coming to a close. Good news: I just have this feeling that I’ve made some super successful changes… yay! Sort of bad news: The whole thing has been quite a challenge. As I’m sure most of you can attest to, the revision process is full of musing, second-guessing, doubt, and tons of hard work. I feel like I’ve been staring at my computer for ten days straight, and thinking about this story nonstop.

Oh, how to deal? Well, there are a few things I  do to survive the madness of revisions. I’ve compiled my best tips and tricks to share with you today…

Sleep on it. Feedback, I mean. If you’re anything like me, the first reading of a revision letter is met with a certain degree of mental resistance. We want to believe our work is perfect as-is, but deep down we know it’s not. That’s we why ask for feedback in the first place, right? I find if I take a night or two (or a week–whatever works) to absorb and ponder revision notes, they feel a lot less personal and a lot more helpful. My mind starts to mentally work out the problems that need addressing, and suddenly I’m excited to dig in.

Set a completion goal date. If I don’t give myself a deadline to work toward, I’ll procrastinate for hours (or days!) before I ever get down to being truly productive. When I’m really struggling with motivation, I take goal-setting a step further and break my workload into days, like: Revise 30 pages on Monday, or Address supporting character (Chelsea) on Tuesday.

Draft a scene-by-scene To-Do List. I’m intrinsically organized and an enthusiastic list-maker, so seeing all the work I need to do in bullet points makes the revision process a lot less daunting. If I can trick myself into thinking it’ll be easy, that it’s totally manageable, then I’m able to dive in with a whole lot more confidence. Also, I make a point to highlight each scene on my list as I compete it. It’s so encouraging to watch each item on my list transition to bright yellow, one by one!

Tackle the big stuff first, but keep a running list of “little things” to go back to later. This works for me because it keeps me on task. I find as I’m revising overall story elements (theme, pacing, character arc, whatever), little things consistently pop up that also need altering. But it’s a serious waste of minutes and momentum to stop, back up, and take care of a tiny detail. Still, I don’t want to forget about these important bits, so I keep a separate list  at the bottom of my scene-by-scene To-Do List. It’s something of a reward to run through and change each one as the revision comes to a close.

Sign off. Like, from everything BUT your manuscript. I know, I know… it’s so hard NOT to check Twitter and email and Facebook. It’s no fun to cancel social engagements because you have to work. It’s annoying to see all your favorite TV shows backed up on your DVR. It sucks to watch a fine layer of dust accumulate on your coffee table (okay, that might just be me). But I have to let go of all those outside distractions in order to get into my revision mindset. The only real “breaks” I give myself are quality time with my daughter (obviously), exercise, reading (but just a little!), and the occasional blog post.

Enjoy that final read-through. When I’m “done” and it’s time to begin my last overall read-through, I try to ditch Revising Writer Katy and settle into Casual Reader Katy. This way, I’m able to catch problems I might not have noticed otherwise. Little things, like a slight voice inconsistency or an overuse of a character’s name. Also, it’s an incredibly pleasant and gratifying experience to read through all my hard work as an eventual book-buyer might.

When all else fails, have a treat. This healthy little faux brownie got me through this latest revision. I ate one nightly, and I didn’t gain even a pound!

1. Spray a microwave safe bowl with Pam.
2. Combine 2 egg whites, half of one mashed banana, and 1/4 pumpkin puree.
3. Add 2 T almond meal, 1 T Stevia, 2 T unsweetened cocoa powder (I love Hershey’s Special Dark!), and 1/4 t baking powder.
4. Mix all ingredients thoroughly.
5. (Optional) Add a sprinkling of bittersweet or dark chocolate chips. (I love the Ghirardelli brand). Combine.
6. Microwave for 2 to 3 minutes, depending on your machine and altitude.

This recipe yields one enormous faux brownie that can be enjoyed on its own, or topped with peanut butter, almond butter, whipped cream, or ice cream (depending on what kind of day you’re having :)).

So, how do you endure the challenges of revising? Any tips to share?

Tuesday Treat: Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

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My cutie pie and I made some fabulous Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread yesterday. I adapted the recipe below from the one in the Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book to make it healthier. While I only had a tiny sample (because I’m not really eating sugar these days), I can confidently say that it turned out to be a perfect autumn treat. If you’re looking for a writerly pick-me-up, give this a shot!

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread 

Spray a loaf pan with Pam, and heat your oven to 350 degrees.

In large mixing bowl combine:
1 C Almond Meal (usually found near the corn meal)
1 C Packed Brown Sugar
1 T Baking Powder
1 t Ground Cinnamon
1/4 t Salt
1/4 t Baking Soda
1/4 t Ground Nutmeg 

Add:
1 C Canned Pumpkin
1/2 C Milk (I use nonfat)
2 Eggs
1/3 C Applesauce (or shortening, if you so desire)
Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until blended… 

Add:
1 C Whole Wheat Flour

Fold in:
1 C Chocolate Chips 

Spoon into prepared pan and cook for 60 minutes. Check with toothpick. (I had to cook an additional 10 minutes.)

Enjoy!

Friday Fun: Where I Write and What You Eat…

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First, a Friday Five from Paper Hangover, a fantastic group blog offering writing tips, book reviews, weekly blog topics, and teen interviews. Here’s today’s prompt:

Oh, sheesh… pictures? Do you really want pictures of various locations around my house? I’ll try to mix it up a bit. Here’s where I like to write…

1. My La-Z-Boy. It was a pregnancy gift from my husband (he may have been a *tiny* bit tired of hearing me complain about my aching back when he bought it five years ago :)), and it’s the most comfortable seat in my house. It’s where I most often write.

2. The kitchen table. Lame-o, but yeah… it’s certainly the most functional sopt for when I need to spread papers and notebooks and index cards out.

3. Target. Weird? Maybe. I used to go to Borders to write during my daughter’s preschool hours, but of course Borders is closed now. So, I’ve recently discovered that Target’s little cafe area is quiet and relatively empty from 10:30-12:30 every day. Also, there’s no free Wi-Fi, is a blessing in disguise. My productivity while a Target is through the roof.

4. Tully’s Coffee. True confession: I really dislike Starbucks. I find it to be very yuppy-ish. Also, the Starbucks near me is always cold and loud. (Why, incidentally, do mothers organize play-dates at Starbucks? Your toddlers aren’t having fun there.) Tully’s, on the other hand, is quiant and adorable and they serve amazing coconut chai tea. I work there every Friday while my daughter is at her Spanish lesson. Look how cute!

5. My desk, but honestly I use this space more to sew. I only work here when I want to feel like a “real” writer. Real writers work at desks, right?

I showed you mine… Now what are your favorite writing spots?

And, a totally unrelated, completely frivolous, sort of funny Would you rather…?

Would you rather give up eating meat forever, or cut all carbs from your diet indefinitely?

Yeah, this is totally a no-brainer for me. I rarely eat mean anyway (and usually only chicken or fish), so I’d gladly lose it in favor of pasta and bread and rice and pastries. That said, I’ve been trying hard to cut back on carbs, and when I do eat them usually go for whole wheat.

Usually… not always. 🙂

Have a fabulous weekend!

It’s Cookie Day!

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Yesterday afternoon my kiddo and I spent two hours baking cookies. Along with being lots of fun, oh my gosh did we ended up with some delish creations. And it’s your lucky day, because I’m sharing two WIN recipes with you! (In case you’re wondering what cookies have to do with writing and reading and books, quality snacks are important for sustenance and motivation… of course!)

First, the super-healthy No Sugar Oat Drops* (thank you, Blueberry Girl!) –


Before we get to the recipe, let me give you an honest disclaimer: I had serious doubts about these cookies before making them. I mean, they contain NO sugar, NO butter, NO eggs, and NO flour. What’s left for making a tasty treat? Lots of things, apparently. These cookies are fabulous. Light but filling, sweet, and my daughter absolutely loves them. I’m going to let her have them for breakfast if she likes, because they’re just that healthy…

1 1/2 cups regular rolled oats (I used Quaker Steel Cut and they worked great)
1 cup coconut flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/4 cup of almond meal (hard to find at the store… near the corn meal, I learned)
1/2 cup mixed nuts, finely chopped (I used peanuts because I had them on hand)
1 cup dried fruit (I used dates, but you can use anything dried – raisins, cranberries, blueberries, or a combo)
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or non-stick aluminum foil.

In a large bowl, combine oats, almond meal, mixed nuts and coconut flakes. Stir in allspice and cinnamon. Add dried fruit and stir until well blended. Make sure the dried fruit does not stick together. In another bowl, combine canola oil, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract. Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and stir until combined.

Using a large cookie cutter, press spoonfuls of the batter into it. Remove cookie cutter. Bake for about 20 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool on wire racks. Makes approximately 30 cookies.

And the not-quite-as-healthy-but-still-a-relatively-good-choice Deep Dark Chocolate Cookies (thank you, Divine Baking!):

These cookies are reminiscent of the chocolate crinkle cookie my mom made when I was younger, but have no flour and no butter and are therefore a far healthier choice. And they taste SO yummy. Rich and decadent and intensely chocolate-y. I never thought I’d say this about a cookie, but you really can eat just one and be satisfied…

Non-stick vegetable oil spray
1 1/2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips (about 9 ounces), divided
3 large egg whites, room temperature
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, divided (I cut back and used 2 cups)
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 2 large baking sheets with non-stick spray.

Melt 1 cup chocolate chips in microwave-safe bowl, stirring twice (about 2 minutes). Let cool slightly. Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in large bowl to soft peaks (this took a few minutes). Gradually beat in 1 cup powdered sugar (in the interest of cutting back on sugar intake, I only used 1/2 cup here). Continue beating until mixture resembles marshmallow creme. Add melted chocolate chips and beat on low speed until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk 1 cup powdered sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt in medium bowl. With your mixer on low, slowly add dry ingredients into meringue and beat until well combined. Place 1/2 cup powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Roll 1 rounded tablespoon of cookie dough into ball, then roll in powdered sugar to coat (my daughter thought the cookies looked like donut holes at this point :)). Place on prepared cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining dough, spacing 2 inches apart.

Bake until the cookies puff and the tops crack, about 10 minutes. Cool on wire racks for about 10 minutes. Sample one while still warm, if possible. Makes approximately 18 cookies.

*I originally happened upon the No Sugar Oat Drop recipe on Tracey Neithercott‘s Pinterest page… yet another reason Pinterest rocks. 🙂

Happy baking!

Are you a cookie fan? What are your favorites? Any tasty recipes to share?

And don’t forget to check in tomorrow to see if you’ve won an ARC of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer.