never give up

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You know that feeling.  The sinking feeling when you realize its not going to work.  You hear the "no" in the conversation and you realize that all of your efforts were in vain.  

That's the moment most of us give up, lick our wounds and decide that we won't reach quite so far next time.

Its a human, knee-jerk reaction.  

But.  

Sometimes there is more inside of us.  A deep pocket, way in the back, that we haven't accessed before.  We've never had to got there, and we never would have, were it not for this frustrating situation.  

This is something I have learned from my husband.  No matter how many times he hears no, or it can't be done, or it's impossible... all he hears is:  you haven't figured it out yet- back to the drawing board. 

I admire this quality in him, and I am trying to develop it further in myself.  These are the moments that force us to grow.  Sometimes we fight it... we aren't ready for change, its hard, you have no support or you are just tired of the fight.  Tired of the continued efforts that only amount to banging up against another wall.  

At that moment in time, you are in good company. 

Abraham Lincoln went to war a captain and returned a private. Afterwards, he was a failure as a businessman. As a lawyer in Springfield, he was too impractical and temperamental to be a success. He turned to politics and was defeated in his first try for the legislature, again defeated in his first attempt to be nominated for congress, defeated in his application to be commissioner of the General Land Office, defeated in the senatorial election of 1854, defeated in his efforts for the vice-presidency in 1856, and defeated in the senatorial election of 1858. At about that time, he wrote in a letter to a friend, "I am now the most miserable man living. If what I feel were equally distributed to the whole human family, there would not be one cheerful face on the earth."

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To be great, you must find the ability to continue against all odds.  

Winston Churchill was defeated in every election until he became Prime Minister at the age of 62.  SIXTY TWO. 

He later said,

"Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never, Never, Never, Never give up." 

Thomas Edison's teacher told him he was too stupid to learn anything.  It took him 1000 different attempts to perfect the lighbulb.  What if he would have stopped before the 1000th attempt??

Einstein was told he was "mentally slow" and was even expelled from school.

Henry Ford failed and was broke 5 times before he was succesful.

R.H. Macy failed 7 times before his store finally caught on. 

Tom Landry, Chuck Noll, Bill Walsh, and Jimmy Johnson accounted for 11 of the 19 Super Bowl victories from 1974 to 1993. They also share the distinction of having the worst records of first-season head coaches in NFL history - they didn't win a single game.

Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor because "he lacked imagination and had no good ideas." He went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland. In fact, the proposed park was rejected by the city of Anaheim on the grounds that it would only attract riffraff.

The first time Jerry Seinfeld walked on-stage at a comedy club as a professional comic, he looked out at the audience, froze, and forgot the English language. He stumbled through "a minute-and a half" of material and was jeered offstage. He returned the following night and closed his set to wild applause.



After Harrison Ford's first performance as a hotel bellhop in the film Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round, the studio vice-president called him in to his office. "Sit down kid," the studio head said, "I want to tell you a story. The first time Tony Curtis was ever in a movie he delivered a bag of groceries. We took one look at him and knew he was a movie star." Ford replied, "I thought you were spossed to think that he was a grocery delivery boy." The vice president dismissed Ford with "You ain't got it kid , you ain't got it ... now get out of here."
Decca Records turned down a recording contract with the Beatles with the unprophetic evaluation, "We don't like their sound. Groups of guitars are on their way out." After Decca rejected the Beatles, Columbia records followed suit.
 In 1954, Jimmy Denny, manager of the Grand Ole Opry, fired Elvis Presley after one performance. He told Presley, "You ain't goin' nowhere, son. You ought to go back to drivin' a truck."

 21 publishers rejected Richard Hooker's humorous war novel, M*A*S*H. He had worked on it for seven years.

"Only those who dare to fall greatly can achieve greatly." 
Robert F. Kennedy

"Everything will be ok in the end. 

 If it is not ok yet, 

it is not the end." 

Unknown

So, dig deeper.  


Try again.  


Don't take no for an answer.  


Go and  be great.  


It's what you are meant to do.

the spice of life... and why my job freaking rocks

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....aAaAnNnNdDd so it continues....


Im officially obsessed with the fall.  Everyone in my house is teasing me because every meal tastes "fall-ish and I have decorated the house with halloween spookiness.  I just think, if you can add spice to life, why not?  


We went camping up the canyon this weekend with the girlies and it was sooo refreshing! Just what we needed.  It was great to relax.  I think I have forgotten how to relax to some extent!  Being so busy all the time, I find I have to force myself to slow down!


 Meanwhile, I have been plugging away on my book with my newfound words of wisdom from Stephen King.  Ok, so the confession is that I have not hit 1000 words every day since I posted (LAME I KNOW).  BUT I have written more than that a few times, and I am writing with more frequency.  I will get there- things have been really crazy lately with our traveling so much and the kids back in school with their games and stuff.  I have to say that a few things he said in his book have really affected me and helped me so much. I feel like I'm on a roll!


dRuMroLl pLeAse......I would like to welcome back my fall line up.... greys anatomy, how I met your mother, 30 rock, dexter, big love, flash forward, parenthood, friday night lights, house, bones and the office.  My new addition this year is Lone Star, which I have only had time to watch the first episode, but it was good!  DISCLAIMER: I do not watch all of these shows ALL the time and often get very behind... but thanks to DVR, I am able to catch up (often during the summer).  And I always try to run whilst I'm watching...  


I actually find that the more books I am reading and even when I'm watching a bunch of different kinds of shows, I think it makes me a better writer.  Am I allowed to say that?  How cool is my job? I really do pay attention to things like character development and plot and what I liked or what doesn't work.  I am marking up all the books I read now, taking notes in the margins, and underlining things.  I am constantly trying to learn something new from whatever it is that has my attention.  When I'm out and about, I watch how people interact, their facial expressions, listen to their conversations (hey- its my job) and always try to learn something.  I find that I am influenced in my writing by things that I have gleaned from situations around me. 


CURRENTLY READING:  Mockingjay by Sue Collins, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson, Play Dead by Harlan Coban, Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice (OCTOBER book club selection), and (rereading) To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.  


Today I am meeting my friend Denise to go over where we are in our books and help each other along.  It really does help me to meet with her, to get ideas, to keep the excitement going and to be held accountable.  


INTENTION: I WILL WRITE 1000 words today no matter what no matter what no matter what.  My goal is 2000 words today.  I will report tomorrow morning!!


Hope you all have a wonderful day!!  Get out and enjoy the weather, or hole up inside with coffee, a fire and a good book!  The fall only lasts for so long!!

thank you mr. king

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I just finished "On Writing- A Memoir of the Craft" by Stephen King.  Love, love, loved this book.  I read it in two days and marked it up a shameful amount.  I was really excited when I found out that he had written this book with all his golden nuggets of advice.  


The first half is a memoir of his life- an overview of the things that happened to him that influenced him as he became a writer.  The second half is specifics on writing itself- the mechanic and the evolution of his stories.  And lets be honest... he IS Stephen King!  He knows what he's talking about.  For years now I've gone to author's websites and read everything I can to find things like this.  I am always hopeful that there will be a section 'for writers.'  This was like those sections... on crack.  Everything you need to know, stripped of all of the fluff, brutally honest and crammed with insight.    


I enjoyed this book so much that I want to share the things that were important to me in my writing.  Here are some of the nuggets of advice from Mr. King that had a large impact on me:

• "If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others:  read a lot and write a lot."  This is by far the piece of advice that all authors/writers agree on and vehemently advocate.  Mr. King talks about how there is a learning process going on every time you read, and thats why its so important.  You pick up on grammatical lessons, plot structure and good vs. bad dialogue.  You will be a much better writer if you READ.  At the end of his book he give a list of books he's read in the last few years (well, at the time he wrote it) and it is quite extensive.  He says each book influences you and your writing style so it is important to read a lot of different authors and styles.  "Constant reading will put you into a place (a mind-set if you like) where you can write eagerly and without self consciousness.

• You've got to pound the pavement.  You have to actually WRITE.   He talks about how you have to be involved in writing without first waiting for your "muse."  If you spent enough time writing... the muse will come.  "If you don't have time to read, you don't have time (or the tools) to write.  Simple as that."  Stephen King wrote "The Running Man" in one week.  WOW.

•  The writing program he suggests is 4-6 hours a day behind a closed door.  1000- 2000 (increasing as you go from beginner...) words a day, six days a week. 

• NEW COMMITMENT- I am going to try this out.  I promise to write at least 1000 words, 6 days a week, starting TODAY.

• The writing room- He suggests you have a room that you can close the door, leaving all of the distractions outside.  It also programs your brain and your subconscious to know that you are going to write.  You can't leave the writing room until you have hit your goal.

• Tell the truth and be true to your characters.  Your stories should be CHARACTER driven, not PLOT driven.  "Plot is, I think, the good writer's last resort and the dullard's first choice."  This was a very interesting piece of advice to me because I HATE HATE HATE the story-boarding part of writing.  But I hate REWRITING even more than story-boarding, which is why I get stuck sometimes trying to figure out what to do next.  He suggests that if you just let your characters take over, they will lead you in the most true direction the book could go.   I loved this part:  "...If you do your job, your characters will come to life and start doing things on their own.  I know that sounds a little creepy if you haven't actually experienced it, but its terrific fun when it happens.  And it will solve a lot of your problems, believe me."  I have had that happen, and he's write- that's the BEST part of writing.  Because then your characters are REAL.  I have gone back and forth between writing like that and trying to figure out endings.  He says that most of the time he doesn't know how things are going to end up.  He has 'hoped' something will turn out one way, but it may or may be the way it ends... and its up to the characters, not him.

• NEW COMMITMENT -  Character driven.  Ok, Im going to go with it and see what happens.  I need to let the characters just BE themselves and see where it takes me.  

• First draft should be completed behind a closed door and without any help from anyone else.  He says when you are wanting to share it with someone, to resist that impulse and to keep the pressure on.  The hope of success and the fear of failure will drive you forward.  

Basically, if you are writing anything... go get a copy of this book.  The suggestions in ON Writing are fantastic.  I really couldn't put it down.  I love that someone as accomplished and famous as Stephen King took the time to write a book about how he does what he does.  To people like me, eager to learn and just starting out, the advice was invaluable.   It's a pretty amazing thing that something he wrote back in 1999 can have such a heavy influence on me, in 2010.  And there we have the magic of writing... thank you Mr. King.

fall goodness

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It's the first day of fall!  Fall is my very most favorite time of year.  I love the crisp air, the colors, the spicy fall treats, scarves, and since this is the season that I met my husband, it always makes me remember when we were dating.

In honor of fall, I break out some subtle warm colored decorations in my house and do some rearranging to make it feel really cozy.  I am all about Salt City Candles that have the best and most delicious scents.  Today I am burning 'pumpkin spice'  in honor or welcoming FALL.  

I have been trying to incorporate 'fall' into my cooking lately, which my girls think is funny, but I think they secretly like it.  I have been making these really yummy chai-like protein shakes for breakfast:

Fall Breakfast Shake

Ice

8-10 oz. milk

1 banana

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

3 shakes of cinnamon

1 1/2 shakes cloves

dash pepper

(do you like my exact measurements??)

Blend and enjoy.  I have also learned if you blend it for too long it becomes real foamy-ish, which I don't like.  So blend it until the ice is tiny, but not much longer.

Here is another breakfast favorite:

Zucchini Pie

4 c thinly sliced zucchini
1 c chopped onion
1/4 c butter plus 2 T olive oil
2 eggs beaten
1 c grated cheddar cheese
1 c grated monterey jack cheese
(you can use 2 c colby jack for the cheese)

seasonings:
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 t garlic powder
2/ T parsley flakes
1/2 t basil flakes
1/2 t oregano flakes

one tube croissant rolls or dough of choice

As an alternative to using the croissant rolls for the dough:  

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Butter-Flaky-Pie-Crust/Detail.aspx

Saute zucchini and onion in butter and oil.  Add seasonings. Line 9" pan  with dough.  In large bowl mix eggs and cheese then add zucchini mix.  Pour into lined pan and bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 30 mins.

A yummy fall lunch- definitely Minestrone

Fall Minestrone

Chicken Stalk

3-4 tomatoes, diced

1 can tomato sauce

1-2 stalks celery

White Beans

Carrots

onions

1 clove garlic, minced

yellow squash

zucchini

spinach

orzo pasta (or I get the wheat pasta)

Lawrey's salt

pepper

thyme

sage

garlic salt

2 bay leaves

Cook and enjoy!

And of course, there HAS to be peach cobbler!! YUM!!

This one is from allrecipes.com 

• 8 fresh peaches - peeled, pitted and sliced into thin wedges
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
•  
• (I usually double this next part so that the peaches to yummy bready part is equal)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
• 1/4 cup boiling water
•  
• MIX TOGETHER:
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, combine peaches, 1/4 cup white sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Toss to coat evenly, and pour into a 2 quart baking dish. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine flour, 1/4 cup white sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Blend in butter with your fingertips, or a pastry blender, until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in water until just combined.
4. Remove peaches from oven, and drop spoonfuls of topping over them. Sprinkle entire cobbler with the sugar and cinnamon mixture. Bake until topping is golden, about 20 minutes.

Yesterday at my moms I had some pear butter and I am going to get the recipe for that soon, so I will put it on here when I do.

Fall is magical to me.  I get really excited about it... can you tell?  I have to make myself wait until October to get out the halloween decorations.  Im trying to just be content with my fall-ish ones for now. :)

I'm hoping for some stormy weather too.  That's the best writing weather you know. 


I love this song... it feels like fall to me... 

dear fall,

i love you.

always,