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Throughout time, all artists have been inspired by those who came before them. But when does the use of someone else's idea blur the line between "inspiration" and "theft?"
Note I'm not talking about plagiarism, which is a worse crime in the publishing world. In this post, I'm referring solely to the theft of ideas.
Anyone in the publishing world will tell you, you can't copyright an idea. And there are many instances of synchronicity: when more than one artist releases a similar concept at the same time. Check out these movies, with similar plots, released in the same year. Remember Dante's Peak and Volcano? More recently, there was Olympus Has Fallen and White House Down. How about No Strings Attached and Friends With Benefits? Synchronicity does happen, and it's never intentional.
Many authors happily admit they first began writing when they read a particular story and thought they could do it better, or came up with a stronger idea based on it, or wanted to somehow pay homage to the characters or authors. When it's complimentary, this can be a wonderful honor. Look at the sudden influx of erotica novels that have some of the same elements as Fifty Shades of Grey, or the post-apocalyptic YA series like Hunger Games, Divergent, Maze Runner, Uglies or Penryn and the End of Days. Ideas can always be twisted and rewritten into new settings, new sub-plots, new stories. That's what an inspired artist can freely create.
But there are times when an artist takes an idea or project, recreates it with little to no change to the original work, and never admits knowledge of the source material. Now, in many of these instances, the "inspired" artist doesn't really know or remember their inspiration. I would hope, when such a lapse is pointed out, the artist will have the grace to take responsibility. Case in point: In 1997, the Rolling Stones planned to release a single, "Anybody Seen My Baby" off their new album. When several people who previewed the song mentioned the similarity to kd Lang's hit, "Constant Craving," although the band didn't willfully copy the chorus from Lang, they opted to release a different single and gave Lang writing credit on the album.
Sometimes, though, an artist intentionally copies another's work without permission, without giving credit, without admitting their inspiration came from some other source. In my mind, that's theft. If you're guilty of such a theft, it's never too late to admit your mistake and make amends to the victim. If not, well, eventually, karma will catch up to you.
Find me on Amazon! http://www.amazon.com/Gina-Ardito/e/B001JSBY16 
Anybody else tired of winter? I mean, here it is the first week in March and here in my hometown, we're gearing up for not one, but two (!) snowstorms over the next forty-eight hours. I still have the same snow reaching up to my mailbox that fell at the end of January. It's time for Old Man Winter to move on to that great nursing home in Antarctica.
I miss seeing the blacktop on my driveway.
I miss every other color but white.
I miss skirts and dresses.
I miss my feet being dry.
I miss blue skies.
I miss the sun, dammit!
Oh, spring, where are you?
Find me on Amazon! http://www.amazon.com/Gina-Ardito/e/B001JSBY16
By:
Gina Ardito,
on 2/14/2015
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Does it surprise you to know I'm a hopeless romantic? And today is the perfect day for me to share some of my favorite romantic lines from literature. These are the bits of perfection that make me sigh just thinking about them.
Stuck for something romantic to write in your love's Valentine's Day card? Take some help from the pros. (Just be sure to credit them!)
1. "You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." - Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
2. "I do love nothing in the world so well as you. Is not that strange?" - William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing
3. "Soul meets soul on lovers' lips." - Percy Bysse Shelley, Prometheus Unbound
4. "At his lips' touch, she blossomed for him like a flower, and the incarnation was complete." - F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
5. "It was love at first sight, at last sight, at ever and ever sight." - Vladamir Nabakov, Lolita
6. "I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly and then all at once." - John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
7. "Do I love you? My God, if your love were a grain of sand, mine would be a universe of beaches." - William Goldman, The Princess Bride
8. "Love of man for woman, love of woman for man. That's the nature, the meaning, the best of life itself." - Zane Grey, Riders of the Purple Sage
9. "I don't want sunbursts and marble halls. I just want you." - Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of the Island
10. "I see you everywhere, in the stars, in the river. To me, you're everything that exists, the reality of everything." - Virginia Woolf, Night and Day
And because I do happen to write romance, I thought I'd share a few of my own.
1. "With all my heart, for all our lifetimes, I forgive him!" - Eternally Yours
2. "I can’t fight the unknown. And Vivi, here’s the thing: you’re worth fighting for. So get ready. No matter what you meant by sending this to me, I’ll be coming for you." - Duping Cupid
3. "Love was a risk, a dare, a challenge that had to be overcome. Because, in the end, love was the greatest gift one person could offer another. It wasn’t to be taken lightly or abused. Love was meant to be cherished." - Charming for Mother's Day
4. “Put up with you? No, sweetheart. I told you. I intend to worship you. To discover your dreams one by one and spend my life making them come true.”- Nobody's Darling
5. "Any woman who claims to love me had better be ready to announce it in the Sunday New York Times. She should know how I feel about her without needing reassurance. She’ll want the world to know we’re together because that’s exactly what she’ll get from me." - Duet in SeptemberNow, go forth and woo the one you love!
Find me on Amazon! http://www.amazon.com/Gina-Ardito/e/B001JSBY16
So I got my hotel confirmation about an hour ago. I'm guessing that makes it official: I'm booked for RWA's National Conference for this coming July.
It's an event I look forward to attending every year. The workshops, the Literacy Signing, the opportunity to meet authors who turn me into a squeeing fangirl, the chance to connect with old friends, the creative buzz, the books.
Whether this is your first time or your fifty-first time, there's something for every romance writer to enjoy and learn from. Over the years, I've discovered so much about the business, the genre, and myself at each of these conferences. I can't wait to learn something new this year.
If you're going, look for me in the crowd. If not, stay tuned to my blog, FB, and Twitter for anecdotes, observations, and the usual sarcasm.
Find me on Amazon! http://www.amazon.com/Gina-Ardito/e/B001JSBY16
I've been a WEN user for years. I love the idea of cleansing my hair without the harsh sulfates that strip the natural oils. And WEN keeps my color strong for a good long time. But...
The price.
Oh, the price. And the subscription packages. See, I really like the conditioning shampoo, the refresher mist, and the styling creme. But in order to get those three items, I have to buy the packages that include other items I don't use often. (Honestly, I have fourteen jars of deep conditioner. Fourteen!) And honestly, I've never liked any of the scents WEN had.
After a while, I just couldn't justify the cost vs. the waste. So I unsubscribed (a major pain in the butt because you have to do it via phone and the salespeople keep hassling you to hang on to the subscription) and began the search for something similar, but cheaper and more convenient. I started in my local beauty supply stores then moved on to the discount stores. I tried versions by Aveeno, L'Oreal, Organix, Paul Mitchell. Nothing seemed to give me the same results. Until I found...
...Wait for it...
ASIAM Coconut Cowash!
It's made with tangerine, coconut oil, and saw palmetto. It smells terrific and leaves my hair silky, shiny, and so soft. It's available at Amazon, but I've heard rumors you can also find it at your local Target or drug store. So, if you're interested, give it a shot. It's made a huge difference to my hair and my wallet.
Find me on Amazon! http://www.amazon.com/Gina-Ardito/e/B001JSBY16
By:
Gina Ardito,
on 1/19/2015
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Warning! Long post. But it could be worth the read for a lot of you.
Sometimes, doctors don't know best.
Seventeen years ago, I was diagnosed with Graves Disease, a hyperthyroid disorder that, in my case, had become so acute, I was urged to undergo radioactive iodine therapy. After the therapy came years (no, decades) of specialists and pills and bizarre new ailments. From the start, I was deceived by the medical community.
I was told if I didn't immediately undergo the RAI therapy, I was at high risk for a stroke. And the only other treatment available for me would require me to take medication for the rest of my life. And because the dosage levels of this medication were inconsistent and fluctuated, I would have to be under constant supervision by an endocrinologist who would adjust my dosages according to my routine blood test results. What I wasn't told was that, after RAI therapy, I would still be on medication for the rest of my life (just a different medication.) And because the dosage levels of Synthroid were inconsistent and fluctuated, I would be under constant supervision by an endocrinologist who would adjust my dosages according to my routine blood test results.
But that's not all...
No one told me that after the procedure, I would have to quarantine myself from everyone in my household. I had a newborn at home and had to scramble to find someone to take him from us for a week. My laundry had to be done separately from the rest of the family's. I couldn't use the same silverware, dishes, and glassware, and all my things had to be washed separately. I had to watch my iodine intake. I'd suffer from excessive dry mouth. No one mentioned the need for dental care prior to the procedure or warned me that the teeth in my mouth might crack in half, due to radiation in my saliva.
I won't go into the details of the treatment itself. (Just picture someone in a lead suit handing you a pill in a lead container with six-foot long lead tongs and saying, "Here. Swallow this. But wait 'til I'm out of the room.") From the moment I was put on Synthroid, I complained to my various specialists that I honestly believed the thyroid medication was not working for me. And over the last seventeen years, my symptoms and complaints have been ignored or dismissed.
Since the RAI treatment, I've had seven different endocrinologists. I've never remained on the same level of thyroid hormone for more than six months. I gained fifty pounds--weight I still struggle to lose and can't, no matter what diet I try or how often I go to the gym. I went through peri-menopause for thirteen years and dealt with excessive hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. I've battled with depression. I've suffered fibromyalgia and arthritis and constant pain that sometimes had me curled up on the bathroom floor, too debilitated to move. I have herniated discs and bursitis. My hair falls out at alarming rates. And yet...my TSH levels are considered within "normal range."
Two years ago, I finally said, "Enough. There has to be someone out there who can help me." I found a naturopath and, after reviewing my history, she agreed with me that the thyroid meds had not only not worked for me, they'd pretty much shut down my metabolism. My adrenal glands were overworked and underperforming. Big time. Don't believe me? Take a look at this chart:
These are my actual results. Start with the numbers. Column 1 are my numbers, column two are the normal ranges for each item. For example, in the morning, the normal range for cortisol levels is 13.0-24.0. What were mine? 5.7. During a typical day, the normal person has a cortisol sum of between 23.0 and 42.0. Mine was 11.9.
Let me repeat that: 11.9! Below normal by nearly half!
Numbers not your thing? Need a visual? Read the graph. The top line on the chart (with the triangle) is considered "high," the middle line with the diamond and circles is considered "low." Normal range would be a line somewhere between those two. The bottom line, with the Xs? Those are my results. What does this say? In essence, it says I'm already far below normal levels of adrenal function when I get up in the morning, and I'm slowly fading from that point on throughout the day, every day.
In other words, I was a walking zombie. And not the fun kind of fictional zombie. Clearly, I was right. And all those specialists were wrong. There was something seriously wacky going on with my thyroid meds.
I started doing some online research, read several books on the subject (I highly recommend STOP THE THYROID MADNESS!) I found out I was not the only one who'd fought with her endocrinologists, and my prolonged symptoms were actually quite common in others who'd undergone RAI and then been placed on Synthroid.
Time to take charge.
Together with my naturopath, my personal trainer at my gym, and a brand spankin' new endocrinologist who had an open mind, we developed a new health regimen for me. Bye-bye Synthroid. Hello, Thyroid Armour. Bye-bye dairy, sugar, and most (but not all) gluten. Hello, protein. Lots and lots of protein.
It's only been about six weeks, but I've already noticed the changes. The fibromyalgia is gone. Gone! I'm finding less hair on the floor after a shower. The nice me is back, and I smile a lot more. I sleep better, and I wake up refreshed. The weight's still an issue, but I have hope. I'm a work in progress. I'll know a little more next month when I go back for my follow-up with my endocrinologist.
Whether or not you're a thyroid patient, whether or not your symptoms and story are similar to mine, take note of the moral of the story. Doctors don't know everything. Doctors don't know your body the way you do. If your doctor won't listen to you and help you find answers, find another doctor! And keep looking until you find the right one for you.
By:
Gina Ardito,
on 1/15/2015
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I've been working (off and on) on WAITING IN THE WINGS for almost a year now. I know there are readers saying, "Come on already! How long can it take to write a book?"
Depends on the book. Some books basically write themselves and can be completed in a few months.
But the books in the Afterlife Series are not quite so easy. First of all, I'm working within a new world: the Afterlife. Know anyone who's ever been there who told you about it? Yeah, so there's that problem. I can't exactly pull up photos from a friend's vacation. Keeping that world accurate as I continue to visit the Afterlife is a challenge that requires my steel-trap memory and scads of notes.
Complicating that issue is the fact I'm working in different departments of the Afterlife: Bounty-hunting, Probation, and now, Children's Services.
Add in the emotional component. Suicide, cancer, death. These aren't exactly breezy topics to explore. They take a toll on a writer's psyche.
And there's one more thing. I take great pride in my books. Every word I write is chosen for a reason. I toy with scenes, stretch my imagination, and stray outside the box over and over again. I never want to be known as an author who "used to write amazing stuff, but now just phones it in."
All these things take time. I hope you'll be patient with me as I finish this story.
Find me on Amazon! http://www.amazon.com/Gina-Ardito/e/B001JSBY16
Yeah, yeah, yeah. The truth is...
...I'm writing.
Sssh! Don't tell anyone.
WAITING IN THE WINGS must be ready for editing by the middle of next month so I'm burning my fingertips to get to the finish line on time. To prove it to you, here's a sample of what I've added this week.
“What happened? Where’s Xavia?”
“With her Elder Counselor. Things between the two of you progressed faster than we’d like.”
How did she know? Was she watching him? The thought he was under constant surveillance prodded his temper. “What business is it of yours? It’s not like you give a shit about me. If you did, you wouldn’t have abandoned me when I needed you.”
She shook her head. “That’s not true. No one has abandoned you.”
“Oh? Then Sherman lied when he told me you were ‘unavailable’ to me?”
“I was with another student at the time.”
“Student?” He quirked a brow. “Is that what we are to you guys? ‘Cuz you’re so much smarter than us, right? Like we’re beneath you or something?”
“None of those things. You’re getting angry over inconsequential issues, Osiris.”
Yeah, he was. Because what just happened with Xavia scared the crap outta him. He’d only meant to hug her—to thank her for what she’d given him. But the instant he pulled her into his arms, his circuits went haywire, and he found his synapses absorbing hers. He’d never experienced anything remotely close to this sensation, this…soul-sucking. Not in any life on Earth or in all his time here. In that perfect moment, Xavia became a drug he couldn’t resist. The more he tasted her, the more euphoria he felt, and his hunger for her grew insatiable. He would’ve gobbled her up, leaving nothing but stray blips of wasted energy if Rafaela hadn’t intervened and yanked him into this meeting.
“I was unavailable due to my work with another like yourself,” she said, now yanking him back into their current conversation. “And you didn’t really need me since you found the answers you sought through Xavia. The interaction between you benefits you both in the long run. As to why we call you students, it is neither due to malice nor arrogance. We Elders consider you students of the universe. You are here to learn from your past mistakes, to grow wiser and more in tune with the grand plan of life, and to graduate—to move on—with the knowledge you’ve attained from your time here.”
Smooth talk, but he didn’t completely buy into her smokescreen. One big siren blared in his head. “Yeah? Then how come that Jenny broad is moving on before the rest of us? As far as I’m concerned, she’s nowhere near ready. What’d she do to get special privileges? Bring an apple for the teacher? If I suck up to you and the others, will I get to graduate faster, too?”
She shook her head. “Jenny is an unusual case. Like you, she’s a suicide. Thus, she arrived before we were ready for her. Had she lived to see her punishment through, she would have faced earthly justice. Much like you, by choosing to end her life precipitously, she must now face karmic justice—which, as you know—is a much harsher fate. Unlike you, however, she shows no signs of remorse for her actions. She requires intensive reprogramming.”
“Well, she seems to think she’s a temp. That she’s doing a quick stint in Children’s Services and then moving on.”
“She’s not wrong.”
He slammed a fist on the desk. “But that’s bullshit! She’s a fucking monster! You just said so yourself.”
Rafaela held up her index finger in a warning signal. “Be mindful of what you say, Osiris. You’re trying my patience.”
He let out an exasperated breath and spoke again, this time with more care. “Look, I understand why I’m here. And if you think I’m not ready yet, fine. But what about Xavia? She’s a good person. She definitely deserves to move on before Jenny Widmark, the spider-wife.”
“The what?”
“Spider-wife.” As soon as he repeated the phrase, he realized he’d screwed it up, but his priorities lay outside of words. “Whatever she called herself. You know what I mean. That bitch has no business moving on so quickly.”
“Yes, I do know what you mean. But do you?”
“Huh?”
“I’m not sure you understand the term, ‘move on,’ as well as you think you do. Many souls arrive here because they’ve nowhere else to go at first. Some only stay for a short time, once we’ve ascertained they clearly do not belong in our realm. We do offer them an opportunity to prove that, perhaps, they can be rehabilitated, that they can learn from their past mistakes, and express true penitence. Sadly, Jenny Widmark is not a good candidate for our intervention at this time. And we want her far away from our more deserving students as quickly as possible. Therefore, she has already been transferred to another realm more suited to dealing with her particular vices.”
I hope you'll stay tuned for info on this book and other exciting things to come. I promise I'll try to be better about keeping you informed on my progress.
Find me on Amazon! http://www.amazon.com/Gina-Ardito/e/B001JSBY16
Personally, I don't make resolutions. Thus, at the end of each year, I don't reflect on what I failed to accomplish. I look back at the memories I'm carrying forward and the lessons I've learned along the way.
I started 2014 in a rocky place, but I struggled through, made significant changes, and feel more at ease in my world than I have in a long time. So, what have I learned?
1. I am resilient. I can bounce back from the negatives.2. I am introspective. Point out my faults, and I'll consider your opinions. I might even surprise you (and myself!) by admitting I was wrong and correcting my bad behavior. 3. I am tenacious. Well, really, I always knew that. But in 2014, I learned to seek out what I need, rather than wait for the universe and the powers-that-be to hand it over.4. I am worthy of more. This was a tough lesson for me to learn, but after a lifetime of settling for complacency, I finally realized my true value in all aspects of life. "Good enough" is no longer good enough.5. I am free. All the negative aspects I've been connected to throughout my life have been severed. I can now move forward in a positive way.
Welcome, 2015! I'm ready for ya. Let's rock!
Find me on Amazon! http://www.amazon.com/Gina-Ardito/e/B001JSBY16
I've been catching up on my reading lately and I can't tell you how many romance books I've picked up, read halfway through, then tossed aside because they had no hint of conflict. What do I mean by conflict? I'm talking about that deep-rooted issue that tears the characters apart or makes it unlikely they could ever become a couple. By the time I reach the 50% mark on my Kindle, I should be seeing some reason why these two people can't be together.
Oh, sure. They all had some kind of pain in their past that kept them from achieving their hearts' desires. But between the hero and heroine, it's just been a lot of dating: dinner, movies, picnics. There's usually a big misunderstanding, a breakup, and then bam! Someone or some trivial event brings them back together, they talk it out, and they live happily ever after--but not before one more stupid cliche tragedy like a minor kidnapping, a shooting, or some other life-or-death situation that only serves to prove to the characters how deeply they love each other.
Bleccch. Give me a hero and heroine who need to give up something they value, who risk their reputations or their greatest treasures, who put it all on the line for love. Otherwise, I'm out (generally around the 50% mark).
Find me on Amazon! http://www.amazon.com/Gina-Ardito/e/B001JSBY16
With my submission to Harlequin Heartwarming on the editor's desk, I'm back to work on WAITING IN THE WINGS, Book III of the Afterlife Series.
I know. It's been a while since Book II came out and I'm overdue on delivering this book to you all. Forgive me. These books are the most emotional stories I write and they're physically draining. I need periodic breaks to replenish myself while working with these characters.
In the meantime, I thought I'd share a snippet to keep you in the loop on where we're going. So, here goes:
"I wound up in a contraband camp. Ever hear about them?”
“No.”
“Yeah, well, the history books don’t talk much about ‘em. But they existed. I mean, think about it. All these slaves suddenly free—where were they supposed to go? And how were they gonna get anywhere without money or any means of transport besides walking? Millions of freed slaves wound up in these camps, most of which were just old slave quarters anyway. So they traded one hell for another. Not much food, unsanitary conditions. Most of us died from starvation—or if we were lucky—diseases like cholera or smallpox. Faster, you know? That’s what got me in the end. Cholera.”
“I’m sorry.” And she was. Even knowing how he’d betrayed her and her child in that lifetime, she didn’t want to think of him dying miserable and alone. Her thirst for vengeance had dried up when she’d forgiven Sean. Part of her growth cycle during her tenure in the Afterlife, she supposed.
All she wanted now was peace. Peace and harmony. And a hot fudge sundae. Not necessarily in that order. Since ice cream was unavailable in this realm, she’d have to hone in on the peace and harmony angle and hope hot fudge sundaes were a perk in the place she ended up next.
WAITING IN THE WINGS will be available in early spring 2015.
For tips on writing and fun articles, visit Gina's Articles For Writers page: http://www.ginaardito.com/ArticlesforWriters.html Need editing services for your manuscript? Gina is proud to announce the launch of Excellence in Editing: http://excellenceediting.com/
Congrats to all the NaNoWriMo participants who finished their stories in the month of November. If you followed me this last month, you know I came up with NaBloWriMo--where I blogged every day for the month of November. Guess what? Yup. I did it. Thirty blog posts in thirty days. Woot! Woot!
For tips on writing and fun articles, visit Gina's Articles For Writers page: http://www.ginaardito.com/ArticlesforWriters.htmlNeed editing services for your manuscript? Gina is proud to announce the launch of Excellence in Editing: http://excellenceediting.com/
When I saw the trailer for this movie months ago, I thought, This could be fun. Who knows more about the angst of being a writer than a writer? I finally watched this movie and I have to say this was one of the most joyless, soul-sucking two hours of my life.
Sure, writers are insecure. Yes, we want to be loved--or at least, we want our work to be loved. Yes, there's a bit of envy involved when someone we know hits it big and we wonder, "Why not me?"
But this movie had such unlikable characters and a host of inaccuracies regarding publishing. Rather than identify with anyone, I found myself saying, "Oh, come on. That's ridiculous." about a thousand times.
Did you see it? What'd you think?
Me...I'm diving into my DVD collection for movies about neurotic writers I love: Joan Wilder in "Romancing the Stone" and Melvin Udall in "As Good As it Gets."
For tips on writing and fun articles, visit Gina's Articles For Writers page: http://www.ginaardito.com/ArticlesforWriters.htmlNeed editing services for your manuscript? Gina is proud to announce the launch of Excellence in Editing: http://excellenceediting.com/
Trying to come up with things to do with that leftover turkey? This is one of my favorite post-holiday recipes.
Greek Lemon Turkey Soup
1 turkey frame (and enough meat to have approximately 2 cups diced turkey)2 qts turkey (or chicken) stock1 qt chicken brothAssorted soup vegetables3 eggs3-4 lemons, separatedCooked rice or orzo
Simmer turkey frame with meat, stock, broth and vegetables on low heat for 3-4 hours. Remove frame and discard. Juice two lemons and whisk into eggs. Temper the eggs by slowly, in gradual amounts, whisking two cups of hot broth into egg/lemon mixture. Slowly add egg/lemon/broth into soup, stirring constantly, and allow the soup to thicken. Add additional lemon juice to suit taste. Add cooked rice or orzo before serving.
For tips on writing and fun articles, visit Gina's Articles For Writers page: http://www.ginaardito.com/ArticlesforWriters.htmlNeed editing services for your manuscript? Gina is proud to announce the launch of Excellence in Editing: http://excellenceediting.com/
Earlier this week, I mentioned the year my oven's thermostat went kablooey on me for Thanksgiving. The thing is, this kinda stuff does happen. That one wasn't even my worst disaster in the kitchen.
My worst?
I worked all day on a roasted chicken with all the trimmings for a Sunday dinner for the in-laws. It was gorgeous and smelled so good. When I pulled all the ingredients out of the oven to serve, one of the large glass baking dishes I'd used exploded! Shards of glass flew around the room, settling in all the food I'd just slaved over.
While I cleaned up, Hubster drove to KFC and picked up dinner for us.
Sh** happens.
Have you ever had a kitchen disaster? Feel free to share!
For tips on writing and fun articles, visit Gina's Articles For Writers page: http://www.ginaardito.com/ArticlesforWriters.htmlNeed editing services for your manuscript? Gina is proud to announce the launch of Excellence in Editing: http://excellenceediting.com/
Yep, another recipe. Who here remembers (or still makes) this green bean casserole with cream of mushroom soup and crispy onions? Well, around here, I make a different version that has my family begging for more. It's tastier and not difficult. Why not give it a try?
Green Bean Casserole With Cheddar
3 TBSP butter1 c chopped mushrooms1/4 c chopped onions2 TBSP all-purpose flour1 tsp salt1/4 tsp pepper1-1/2 c milk2 c shredded sharp white cheddar cheese, separated4 c fresh or frozen green beans, steamed to just-cooked crispness1/2 c bread crumbs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions and mushrooms, saute until mushrooms are browned and onions are translucent. Add flour, salt and pepper and stir briskly until well combined. Gradually add in milk, stirring constantly. Continue cooking and stirring until mixture is thickened (the consistency of cream of mushroom soup). Add 1-1/2 c cheese and stir until cheese is completely melted into the creamy mixture.
Toss green beans into a greased 2-qt casserole dish. Pour hot mixture over the beans, mix well. Top with remaining cheddar and sprinkle bread crumbs over cheese. Bake for 30 minutes, until contents are bubbly with a golden crust on top.
For tips on writing and fun articles, visit Gina's Articles For Writers page: http://www.ginaardito.com/ArticlesforWriters.htmlNeed editing services for your manuscript? Gina is proud to announce the launch of Excellence in Editing: http://excellenceediting.com/
I did it for the first time last Thanksgiving and I found it made a difference in the level of flavor and the moistness of the meat. The entire bird was just a lot...yummier.
Wanna give it a try? Here's how I do it:
1 c kosher (coarse) salt
1/4 c sugar
4 qts water, separated
Using a large stock pot, heat 2 qts of water mixed with salt and sugar over high heat. Stir occasionally until salt and sugar are fully dissolved. Remove from heat and cool. Add additional 2 qts water and store in refrigerator until fully chilled.
Use a fresh turkey or if you have a frozen one, fully defrost. Remove the giblets, liver, and neck. Double bag two turkey oven bags and roll down the tops slightly to keep them open. Place the bags in a roasting pan (or cooler!) Place turkey, breast side down, in the innermost bag, then pour the brine over the turkey. Tighten the inner bag until it's as close to the turkey as possible, then tie with twist tie. Tie the outer bag. Keep chilled (in fridge or pack the cooler with ice) for 12-18 hours.
At the end of the time, discard the brine and bags. Season and roast turkey as you normally would.
See if you notice a difference!
For tips on writing and fun articles, visit Gina's Articles For Writers page: http://www.ginaardito.com/ArticlesforWriters.htmlNeed editing services for your manuscript? Gina is proud to announce the launch of Excellence in Editing: http://excellenceediting.com/
I thought I'd gain a little revenge on the child who, from the moment of conception, threw my body into chaos and now, nearly eighteen years later, refuses to acknowledge me. I do love him for lots of reasons, but one of the things I love the most is the kid's razor wit. Here are some of the things he's said recently.
1. (After waking up "too early" on a Saturday morning--you know, around eleven a.m.) "Now I know how France feels. Every weekend, my bedroom is occupied by invaders." He meant our pets who barrel into his room to let him know it's their time to sleep in there.
2. "You've made a horrible mistake. You put the Christmas chocolates out too early and now they're almost gone. Oh, the humanity!" Guess who ate them all?
3. "Could you do the grocery shopping alone please? When you take Tori, we wind up with a refrigerator full of stuff like kale. When you go with Dad, there's nothing but chocolate cat cookies. When you go alone, you're able to focus on getting real food."
4. (To his sister when she's watching Real Housewives of Beverly Hills): "Here's what happens next. Fill-in-the-blank will call Fill-in-the-blank2 a bitch and some feelings will be hurt." Actually, he nailed this one!
5. (In response to the question, "Ooh, is that peppermint ice cream?" from his dad): "No, it's cat turd. Trust me, you won't like it."
For tips on writing and fun articles, visit Gina's Articles For Writers page: http://www.ginaardito.com/ArticlesforWriters.htmlNeed editing services for your manuscript? Gina is proud to announce the launch of Excellence in Editing: http://excellenceediting.com/
So, a few years back, I had some issues with my oven's thermostat at Thanksgiving, and dinner took a little longer to get to the table than anticipated. (It *got* to the table and was quite delicious--just about an hour later than I originally projected.) This year, when I invited one of my guests, she was kind enough to remind me that her family wound up eating most of the Italian bread before dinner last time around because they were starving by the time we sat down to eat. This year, she told me, she was going to warn them in advance to eat before they came. And, through the grapevine, I've been informed that they're threatening if dinner's late again this year, they won't be attending ever again.
Wow. Golly. What ever shall I do?
Here's a tip for holiday guests. Sometimes, stuff happens. You can plan a meal that makes Emeril beg for your recipes, but the electricity goes out, the oven's thermostat blows, or the souffle just frickin' collapses anyway. As a guest, you smile, you thank the host/hostess for all the work (s)he put into the meal, and you enjoy the time you're given with family and friends. You can even laugh about it privately on your way home, if that's your thing.
What you don't do? Belittle the host/hostess for disappointing you and hold it over their heads like a ransom demand.
Luckily, I have a great sense of humor. I'll smile my way through this encounter. Of course, I may just slide a plate with one olive on a toothpick in front of the little fiends just to let them know I'm aware of their rudeness. What they choose to do after that is up to them.
For tips on writing and fun articles, visit Gina's Articles For Writers page: http://www.ginaardito.com/ArticlesforWriters.htmlNeed editing services for your manuscript? Gina is proud to announce the launch of Excellence in Editing: http://excellenceediting.com/
This week, I'm the Featured Author at Cleve Sylcox's blog and Eternally Yours is the featured book. Have you read my love-after-death romance yet? No? Why not? It's garnering top reviews and promises to leave you breathless.
Want a sneak peek? I'll oblige. Here's a scene I've never shared before. Tim died of AIDS and has been haunting a church ever since.
Jodie scanned the stained glass windows, the giant crucifix, and the sacristy, doubt clouding her mind. She’d expected an apartment or a house, not a place of worship. Had she somehow misinterpreted the coordinates?
“Are you angels?”
The question came from the darkened apse, and Jodie shielded her eyes from the lights overhead to block the glare as she stared in that direction. “I’m sorry?”
A slender male figure floated forward, his face drawn with anguish, eyes wet with tears. “I said, are you angels? I’ve been asking God to send me a sign. I thought you two might be it.”
“We are in a way,” Luc replied from behind her.
Luc! she chastised him silently. You can’t tell him that.
Why not?
Because it’s not true.
Sure it’s true. Not the God part, but we were sent for a reason.
Jodie sighed. The God part is why you can’t let him think we’re angels. You shouldn’t mess with someone’s religious beliefs.
Oh, for Chrissake!
He’s been through enough pain in life, she added. Don’t compound his agony by uncertainty in the hereafter.
All right, he said grudgingly. Aloud, he told the spirit, “We’re here to escort you to the Afterlife.”
The worry lines in Tim Regan’s face eased. “Then I’m forgiven? I won’t spend eternity in hell?”
Jodie smiled. “No, Tim. That much I can promise. You won’t spend eternity in hell.”
Tim sighed and stopped inches from where she hovered. “I screwed up my life so badly. Drugs, alcohol, sex. Kenny was my saving grace. And even for him, I couldn’t stop.”
Hoo-boy, could she relate! Not so much with the drugs, alcohol, and sex part. But she knew all about screwing up her life, despite the presence of her saving grace. If she could live her life over again, she’d do it differently. She supposed Tim Regan felt the same way.
“Kenny forgave me, you know,” the ghost whispered. “I just couldn’t forgive myself.”
Jodie’s heart wept for this poor man’s misery. When she placed a companionable arm around the broken spirit, Luc’s snort tickled her ears. Ignoring her trainer’s mockery, she crooned, “Come on, Tim. It’s time to go home.”
Sniffling, Tim nodded. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For offering me hope. I’ve had so little hope since I betrayed Kenny. It’s nice to know that I can be forgiven, no matter how foolishly I lived my life.”
Now you see one reason why this book is leaving readers sitting back and absorbing what they've read and how it affects them. Stop by Cleve's blog, please. Let him know you appreciate him featuring me and my special story this week!
For tips on writing and fun articles, visit Gina's Articles For Writers page: http://www.ginaardito.com/ArticlesforWriters.html Need editing services for your manuscript? Gina is proud to announce the launch of Excellence in Editing: http://excellenceediting.com/
I did this list last year for writers and had a lot of hits from interesting places, so here we go again with more fun items--this time for all book lovers, be they readers or writers or both.
1. Bookmarks with LED Lights: Love to read at night but worried about keeping your bedmate awake? These lights shine just on your book, save your page, and will last for 10,000 hours.
2. NovelTeas: 25 Teabags with quotes from world-famous literature
3. Book Lovers Scrabble: The classic board game with a "novel twist." Play a traditional game or add the Plot Twist cards for extra points and lots more fun.
4. Open Book Nightlight: Open the "book" to turn on the light, close it to turn off.
5. I Never Read Without My Glasses T-Shirt: Features two filled wine goblets for the "glasses" part.
6. Bookshelf Pocket Watch Pendant: It's a necklace; it's a pocket watch. It has a picture of a bookshelf on it!
7. Charles Dickens Tie Clip: Because who doesn't want an author's head keeping their tie tacked down?
8. Stack of Books Ornament: A stockpile of books on a string for your favorite book nerd, student, or graduate.
9. Great First Lines of Literature Mug: All the classics on one mug!
10. Paddywax Library Soy Candles: Choose from an assortment of classical authors including Jane Austen, Edgar Allen Poe, Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, and Leo Tolstoy, each with unique scents.For tips on writing and fun articles, visit Gina's Articles For Writers page: http://www.ginaardito.com/ArticlesforWriters.htmlNeed editing services for your manuscript? Gina is proud to announce the launch of Excellence in Editing: http://excellenceediting.com/
Since I've plunged back into WAITING IN THE WINGS, I thought I'd share a little peek at what I've been working on. This is Book III of the Afterlife Series. In this particular scene, Xavia Donovan (remember her from IN YOUR DREAMS?) is meeting with Uriah, her Elder Counselor to discuss her relationship with Children's Services agent, Osiris Cavanaugh.
Xavia sat on her grammy’s porch—well, the Afterlife version anyway. On the condensation-frosted lemonade pitcher, a water bead slid from lip to base. Her eyes tracked the descent while she considered the brevity of life. How much time had she spent here—lost here? In this realm beyond the sun and moon, where day never turned to night, time, as measured on Earth, didn’t exist. Employees in the Afterlife didn’t sleep or eat or use a bathroom. No longer flesh and bone, denizens of this place consisted of swirling energy: walking, talking mini-galaxies of electricity.
“Xavia?” Uriah’s espresso-dark voice woke her from her reflection.
“Huh?”
“I asked you about your friendship with Osiris Cavanaugh.”
“What about it? I like him,” she admitted with an edge of umbrage. “He’s gruff and confused and pretty screwed up about some things, but he’s generally harmless. And I think I can help him. Already, his aura’s softened up, and he’s lost the noxious smell he used to walk around with. We’re working on getting that vile alarm under control, too.” A glimmer of doubt crept into her psyche, and she cocked her head to study Uriah’s solemn, black-lined eyes. “I have helped him, haven’t I?”
“What do you think?”
“I think…no, I know I helped him come to terms with some of his issues. Mind you, he’s a looooong way from perfect, but we’ve made progress together.”
Uriah nodded. “I happen to agree. As does the Board. Are you willing to continue working with Sergeant Cavanaugh?”
Her first reaction was suspicion. Was this a trick?
Past experience with the Board and its Council of Elders had taught her to tread lightly. “Is there a reason I shouldn’t be?”
“No. But he does take up a lot of your time. Do you think you can continue to handle your Probation workload while dealing with the sergeant?”
A bitter laugh escaped her tight lips. “Are you for real? That’s what has you worried? My workload? I have a staff of twenty in my department. If I find myself in a time crunch, I can always spread the wealth. That’s not a problem. And I’m pretty sure you know that. So why don’t you cut the crap and tell me the truth for once? Do you guys want me to work with Osiris or not?”
“We do.”
“Fine. Great. Peachy. I’m happy to help. Was that so hard?”
“We wanted to make sure the sergeant’s issues didn’t unduly burden you.”
Forget treading lightly. Now they’d pissed her off. “Since when do you care? With all the crap you’ve thrown at me since I got here—punishing me by forbidding me to ever see my son, pairing me up with his killer, reuniting me with my son who’ll never recognize me or fully comprehend the link we share, and then stealing both of them from me when we made our peace between us—now, all of a sudden, you want me to think I matter to you?”
Uriah’s placid expression never wavered. “You do matter, Xavia. Every one of our charges matters to us. You may not always understand or approve of our methods, but we do what we think is best for you. For all of you. Tell me, knowing now what you didn’t know then, would you have preferred to never see your son, or learn the fate of his killer?”
“Of course not.” Regardless of the pain she’d suffered finding them both, knowing them on this side of life had taught her so much—and given her a peace she never would have found without them. “I understand why they were both crucial in helping me come to terms with what happened in my life that led to my suicide on Earth. So now, I want to use what I’ve learned to help someone else: Osiris. That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”
That question earned her another nod. “We’ve already established it is. I just want to make sure you’re up to the task, should your…challenges become more…challenging.”
“Let’s call a spade a spade. You mean, when I find out how Osiris and I are connected. Why not tell me now? Get it over with. Let’s rrrrip the Band-Aid off the wound and air it out, shall we?” She leaned forward and wheedled, “Come on, you can tell me. Was he my master on the plantation? The one whose family I killed by cooking up the wrong antidote to the poison I fed them? The one who ordered me hanged as a warning to other slaves?”
His fathomless expression never wavered.
“Was he the Gestapo officer who turned me in? Or the spy who told them where to catch me on that last trip to Alsace?” At last, she noted surprise register in his eyes for a glimmer. “Ah, I’m close, aren’t I?” Leaning back again, she pushed the swing into rocking on the humid South Carolina air. “Don’t sweat it, Uriah. I’ve learned so much about this place in my time here, I could probably do your job now.”
WAITING IN THE WINGS will be released in March 2015.
For tips on writing and fun articles, visit Gina's Articles For Writers page: http://www.ginaardito.com/ArticlesforWriters.htmlNeed editing services for your manuscript? Gina is proud to announce the launch of Excellence in Editing: http://excellenceediting.com/
Can I just say how much I loved the dress I'm wearing for my girl's communion? Seriously. I miss that dress (and the figure that went into it). And look how little the smarta**, er, I mean, my son was.
Ah, memories...
For tips on writing and fun articles, visit Gina's Articles For Writers page: http://www.ginaardito.com/ArticlesforWriters.htmlNeed editing services for your manuscript? Gina is proud to announce the launch of Excellence in Editing: http://excellenceediting.com/
I'm over at Classic and Cozy today, discussing something I discovered while taking my morning shower.
Join me. Share my inanity.
For tips on writing and fun articles, visit Gina's Articles For Writers page: http://www.ginaardito.com/ArticlesforWriters.html Need editing services for your manuscript? Gina is proud to announce the launch of Excellence in Editing: http://excellenceediting.com/
By:
Gina Ardito,
on 11/18/2014
Blog:
Flights of Fancy
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What? You haven't thought of this? Come on...How cool would it be if Ben & Jerry's contacted you and said, "Hey. We want to make some flavors that are linked to your books."?
It could totally happen!
Or maybe my doctor needs to adjust my meds again. But I have thought about this. Not a lot. Mainly over the last two hours or so as an idea for my daily blog post. But here's what I came up with:
The Bonds of Matri-Honey: vanilla ice cream with ribbons of honey roasted peanuts and caramel.
A Little Spice of Heaven: vanilla ice cream dotted with Red Hots candies
A Rum for the Money: chocolate ice cream with bits of crushed rum balls
Nut Buddy's Darkling: dark chocolate ice cream with peanut butter and caramel
Nut Buddy's Business: vanilla ice cream studded with chocolate covered peanuts
Nut Buddy's Praline: vanilla ice cream with pecans and caramel
Eternally S'mores: vanilla ice cream with graham crackers, chocolate chunks, and ribbons of marshmallow
In Your Cream: coffee ice cream with ribbons of vanilla cream and chocolate chunks
"Chai!" Sings Adonis: chai-tea flavored ice cream with chocolate chips
Duo in September: vanilla and chocolate. Natch!
Dream Union in October: pumpkin ice cream studded with chocolate chips and cinnamon sugar
Carameling for Mother's Day: vanilla ice cream with salted caramel
Doubling Cupid: chocolate ice cream with brownie bits
And, of course, I have no intention of neglecting my historical romances, written under my alter-ego, Katherine Brandon
Kismet's Angel Food Cake: vanilla ice cream with multi-colored sprinkles and birthday cake chunks
Kismet's Raspberry Revenge: vanilla ice cream with swirls of raspberry
Kiss-Mint's Salvation: mint ice cream with mini Hershey's Kisses
Eclairs of Love: vanilla custard-style ice cream with chocolate fudge ripples
Which one's your favorite?
For tips on writing and fun articles, visit Gina's Articles For Writers page: http://www.ginaardito.com/ArticlesforWriters.htmlNeed editing services for your manuscript? Gina is proud to announce the launch of Excellence in Editing: http://excellenceediting.com/
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