As I need all the help I can get with my writing, I ordered (and received two days ago, yay) Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maas and it is brilliant. I've finally started my redraft of RP and although I'm enjoying the characters, I have to make sure that what's in my head is shown clearly enough on the page. This book is excellent and condences all the points covered at the end of each chapter as a tick list. I shall give it a go.The other day R bought a smoothie maker as I've yearned for one for ages and so yesterday I traipsed to the shops. Well, not exactly traipsed as I stopped the car on the way home from work and it was only one shop, so in all actuality I didn't really put myself out at all. Anyway, I arrived home laden with strawberries, bananas, blueberries and apples expecting great success but when I made the smoothies the reactions from J & S were tepid to say the least.
"Mum, how can you forget that I'm allergic to bananas?" S pouted most indignant that her own mother would even contemplate making a drink with an ingredient that although won't kill her, will make her rather ill.
They don't expect much, do they? I had been on the go since 6.15am and all J & S had managed to do was sleep, eat and watch tv. J insisted that he had been studying relentlessly all day, although knowing him as I do I rather doubt this.
Needless to say, I shall have to buy a book on ideas for smoothies (any excuse to go book shopping) otherwise I just know that this shiny machine will end up stuffed in the back of some cupboard.
26 comments:
Fair play, I can't get the hang of smoothies at all! They just don't taste right when I make 'em.
Congratulations on starting your redraft!
Awww, you commented on my blog, thank you Debs. From your description, your life sounds even busier than mine. How do you keep up with it all? I am guessing that's why you have such a comfy shed.
I love smoothies and either have them all the time or totally forget about them. Having smoothie maker sounds super yummy.
Looking forward to reading more of your blog.
H
oopsie, the last two comments were both from me. Please delete the first as I had signed in on another account. Doh! It's one of those days.
I bought a juicer one January when I was determined to to do a detox and stick to it. I think I lasted 2 days and the juicer never got used again. My parents asked if they could have it last summer but, as far as I'm aware, it's still in their junk room!
I LOVE smoothies though. Can't get enough of those 'Innocence' drinks, particularly the strawberry and banana one. Hope your smoother last longer than my juicer did!
Sounds like a great book. The smoothie maker sounds like potentially more trouble than it's worth!
I can't decide if I'm more jealous about the smoothie maker or book....maybe the smoothie maker...my stomach always wins out.
You should try Banana's, milk, chocolate ice-cream and a few spoons of ovaltine...or replace the ice-cream with peanut butter - I am so living vicariously through this post! :)
I've heard lots of good things about this book. I think I'm going to have to succumb and finally buy it!
Good luck with the smoothies. I always make them too thick and then get complaints that there are 'bits' in them. You just can't please some people:-) (or rather children.
btw - what a shame to be allergic to bananas! Poor S:-(
For years I made myself a smoothie every morning for breakfast: banana, raspberries and pineapple juice. That's all. Most people seem to want to put milk in smoothies but that doesn't improve them.
I still have them occasionally. The banana is the only essential ingredient, the other fruit is whatever is in season, and it's more yummy with apricot nectar instead of pineapple juice but we can't get that without sugar added.
I can never remember my children's food preferences either. I know things like one of them doesn't like mushrooms and one of them is a vegetarian, but I can never remember which. Same with their names really.
I've got the Maass 'Workshop' book and frankly it's the only thing that's helped me get to the end of FTT without losing the will to live!
I love that Donald Maass book, I had a lot of lightbulb moments when I read it! Also love Stephen King's On Writing. I think it's time I got my how to books off the shelf again!
Guess what S the majority of smoothies have a base of bananas - just what is your Mom up to?
Carrot juice is good but then it stains the juicer - a delightful shade of orange!
Guess what S the majority of smoothies have a base of bananas - just what is your Mom up to?
Carrot juice is good but then it stains the juicer - a delightful shade of orange!
My boys love smoothies! I just cant get into them...a bit too healthy for me. Pass me the chocolate cake anyday!
That book sounds good, I just bought that writing a novel for dummies...as Im obviously one of them!
This is the first time on your blog. I'm so envious of that shed!
Alice
yvonne - I've bought more ingredients and shall give the smoothies another go.
hullaballoo - thanks for visiting. I love the shed, it's my escapism place.
calistro - I know what you mean, I'm going to give it another go and if I can't master the darn thing I just know it will be despatched to the cupboard.
helenmh - the book is really good. I totally agree with you re the smoothies too.
kerry - oooh yum, I'll always give anything with chocolate as an ingredient a try. Sounds heavenly.
lane - the book is worth buying. I'd heard a lot of good things about it and they were all true.
Don't talk to me about 'bits'. All they commented on were the 'bits' from the strawberries! Poor S loves her bananas, it is a shame.
hilary - lol, I never remember my son's name and always call him Jas (my brother's name). Thankfully he isn't ever too offended. My daughter hates mushrooms but never notices if I cut them small and chuck them in the meal.
I've written down your ingredients and shall give them a go.
chrish - oh no, I think I have to get one of those too. I'm thinking my writing is rather dreadful at the moment.
chistina phillips - I loved the Stephen King book too and shall probably give it another read again after. I just wish all the info would stick in my brain.
andrea - I know, how cruel am I. The house is full of bananas now and she is most put out with me.
I've got carrots, I think I shall give them a go. I need all the healthy food I can get.
motherx - my children won't be getting them (or at least they will get them but not drink them if I can't manage to make them a little tastier).
I think I could do with the same book as you.
alice - I love the shed. It's full of all sorts of eclectic bits and pieces that inspire me.
I'm sure drinking smoothies will help your re-drafting go much more, er, smoothly!
The book sounds good :o)
Just been to Amazon and ordered that book, it does sound good. Reading books on writing is one of my favourite tactics for pretending I'm writing when I'm not!
Never liked bananas, which is tragic as nearly all smoothies contain them and I do love those. I can taste the slightest hint of the yellow peril!
karen - wouldn't that be nice.
denise - it is very good. I agree. I also have dvds on exercise that make me feel like I've been to the gym just by buying them.
The book sounds interesting. I'm ashamed to admit, since I started writing, I never seem to have time for reading... but this one sounds like a must have.
We love smoothies. My husband is always experimenting!
leigh russell - It is an excellent book and worth getting.
I'm slowly improving the taste of my smoothies, but I think it will take time.
I just love smoothies. Banana/ milk, spoonful of clear honey, pinch of ginger. Food for the soul.
Without further ado....
It's a well-known fact that Debs is a woman up for a wordy challenge. So stop reading and get yourself over to my blog. I need your help! TFx
We (i.e. lovely bf aka gadget man) bought a top notch smoothie maker. He bought a handful of instruction manuals. He bought 700 tons of fruit.
Three weeks later? We buy Innocent smoothies. Sorry.
The Breakout book sounds good though :0)
tom foolery - I shall try that one out.
Just going to yours now.
spiralskies - I can see us going the same way too.
Mmmm...smoothies...I feel the need to order a smoothie maker immediately having read this!
Am glad the book is good, I've got it on order and looking forward to getting my hands on it now!
lucy diamond - I'm not doing so well with the smoothies. They look better than they taste at the moment, but I'm working on it.
The book is great, I'm thoroughly enjoying working through it.
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