The Secret Adventures of WriterGirl

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Between by Vienna Teng.

 The farmer's market is awesome, delicious, and as it turns out, a fantastic place to learn. It is full of bustling people all wanting the same thing (food). And there plenty of vendors offering some variation as the stall next door. There are green beans for $2.00 a lb at almost every stall. Sure, people gravitate toward the 1.00 lb for green beans, but price isn't everything. I was willing to pay top dollar for what I thought was the best of the market. It wasn't until my second trip back from this small wonderland paradise that I realized I was subconsciously absorbing what could easily be applied to authors, or any other kind of promotion. I was learning who the best sellers were and how they were accomplishing their jobs so well. From the street performers alone I learned a lot about how to present yourself and sell a product (any product, including you) effectively.

• Have fun, and let it show. And believe in yourself/your product enough to let it show. Among the performers with tin cans and instrument cases open hoping for a spare buck, I could tell in a heartbeat the ones who were confident or having fun. Even the performers who seemed like they were off in their own worlds had a strong appeal. Because they were into it, and were inviting you into their world, into something they thought was very cool. Now on the other hand you of course had the guilt factor, of things like small kids who were put up to it by their parents for who knows what reason. They didn't look like they were having fun, and it showed.

• Do something exceptional. Whether this was the cookie stand that was selling raspberry cookies (that were to die for) or the guy playing the didgeridoo. There was a guy there professionally sharpening knives. I saw people do straight up double takes, and conversations as we passed of people either remembering him or asking for a business card so they could bring their knives to him there or at their store later. There was also bicycle jewelry and non-dairy ice cream made with nuts instead (honest to goodness. And it tasted fantastic. I suppose this could also be said about something with free samples). There were candy cane beats were sold at only one stand and sold out within an hour of the market's opening. This applied equally well to blackberries. There were only three stands that sold them, and the one that offered the most for the lowest price was sold out by the time I walked that way again. These places, the unique ones, the ones I thought offered something special, those are the ones I remember, and the ones I'll be going back to.

• Give the people what they want. Corn. Dude, the first people to sell corn before anyone else's harvest was sold out faster than you could blink.

• Be personable, and be yourself. There was this honey guy. Now he wasn't the only honey guy there, but trust me, he was THE honey guy. He never seemed to be short of people (neither was it ever crowded, interestingly enough. Kind of like Goldilocks). He was the most open and friendly man at the market. I asked question after question and he answered them all without a hint of anything but patience and  generosity. And being a writer, you know I asked some mighty weird questions.
  
  Some people in the market called out like old fashioned bazaars, but it wasn't really very effective. If anything, it made me want to hedge away for fear that if I made eye contact they would reel me in like a fish with no way to extricate myself nicely. This guy called out like the rest of them, but his approach was completely different. I swear, he sounded just like Sam selling his onions from the book Holes. "Honey! We've got the good stuff here, folks. Try our honey butter!"
  
  Notice he didn't say it was the most amazing honey on the planet. Such a large claim is a tough order to fill, and often sounds like hyperbolized boasting. He said it was the good stuff, and let that be the draw, and it sounded like just enough of a truth to dare me on. And then here is the most important part… He let the product speak for itself. And oh my goodness, it was good. You could tell from other people's reactions to that little squirt of honey honey butter on a cracker that he wasn't lying. That proof of what he was claiming was genuine, that was genesis word of mouth, because it wasn't something he could generate on his own. That is the most important part. Sure, he was able to draw me in, but in the end, the product he was offering was what was real, and that is what sold me. You have to believe in your story/product enough to let it stand on its own.
  
  He also was never condescending of inquisitive people who just came for a sample and left. He offered it freely all the same, and it was that openness that made him both memorable (and approachable). Maybe they didn't have time, or money to buy it then. Or maybe they didn't like honey, but they thought they would try it for a friend of theirs. Did his open manner help? You bet it did, because I recommended him to at least two people telling them they specifically had to buy from him and no one else. You make an impression no matter what, so make sure you're remembered for all the good reasons.

• Offer something different. There were a couple coffee stands, but only one of them looked like an iron train car and had tables in the shade. There were almost a dozen musicians, but only one harpist, and only one bohemian band. And of course the rocking didgeridoo guy.

• Appearances matter. Look professional and you will seem more professional. There was a small group at a tiny table under a tree offering to write free customized poems (and perhaps even were accepting donations for something important) but because they were on a tiny table with only "Free Poems" handwritten on a piece of small poster board, I didn't know anything about them or their purpose. So I didn't approach. People that looked down or seemed predatory I also kept away from. Again, refer to the first observation about the performers doing something so absorbing and cool that they are drawn to you. Like, how could you be so into something and have it *not* be awesome? Invite them in instead of invade.

• Be your own kind of different. In other words be you. On leaving the farmer's market I stopped at one last stand and picked up a "gourmet" popsicle with both strawberry and basil inside. It was really quite good. They sold popsicles, and they knew it, and were proud to of it. They owned it. And it was something you could just tell. So whether you are comfortable creating sketches in the margins of your books for your readers quietly and meticulously, creating a strong web presence, or even just a website, make it yours.   My mom is a talker and can approach complete strangers in a grocery store. That gene skipped me (in a big way). But I have a deeply creative side that I love to show. Play to your strengths. Make the things you love work for *you*. You do not want to be the performers where you can tell they are having no fun. Because you can tell those ones, very very easily. And it will translate to your product. If you don't believe in yourself, then how can be what you are selling be any good either?

Now go out, go forth, and sell your honey!

A beautiful, fascinating, and a bit haunting interview with the award-winning author of mesmerizing The Book Thief. You don't want to listen to me. You want the video.

Are you ready? It's recipe time.



If you haven't picked up a copy of For Darkness Shows the Stars (isn't that the most thought-provoking title? Love it!), you really should. It's a great read, and you'll appreciate this recipe a lot more.

Cause guess what you guys? I've done another first. Several actually, with this book recipe.



1. I've never created a book recipe that was "inspired by" and not specifically mentioned in the book.

2. I've never invented a recipe for something I did not at least have a familiar understanding of before.



I told you this recipe was very likely one you've never heard of before (not unless you happen to be Maori). It made for one heck of an adventure during testing since I had no idea if I was getting it right or not!


Before I tell you what it is, let me give you some secret tidbits delving into the world of For Darkness Shows the Stars.


The first thing I picked up on were the stars Elliot mentioned. Scorpius, Pegasus, Phoenix and others. It piqued my interest. These were all stars in the southern hemisphere. That was new to me. I contacted Diana to ask her about it and found out Elliot's island was inspired off of New Zealand, and in fact makes several subtle allusions to her (Elliot's) Maori heritage.


Ideas started to sprout in my mind. Wheat plays an important part of the story (I won't tell you what, but it happens in the first chapter), as does the sea. Because of their fear of technology, they have been very isolated to their close group of islands for some time. That plus Kai being an explorer made the sea a strong and natural choice to blend together, since it was also very representative of Elliot and Kai themselves. So sea... Salt. It was obvious. Wheat and salt...


And because of their aversion to technology, I wanted this to be a very traditional recipe. To tie in even more, I thought it would be freakishly cool if I could find a traditional Maori recipe for what else but bread? :) And there I found Rewena Paroa.


Now you might be stopping here going "Wait Heather! You tricked me! Bread is EVERYWHERE. Of course you know how to make it! I will spit on your grave for this." But what makes this bread different is how it is made. Instead of yeast (they didn't have it back then) they used fermented potatoes as a levener to make the bread rise.


*pauses*



Yes, we are using spoiled, gas-passing potatoes to make bread.




Stop staring at me like that.




It's good. (And if you think about it, it is genius of the Maori).


This is a way of making bread rise I've never heard of before. And neither has just about anyone in North America, apparently. Trust me, I checked out every fancy-pants artisan bread baking book in my library system (we have a very big library). The idea behind it was there, but not using potatoes specifically as a levener. It gives the bread a tangy, almost sour dough-like flavor. It's delicious.  Ready to get started? :)


First step. Plan three days in advance. This honestly was the hardest part because I had to think far enough ahead of when I wanted bread to start the rewena. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's get the ingredient list first.


Rewena

1 medium-large potato, cut into cubes
1 C. Water
1 tsp. Honey
2 C. Flour







Pour the water into small pot and add cubed potato bits. They should be covered by the water, but not by too much. If not, add a little more (more is better than less in this case). Boil until soft. DO NOT ADD SALT. This will kill all of the little buggies you are trying so hard to develop. :)

After they are tender when stabbed with a fork, turn off the heat and let the water cool down until it is luke warm. It should not take too long with this small amount of water. Once you can stick your finger in it without wanting to yank it out but feels comfortable instead, then you should be ready.

Take a potato masher, or fork, or any other utinsel of doom you desire to make this as smooth a mixture as possible.




Add the flour to a container (a clear on here is good. That way you can see when bubbles start to form). You want this mixture to be able to breathe, but you also want it covered (covered = more warm. Warm is your friend. Because it fosters new friends). :) That means either loose plastic wrap/aluminum/wax paper-(with rubber band) or one that has a lid placed loosely over it. Mine had a hole in the top. ^_^




Pour in the potato mixture. Stir in the honey, and cover with a lid.




Set in a warm place (I put mine in the window sill) for about three days. Give or take. This is up to your buggies.




Every day, stir in one tsp of sugar or 1/2 C unsalted water (alternate between the days). This feeds them.









I added water to the original pot, scraping the potato goo off the sides, and poured it into a separate bowl and left it on the counter, using that whenever I needed. If it developed more buggies to help the Rewena along, all the better. Any bad stuff would be cooked out in the oven, so I wasn't worried.






Then it starts to do cool stuff.











After you begin to see bubbles popping up all across the mixture and it is looking sticky yet liquidy, you are pretty darn close. Also, when you smell it, it should have a tangy odor to it, but not unpleasant. Almost like bread dough or sour dough, but a little different. My first time round it definitely did not smell like that. It should be a pleasant but slightly unusual, yet smells like something you would want to eat eventually.


The more bubbles the better. Especially good if you can see it all through the mixture.





Next step. The BREAD.



Rewena Paroa

4 C. Flour
2 tsp. Salt
1/4 C. Sugar
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 Tbs Olive Oil
1 Tbs Fresh Rosemary (fresh is worth it)


Put flour, sugar and salt into a large bowl. Stir together. Make a well inside the bowl for the Rewena.




Pour in the Rewena mixture. Sprinkle the baking soda on top.




Add the oil and rosemary. Mix together.









 Knead. Lightly if you want a fluffier loaf, more heavily if you want a denser one (you will be making gluten the more you knead it).





Set in a warm place for it to double. Two things I discovered in this process. Leaving it overnight does a fantastic job. But if you are pressed for time, sticking an electric hot pad underneath it does a good job of it as well (cover the top with a warm, damp cloth either way). Just remember to turn the hot pad back on after the automatic shut off. :)





After forming into a whatever shape you want your bread to take, sprinkle on top with sea salt to taste. (You were wondering when I was going to be adding the salt part, weren't you?) ;)


Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until golden brown, roughly 30-40 minutes depending on the oven. It should sound hollow when rapped.










Eat warm or cool. Bon appetite!




*of a note. Every Rewena Paroa recipe I found (all three of them), it was straight up potato and bread. The rosemary and olive oil were my additions. I liked the flavor they added, and I figured after a post apocalyptic event and hundreds of years in the future, the recipe might have changed a little bit. :) I hope you enjoyed this one as much as I did!

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Freedom by 12 Girls Band.

This is a surprise I've been keeping inside for far too long. I was hoping for a couple of other things to come together, but after reading Diana Peterfreund's latest blog post, I can't push it back any more. It's just too good not to share.


Diana's latest book, For Darkness Shows the Stars, has gone into a SECOND printing. This is HUGE guys. This generally means that a book has sold enough to earn out the money the publishers paid up front for it and that the author can start making royalties on it.


This is especially good news for books that do not get a lot of marketing push and have to rely on word of mouth alone to survive.


This book is one I waited an excruciating year and a half to read. A post-apocalyptic retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion? It was SO GOOD. I loved Elliot's character. Goodness, I loved that girl. She is  someone I would love to have as a close friend, a best friend. She is incredibly strong, but not in any of the normal, sword-wielding, "kick-butt" ways, which was refreshing and original and incredibly real. Instead, she is strong by standing still (seems like a contradiction. It's not); like a rock against the storm. You'll understand when you read it. 


Here is a taste of what this story is about. Elliott was in love with Kai, the mechanic's son on her father's estate for years. But when he asked her to leave the island with him she couldn't, because the people on her estate needed her more. Four years later her estate is on a knife's edge of ruin because of her family's opulence. They are forced to rent their land to some explorers, among them a now almost unrecognizable Kai. He acts both cold and cruel, determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go. But they both have secrets. Elliott is not the obedient, demure luddite Kai believes her to be and Kai's secret could bring their entire world to its knees. 


It is so rare to read a love story of second chances. It is what drew me to it to begin with, but then having them be complex characters with multiple desires and dreams sealed it for me. I loved it. I devoured it. Like Austen, this will put you through the emotional wringer, but like Austen, there is a grin-worthy ending. I recommend it highly. 


And BECAUSE of that, I have a surprise for you all. I've invented another recipe. I can guarantee it is something you've never heard of before. :) It's coming tomorrow.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Brothers Under the Sun by Bryan Adams [Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron soundtrack].




The idea of Monday's Muse is to introduce you to unknown, forgotten, or overlooked fiction that has been lost from regular radar. I am WriterGirl. I am in the business of saving lives, one book at a time.

What I do is go to one of several places, narrow it down to a YA field and type in a random word, any word that comes to mind. I then take a sampling of some I have never heard of before, or only vaguely heard of (and hopefully you as well). No infringement is intended for any description I take for the books. It's purely for promotional reasons. I will try and cover as many genres as possible that are fitting for the random word. Simple but it really uncovers some incredible gems. I will be doing this every other Monday. If there are any words you want to prompt me with, go ahead and fire away.

Someday Dancer by Sarah Rubin.

A young teen in 1959 South Carolina has one dream, dancing on stage in New York City. Unfortunately, Casey's family is dirt-poor, with no money for dance lessons or much else. Her father died fighting in Korea, so her mother and grandmother, both of whom she loves dearly, must work. She can only watch from a tree limb as her rich, snooty, bullying classmate (dubbed Miss Priss) takes ballet classes. When New York City Ballet's School of American Ballet announces auditions, the Priss is certain of acceptance, while Casey must work after school for the bus fare. Once in New York, she is overwhelmed by its size and teeming population. Her lack of formal training and the ballet master's astute eye lead to a referral to the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance. Casey loves the movements, takes classes, rehearses and soon dances with the company. Rubin, a debut author, describes the Graham style well but falters in her depiction of New York. Casey may not be the best tour guide for readers, obsessing over dance and family instead of geography, but she does learn to embrace both new friends and Miss Priss. Both Carolinians see their single-minded obsessions quickly--almost unbelievably--rewarded. Dance fans will enjoy the up-close look at a legendary dance troupe.--Kirkus (June 1, 2012).




Shiva's Fire by Suzanne Fisher Staples.

Staples, who wrote about the life of a Pakistani girl in Shabanu (1989) and Haveli (1993), offers a story set in India and brushed with mysticism. The heroine is Parvati, born during a devastating monsoon, who is destined to transcend her poor village beginnings to follow the extraordinary life of a classical dancer. The girl, who remembers everything from her birth on, is born the day her father, the maharaja's elephant keeper, dies. From almost her first moments, she is aware of the dance of life, and as she grows older, her dancing sets her apart from others in her village. Parvati's life is saved when a guru, a great master of Indian classical dance, recognizes her talent and takes her to his school in Madras. Then life begins anew for Parvati, who must dedicate herself to the religious and societal responsibilities that come with carrying on the lineage of dancers. The story's mystical underpinnings are infused with romance when Parvati meets the maharaja's son, and they learn how closely their destinies are intertwined. The injection of a romance in the final quarter of the book might not have worked in less-capable hands, but Staples makes this element seem like a natural evolution. One of the book's strengths is its vivid depiction of Indian life. Using language the way artists use paint, Staples writes with brilliant detail and mixes magic realism with hardscrabble poverty as she tells Parvati's story. A unique offering.--Ilene Cooper, Booklist (March 15, 2000).




The Kayla Chronicles by Sherri Winston.

A refreshing departure from YA books' tendency to emphasize underprivileged teens of color, this novel, set among well-heeled African Americans, rolls together gender politics and a friendship rift into a buoyant, thoughtful comedy. When Kayla is steamrolled by stridently feminist Rosalie into auditioning for their elite high school's hip-hop team, intending to expose discriminatory standards of beauty, something unforeseen occurs: Kayla actually makes the cut. To her surprise, the almost-15-year-old finds a sense of empowerment in dance, but Rosalie remains contemptuous of both the "hoochie-mama" dancers and of Kayla's decision to join them. The widening gap between the girls touchingly illustrates the shifts that can rock adolescent friendships, while memorable scenes, such as one in which a dancer matches Rosalie line for line in a Nikki Giovanni—recitation smack down, will win exuberant supporters for Winston's inclusive message: "Why settle for being just one type of girl?" Kayla's family tensions are underdeveloped, and some readers will feel shortchanged by the lack of dance specifics. Still, few recent novels for younger YAs mesh levity and substance this successfully, and while some of Kayla's concerns are specifically African American (such as whether using hair-relaxing treatments constitute buying into oppression), her smart, gently self-mocking voice will transcend racial lines to hit home with a large number of young women. --Mattson, Jennifer, Booklist (February 1, 2008 vol 104, number 11, p52).




Ten Cents a Dance by Christine Fletcher.

Ruby Jacinski, 15, quits school and works at a meatpacking plant to support her ailing mother and her sister. Her life changes dramatically when Paulie, a handsome young man with a terrible reputation, takes an interest in her and encourages her to pursue a job at the Starlight Dance Academy. There, she can earn a lot of money, get her family out of debt, and live a more exciting life by dancing with lonely men. For someone who loves to dance, the job is a dream come true, but Ruby soon learns that it comes with a price. She lies to her mother and tries to avoid the constant hustle and manipulation from both the customers and her coworkers. As she continues to turn to Paulie for protection and advice, she gets caught up in the seedier side of Chicago's poor Back of the Yards district. This is a unique look at U.S. social history. Ruby is tough, strong, and determined, but maintains the innocent and idealistic dreams of adolescence, thus endearing her to readers. The grittier side of Chicago nightlife and the harsh pressures on wartime youth to mature quickly are well delineated. This intriguing story is well paced and well researched.—Kimberly Monaghan, formerly at Vernon Area Public Library, IL --Kimberly Monaghan, School Library Journal (April 1, 2008 vol 54, issue 4, p140).





The Stone Goddess by Minfong Ho.

In this historical first-person narrative, Nakri Sokha, a 12-year-old girl living in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh in 1975, has her world shattered overnight. A day that starts with Nakri's classical dance class ends with heavy bombing. By the next morning, the Sokha family wakes to find their city taken over by communist Khmer Rouge. Nakri and her older sister, Teeda, are sent to one refugee camp, her older brother to another. Her father, a teacher, is taken away by the Khmer Rouge and killed for being too educated while Nakri's mother is forced to stay behind with her younger brother. Readers follow Nakri and her sister to the work camp and watch painfully as they struggle to overcome the starvation and physical abuse. Nakri manages to keep herself alive, but Teeda dies from malaria. When the Khmer Rouge is dismantled four years later, Nakri reunites with her family and they flee to America. When the family settles in Philadelphia, Nakri, through her love of classical dance, is finally able to process her tremendous grief as she adjusts to the strange excesses of American life. Ho's (Maples in the Mist, 1996, etc.) narrative, arranged in four compact parts, manages to cover a lot of ground, but never strays from the intimacy of Nakri's strong, but vulnerable, voice. Teeda also shines as Nakri's idealistic and talented older sister, though the other family members lack emotional depth. The author takes on this shocking slice of world history with the appropriate amount of detail and sensitivity for a young audience, but the difficult subject matter makes it better suited for more mature readers.--Kirkus (February 1, 2003.




When the Stars Go Blue by Caridad Ferrer.

Soledad is about to graduate from a Miami performing-arts high school and is weighing her options for a future dance career. Jonathan, a classmate and musician, has had his eye on her for the last four years and finally makes his move by inviting her to join his all-male drum and bugle corps to perform as Carmen on their summer bus tour. Romantic feelings influence Soledad's decision to join the corps but issues with Jonathan's family and a Spanish soccer player traveling the same fair circuit threaten the budding relationship. Soledad is a self-assured, feisty Cuban-American teen with a strong drive. She lives for dance, so it doesn't ring true for her to pass up an opportunity to join a dance company to be with a boy in a drum corps. The relationship between Soledad and Jonathan is thin at the beginning of the book, but the plot picks up when the soccer player enters the scene. This twist will hook fans of romance, and the book satisfies with a climactic ending.--Shawna Sherman, Hayward Public Library, CA, School Library Journal (June 1, 2011, vol 57, issue 6, p116).




Aria of the Sea by Dia Calhoun.

On the island of Normost, in the kingdom of Windward, 13-year-old Cerinthe Gale is a folk healer who dreams of being a dancer. When her mother falls ill, Cerinthe fights to save her — but fails. She blames herself for her mother’s death, gives up healing, and decides to pursue dance. Cerinthe travels across Windward to audition at the School of the Royal Dancers, which accepts her even though she is a commoner. It should be the beginning of a brilliant future, but Cerinthe feels an emptiness she can’t identify. A disagreement with a young man, a conflict with a cruel teacher, a rivalry with an aristocratic classmate, Elliana, and a meeting with a mederi — a healer with magical powers — add to her anguish. When the rivalry between the two girls causes a terrible accident, Elliana’s life hangs in the balance. Cerinthe faces the same awful choice she had faced with her mother: Should she try to heal Elliana herself or hope that the mederi arrives in time? Only the song of the Sea Maid holds the answer.




Ever by Gail Carson Levine.

 When Kezi's mother's life is threatened, Kezi's father bargains with Admat, god of oaths, to spare her, but he is unprepared for the consequences: he must sacrifice Kezi, instead. Kezi finds hope in Olus, the Akkan god of the wind, who loves her and determines to save her. Together, Olus and Kezi face seemingly insurmountable trials, but if both succeed, they will be deemed Champions in the Akkan world and become immortal. Levine has crafted a mythical realm where a god's pottery, thrown in frustration, causes earthquakes; Olus' winds herd goats, dictate prophecies, and carry loved ones to safety; and magical potions have the power to change the characters' fates. The story is filled with suspense, action, and challenging philosophical questions: Would one truly wish to be immortal? What is the price of following a deity's commands? An action-packed love story set in an elaborate, challenging world, this richly imagined story will engage fantasy and romance readers alike. --Bradburn, Frances, Booklist (April 1, 2008, vol 104, number 15, p39).