March 2008
What are the four greatest words in a writer's vocabulary?
That's easy. "I finished the book."
CASTING SPELLS is done and on my editor's desk. Am I relieved? Well, not exactly. Just
because I reached the end of the story doesn't mean I've actually reached the end of
my involvement with it. I sent it in a few days ago and I'm still waking up in the
middle of the night in a cold sweat as I think of all the things I did wrong in the
manuscript. I suppose it's run of the mill author paranoia but right now I have a
particularly bad case of it. I've been rewriting the last chapter obsessively and would
probably continue rewriting up until the book rolled off the printing press if they would let me.
Yes, I have a tough time letting go. Why do you ask??
Now I have to turn my attention to a sequel to CASTING SPELLS. Chloe and Luke are only
beginning their romance and I have quite a few surprises for them up my sleeve.
If you're a subscriber to Suzanne Beecher's wonderful DEAR READER service, you probably
read about my Great Bagel Adventure last month. I found a terrific recipe for bagels at
Baking and Books and decided to give it a shot. The results were spectacular if I do
say so myself. Poppy! Sesame! Everything! The other night I dragged out my ancient
McCall's Cook Book (the one I bought at Macy's Queens a few months before I got married)
and made a classic marble pound cake. I don't know about you but I miss the simple,
old-fashioned desserts we used to love. While crme brulee has a special place in my
heart, there's really nothing better than a simple pound cake or a handful of home-baked
cookies. Sometimes less really is more.
MY BAKE-BY-MEMORY FAVORITE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE RECIPE
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
2 sticks butter
1 T vanilla
3/4 C white sugar
3/4 C brown sugar
salt
1.5 t baking soda
2 eggs
2 1/4 C flour
nuts (optional)
A couple handfuls of chocolate chips (or skip the chips and use raisins or craisins instead; it's up to you.)
Cream the butter, vanilla, and sugars together until light and fluffy. Add your eggs. Mix again until lighter and fluffier. Add salt, baking soda, flour. Beat well. Mix in nuts and chips.
Spoon on parchment-lined baking sheets the size of the scoop determines the size of the cookie and the length of cooking time. An average heaping tablespoon of cookie dough takes approximately 11-12 minutes in a 375 degree oven.
But, as in life, the timing's really up to you
Enjoy!
Don't forget to check out this month's contest.
Warmly,
Archived letters:
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
