Finger Lickin’ Break
Welcome to my Spring Break! I kicked off the week by eating at one of my favorite places, Neal’s. It’s a total hole in the wall. Pink concrete block exterior. Wagon wheel lights and dusty deer antlers on the inside. But the best fried chicken in Arkansas. . .or the world! And the tea is always nice and strong. And then I went and ran and did my taxes–two things that are top on my “ick” list.
“Second Chance” by Shinedown is my favorite song right now. I love it. Great to run to after you’ve eaten your body weight in fried chicken and mashed potatoes. But the words made me think it was about suicide. Something like “Tell my mother, tell my father, I hope they understand…I did the best I can (blah, blah)…sometimes goodbye is a second chance.” So I go to school and ask my kids, “Is that about suicide? Because if it is, don’t tell me. I’ve already decided the song is now about a guy who leaves his job as a stock broker to pursue his dream of becoming a mime in the circus.”  And they’re like, “No. Watch the video.” So I did. And aside from the lead singer trying to look like Ozzy, it’s the most wholesome thing ever.
And you thought it was about someone killing himself. Geez. Society has warped you. I’d never think that.
I love getting email from readers. Usually I get the same questions. The one I get a few times a week is “Will there be a fourth Katie Parker book?” I’ve been sent lots of plot ideas by teen girls. Last week someone wrote me and told me there had to be a fourth because leaving Katie with Tate was like leaving Bella with Jacob. I wrote back and told her that those were fighting words, but the Lord had put it upon my heart to forgive her. ; ) Here are some other common questions I get.
1. How do you have time to write and teach? I’m actually a clone. One of me goes to work at the high school and spreads wisdom and an endless supply of quality jokes that always inspire laughter and learning. The other “me” stays at home and writes all day. The writer me has a bigger butt, but we’re working on that kink.
2. What do you like to read? The back of cereal boxes. The large print on chocolate donut packages. People magazine. The line on some Mike and Ike’s that says there’s real fruit inside. Email that comes with a video attachment. The clock when I wake up on a Saturday. The memo that tells me how to shut down my classroom in May. . . or June, depending on how many snow days God granted me.
3. What are your hobbies when you’re not writing? Hobbies? Um…yeah, I mean, sure. I have those. What well-rounded person wouldn’t? Uh…I like to sky dive, cliff jump, sew my own clothes, write Pulitzer-worthy poetry, and read as many books as I can find on our past presidents. Okay, no. The truth is I am on a hunt for a hobby right now. I’ve been considering a few, but so far none have reached out and grabbed me. There’s a new club at school for teachers and students (my first clue it’s wrong) to learn how to crochet. Or knit. Or something with yarn and some sharp objects. It promises to relax me, but making a bunch of knots and ending up with a three-armed sweater would not relax me, this I know. And soon my friend Salle-Anne is starting a tap dance class, and I might do that. But I refuse to wear tights. Or a leotard. Or have a recital where I have to invite my parents.
4. What is your TV guilty pleasure? In a word: infomercials. I watch 60 seconds of one, and I’m pretty much convinced I need a fly fishing pole that also doubles as a clogged drain snake, fashionable belt, and piece of displayable art. Don’t even ask my stepdad about the bow-flex (or the half day it took to put it together…I supervised). But how was I supposed to know this “compact” piece of gym equipment would fill the ENTIRE bedroom? It bothered my sense of feng-shui so much, I had to get rid of it. And this is the only reason why I have flabby arms.
5. When did you know you wanted to be a writer? Well, I usually say forever, but it’s time to come out of the career closet here. The real answer is I knew I wanted to be a writer when my dreams of being a roadie for Bon Jovi didn’t work out. I mean, at first I couldn’t finish college with that goal because my professors kept, I dunno, expecting me to show up for class consecutive days in a row. And then at my first teaching job, they were like, “No, you can’t video tape your lessons and mail them from New Jersey.” Such a drag. I think the point here is, you have to surround yourselves with people who will nurture and encourage your dream. And I didn’t do that…and that aspiration died a painful, teary, shot-through-the-heart death. But instead of moping, I decided to go with pick number two on the dream list. And here I am. Writing books. Though my heart still cries out for Jon and Richie…
I don’t ever get asked if I like fish sticks, but the answer is no. Still, this commercial cracks me up.
Recently I read my first Amish fiction. Amish fiction sells like CRAZY. I tried to make Bella, the NY socialite in So Not Happening, go Amish, but apparently you can’t wear Prada, drive a Bug, and have an iPhone if you’re Amish. So…I’m gonna be uncool like that. Anyway, I read A Cousin’s Promise by mega-selling author Wanda Brunstetter. It’s a very well researched book, and I did learn a lot about that faith. You can read the synopsis and sample chapter after my signature.
I hope you have a great day. I’m gonna go write and read email. And grocery shop so I have something to eat besides Eggos. If I eat one more, I’m gonna gag.
See you Wednesday!!!
JEN
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
A Cousin’s Promise
Barbour Books (March 1, 2009)
by
Wanda Brunstetter
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Wanda enjoys writing about the Amish because they live a peaceful, simple life─something she says we all need in this day and age.
Using the knowledge her Amish friends have shared with her, Wanda has also produced several children’s titles in the Rachel Yoder─Always Trouble Somewhere series, an Amish cookbook, and a devotional collection entitled The Simpler Life, which was released in July 2008 and celebrates the virtues of the Amish lifestyle. Wanda and her husband are members of the fellowship of Christian Magicians.
Wanda is also a member of the North American Association of ventriloquists, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Northwest Christian Writers Association. She lives in Washington State, where her husband pastors, but takes every opportunity to visit Amish settlements across the country.
Other books by Wanda are A Sister’s Test, A Sister’s Hope, and A Sister’s Secret
ABOUT THE BOOK
Wayne Lambright who, crippled after a tragic accident, feels himself unworthy of her love; and Jake Beechy who, after having abandoned her to explore the English world, returns to renew their courtship.
Willkumm to the lush and lavish Amish country where Wanda Brunstetter’s new romantic series, Indiana Cousins, begins with A Cousin’s Promise. Loraine Miller finds herself torn between the love of two good men.
When a horrific accident cripples Wayne Lambright, he finds it difficult enough to take care of himself, much less Loraine Miller, his future bride. Will he sacrifice his happiness to give her a better life?
Having already been jilted once, Loraine is terrified of yet another rejection. But does she love Wayne enough to marry him, for better or worse? When her old boyfriend Jake Beechy returns from exploring the English world, he hopes Loraine will give him another chance.
How will God work to give Loraine the desires of her heart? To which man will she pledge her love and loyalty – for better or worse, until death they do part?
If you would like to read the first chapter of A Cousin’s Promise, go HERE
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10 Comments so far
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I like Katie with Tate! The only reason I didn’t want Bella with Jacob is because Jacob was too good for her. I didn’t like how she yanked his chain through three books. I think he was a better guy than Eduardo though *dodges rocks*. Go Tate, go!
Also, I like the song a lot! I dislike fish sticks.
Tap-dancing sounds like a good hobby. I’m not so sure about knitting. I considered picking it up for awhile, then decided that if I couldn’t sew four straight stitches (every four stitches I would somehow throw the machine out of whack with my negativity – or something like that), then I should not try knitting.
Maybe when people ask you if you have a hobby, you should say something professional like, “I read seven Almanacs to chart the snow days this school year.”
Do you read the list of ingredients on food packages? (Admittedly, I read the candy wrapper ingredients. And then eat the candy.
You forgot about the memo for the shut down for Spring break. You know, we don’t get as much from Czar Energy as we used to.
I love Wanda Brunstetter. I own every book she has written (except one about Christmas and a recipe somethingorother). I am a sucker for Amish fiction. Beverly Lewis writes some excellent ones!!!
Paula, I will GLADLY share my Wanda B book with you!!! Remind me!
Hannah, I took sewing lessons once (actually paid for them…real lessons) and FAILED. My teacher kept doing the work for me…and I kept letting her. I can’t even thread my machine.
Natalie, thanks for the Tate encouragement. I kinda liked the guy. ; )
I think Tate SOOOOO out-shined Charlie. Majorly. I liked him a lot!
You should totally try knitting! I learned in November, and it’s awesome, the most relaxing thing ever and you have this incredible pride at the end when you realize, “I *made* this”. As a warning, though, you’ll develop a yarn addiction
Yet another reason we are friends is that books with kissing and fart jokes move to the top of the pile on my night stand too. I love it when a book can be funny and sweet all in one viewing. The Book Thief does not reflect my usual reading habits … I can only take books that heavy every now and then. Sad is not exactly my favorite emotion and that’s how I feel when I read this. It’s worth it, but still. There is not a fart joke to be had. I think the reason I like bluegrass so much is because of my grandparents. My papaw played guitar and banjo and his friends would go over to his house sometimes and play too. It always makes me think of them. I think it’s a really honest kind of music. I don’t even know what that means, or how music can be dishonest (ha
. You were so right. The way it hits your heart is incredible. *tangent* Informercials thrill me to no end. Have you seen the shamwow?
By viewing, I meant reading. I watch books in my head so it kind of works I guess?
SOOO…KP and i were at the TULSA mall today and guess what they have there….i was in heaven(and no not a nasel spray store)….a “As seen on TV” store…It was awesome…Any infomercial ever…the product was in this store! I’m talking shamwow, doorway pull up bar, Handsfree hair dryer…EVERYTHING…it was unreal!
okay so that second chance. i had never heard it before seeing the video on your blog. and now i hear it all the time. i turned on the radio and it was playing. then when the song finished i changed the station and it started playing on that station to.. (like as soon as i changed it, it began to play.)