Kaylin McFarren's Blog - Posts Tagged "advice"

"We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential." ~ Ellen Goodman

Hello Readers and Fellow Authors:

With the New Year unfolding its fresh virgin leaves, it's time to seriously consider (or in some cases, reconsider) that ambitious resolution you announced to your friends while heavily intoxicated or blinded by hope. Some individuals think choosing a resolution is much easier than attempting to keep it, but actually the goal you set at the beginning of the year has as much to do with your success as anything else in your life. That’s why it's wise to choose a New Year’s resolution you might actually fulfill. Keeping this in mind, here's a simple plan that might come in handy -- if not in 2011, then definitely in the years to come.
The four steps to choosing a successful resolution:

1. Choose a two-word resolution - Quit smoking; lose weight; go green, etc.
2. Include numbers and dates - Save $2,400 by December 31st; lose 25 lbs. by August 1st, etc.
3. Define how you're going to accomplish your resolution - Put $200 in a savings account every month; walk 40 minutes every night with my husband, etc.
4. Add why you want to achieve your goal - So that I can take that Hawaiian vacation; to fit into that cute size 8 dress...and so on.

You don’t want to create your New Year’s resolution in an effort to please someone else (because my boyfriend thinks I will look better; because my dad wants me to buy a house, etc.). Your resolution should be strictly for you, and adding a “because I” statement to your resolution will be the best way for you to articulate your personal motivation. So stay focused and follow through. You'll be amazed by what you can accomplish!

Quote of the Day:

"I do think New Year's resolutions can't technically be expected to begin on New Year's Day, don't you? Since, because it's an extension of New Year's Eve, smokers are already on a smoking roll and cannot be expected to stop abruptly on the stroke of midnight with so much nicotine in the system. Also dieting on New Year's Day isn't a good idea as you can't eat rationally but really need to be free to consume whatever is necessary, moment by moment, in order to ease your hangover. I think it would be much more sensible if resolutions began generally on January the second." ~Helen Fielding, Bridget Jones's Diary

So what's on Kaylin's Horizon?

I'm currently involved with final editing on my latest creation -- an action, adventure romance titled Severed Threads. This fun, engrossing romp takes a group of unusual characters into treacherous waters, searching for a Chinese Emperor's lost merchant ship and the priceless treasure in her hold. Here's the synopsis, which just might perk your interest:

Believing herself responsible for her father's fatal diving accident, Rachel Lyons has withdrawn from the world and assumed a safe position at a foundation office. When called upon by a museum director to assist her former love interest with the recovery of a priceless artifact from a sunken galleon, she has no intention of cooperating - until her brother is kidnapped by a drug-dealing gangster. In order to save him and gain control over her own life, Rachel must not only overcome her greatest fears, but also relive the circumstances that lead to her father's death.

Would you like to read more? Visit my website at www.kaylinmcfarren.com and enjoy a tantalizing excerpt!

Kaylin's Recommended Reads for January:

* Reading in the Dark by Seamus Deane - The political upheavals in Northern Ireland are the backdrop to the life of the young narrator, who tries to puzzle out the nature of love, the effects of violence, and the secrets his family carries.
* Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough - A marvelously readable biography of the young Theodore Roosevelt, from his birth through his marriage to Edith Carow and his unsuccessful run for mayor of New York. Winner of the National Book Award.
* Songs of the Gorilla Nation by Dawn Prince-Hughes - In her memoir, the author describes how her work observing and interacting with gorillas has helped her to cope with her form of autism -- Asperger's Syndrome.

Kaylin's Recipe of the Month: Buffalo Chicken Stromboli

Yield - 4 servings

Ingredients:

* 2 cups cubed or shredded cooked chicken
* 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
* 3 tablespoons Frank's® RedHot® Sauce
* 1/2 (17.3 ounce) package Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets, thawed

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Stir the chicken, cheese and hot sauce in a medium bowl.
2. Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry sheet into a 10x14-inch rectangle.
3. With the short side facing you, spoon the chicken mixture down the center of the pastry. Fold 2 opposite sides of the pastry to the center over the filling and press to seal. Place the pastry, seam-side down, onto a baking sheet. Tuck the ends under to seal.
4. Bake for 30 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown. Cut the pastry in quarters to serve and enjoy!

So remember ... Stay positive. Give happiness away and be sure to recommend Flaherty's Crossing to everyone you know!

Have a great month!

Kaylin

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade." ~ Charles Dickens

Hello Readers and Fellow Authors:

Ah...March madness is upon us, and what a crazy month it is! Anticipation ushers us forward, the past holds us back. Only during this time of year can you bask in the sun's glorious warmth, applaud pink buds beneath new leaves, then cringe as they're crushed by a blanket of new-fallen snow.

In this same vein, life often mimics nature. It drops us into pitfalls as we tread along worn paths. It leaves us stuck in ruts, running in endless circles, accomplishing little in a broad span of time. But if we chose to disregard ill-gotten practices and, instead, blaze new roads - fueling our journey with imagination and positive energy - we can alter our destiny. We can regain control of our lives and find slivers of sunshine beneath even the darkest clouds.

So be brave! Individuals, who once tip-toed around you, will soon recognize your ambition, your intuitiveness, your well-earned praise. They in turn will seek out your guidance and the source of your fresh, ingenious beam.

Quote of the Day: (From a great Irishman)

I often sit back and think, “I wish I'd done that", and find out later that I already have. ~ Richard Harris

Ah...but hold on! It's not too late to enter Kaylin’s "Luck of the Irish" Contest or to win a free Kindle with no strings attached!! Simply send your favorite Irish joke, limerick or poem (extra points for originality) to kaylin.kaylinmcfarren.com before March 16th. The winning entry will be selected on St. Paddy's Day, and this lucky soul - whoever they might be - will receive a free Kindle valued at $189...the perfect wireless reading device to download and enjoy your copy of Flaherty's Crossing. So what are you waiting for? Submit your entry today!

Kaylin's Recommended Reads for March:

* The Magician’s Assistant by Ann Patchett - When her magician husband dies unexpectedly of an aneurysm, 40-year-old Sabine discovers that he had a family and a tumultuous past that he never shared with her.
* Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell - As World War II comes to an end, the members of three different cultures in Northern Italy—Catholics, Jews, and the occupying Germans—must make difficult choices in order to survive.
* My Dream of You by Nuala O'Faolain - Kathleen, a travel writer, has long been estranged from her family and native Ireland; now nearing 50, mourning the death of a close friend, she returns to Ireland to make peace with her family and research a 150-year-old mystery.

Kaylin's Recipe of the Month: Irish Chicken and Dumplings

Ingredients

* 2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
* 3 cups water
* 1 cup chopped celery
* 2 onions, quartered
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
* 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
* 5 carrots, sliced
* 1 (10 ounce) package frozen green peas
* 4 potatoes, quartered
* 3 cups baking mix
* 1 1/3 cups milk

Directions

1. In large, heavy pot, combine soup, water, chicken, celery, onion, salt, poultry seasoning, and pepper. Cover and cook over low heat about 1 1/2 hours.
2. Add potatoes and carrots; cover and cook another 30 minutes.
3. Remove chicken from pot, shred it, and return to pot. Add peas and cook only 5 minutes longer.
4. Add dumplings. To make dumplings: Mix baking mix and milk until a soft dough forms. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto BOILING stew. Simmer covered for 10 minutes, then uncover and simmer an additional 10 minutes.

So remember ... Stay positive, give happiness away, and be sure to recommend Flaherty's Crossing to everyone you know!

Have a great month and a happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Kaylin

“April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks go.”
- Christopher Morley, John Mistletoe

Hello Readers and Fellow Authors:

Is it really April? Apparently so! Not entirely sure where February and March went, however, between travel, family obligations, and community functions, I’ve been a bit too busy to notice. And isn’t it amazing how many clocks you find in your home when it’s time to Spring them forward? They seem to be in every room in the household…on every appliance…on every ten foot wall. It usually takes a few days to finally get them in order. But have you ever wondered what actually happens to that precious hour we lost? Could it be floating around in the atmosphere — just waiting for Fall to roll back around? Hovering in another dimension until it’s rediscovered? Now just imagine for a moment if we could accumulate that lost hour on a daily basis and eventually get them all back in one fell swoop. Ah, the extra hours we could sleep in…the blistery Winter days we could forgo…

Quote of the Day:

“Hail in the Spring, a start of new beginnings. Creativity awe-inspiring gives a reason to be living. Plant life showing life anew, a wonder to be found. New born lambs playing in the fields, birds nesting all around. People enjoying the sun and the warmth, feeling good to be alive. Spring gives a purpose to our lives, a touch of Paradise.” - Kay M. Sutton, Bring in the Spring

Congratulations to Chuck E. Otto for winning Kaylin’s “Luck of the Irish” Contest…

…and a free Kindle valued at $189… The perfect wireless reading device to download and enjoy your copy of Flaherty’s Crossing. And here’s his winning entry:

St Peter’s Quiz:

A petty thief, a teacher and a lawyer died in a plane crash and met up at Heaven’s gates. When they got there, they were stopped by St. Peter.

“Sorry, it’s extremely crowded at the moment,” he said. “If you want to get in, you’ll each need to answer one question correctly.”

They all shook their heads in agreement. Then St. Peter looked at the teacher and asked her, “What was the name of the famous ocean-liner that sank after hitting an iceberg?”

“Oh, that’s easy,” the teacher replied. “The Titanic.”

“That’s right! You may enter.” Next he turned to the petty thief and figuring Heaven didn’t REALLY need all the aggravation this guy would bring with him decided to make the question a little harder. “How many people died on the ship?” he asked.Fortunately for him, the thief had just seen the movie. “One thousand two hundred and twenty eight,” he answered.

St. Peter stepped aside and allowed him to pass. Then he turned to the lawyer and said, “Name them.”

Kaylin’s Recommended Reads for April:

* Red Azalea by Anchee Min -This powerful memoir, set in China, tells of growing up during the Cultural Revolution, “where the soul was secondary to the state, beauty was mistrusted, and love could be punishable by death.” A New York Times Notable Book.

* When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka – A nameless Japanese-American family is sent to a Utah internment camp during World War II. Their emotional devastation is revealed in spare, haunting prose that draws the reader into the story.

* Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers – Harriet Vane returns to Oxford University just as a rash of unpleasant incidents occur, including poison pen letters, obscene graffiti, and burning effigies. Harriet, along with her paramour and partner Lord Peter Wimsey, try to find the culprit before the odd events turn deadly.

Kaylin’s Recipe of the Month: Caprese-Style Herbed Strata

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Ready in: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Baking Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted plus more for greasing pan
* 6 large slices of sturdy bread (about 1/2-inch thick)
* 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
* 1 cup sun dried tomatoes, finely chopped
* 1/2 cup basil, finely chopped
* 4 large eggs
* 2 cups milk
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

1. Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Line the bottom of the dish with about 3 slices of bread. You will need to cut some slices to make sure the bottom is entirely covered. Spread half of the sun dried tomatoes and all of the basil on top of the bread. Sprinkle half of the cheese. Repeat with the remaining pieces of bread, sun dried tomatoes and cheese.

2. In a medium bowl whisk together eggs, milk, melted butter, salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture over the bread layers. Gently press down bread to insure that bread is fully submerged. Cover with foil and refrigerate for at least 5 hours or even better overnight.

3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake strata until golden and bubbly, about an hour. Allow dish to sit for 5 minutes before serving. For a Provencal twist, use olive tapenade instead of sun-dried tomatoes. Both are equally good!

So remember … Stay positive. Give happiness away and be sure to recommend Flaherty’s Crossing to everyone you know!

Have a great month!

Kaylin

"Optimism is a cheerful frame of mind that enables a tea kettle to sing though it's in hot water up to its nose."


Dear Friends and Avid Readers:

After experiencing the loss of family members, friends and business associates to cancer over the past few years, my husband and I recognized the need for preventative medicine rather than focusing on aftercare. Together, with Governor Kitzhaber, Senator Merkley, Senator Wyden, State Treasurer Ted Wheeler, Lynn and Dave Frohnmayer and many like-minded individuals in our community, we''re seeking ways to raise awareness and to direct our fund-raising efforts toward expanded research and the care and treatment of cancer patients and their families.

This year, ticket sales and profits from our upcoming Artful Giving Blanket Concert will benefit Portland’s Providence Cancer Center. The official site for this event will be held on the grounds of our 15-acre estate in Troutdale, Oregon on Saturday, July 16th 11am – 6pm. With KATU Anchor - Steve Dunn as our presiding MC, musical entertainment will be highlighted by Aaron Meyer, Linda Hornbuckle, Sonny Hess and Northwest Women Rhythm and Blues, Patrick Lamb, and Curtis Salgado. Nearly two dozen local artists will display their artwork for purchase, and complimentary food and beverages will be provided by Duck Pond Winery and ten of Portland's finest restaurants, including Morton's, El Gaucho and Portland City Grill.

Together, we can make a difference by improving the quality of life for families affected by this indiscriminate disease. Visit www.artfulgiving.net and be sure to make plans to attend this exciting event!


Quote of the Month:

"It is not intelligence alone that brings success, but also the drive to succeed, the commitment to work hard, and the courage to believe in yourself. Know that your dreams must come from your heart's deepest desires. Only then will the barriers come down before you. To know your heart, you must know yourself. You are who you decide to be, not who other people decide for you to be. Be noble. Stand on the higher ground. Create your life and then go out and live it." --- Unknown


Recommended Reads:

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters. Set in the 1940′s, on the eve of the NHS in rural England, a Doctor visits an old stately manor to see a maid who was complaining of stomach pains. When Dr. Farrady dug a little further it turned out that the maid wasn’t ill at all but trying to get sent home as she was afraid of things “going bump in the night” (and day!) in the house. Farrady strikes up a friendship with the house members (of whom there are only 3 left) and becomes embroiled in some very strange goings on. The real taking point is at the end of the book. It appears that Waters has left her readers to make up their own minds about what was really going on in the house but there are some great theories flying around that makes this a good read for debate.


Blindness by Jose Saramago. This book is amazing, incredible and breathtaking. The story starts with a man in his car at traffic lights who goes suddenly blind. He is helped home by a stranger, who a few hours later also goes blind. Within a few days the blindness has spread round half the city and also those afflicted are herded up by the government into a disused mental asylum and left alone. The wards quickly become overrun with filth and chaos ensues. In the middle of this, though, we get to know a handful of characters very well and it is really their story that we follow through the never-ending days, lack of food and riots. The whole story is told through long paragraphs of uubroken text. There are no quotation marks, hardly any punctuation and none of the characters are given names. But it works!


Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind. This is one of the weirdest books I have ever read but also one of the best. Survivor, genius, perfumer, killer: this is Jean-Baptiste Grenouille. He is abandoned on the filthy streets of 17th century Paris as a child, but grows up to discover he has an extraordinary gift: a sense of smell more powerful than any other human’s. Soon, he is creating the most sublime fragrances in all the city. Yet there is one odor he cannot capture. It is exquisite, magical: the scent of a young virgin. And to get it he must kill. And kill. And kill.


Kaylin's Favorite May Recipe: Corn Bread Cobb Salad (Yummy!)

Corn bread croutons add a kid-friendly, Southern spin to this classic salad. This recipe will yield enough for a picnic potluck or a light family dinner and lunch the next day.

Ingredients:

* FOR THE CROUTONS:
* 2 cups cubed corn bread, preferably day-old
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* Coarse salt and pepper


* FOR THE DRESSING:
* 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
* 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
* Salt and pepper
* 3 tablespoons olive oil


* FOR THE SALAD:
* 3 hearts romaine lettuce, shredded
* 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
* 4 large eggs, hard-boiled and chopped
* 8 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
* 1 ripe avocado, halved, pitted, peeled, and diced
* 1-1/2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
* 1/2 cup diced red onion (optional)
* 1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) Monterey Jack or Cheddar, shredded

Directions:

1) Heat the oven to 400 degrees. In a medium-size bowl, toss the corn bread with the oil, and salt and pepper to taste, until the cubes are well coated. Spread the cubes on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown, turning once with a spatula, about 8 minutes. Set the croutons aside.

Tip: Croutons can be made the day before and stored in a ziplock bag until ready to use.

2) In a large bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, and salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle in the oil and continue whisking until the dressing has thickened. Add the lettuce to the bowl and toss to coat it with the dressing. Transfer the lettuce to a serving platter.

3) Arrange the chicken, eggs, bacon, avocado, tomatoes, red onion (if using), and cheese over the lettuce. Season the salad with more salt and pepper, if you like. Serves 6 to 8.


Here's a little something to make your smile:

An Irishman had been drinking at a pub all night. The bartender finally said that the bar is closing. So the Irishman stood up to leave and fell flat on his face. He tried to stand one more time; same result. He figured he'll crawl outside and get some fresh air and maybe that will sober him up.

Once outside he stood up and fell flat on his face. So he decided to crawl the 4 blocks to his home. When he arrived at the door he stood up and again fell flat on his face. He crawled through the door and into his bedroom. When he reached his bed he tried one more time to stand up. This time he managed to pull himself upright, but he quickly fell right into bed and is sound asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. He was awakened the next morning to his wife standing over him, shouting, "So, you've been out drinking again!!"

"What makes you say that?" he asked, putting on an innocent look.

"The pub called -- you left your wheelchair there again."


So remember ... Stay positive, give happiness away, and be sure to recommend Flaherty's Crossing to everyone you know!

Have a great month!
Kaylin

"Everything in nature is lyrical in its ideal essence, tragic in its fate, and comic in its existence." - George Santayana

Dear Friends and Avid Readers:

Life is full of choices. We can view the ending of a chapter in our lives as just that -- an end. Or we can view it as the beginning of the next chapter, brimming with possibilities for new experiences, opportunities, challenges and rewards. After spending years behind the scene, applauding my husband's and children's triumphs, I recently choose the latter point of view. Certainly I've enjoyed the amazing journey I have spent in everyone's blossoming life. I've been fortunate in developing long-lasting relationships with business, civic and political leaders from all over the world. But a time comes in our lives when we need to reexamine our personal goals -- our hopes, dreams...ambitions. We need to remember that it’s never too late to become the person we could have been. To not let time become our enemy. Not as long as there's a door within reach -- a soul-satisfying opportunity just waiting to be found. True success and accomplishment involves taking risks, discovering true potential, and leaving our indelible mark in this world. So why sit alone on a footstool when you can shoot for the stars?

Quote of the Month:

"It is the month of June, the month of leaves and roses. When pleasant sights salute the eyes, and pleasant scents the noses." - Nathaniel Parker Willis

Fun June Facts and Beliefs:

June marks the beginning of Summer in the northern hemisphere and the month of the Wimbledon tennis tournament in England.

June is the sixth month of the year and takes its name from the Roman goddess Junno, the goddess of marriage. For this reason, June has always been looked upon as the best month in which to marry:

The flower for June is the red rose. The red rose is the symbol of:love.

The rose also has a special importance on Midsummer's Eve.

At different times during June there are ceremonies called well dressings. Springs and wells of fresh water that come from the underground streams have always seem to be magical things, so some wells are honored with decorations.
These decorations consist of branches of greenery and amazingly beautiful pictures made of flower petals and moss.

The official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II is marked each year on June 13th by a military parade and march-past, known as Trooping the Color (Carrying of the Flag)

The longest day of the year is June 21st or 22nd. It is the day when the sun is at its most northerly point and this is why it is "the longest day". In Wiltshire, there is a circle of huge stones at a place called Stonehenge, and hundreds of people go there to watch the sun rise on June 21st.

Midsummers Day, June 24th, is a time associated with witches, magic, fairies and dancing.

On the eve of Midsummer's Day, many bonfires used to be burnt all over the country. This was in praise of the sun, for the days were getting shorter and the sun appeared to be getting weaker, so people would light fires to try and strengthen the sun.

Midsummer's Superstitions:

Roses are of special importance on Midsummer's Eve. It is said that any rose picked on Midsummer's Eve, or Midsummer's Day will keep fresh until Christmas. At midnight on Midsummer's Eve, young girls should scatter rose petals before them and say:

Rose leaves, rose leaves,
Rose leaves I strew.
He that will love me
Come after me now.

Then the next day, Midsummer's Day, their true love will visit them.

Recommended Reads:

Beneath a Marble Sky: A Love Story by John Shors. While historians agree that the Taj Mahal was built by an emperor in the seventeenth century who was grieving the loss of his wife, the true details surrounding this story have been lost. Shors imagines them in Beneath a Marble Sky, bringing to life a story of love, war, beauty and tragedy.

Tiny Sunbirds, Far Away by Christine Watson. Watson's nuanced portrayal of daily life in Nigeria is peopled with flawed but tenacious characters who fight not only for survival but for dignity. Blessing is a wonderful narrator whose vivid impressions enliven Watson's sensual prose.

Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult. This is a controversial and heart-wrenching story of a family with two daughters. The second, Willow, was born with brittle bone disease, a condition that makes her bones break easily and that limits her height and movement. When Willow is four, her parents decide to sue their OB for "wrongful birth," claiming that Willow's condition should have been diagnosed earlier in the pregnancy so that they could have had an abortion.

A Favorite June Recipe: Kaylin's Lime Chicken Rice

This tasty, colorful dish can be served with chicken and is perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon. The piquant flavors blend into the rice perfectly. A delicious and delightful dish that everyone will enjoy!

Ingredients:

Marinade
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried basil
salt to taste
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 (4 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast half - cut into bite-size pieces

Rice
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 onion, chopped
2 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
2 tomatoes - peeled, seeded, and coarsely chopped
salt to taste
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 cup uncooked white rice
1 lime, juiced
2 bay leaves
1 cup chicken stock
1 1/2 cups water
3 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Directions:

Mix olive oil, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Toss chicken in marinade, cover and refrigerate overnight.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat; cook chicken and set aside. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and cook garlic and onion until translucent. Stir in jalapeno, chopped tomatoes, salt, and turmeric; cook for 2 minutes to soften tomato. Stir in the rice, mixing thoroughly. Stir in half of the lime juice, bay leaves, chicken stock, water, and cooked chicken. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, then cover and simmer 25 minutes, stirring occasionally until the rice has cooked. Remove from heat, discard the bay leaves; stir in the remaining lime juice and cilantro.

Here's a little something to make your smile:

A Cork travel agent looked out through his window to see an old lady and an old man gazing longingly at his display of posters for exotic holiday resorts. As a publicity gimmick he decided to offer them a free round-the-world cruise with all expenses paid. When they returned some months later he asked the old lady if they had enjoyed themselves.

"Wonderfully," she replied, "but tell me one thing, who was that old man I had to sleep with every night?"

So remember ... Stay positive, give happiness away, and be sure to recommend Flaherty's Crossing to everyone you know!

Have a great month!
Kaylin

www.kaylinmcfarren.com

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

Dear Friends and Avid Readers:

The only time you run out of chances is when you stop taking them. For the past forty-two years, my husband has lived by this philosophy. He's become an established businessman, a generous philanthropist, and has been recognized with numerous awards by both charitable and business organizations. His life continues to inspire the young and old alike, and it all began with a dream for a better life in America – a dream that often seemed impossible with our struggling economy. Somehow he went from living in his car and nearly dying of starvation to owning a multi-million dollar conglomerate. He currently travels the world as a motivational speaker and has been honored not only by the heads of State, but also by Japan’s foreign minister.

He's often asked, “What is the secret to your success? What sets you apart from other people who share common dreams, noteworthy talents, unique and original products?” He explains that it’s ultimately the willingness to take a chance. To risk everything you have – to put everything on the line in order to see your dreams realized. But success is not always measured by monetary gains. It often comes from standing out in your community...taking a chance on others - giving of your time, your knowledge, your strengths. Pay it forward whenever the opportunity makes itself known and your rewards will be far greater than you ever imagined.

Quote of the Month:

"The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live." - Leo F. Buscaglia

A Nasty Case Of Arthritis:

A man flopped down on a subway seat next to a priest. The man's tie was stained, his face was smeared with red lipstick, and a half-empty bottle of gin was sticking out of his torn coat pocket. He immediately opened a newspaper and began reading. After a few minutes, he turned to the priest and asked, "Say, Father, what causes arthritis?"

"Loose living, cheap wicked woman, too much alcohol and contempt for your fellow man," answered the priest.

"I'll be damned," the drunk muttered, then returned to his paper.

The priest, suddenly regretting what he had said, nudged the man and sincerely apologized. "I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to be so harsh. How long have you had arthritis?"

"Oh, I don't have it, Father," the drunk answered. "But it says here the Pope does."

Recommended Reads:

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. If you're a dog lover, you'll need to keep a box of Kleenex close at hand. Edgar Sawtelle is a boy who is born mute in the late 1950s. His family has created their own breed of Sawtelle dogs, and they breed and train the dogs on their farm in Wisconsin. Suffice it to say there is tragedy and mystery wrapped into Edgar's coming of age tale.

Paint it Black by Jane Fitch. Paint it Black is another strong introspective into a woman's reaction to exacting circumstances. Just as in White Oleander, Fitch once again presents us with a headstrong heroine with unique characteristics that a reader can often empathize with yet question. Fitch fans won't be disappointed, but be warned as the melodrama unfolds very, very slowly. Aptly titled, Paint in Black draws the reader into Josie's hazy, desolate world and leaves you breathless.

Midwives by Chris Bohjalian. Sybil Danforth, an uncertified lay midwife in rural Vermont, gets into trouble when she performs an emergency Caesarian on a minister's wife. Sybil's daughter, Connie, looks back to 1981 to tell the story of the murder trial.

A Favorite July recipe: Kaylin's Grilled Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons lemon pepper
2 Vidalia onions, thickly sliced
4 large mushroom caps, chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
hot sauce to taste
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Place chicken breast halves in a large re-sealable plastic bag with lemon juice, olive oil, and lemon pepper. Shake to coat, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Preheat a grill for high heat. Lightly oil the grill grate. Place the Vidalia onions and mushrooms on the grill, and cook until lightly charred on both sides; set aside. Place chicken onto the grill, and discard marinade. Cook for 15 minutes, turning once, or until juices run clear. Remove from heat, cool, and chop.

In a large bowl, thoroughly mix the onions, mushrooms, chicken, and mayonnaise. Season with hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Cover, and refrigerate until serving.

Upcoming Author Events:

July 16th, 11am - 5pm: Artful Giving Blanket Concert featuring Aaron Meyer, Linda Hornbuckle, Northwest Women Rhythm and Blues, Curtis Salgado and Soul Vaccination; Yoshida Estate, Troutdale, Oregon; books and tickets available on-line at www.soulfulgiving.org

July 24th, 4pm - 6pm: Wilsonville Fred Meyer Store - Grand Opening; Old Town Square, SW Boones Ferry Road; co-signing with Kristina McMorris, daughter and author of "Letters From Home"

July 30th, 11am-6pm: 3rd Annual NW Book Festival, Pioneer Courthouse Square, Portland

So remember ... Stay positive. Give happiness away and be sure to recommend Flaherty's Crossing to everyone you know!

Have a great month!

Kaylin
www.kaylinmcfarren.com

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me."
~Erma Bombeck


Dear Friends and Avid Readers:

Time can be our greatest enemy. And in my case, it's the most frustrating culprit of all. There simply aren't enough hours in the day to oversee a non-profit foundation, travel abroad, maintain two households, appear at social events, assist in community fund-raising, interact with family members, and complete final edits on my second book. So I ask your patience, indulgence and understanding as I adjust my monthly outpourings to a quarterly newsletter. If you chose to keep your subscription, I promise to make each and every issue worth the wait.


In the meantime, have a wonderful summer and remember...today is the last day of some of your life, so make it unforgettable.


All my best wishes,

Kaylin

It’s inevitable. Your prose has turned to mush, you don’t have a creative bone left in your body, and you want to throw in the towel.

Writer’s block. Every writer struggles with it. But what you do with it is what really matters. Before I write about solutions, though, it’s important to understand the problem.

Common causes of writer’s block:
The reasons for your block may vary, but some common ones include the following.

Timing: It’s simply not the right time to write. Your ideas may need to stew a little longer before writing them down.

Fear: Many writers struggle with being afraid, with putting their ideas (and themselves) out there for everyone to see and critique. Fear is a major reason some writers never become writers and never fulfill their dreams.

Perfectionism: You want everything to be just right before you ever put pen to paper or touch a keyboard. You try to get it perfect in your head and never do, so you never begin.

So how do I vanquish this enemy?
It’s a tough question to answer, and I’m afraid I don’t have a great solution. I’ve personally wrestled with writer’s block on numerous occasions, and each victory looked different.

That’s the thing about writing: it’s an art, not a science. And you’ll have to approach it as such. There is no formulaic fix, no “7 Steps to Becoming a Better Writer Now.”

Well, except for one. But you already know what it is: Start hacking away. Begin trying stuff. Sometimes, the quirkier, the better. The trick is find something that works for you.

Creative solutions to writer’s block:
Here are a few ideas to help you work through your creative constipation, which have all seemed to work for me.

Go for a walk or a short drive. I find nothing works better than a ten minutes trip through the garden or along a peaceful waterway.

Eliminate distractions. Turn off the radio, television, even your phone if necessary.

Do something to get your blood flowing. Stretch, grab a cup of coffee…whatever it takes.

Change your environment. If working behind a desk on a computer becomes intimidating, try putting your feet up on a recliner and typing on your laptop.

Read a book. Sometimes words and scenarios from other authors can inspire you.

Write nonstop with only the ideas of your story or character conversations in mind.

Listen to music. Try classical, easy listening, blues or jazz…and mix it up a bit to spark ideas.

Relax your mind with a small glass of wine. This is definitely a tension reliever. But don’t finish off the entire bottle...like I've been known to do.

Start a routine. Many famous writers have daily writing schedules to summon the Muse.

Spend time with someone who makes you feel good. A fellow writer, a grandchild, even a puppy.

Call an old friend and catch up on each other’s lives.

Brainstorm ideas in bullet points or by creating a board on Pinterest. This is how I plot my books.

Read some inspiring quotes in books or online to get you started.

The possibilities are endless, but movement is critical. You need to generate momentum to get out of your funk.

Once you start heading in a direction, it’s easier to pick up speed. And before you know it, your block will be a distant memory and you’ll be doing what you once thought impossible. You’ll be writing!

The fail-proof solution:
If you’re still not satisfied, you have one last resort, an ace up your sleeve. The silver bullet solution. The fail-proof way to overcome writer’s block is one you already know. In fact, you’ve been avoiding it this whole time, because it’s precisely what you don’t want to hear.

You overcome writer’s block simply by writing. Start somewhere, anywhere. Write a few lines. Say anything. And see what happens. Don’t think about it too much or make any fancy announcements. Just write. It doesn’t need to be eloquent or presentable; it just needs to be written.

And remember…write for the joy of writing. Because you can’t not do it. Don’t try to say or produce anything; just get some words on paper, now. No more excuses or justifications.

You can write. Don’t make it harder than it has to be. Just type a few words. They don’t have to be good (all first drafts suck). It just has to be written. Then at least you have something to work on.

If you do this, you’ll get past the hump. I promise. The difference between professional writers and amateurs is this: Both encounter blocks, but one pushes through while the other gets paralyzed.

So get busy. Write like there’s no tomorrow…and when it comes to creativity, don’t let anything stand in your way.

I know it's inevitable. Every author gets their share of bad reviews. You know, those one-star postings and half-baked opinions by "chosen" readers, indicating that you, as an author, haven't got a clue how to write a simple phase, how to plot a mystery, or create a believable story. Obviously, we can't all be as talented as Agatha Christie, John Steinbeck or F. Scott Fitzgerald. We're simply members of the Homo sapien writing tribe with more than our share of weaknesses, imperfections, and fragile reactions. Quite often, we find ourselves typing non-stop for days on end, allowing trapped emotions and caged creativity to escape in equal portions. We offer ourselves up to the world's judgment, begging for acceptance—for someone to see the merit of our artistic efforts. But then it happens in an instant, even to the best of us. Critics and wannabe writers take careful aim, releasing venomous words, killing a novel purely for the pleasure of doing so.

I understand that not everyone appreciates the written word and the painstaking effort that goes into fully developing an idea. However, for an author, it's tedious, time consuming work, and the act of writing can become an obsession in the art of perfection. Every word, scene and character on the page has value, and the ability to bring a story full circle can feel like a miraculous achievement at times. And yet, a single insult has the ability to take down not only an individual's self-esteem but also their ability to write...at least for the time it takes to recover.

The solution to this madness? I've been told the most powerful action you can take to neutralize your brain’s wiring is to prove it wrong. Your brain fears being cast out of the "qualified" author circle, so calm it by connecting to your personal tribes—family, friends, other struggling writers. See brain? I’m not being thrown to the dingos—I have love, talent and the ability to carry on. Once the brain calms down, you can use reason and logic to center yourself. You can also talk to authors who have drifted in the same boat, bordering on the brink of despair.

Writers, like myself, fall into two groups. Those who bleed copiously and visibly at any bad review and those who hide their reactions well. Usually, I fall into the second group, holding my breath and looking away until the shock value wears off. But when a new book is released, it becomes a balancing act between elation over great reviews and irrational anger for the vicious ones. Some of Stephen King’s latest novels received up to 500 one-star and two-star reviews on Amazon. Was this done out of spite for his success as an author or simply a way to demonstrate powerful opinions?

Book stores are packed with best sellers that have a lot of bad reviews. Prove it to yourself. Do this: Go to idreambooks.com, the “Rotten Tomatoes” of the book world. They aggregate book reviews from important critics like the New York Times and rank best selling books according to the percentage of good reviews they received. Notice anything? Almost all the best selling books have a significant number of bad reviews. Imagine that.

Now think about this. How much could bad reviews affect sales if they’re all best sellers? I’m not ignoring the aftermath of cruel intention—bad reviews are undesirable. But they’re not necessarily the deal-breakers you think they are. Well, that's what I continue to tell myself anyway. And even more interesting...bad reviews can actually help sell books.

What do you think of a book that has nothing but five-star reviews? I don’t know about you, but I’m a bit suspicious. Just like restaurant reviews, if you see nothing but 5 stars, I’m thinking the author or restaurant owner got all his friends, family and associates to write the vast number of reviews, delving out glowing praise. In a twisted way, bad reviews give a book legitimacy because their very presence indicate that the good reviews must be genuine. Right?

Well, I have to admit that all this venting has helped a wee bit. The sting of the cursed one-star review has eased a bit, and I'm reminded that the toughest critics are often the worst writers. That's why they criticize, don't you think? So now it's time to laugh, enjoy a glass of wine, and move on until the next zinger comes along, and then maybe I'll have the commonsense to look away.

- Kaylin McFarren, author

While in the midst of creating a new novel, I recently found myself struggling with the purpose of my story. Was I writing it to educate readers, to entertain them, or to transport them to another place during a difficult time in our lives? Perhaps, in a strange way, I was attempting to do all three without even being aware of it--without concentrating on the basic steps required for good storytelling. And what, say you, was the final result? A longer writing and editing process that no author wants to endure.

So, what's the fastest way to create a memorable, page-turning story? Here is my simple answer. Years ago, while researching the secret to successful writing, I came to the conclusion that the key ingredient to creating great stories is constant practice. While I maintain this habit on a regular basis, I've come to the conclusion that the nature and unanticipated behavior of my characters often dictates the eventual outcome of their stories in any given situation. To further clarify, I have absolutely no control over my endings while I'm writing them. But that doesn't mean they can't be entertaining or well written.

As readers, we seem to be satisfied when stories achieve certain effects, such as moving us emotionally, inspiring us, and encouraging us to think outside the box. With the advent and explosion of self-published books, there are now virtually millions of books of all genres on the market. So, as a writer, how is it possible to make your book stand out or be different? How do you keep readers coming back time and again, searching for your latest novel or upcoming release. Well, after reviewing stacks of notes from RWA workshops and various writing conferences, I believe I've discovered some great suggestions for turning a good story into an unforgettable, compelling one.

Are you ready??

#1) Make the dramatic content of your story strong. Example: ‘The neighbor's bacon and eggs breakfast’ is not a story idea that is going to have readers clawing for a copy of your book. It is also highly unlikely that this subject matter would sustain an entire novel. But if the bacon is made from human flesh, the story scenario has greater dramatic potential as demonstrated by Thomas Harris’ popular Hannibal novels. Once you’ve discovered the resulting actions and the eventual outcome that develops out of your primary story scenario, you have a real, compelling story idea.

What are the key elements of a great, dramatic story?
Conflict, Tension, Surprise, Extraordinary Characters, Flawed Behavior, Controversy, Mystery and, of course, Suspense. The list is commonly known, however, building a story with these components can be challenging when your goal is to create an intriguing, page-turning bestseller.

#2. How do I keep a reader's attention? Try varying your prose’s rhythm and structure. Writing instructors often advise creative writing classes to write smart, punchier sentences. Short sentences are great for increasing pace and for helping to make scenes more exciting. Yet this could become monotonous for both the writer and reader, if a whole book is written this way. Changing the length of a sentence adds interest and can intensify drama, especially in a narrative story.

Something as simple as this can be intriguing. ‘He waited all day. It was cold and growing dark by the minute. Would anyone come?’

Exploring the rhythm of your writing consciously can help you write better sentences. Carefully crafted, creative prose makes a book better in any genre.

#3. What about characters? It's important to create believable, memorable characters that readers either love or hate. Why do we find some characters more memorable than others? Because they have something that makes them stand out. It might be a unique voice, a persona or expression, a goal or motivation, their distinctive appearance or behavior, a flaw or weakness or perhaps a hidden strength.

Authors such as Charles Dickens is famous for creating larger-than-life, memorable characters. So what does each character in your book crave or long to accomplish? Why do they desire this and what do they have to do in order to gain it?

#4. Each part of a story needs to be effective in order to make it great. The best openings create fascinating introductions to the authors’ setting, characters and plot scenarios. Often times, the middle of a story sags or lacks plot movement. But a brilliant middle, might introduce new characters who help or hinder your primary character. This is good place to add subplots that supplement your main story arc, to reveal why your characters have certain goals, to indicate what’s at stake or to reveal the effect outside pressures are causing that hinders your main character's success.

#5. Most important of all, make every line of dialogue count. When characters speak, we gain a sense of their personalities, viewpoints, vulnerabilities, quirks, and attitude about any given subject. Having two or more characters sit at a table talking rarely moves the story forward unless the conversation has a purpose such as deepening or developing connections between them. In a great story, characters get to the point as quickly and realistically as possible. There are very few pleasantries and even fewer filler words because dialogue serves the plot, while holding onto the reader's attention.

#6. Who is the unseen and most influential character in a story? Believe it or not, it's the immersive setting. It's not just a house with shape and color. It's about details--about a place with personality. Is it old and dank, shutting out the light of the world, or is it light, charming and elegant? Besides giving a setting personality, it's important to make it fascinating, inviting, challenging or just plain frightening.

Also, keep in mind that old neighborhoods change with passing years. Characters might feel different about a place from their childhood. You know...lack a personal connection they thought they would have after revisiting it. If you write about a real, historical or contemporary place in particular, you need to know the landmarks, the demographics, the underprivileged areas and the rich ones. Do the required research to understand what it is celebrated or nefarious for, as readers will recognize inaccuracies and will often point them out.

#7. What is the conflict in your story? When we read the word conflict, we often think of harsh words, violence or physical fights between adversaries. But there are many kinds of conflict that can be used to improve a story. Internal conflicts create tension, leaving readers wondering if the characters they're rooting for are capable of overcoming emotional roadblocks or the hurdles in their lives. The same characters might also grapple with their environments or struggle with a natural phenomena.

#8. How do I leave my reader wanting more? The best tip of all is to deliver a knockout ending, as it leaves a lingering impression. The final lines will either entice a reader to seek out other novels you’ve written or result in recommendations of your work to other readers.

So what exactly goes into a great ending? The best answer is the resolution of the primary conflict. But it's also important not to make the story's closure so tidy that it's predictable or a cop-out by ending the story as quickly as possible or with for a happily ever after resolution when it's not needed. Sometimes, leaving a reader guessing is the best ending of all. Just make sure that any dramatic tension is held off until the end. This can be done by keeping your readers guessing or not revealing the identity of a villain until the very end. However, if you use a surprise plot twist, remember to keep the surprise believable and the last line as powerful and remarkable as the first line in your story.

- Kaylin McFarren, Stories that touch the soul - www.kaylinmcfarren.com