The Wednesday Discussion: Hate to Part With Your Manuscript?

"If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." Toni Morrison

Is there a completed manuscript sitting in your drawer, or on your hard drive or thumb drive? Not only is  it completed, it's been critiqued by others, revised countless times, marinated, and revised one last time after marination.

Do you have one like that waiting to be submitted, but for some reason, you just can't part with it?  If so, what's your fear?  Is it not perfect enough? Are you afraid of rejection?

In my opinion, no matter how many times a manuscript is revised, if read yet again, it can be revised even more. I'm thankful I'm not a perfectionist! At some point revisions have to stop.

I just sent off a recently revised manuscript after a period of marination. However, if I'd read it just one more time, I'm sure I would have changed something else. But now it's in God's hands!

If you have a manuscript ready to go, but suffer from separation anxiety, can you explain why? Remember, you've written a story no one else has written that you'd like to read. And someone is out there who'll love it enough to publish it so others can enjoy it too!

Tweet me @maria_mckenzie. Thanks for stopping by!

Monday's Writing Tip: Visit Angela Booth's Writing Blog

Angela Booth

"If you want to become a writer you can; the desire to write is a good indication that you can do it. If you want to become a successful writer, then the stronger the desire, the faster it will happen for you. And the more you write, the more your writing skill will develop--it's a completely natural process." Angela Booth

If you're not familiar with Angela Booth's Writing Blog, you need to visit today! Angela's blog provides help for freelance writers, writing fiction, nonfiction and copywriting.

In addition to lots of great free articles, she also sells several writing guides and manuals, such as Niche Blog Cash Explosion and Write From Home: Best Ever Money Making Tips From Angela Booth.

For first time novelists trying to break in, here's a link you'll find useful, First Steps to Write a Novel: Pick a Genre.

No matter what you write, you'll love Angela's blog! However, if your heart's in writing fiction, be sure to check out her fiction archive for wealth of information to help you write your novel!

Visit before the day is over! BTW, did you check out Harvey Chapman's site yet? Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe Friday: Lazy Lasagna

"When the lasagna content in my blood gets low, I get mean." Garfield the Cat

Lasagna used to be one of those dishes I'd only make for company because it was too labor intensive! Browning meat, preparing sauce from scratch, boiling the noodles, only to have them tear--ugh! The whole process was a major pain!

But ever since I discovered the no-boil method, lasagna has become a staple in our home.  Nowadays, I use leftover sauce that I've made from scratch (see last weeks recipe), but a jarred sauce works just fine.  If using sauce from a jar, also use a pack of prepared Italian meatballs. When I do this, I run them through the food processor.

Here's a health tip:  If you're watching your carbs (like me), use eggplant in place of lasagna noodles.  I use two large eggplants. Peel them, and then slice in half inch circles. Saute in olive oil until brown. Layer the eggplant in place of noodles.  Bake uncovered for 45 minutes.

For last week's recipe, substitute spaghetti squash for the spaghetti! Really tasty, and you won't miss the pasta!

Without further adieu, here's today's recipe! Make it over the weekend and enjoy!

Lazy (No Boil) Lasagna

2 26 oz jars pasta sauce
12 oz. lasagna noodles, unboiled
1 pack prepared Italian meatballs (chopped through food processor)
15 oz. ricotta cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 egg
8 oz. mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 13 x 9 inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.  In a small bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan cheese and egg.  Set aside.

Spread one cup of sauce evenly over bottom of glass baking dish. Place a layer of noodles on top. Spread half of ricotta cheese mixture over noodles, then over this, sprinkle about 1/4 cup of the mozzarella.
Top with half the chopped meatballs and another cup or more of sauce.

Repeat layers. Cover and bake one hour.  Remove cover, top with remaining mozzarella, then run under broiler until cheese melts.  Makes 8 servings.

Do you have a favorite pasta? Tweet me @: maria_mckenzie. Thanks for visiting, and have a great weekend! 

The Wednesday Discussion: Blogs That Make Smiles on Faces

"Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been." Mark Twain, Following the Equator

This post is wayyyy overdue! Several weeks ago, William Kedall, over at Speak of the Devil, awarded me with The Making Smiles on Faces Award!  Thank you, William!  If you're not familar with his blog, check it out! He will definitely keep you laughing!!

Now it's time to share the award!  Here are some awesome blogs that are sure to put a smile on your face:

Joanna Saint James, Bionic Writer
Old Kitty, 10 Lives and Second Chances
Ivy, The Happy Whisk
Colene Murphy, The Journey
Donea Lee, Queen of Procrastination
The Life and Literary Pursuits of Alexia Chamberlynn
Lydia Kang, The Word is My Oyster
Melissa's Through the Looking Glass
Carol, Artzicarol Rambling
Nas Dean

Be sure to visit them soon! Have you smiled today? Thanks for stopping by!

Monday's Writing Tip: Visit Novel-Writing-Help.com

Harvey Chapman

"If you believe that novel writing is beyond you, or that it's something only the clever few can succeed in, think again." Harvey Chapman

I stumbled upon an awesome site last week that I'd like to share today!  If you're not familiar with Harvey Chapman's Novel-Writing-Help.com, you need to visit!  Chapman offers all kinds of helpful advice for newcomers as well as more experienced writers who are interested in writing a novel.

Chapman has written short stories and novels, but admits that his writing career has always been sidetracked by the actual theory of how to write them.  This is like tinkering with an engine, rather than driving the car, he says.  Because of this lifelong passion for understanding the art and craft of novel writing, Harvey began teaching creative writing. 

He's received his education partly from school, as well as from years of self teaching that continues today.  In addition to his own writing, he's analyzed thousands of published novels, and read countless creative writing guides, including those out of print. 

On the site, you'll find his Essential Guide to Novel Writing availble for purchase, plus lots of free information that will put you well on your way to becoming published! 

I found his site when I was trying to determine the genre of a novel I'm working on.  Couldn't be a romance because someone died, and even though there are a lot of women in the story, it's not really women's fiction. I'd never known the exact definition of mainstream fiction, so when I Googled the term, Novel-Writing-Help.com came up as a hit.  If you need more clarification on mainstream fiction, check the link.

Hope you make time to visit with Harvey today! What are some of your favorite writing sites?  Tweet me @: maria_mckenzie.  Thanks for visiting, and have a Happy Valentine's Day!