Rebecca Wells is coming to visit us...
Monday, August 10, 2009
Hey ya'all!
Who remembers reading Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood or Little Altars Everywhere? I sure do. It was a long time ago, maybe ten years, but it made a big impact on me. I still remember the joy of discovering author Rebecca Well's original, heartwarming, funny Southern voice. And you know what? She's just as fun and warm and funny in person. I'm really excited to tell ya'll (that's me doing my southern accent), that she's going to be doing a guest blog here with us. Now as you all know, I've never done this before, and with my technical expertise, it may be a little difficult, but we all know that Kim will ultimately figure it out.
I don't know exactly when Rebecca will be visiting, but it will be soon. She's going to tell us about her new book, The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder, which is another great read. You'll just fall in love with Calla Lily. :) If you have any questions you'd like to ask Rebecca, start posting them now and I'll get her to answer as many as she can.
On more ordinary news, I came to the halfway point of the first draft of my new book--and for those of you who like statistics, that means 58,000 words and roughly 300 pages. Yes, my first drafts tend to be a bit long winded. Just ask Kim. At some point I'll cut character movments and drop 30 pages. Anyway, in celebration of getting so much of the story put to paper, I guess i went a little crazy and starting going to the movies. I saw Funny People, which I loved (even though the humor is very crude), Cheri, which I really, really liked, and Julie and Julia, which I absolutely loved. In fact, I believe that J & J is directly responsible for me gaining weight. No, I didn't eat a ton of popcorn and candy at the movies--I cooked Julia Child's recipes. I dare you to leave that movie and not want to cook. :) I made her boeuf bourguignon.
It sounds easy, but I can assure you, it was not. It was an ALL DAY cooking affair. Chopping, slicing, browning, drying (did you know beef needs to be hand dried before browning?), boiling, peeling, stirring. It was an extremely complicated recipe. In fact, only once before have I made something so time consuming and labor intensive, and that was a French recipe also--cassoulet. Anyway, I worked my way through the seventy-some steps of Julia's BB and ended up with a fantastically delicious, absolutely gorgeous dish. Ben and I adored it so much that the next night I tried another of her recipes--chicken in a port wine cream reduction with mushroom. Yummy again.
And now, enough Julia child for me or I won't fit into any of my clothes. But maybe I'll find a new recipe for Thanksgiving...
I'm also working on some new ideas for the website. To celebrate the launch of Winter Garden in February and True colors in paperback in Jan. Anything in particular you guys would like to see? I'm going to have a special book club page, with photos of the great clubs to whom I speak. What else would you like? I'm also going to do something special with a new friend of mine, Trish May, but that's a surprise so I'll tell you more later.
Also--I've been meaning to show you all the new trade paperback editions of two of my favorite older books. Between Sisters and On Mystic Lake. Not surprisingly, I am having technical difficulties and can't seem to load Mystic. I'll try again later. But here's Between Sisters. What do you think?
Kristin
Who remembers reading Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood or Little Altars Everywhere? I sure do. It was a long time ago, maybe ten years, but it made a big impact on me. I still remember the joy of discovering author Rebecca Well's original, heartwarming, funny Southern voice. And you know what? She's just as fun and warm and funny in person. I'm really excited to tell ya'll (that's me doing my southern accent), that she's going to be doing a guest blog here with us. Now as you all know, I've never done this before, and with my technical expertise, it may be a little difficult, but we all know that Kim will ultimately figure it out.
I don't know exactly when Rebecca will be visiting, but it will be soon. She's going to tell us about her new book, The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder, which is another great read. You'll just fall in love with Calla Lily. :) If you have any questions you'd like to ask Rebecca, start posting them now and I'll get her to answer as many as she can.
On more ordinary news, I came to the halfway point of the first draft of my new book--and for those of you who like statistics, that means 58,000 words and roughly 300 pages. Yes, my first drafts tend to be a bit long winded. Just ask Kim. At some point I'll cut character movments and drop 30 pages. Anyway, in celebration of getting so much of the story put to paper, I guess i went a little crazy and starting going to the movies. I saw Funny People, which I loved (even though the humor is very crude), Cheri, which I really, really liked, and Julie and Julia, which I absolutely loved. In fact, I believe that J & J is directly responsible for me gaining weight. No, I didn't eat a ton of popcorn and candy at the movies--I cooked Julia Child's recipes. I dare you to leave that movie and not want to cook. :) I made her boeuf bourguignon.
It sounds easy, but I can assure you, it was not. It was an ALL DAY cooking affair. Chopping, slicing, browning, drying (did you know beef needs to be hand dried before browning?), boiling, peeling, stirring. It was an extremely complicated recipe. In fact, only once before have I made something so time consuming and labor intensive, and that was a French recipe also--cassoulet. Anyway, I worked my way through the seventy-some steps of Julia's BB and ended up with a fantastically delicious, absolutely gorgeous dish. Ben and I adored it so much that the next night I tried another of her recipes--chicken in a port wine cream reduction with mushroom. Yummy again.
And now, enough Julia child for me or I won't fit into any of my clothes. But maybe I'll find a new recipe for Thanksgiving...
I'm also working on some new ideas for the website. To celebrate the launch of Winter Garden in February and True colors in paperback in Jan. Anything in particular you guys would like to see? I'm going to have a special book club page, with photos of the great clubs to whom I speak. What else would you like? I'm also going to do something special with a new friend of mine, Trish May, but that's a surprise so I'll tell you more later.
Also--I've been meaning to show you all the new trade paperback editions of two of my favorite older books. Between Sisters and On Mystic Lake. Not surprisingly, I am having technical difficulties and can't seem to load Mystic. I'll try again later. But here's Between Sisters. What do you think?
Kristin
26 Comments:
Hi Kristen - I was just coming on to tell you to go see Julie & Julia and found that you already went. I, too, loved it. I think it is a great summer movie. Meryl was absolutely fantastic as Julia. I am so impressed to find that you actually made two of her recipes. My husband and I ate buttered popcorn during the movie and then went out for dinner. Tried a new restaurant near the movie theatre and I had an absolutely delicious chicken dish - very different - I really felt like having something special to eat after that movie. This was a chicken cutlet pounded thin and had a mushroom sauce on it but the sauce was very different - I forgot what they said they put in it - and the chicken was very, very tender. Also mashed potatoes and some lovely summer vegetables. I love the cover for the new book and will be looking forward to it during the cold days of winter. Very hot and humid here today - mid 80's and 65% humidity! Hope you and all the other Fireflies are keeping cool!
Donna from Connecticut
I am SO excited about Rebecca guest blogging with us. I love her, and am in fact almost finished reading Calla Lily, as we speak. Or type. HA. I will be thinking of questions. I actually had a Petite YaYa childhood, growing up in SW Louisiana. The memories are with me still. It was a wonderful time!
Congrats to you, Kristin! You're writing away. We love it. Glad, however, that you saw fit to take time for you. Movies, food, and the man you love. Doesn't get much better than that, my friend!
I have an idea for the website. How about a page for Firefly profiles. We could call it Pro-Flies. HAHA. Seriously, just a page where the regular bloggers can post a photo of themselves or families, and complete a brief "about me" survey. Nothing too evasive or personal, but it would give us an opportunity to match names/faces, and not feel so WORLD-WIDE-WEB that other sites make some of us feel. Just a thought to ponder.
Lastly, but most importantly, thank you ALL for your cheerful notes, and constant reminders that you have my family in prayer, or simply, in your thoughts. Not much has changed with Dad, or my aunt, but each day is a gift and hopefully the doctors can figure out a relief to the pain soon.
Until next entry ---- see you all.
Lisa
Sorry to hear there isn't much progress, Lisa, but I hope there's some relief for all of you soon.
Donna from Connecticut, I'm going to assume you're not my aunt (who is a Donna from Connecticut). :)
I love it! It's very warm, and perfect "hannah" style !! Great choice!
I love the cover to the rerelease of Between Sisters. I don't have this book yet, I don't think, so I'll be on the lookout for the trade paperback.
As for the website, I would love to see sound tracks for some of your other books in addition to the one you had up for Firefly Lane. Maybe a section of your favorite web sites, authors, movies, tv shows, etc. Or, if you wanted to include favorites from your Firefly community, the page could include Firefly recommendations.
Kristin-
The cover is very nice. Now, I've wanted to see J&J for some time now, but I just found myself in the middle of a Biggest Loser contest... so I really can't eat anything yummy. (I DO NOT run four miles a day, sadly :( )
I started reading Paradise by Judith McNaught and although it's a little old (like from '91,) there's a friendship in the book that makes me think of Firefly Lane. SO it's a must read. Totally enthralling to me.
Can't wait to meet Rebecca Wells and for the website surprises!
Yeah, was that cover there before because this is totally the first time I've noticed it. SO pretty! I love the warm colors.
Kristin, I also saw J & J with a friend last Friday and cooked the boeuf bourguignon the next day! It was indeed a complicated and time-consuming ordeal, but so worth it! We loved it - both the movie and the meal. We had a feeling, as we were reading those steps over and over to make sure we were doing it just right, that we weren't the only American women cooking French that day. Glad to know you were just as inspired as we were. What a hoot!
Kristin,
Am embarrassed to say I haven't read Rebecca Wells, although I did see the movie the "Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood." Will have to catch up -- will look forward to her posting on your blog.
Also saw Julie/Julia and found the movie enchanting, funny and a lovely story of romance. I was surprised with how many men were in the audience -- perhaps pleasing their spouses. But, my husband thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Can't cook anymore, so I don't have the pleasure of endulging in her recipes.
Like the cover of "Between Sisters" -- and saw the new cover of "On Mystic Lake" at the store today -- very different from my original copy of many years ago. I found the cover very appealing.
You asked for ideas for your website. My suggestion may not be appropriate for what you are doing. But, it occurred to me last week that we are a large group of women talking issues of the day (i.e. sexism, inequality of pay etc.) Wouldn't it be nice to support an organization that empowers women all over the world. There are some very easy and interesting things that could be done. If you are interested, I'll share more.
Also like Naomi's idea of Firefly recommendations and Lisa's idea about brief Firefly profiles.
Patricia
Speaking of cover art, Kim, I just saw the post of the cover to your debut book over on Facebook and I have to say, wow! What a truly amazing cover. If I didn't know you, that cover would cause me to pause and pick up the book at the store. Congratulations!!!!
Kristin,
A friend recently recommended "Firefly Lane" to me, and I read it - loved it! Ran to the library to see if there were any other books written by you - lucky me! I have my work cut out for me! Currently reading "True Colors", after having finished "Mystic Lake". Then, the icing on the cake - a website AND a blog!! I'm a new fan, and anxiously await the next book!!!
I know I've already told you this, Kristin, but I LOVE the new trade covers!!! So gorgeous. I'll have to figure out a way to post Mystic's new cover so all the Fireflies can see it!!
Naomi, you are so sweet!! I've been trying to figure out a way to copy and paste the cover into a message so I could share it with my fellow Firefly Sisters but am so techy challenged I can't figure it out. Pathetic. Poor Kristin, she really does deserve a smarter assistant. :)
Wow--Fireflies rock. What GREAT suggestions everyone has for the website. Lisa, every time I read "Pro-Flies" I find myself smiling! I'm sorry to hear there hasn't been improvement with your dad and aunt. Know that they remain in my prayers.
I'm feeling very left out as I still haven't made it to Julie and Julia. Must. Go. Soon. :)
Michelle, Paradise is one of my all time favorite books!! I think I've read it like 20 times. I kid you not. Matt Farrell. ::sigh::
And a big Firefly Welcome to Yvonne!!
I love the colors!
I loved "The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" and "Little Alters Everywhere"!! I am a relocated Yankee living in SC and absolutely love reading about southern women1!! I am looking forward to having Rebecca Wells visit!!
Donna---
You're making me hungry again. :) No wonder I keep heading for the kitchen...
Lisa--
thanks for the great suggestion about a fireflies' profile place. I'll see if I can make that work. It's a great idea.
Still praying for your father and aunt, hoping this is the week that things start looking up. xoxo
Naomi--thanks for the fireflies recommend idea. Excellent! I'll pass it along and see if it puts down roots. :) As for the favorites, if you go to About Kristin on the main page and click on favorites or FAQ--something like that--you'll see a bunch of my favorite things.
Kay---
It is a hoot that we're all out cooking it. Did you think it was worth the effort?
Patricia---
Your idea is wonderful and actually is something I'm working very hard on right now. I'm hoping it will pan out.
xo
Yvonne---
Welcome to the fireflies!!! I know I'm not alone in saying that we're glad to have you here. I hope you love the rest of the books...
Patricia---
Why don't you expand a little more on the empowerment of women worldwide theme? Do you have any organizations in mind?
thanks--
k
Kristin,
Don't know what you are thinking about, but one easy far-reaching program is Kiva, a microfinancing program that lends to women entrepeneurs worldwide, thus empowering them to create positive change in their lives. Look at the website www.kiva.org, which will tell you more than what I can say in an e-mail. We can empower women for as little as $25.
My thought would be to create a Kristin Hannah Firefly Team with your photo, place a blurb about the program on your website and/or facebook with a link to Kiva inviting your fans to voluntarily join your team -- no pressure on anyone.
You don't have to do manage anything, but watch the team grow. Click on the "comunity" tab, it will show you what to do. Suggest you view teams set up by Maria Shriver, Team Obama, Clinton, Animals Lovers etc.
Anyone joining your team would set up their own account and receive Kiva monthly updates. When the loan is repaid, they can reinvest the money to another entrepeneur.
Perhaps other fireflies have some ideas. Or when you're ready Kristin, share what you're working on.
Blessings,
Patricia
Kristin,
I never noticed that favorites list before. Very interesting. I noticed on the book list you have A Simple Plan. That book is engrossing, fascinating, and yet so strange of a story. I couldn't put it down and yet I liked none of the characters...no redeeming qualities in any of them. As I read it, I kept trying to redirect them, "No! Oh NO! don't DO that!" LOL. It's rather interactive that way. Do you remember feeling similarly at all?
Patricia---
Great idea. Actually, it is very close to what I've been working on. I guess great minds think alike. :)
I'll go check out kiva right now...
Lynn--
Actually, that's one of the things about that book that really intrigued me. the characters were unsympathetic, even stupid, and yet I couldn't help wanting to know what was going to happen. It was am amazing study of how easily a "simple" criminal plan can go terribly wrong and leave you in a worse place--even if you don't get caught.
Kristin-
Whazzup? Ok, I totally loved Julie and Julia. Me and my friend Kym are doing kinda the same thing that Julie did but with your books! I just ordered the last seven books I have left to read of yours 2 days ago. Toatally siked! I have no doubt that other fans have already done this, for me, it is a personal accomplishment. Plus, I haven't read a book of yours I didn't like. I am always in such a good mood after reading them. (my husband thanks you)
I read in your blog that you are working on a new book! Rock on! Can't wait to read it!!!
Take it ez,
Sheri
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