AfricanKelli

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An update to my 2012 goal of reading 50 books: 47 to go.

1. Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress: Fluff. 2 out of 5 bananas. It was a mindless read and nothing I’d strongly recommend.

2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: I am, what, a decade late to this party? That said, I’m 100% enthralled and now understand all the hype. No review necessary. You’ve heard of the series. They are incredibly entertaining and JK Rowling’s creativity blows my mind. 4 of 5 bananas.

3. How to be a Rainmaker: I have a stack of business books to read for work and they make me wonder if monkeys are running this industry. So far I’ve learned to: be polite, return calls, make the customer feel respected and treat others the way I want to be treated. If you don’t know these things before investing in these useless books, you shouldn’t be in business in the first place. Zero bananas. Go find some good fiction instead and remember what they taught us all in kinder — liars never prosper, be nice to others and humility goes a long way.

Very much enjoying this newest read, and I think it’s got great recommendation potential: In the Garden of Beasts.  I also very much enjoyed your many book suggestions on the first 2012 books post. I’ve added a bunch of them to my wish list and am now on GoodReads, if you want to be pals.

~K

Of all my 2012 goals, reading 50 books this year is likely my most ambitious. I’ve gotten in the lazy habit of watching far too much television on my laptop and not paying enough attention to the growing stacks of books around the house. I miss my bookclub.

These were given to me during the holidays. Some professional, some fluff, several on dogs.

To be a great writer, I should be reading great books. And lots of them. Is there anything you’ve read lately that tickled your fancy?

~K

Tattered Cover is Denver’s sister store to Tempe’s Changing Hands Bookstore. It is magnificent. And it is a miracle I came home with these alone — three of which are gifts:

There is much writing and reading to be done, but I am confident novel #2 will see the shelves of this great shop.

~K

I am a writer. There are days — months even — I forget. I let my mind and heart wander. I take on odd jobs. I help friends with complicated favors. I travel. I read. I watch Mad Men seasons on repeat. I take long, luxurious tours of museums.

On occasion, I even sew.

Today, I’m a writer. Tomorrow, I will be a writer with a few more pages under her belt, and the first day of a new writing routine in place. There is nothing like, “butt-in-chair” time to make a person with an idea just that — a writer.

I have a great friend who has mentored me for several years. When I told Alaina I was moving to Colorado, she made me promise it was for the writing. She regularly encourages me by sending copies of my first novel to her friends and family, returning with reviews. I don’t want to write to make her happy; but, it certainly doesn’t hurt to know there are so many like her cheering me along. To get these stories out of my head, on to the page and into the hands of those I love does make me happy. If the last year has taught me anything, it is that I can write a solid story when I put my energy and focus in the right place.

Today that means reviewing the first 17,000 words of novel #2 and rethinking the story’s organization. By the end of the weekend, I’ll have a new outline and plan. I’m focusing my creative energies for the remainder of 2011 (and however long it takes) on novel #2. If I get off track — say, by taking on a ludicrously exhausting second job that requires me to clean public toilets — I hope you’ll remind me of my goal: WRITE NOVEL #2.

{And pray that editor of mine is working on the final transformation of Under the Same Moon into an e-book format. It’s about time Donley Publishing hits the iPad, Nook, Kindle market.}

Onward!

~K

One of the many creative signs I saw in Malawi, along with the “Good Riddance Coffin Company.”

17: Miles run. Five days of running, 2 days the long loop, 3 days the short loop including one day of intervals

4: Glass of wine enjoyed in the moment

4: Glasses of wine I regret because apparently this little nasty stomach bug I can’t seem to shake really doesn’t like booze. Like fighting fish, they’ve battled. The stomach bug (nay, monster) won.

1: Wagon I’m officially on

2: Books read. “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and “A Visit from the Goon Squad.” Reviews pending. Both worthy of reading today, if you haven’t.

$274: Dollars spent at Costco on items that apparently I needed in bulk. Sports bras, grape tomatoes, protein powder, and a new radio. I went to Costco my first day home and wandered in shock. It doesn’t take much time outside of the States to forget the sheer mass of consumerism that drives our culture. And, nearly $300 lighter, apparently I’m not immune. I am, however, well fed. And supported.

12: Miles biked. I am newly in love with Olive after listening to Finny go on about her whirlwind romance with Tulip. Hey, I’m living the weirdo dream too. We are weirdos together. We always have been.

1 (again): Netflix account canceled. Fewer movies. More books. One of my 2011 mantras.

8: fruit trees added to the community garden

12: chocolate cupcakes & 2: loaves of banana oatmeal almond cranberry bread baked. 0 consumed.

172: pounds. A few down since I puffed up my chest with “30 pound weight loss!” bravado. But not nearly enough to make me happy. And so, the week in numbers plods on, my resolve and discipline growing so my pants don’t.

~K