Autumn Writing

As summer shifts into fall, my story ideas change. I stop thinking about books set at the beach or on some European summer adventure, and instead start thinking of back-to-school plots or (if I’m in a Halloween mood) maybe something a little bit spooky.

Fall is my favorite season, by far. There’s just something about the crisp cool in the air, the smell of spices and warmth emanating from the houses. Everything seems more comforting. I know as soon as the heat breaks here, I’m going to be thinking of new stories set against the backdrop of glowing leaves with hints of cinnamon and smoky fires.

What about you? Does the season affect your writing?

Quick note: I’m changing my blogging schedule from M-W-F to M-W for the time being. I want to focus some more time on writing (novel idea, I know). But I’ll still be stalking all of you every day of the week!

Autumn Baking and Gilmore Girls

Things that make me happy, even on a Monday:

1. The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons. Oh my goodness, this book! I stayed up until 2:30 in the morning finishing it, and it’s already been passed around the women of my family. If you love Downton Abbey, you’ll love this one (World War II instead of World War I, but same themes).

2. Board games. I get pretty competitive, but they’re a perfect rainy day weekend activity.

3. Baking. I want to bake something this week. Something warm and cinnamony, so I can feel like it’s fall. Any suggestions?

4. The Bourne Legacy. I’m not much of an action movie fan, but every once in a while, they’re so fun. This one was pretty entertaining.

5. Gilmore Girls. Anytime I need a pick-me-up, this show does the trick. The dialogue, the characters, Jess to swoon over—love it.

Happy Monday, everyone! Anything making you happy this week?

Random Musings: Shakespeare in the Park and San Antonio

1. I’ve had so much fun this summer going to plays at Miller Outdoor Theater, a stage set up in a park here, where you can sit on a hill for free and see some amazing pieces of art. I saw a performance of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors a few weeks ago, and though I may have spent most of the play chatting with friends, it was a wonderful experience.

2. I’m kind of obsessed with the song “Too Close” by Alex Clare, basically because of that Microsoft commercial. I can’t help dancing as soon as it comes on.

3. I took a little daytrip recently to San Antonio and walked on the Riverwalk there, something I hadn’t done since I was a kid. If you’re ever in San Antonio, I highly recommend it!

4. I also window-shopped at La Villita, an old part of the city where there are several artist coops and crafts stores. It made me wish I had some kind of artistic talent.

5. I’m looking forward to a weekend of writing and maybe a silly movie or two. Has anyone seen a cute, frilly rom com recently? I’m in the mood for one, the fluffier the better.

Happy Friday, everyone! Anyone have any fun weekend plans?

Inspiration in Lake Tahoe

I spent several days at Lake Tahoe, hiking, exploring the small towns, and falling in love with the whole area. The water was deep blue and crystal clear, and I couldn't help but think of a story set in summer among the mountains.

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Has a setting ever inspired a story idea for you before?

Inspiration in Mendocino, CA

On my trip to California, I spent two days in Mendocino, a little town on the coast. It's a place of foggy quaintness, and it utterly charmed me. Seems a perfect setting for some mysterious, sweet, magical story, doesn't it?

Happy Monday, everyone! What's inspiring you this week?

Creepy, Wonderful Tourist Traps

Driving from Houston to northern California and back means a whole lot of hours staring at (pretty but unvarying) desert. Luckily, this desert is broken up with some of the most ridiculous, delightful, creepy tourist attractions. So I thought I'd share the places I stopped at:
WARNING: Picture of a mummified body below (real or not, I have no idea). Just in case you don't like that kind of thing.
So at a Shell station in the middle of nowhere, Arizona, you can go see THE THING.

Strange, right? Also, there were a bunch of old cars, including one that might have been used by Hitler (somehow, I doubt that). And it had a wax figurine of Hitler in the car, which is basically the freakiest thing I've ever seen. So I hightailed it out of that place pretty quickly.

On the way back home, I stopped at the meteor crater (again, middle of nowhere, AZ).

It was made about 50,000 years ago, and it is massive.

In Gallup, New Mexico, I got lunch at the El Rancho Hotel, a hotel I'd been to on the last road trip I was on. It's an old Hollywood hotel and has been used as headquarters for many western movies. There are tons of photos in the lobby of all the celebrities who used to stay there.

I recommend the John Wayne burger.

Next up, in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, the grave of Billy the Kid.

Also, the best authentic Western tombstone I have ever seen, belonging to the man he shot:

Basically, New Mexico and Arizona have some of the strangest, most ridiculous tourist stops ever. I can't recommend them enough.

Happy Friday, everyone! Anyone have any fun weekend plans?

Why I Watch the Olympics

I love when the Olympics rolls around. I spend hours away from my computer, watching athletes in obscure events (archery and trampoline were some of my surprise favorites this year). But after the closing ceremonies, when all these people from around the world have shown us what the human body is capable of, I come back to writing more inspired than ever.

I have very little athletic talent (don’t throw anything at me—I promise I can’t catch it). I run, but it’s more of a jog-and-brainstorm-ideas-for-my-WiP sort of thing than a hardcore thing. But seeing these athletes who have trained for years break records and push themselves to the limit makes me want to do that in my own life. I want to write the story that’s out of my comfort zone and make it the best story that it can be and send it out into the world with no regrets.

So for now I’m going to keep watching beach volleyball and track and field and finding the inspiration in all the hard work these people have done.

What are some of your favorite Olympic sports?

California Dreaming

I’m back! I went on an almost month-long road trip to California and back and had the best time. I’ve come back with tons of fun pictures and stories, which I’ll definitely be sharing here.

Now it’s all about unpacking and getting my life back in order, which seems like it will take forever.

For now, I’ll leave you with this picture that I took at a vista point while driving up the Pacific Coast Highway. The most gorgeous drive I have ever taken, hands down.

What’s been going on with you? I’m so excited to get back in the blog world and see what all of you have been up to!