The Balanced Writer

An Editor and an Author: Partners in Prose

2012-01-19T13:59:00.000-05:00

Pamela Hearon, Danielle Thorne, Laurean Brooks, Linda Swift. Murray State University Bookstore Book Signing Event, October 2011

Nearing my fifteenth anniversary in the online publishing world, I recently had time to think about being not only a writer, but an editor, too. Like love and marriage, you can't have one without the other. Okay, maybe you can...

I'm currently editing full time for two different electronic publishing houses, and have edited for websites and review content. Years ago, I also provided a critique service, but I've found editing more to my liking over coaching. Writing is a lonely journey, and like it or not, I've learned that the best education is experience. Try and try again.

This past year was very busy, banging out two to three edits a month. Not an ideal schedule for me, as I really like to be thorough, but one of the happy benefits of being a content editor means the manuscript will still go to copy editing.

The biggest headache for me, and luckily it was rare, were the assignments that put me in contact with difficult authors who felt like they needed to double-check every change I suggested with their friends. The worse issues arose, when authors took out all of the changes and reverted the manuscript back to its original state, mistakes and all.

Now I don't claim to come close to knowing everything. I'm not a walking copy of The Chicago Manuel of Style, but I do have years of experience and good extinct for what works and what doesn’t. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel a twinge when an author contests my suggestions and then goes on to have poor sales. As I said, experience is the best teacher.

On the other hand, I've been the author with the editor who had a God complex. There is nothing worse than being assigned to an editor who goes beyond suggestions and corrections and attacks your voice--through altering phrases or rewriting sentences to suit their own ideas. This can be heart breaking. Especially when contentions arise. More often than not, in these situations, the final copies of the manuscript end up being a mess. Luckily, most of my editors have been awesome, but when I find myself in these situations it makes me reflect on how I handle editing for other writers. I've easily decided that the Golden Rule applies to everyone--especially editors.

Reading can bring great joy. If you love to write, I encourage you to pursue any of your literary dreams. As an author, I hope you will be open-minded when you find yourself working with an editor. Be thick-skinned as you go over critiques and take advice with a grain of salt. Allow them their experience, but have the courage to speak up for yourself when you disagree. There's no need to be rude, manipulative, or lie -- and don't allow your editor to treat you in that way. It's your work, and you deserve to have it be the best it can be.

By honestly airing your concerns and keeping a calm, cool head as you discuss issues that arise, whether you are the author or the editor, you can be a part of creating a wonderful story that both project partners can be proud of.

~Danielle Thorne

Something Different, Something Good

2012-01-04T11:57:00.000-05:00

Yay! The holidays are over! ...Actually, I'm a little sad as usual. Last year I didn't get Christmas dismantled until February, and since I don't see any reason to overwhelm myself, there's no rush this year either. One day at a time.

One thing I am tired of is ham and turkey. I'm ready to grill a hot dog. Almost. Getting there.

January is a great time for soup and a great time for trying new recipes. If you like your chicken crunchy, you'll want to try this one. I found "Crispy Chicken" on Pinterest a couple months ago, and my family gave it the thumbs up. It's different. It's cheesy. It's good. The recipe did come with a sauce that I didn't like, so today you're just getting the Ritz Crackers-covered poultry idea.

Crispy Chicken

4 large chicken breasts

2 sleeves of Ritz crackers (One is enough.)

1/4 teaspoon of salt

Dash of pepper

1/2 cup of milk

3 cups of cheddar cheese

1 teaspoon of dried parsley

Cut each chicken breast into three chunks. Process Ritz Crackers into crumbs. Season with salt and pepper. Dip each chicken chunk into milk, then cheese, then crackers. Place in a greased 9X13 pan. Sprinkle with parsley. Cover with foil and bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake up to 10 minutes more or until chicken is brown and crispy.

Enjoy!

~Danielle Thorne

Source Link: http://jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/2011/10/crispy-cheddar-chicken.html

The Gifts You Gave & Our Giveaway Winner

2011-12-28T20:48:00.000-05:00

Talk about touched. I am so impressed with all of the gifts you gave this year. Reading through all of the Mid Winter's Eve Blog Hop Giveaway entries was a treat! Some of my favorite ideas were things like the tried and true gift of cookies and candy. There were boxes of books, gift cards, a coupon binder (Great idea!) and someone even generously donated a Kindle to one of their loved ones.

Happy Holidays from my family to yours.

We went the simple route ourselves for the most part. Having a family of almost grown boys, we offered clothes and gift cards and just a couple family games for the Wii. For my extended family, we baked treats as well. I love making my yummy Caramel Corn recipe. My dear momma made our family batches of her famous crescent rolls, so my freezer is stocked with what we didn't snarf down on Christmas day. You can never go wrong with homemade baked goodies. Ever! That being said, I've still my birthday and New Year's to eat through -- and the treadmill is hissing at me every time I totter by.

Now, for the Mid Winter's Eve Blog Hop winner...

(Ineligible entries were deleted for the final count.)

True Random Number Generator
Min:

Max: 128

Result: 112 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Congratulations to our Mid Winter's Eve randomly selected hop winner: Ericka Coello

You have won a copy of one of my books and the $10 Amazon gift card. Happy Spending!

Thanks to all of you who participated in the blog hop, new followers and old. I'm excited to have new friends following The Balanced Writer and hope to see you back. If there's ever anything I can do to help you with your reading, writing, or even editing, drop me a line, and I'll do my best. As far as balancing your life -- we're all doing the best we can. I hope I can inspire you with new ideas.

Enjoy the posts and have a wonderful finish to December 2011.

Warmly,
~Danielle Thorne

My Gift to You

2011-12-21T03:00:00.000-05:00

Click here to find more Blog Giveaways.

Happy Holidays! It's time for the Mid Winter's Eve Blog Hop, which means blogs all over the web are gathered together (well, linked together anyway) to give away books and prizes to our visitors and fans.

This month in honor of all the soon-to-be new Kindle and iPad 2 owners I am giving away a $10 Amazon gift card and the choice of an ebook copy of any of my books. You choose!

In this busy day and age, sometimes it takes a holiday to be able to sit down and read a good book. We need more moments like these, as well as time with our families and friends we hold dear.

I wish each and every one of you peace this season and a sparkling moment of pure joy--whether it be in the giving, the getting or just a few snowflakes.

Best wishes,
~Danielle Thorne

HOW TO ENTER

1. For one entry: Follow the blog and leave a comment. Tell us, what are you giving this Christmas?

2. Bonus entry: Refer a friend. Tell a friend about The Balanced Writer. When your friend follows, have them include your name in their comment.

This giveaway contest ends 12/27/2011 at midnight. Late entries are not eligible.

Favs: My Suckin' Vacuum

2011-12-14T12:46:00.000-05:00

Time for another Favorites post before we hit the holiday rush. (Of course, most of us are already rushing!) If you're looking to win some free books or Amazon bucks this season, make sure and join The Sweetest Romance Authors at their holiday chat on Monday, December 19th, at the Coffee Time Romance Boards. Register early and join the site, then pick up some clean, award winning fiction by some of the sweetest authors around. I'll be there and offering up copies of my Jane Austen-inspired Regency, JOSETTE, along with an Amazon gift card.

Now, if that's not enough, The Balanced Writer will be hopping with the Mid Winter's Eve Blog Hop on Wednesday next, so stop back here and enter to win some more goodies.

Now, about my vacuum...

It may sound crazy, but I'm in love with my Dyson vacuum cleaner. Actually, I've two. Not because one quit working, but because I needed something a bit smaller when my back went out a few years ago. I keep my larger DC33 model Dyson in the basement, where it works better on the thick carpet. The kids usually have that chore since that floor is their domain. Both Dysons have superior sucking power and really keep my carpets clean. I should know, I'm anal about carpet care because we've moved so much. Remember my carpet spot cleaning post last year? I may be the Closet Clutter Queen, but my floors are in good shape, even with five men in the house.

The smaller unit, my DC24 model, does the rest of the house--the stairs, the laminate flooring and the hardwood. It also has a nice long hose that yanks easily out and reaches creepy crawly bugs on the ceiling. This year, I had an enormous Palmetto bug on my bedroom ceiling. 'Palmetto Bug' is a fancy Southern name for a giant cockroach. I mean, Amazon-size. After failing to hinder its existence with wasp spray, my kids finally had the bright idea as it ran around the room and I jumped up and down and screamed, to take the Dyson to it. It sucked it up like a tater chip. No problem.

The DC24 model is the pivoting ball vacuum that turns easily around corners and such. I had a hard time the first few times I used it because it's an awkward motion to get used to, but I love it now. It does have a smaller head so it may seem to take longer to clean a large room, but it's worth it. It's easy on my back, too, which can't take a lot of pulling or twisting. I recommend this model to anyone who has back issues or just wants something light.

The best thing about the Dysons? I got them for a killer deal, both online and refurbished from the company. I still get sticker shock when I see them marked up at $500 or more when I'm out and about. Despite not being 'off the shelf,' I've never had the slightest problem with either model. My original Dyson is around ten years old and almost like new. You can't find vacs made like that anymore!

~Danielle Thorne

FYI: Pirate treasure hunting novel, BY HEART & COMPASS, by Yours Truly, is on sale at Amazon this week for .99! Check it out!

Christmas Balance with Anna del C. Dye

2011-12-06T12:16:00.001-05:00

Balancing life during the holidays can really be a challenge. I am so impressed with Anna del C. Dye and her management skills. Whew! Anna is an author of fantasy and children's literature. We met on a loop for authors and friends of our faith. She is so clever when it comes to preparing for Christmas. Here's what Anna shared with me this week. I hope it helps you get through, too!

I am very busy person, any time of the year, so I have learned many things that have helped me keep somewhat on top of things—if that is possible. Let’s take Christmas. I found out early in my married life that I couldn’t afford all the gifts I wanted to give during the year and even less so in December. So I started what has become my best idea ever for my personal tradition. I start Christmas the second of January. You heard me right.

Do you know about all the liquidation sales that happen in January and February? I go and grab things a whole size bigger than what my kids or grandkids wear and put them away in a box all year long. Christmas stuff is half price after Christmas, so I get what I want of it, too, and....yes, I save it for next Christmas.

Does it work? Yes! It does work. I have boxes with names for each member of my family and some close friends that grow right before my eyes all year long. Take yesterday for example. I finished my last present and organized the last booty. They are all ready for the grand day. Now I can relax and have the time I need at this hectic time of year. This year it feels extra good because I am busy with costumes for a movie that isn’t finished, in addition to my writing.

I also spent a week in November tending four of my grandsons so their brother could make it into this happy life. Then, as if I wasn’t busy enough, the doctor decided he wanted to do disk surgery which should have me off my feet for a while. All this could have combined for a very frustrating time of year, but I am ready for the holidays, fresh as a homemade caramel and just as sweet.

I am ready for whatever comes next and will still have a most cherished Christmas with those who are the most important in my life. And, to add to my hubby’s contentment, you will find me in January back to saving for next Christmas. This, of course, will be mixed with book contests, chapter meetings, and more new babies. Come next Christmas I will be ready again. And I hope you are, too.

Merry Christmas to you all.

Anna del C. Dye

Anna del C. Dye is an award winning author and the writer of four fantasy Elf books and also the children’s e-book tale, Emerine’s Nightmare. You can find her books at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and http://www.annadelc.com where you can join her in her Reading Room, presenting free readings of Christmas Classics for children all ages.

News and Fun Stuff

2011-11-18T10:50:00.002-05:00

This week I had a lovely Fav post on my favorite household appliance, my Dyson vacuum cleaner. I decided to hold off on that last night, when I remembered my newsletter was going out this weekend. Today, check out what I've been up to and what's going on in the publishing world. I'm featuring a copy of my November author newsletter just for you, and hope you will subscribe to this monthly update by signing up at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DanielleThorne_BookNews/

I've been languishing at just under a hundred subscribers all year long, so come join the fun. You'll have to check out the lame joke at the bottom. After all the writing and research I do every month, for some reason everyone seems to enjoy the jokes the most. Whatever works for you!

~Danielle Thorne

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Danielle Thorne's Book News & More

www.daniellethorne.com

November 2011
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CONTENTS:
Greetings
Publishing News
Editor's Tip
Reviews
Author Eats
Book Watch
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GREETINGS:
I hope everyone has enjoyed late 2011 and have big plans for the holidays. I
know big doesn't necessarily mean expensive -- there are many creative ideas out
there that bring happiness to others and don't cost a dime. If you haven't heard
about the new sharing site, Pinterest, I strongly encourage you to check out
this great place for awesome inspiration about every topic imaginable. I've
already tried new recipes, hairstyles, and makeup. There are a few craft items
I'm going to try for gift giving this year, too. You can check out my Pinterest
boards at: http://pinterest.com/danielle_thorne/

In writing news, this month was my scheduled time to work on edits for my
February release, DEATH CHEATER. It's helped that my other editing assignments
have been trimmed down, because I've had a few weeks to breathe. Unfortunately,
things don't always run on the schedules we expect -- I haven't seen any editing
rounds for DEATH CHEATER yet, but there's no use worrying about things beyond
our control. I'm excited about this new paranormal. I hope you will be, too.
Here's a short excerpt:

DEATH CHEATER

A low rumble echoed around me, and the tall, dark trees went still. Not even a
leaf stirred. My heart hummed, and a tingle of apprehension made my palms damp.
A snarl came from the shadow of a tangled thorn bush, and soft, padding
footsteps shuffled in the darkness. Maybe it was a raccoon or an angry squirrel.
My breathing went ragged with fear.

Athena, whispered a soft voice.

Whipping around, I stared hard into the gloom. It sounded gentle, but at the
same time it sent chills up my arms. I glanced up through the hooded canopy of
tree branches and tried to see heaven.

God?

There was a growl, and the terror I'd been holding at bay zipped up my spine
into my skull. I was sure my long hair stood on end, like when kids touched the
electrostatic generator at the science museum. Something was coming for me, and
it wasn't from these woods. It'd been following me all day. Maybe even my entire
life.

Whew! I'm looking forward to making Athena's paranormal journey through high
school a series. Keep on the lookout for more news to come. Meanwhile, if you
celebrate Thanksgiving, have a wonderful day with family and friends. If you're
in need of some festive recipe ideas, watch and follow my blog for some of my
best ideas! www.thebalancedwriter.blogspot.com
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PUBLISHING NEWS:
Move over, i-Pad, the Kindle Fire tablet is here for $199. While many bloggers
caution not to compare the two, it's hard not to get excited about a new option
that costs less and does more. The Kindle Fire is the hot new tablet, and it
seems to me there's a lot to be excited about. It's lighter and just a bit
smaller than the i-Pad. Besides the standard games, music and book software,
there's access to the Amazon marketplace and unlimited television shows and
movies for a fee. The Kindle Fire also offers cloud storage. If it seems too
good to be true, we'll just have to wait and see. The best result of this
competition for Apple and other tablet makers is, in my opinion, that prices for
such electronic accessories will continue to fall, making technology affordable
for more people who desire it.
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EDITOR'S TIP:
Commas seem to cause a lot of confusion when there are more than one involved.
In general, we use additional commas when we list items in a series. The big
question often is, do you use one for the next -to-last item or not? As in,
before the conjunction?

This is done differently depending on whether your work is non-fiction or
fiction. Again, a quirk of having two style guides -- the A.P. and the Chicago
Manuel of Style.

For fiction writing, always use a comma with your next-to-last item:
"I saw planes, trains, and automobiles.
For article writing, leave the comma out:
"I saw planes, trains and automobiles."
This rule applies to three or more in a series. Not a pair. 
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REVIEW:
Title: COLD MOUNTAIN
Author: Charles Frazier
Disclaimer: I received no compensation for reviewing this novel.

Charles Frazier's COLD MOUNTAIN is a success, not because of the screenplay that
adapted to it to film, but because it sets a standard on par with the great
American novel. It does not compel the reader to toss pages like coins, nor does
it use suspense or erotica to entice delving for more. It simply does what great
literature does: leads your mind and heart on an odyssey into the lives of
simple characters with universal, complex issues.

There is no simpler story line than that of love and devotion between parent and
child, between two hearts melded together at first glance or of friendship. COLD
MOUNTAIN brings this recognizable plot into an environment cultivated by war and
bloodshed, compassion, trust and forgiveness. It is Frazier's ability to bring
it forward in these new clothes and his poetic sense of description and
structure that lure us into a poignant deja vu we recognize as the chapters
pass. We all have loved and lost. We all have been touched by the handiwork of
God.

COLD MOUNTAIN should be set down from time to time while being read. It was
never meant to peruse and scan idly. This book will provoke thought and
recollection. It echoes timeless lessons from the heavens by reminding one of
the ties between deity and nature and opposing forces of the good and the evil,
which battle not only around us but within the darkest canyons of our hearts.

The beauty with which Frazier narrates this Appalachian journey is as if falling
headlong into a poem, Frost perhaps, and then trailing off somewhere alongside a
stream to ponder for a season its significance. It is the standard by which all
future literature will be judged by anyone who has the ability to grasp the
genius of its composition. May it be ravished by romantics, enjoyed by
historians, studied by writers and treasured for what it truly is: gifted
storytelling.
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AUTHOR EATS: PUMPKIN BREAD (for Bread Machine)
1 cup sugar
1 cup of canned pumpkin pie filling
1/3 cup of vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup chopped nuts, if desired

Lightly mix all ingredients and spread in a well-greased bread machine pan. Bake
on Quick Bread or Cake setting. *One of my favorites!*
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BOOK WATCH:
RENEGADE HEARTS by Anne Patrick
(http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-206/Anne-Patrick-Renegade-Heart\
\
/Detail.bok)

WINNING MR. WRONG by Marie Higgins
(http://www.amazon.com/Winning-Mr-Wrong-ebook/dp/B00514HJLS/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital\
\
-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1310863743&sr=1-1)

LAST RESORT by B.J. Robinson
(http://www.amazon.com/Last-Resort-ebook/dp/B005CQ7JQK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=13\
19232682&sr=8-1)
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See you next time!
Danielle Thorne
Visit me: www.daniellethorne.com
Follow my blog: http://www.thebalancedwriter.blogspot.com
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LAME JOKE OF THE MONTH:
What did Mama Turkey say to her wayward turkey son?

Answer: If your father could see you now, he'd turn over in his gravy!
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©Danielle Thorne. This newsletter may be forwarded, quoted and pirated in any
responsible manner. Just give me some credit, ya scallywag, by leaving in me
byline!

Fighting "The Good Fight": Shawna Williams

2011-11-10T13:03:00.000-05:00

Please welcome Inspirational Romance author, Shawna Williams, to The Balanced Writer. I have known Shawna as a friend and author. I've read her books, I've worked with her, and I also share the title of 'Editor' with her at two different publishing houses. She is warm and talented, a tender writer and a true Christian. Her books have received awards and stellar reviews, and she has even been a featured book of the month author with Christian readership organizations. Shawna's new release is my favorite book of hers to date: THE GOOD FIGHT.

I never intended to be a writer. Never gave it any thought until I was thirty-one years old, and even then it was just about my own curiosity in trying to make sense of a dream I'd had. I pondered that dream for many years as I wrote and revised the story -- ad infinitum times. My first two books, NO OTHER and IN ALL THINGS were the result of those years of pondering and rewriting.

THE GOOD FIGHT was a book that I had no intention of writing. When I came up with Roger Talbot's character while writing my debut novel, NO OTHER, my initial plans for him were to serve as one of the main antagonists -- especially to the hero in that story, Jakob. As the story unfolded though, the character of Roger began to reveal himself in a different way. He was arrogant and unlikable, but not bad, just easily manipulated due to his sights being focused on attaining a certain goal. In the end of that book he showed himself capable of standing for right, though it cost him what he'd been trying to attain.

As I promoted NO OTHER, I often mentioned that there was a sequel in the work and was surprised to find that many of my readers assumed it would be about Roger. When I told them it was a continuation of Jakob and Meri's story, they would ask, "Are you going to write about Roger?" My answer at the time was that I had no plans to do so.

However, while writing IN ALL THINGS, something funny kept happening. The character of Jakob had many unresolved issues, and they kept manifesting in a comparison of himself to Roger. A third of the way through that book I realized that while Roger's character wasn't in the story, he definitely had a strong presence. Toward the end of the book he made a reappearance, and so I thought that I was likely done with him.

The book released, and guess what readers asked me? "What about Roger?" That's when I began to ponder some of the more interesting aspects of his character, and his character's relationship with the other characters from those two books, as well as the history of the area at the time. Suddenly it was staring me right in the face, the workings for an intriguing story -- one with strong elements of suspense for that matter.

Even as I wrote I didn't really think I could ever grow to like Roger's character the way I had liked Jakob. But then Pennye popped up, and she had a way of bringing out some unexpected qualities in him. By the time the book was done these two had wormed their way into my heart as deeply as Jakob and Meri. I hope my readers will feel the same. This book is written because of you. Thank you for stirring it within me.

Book Blurb:

Roger Talbot's life is defined by his devotion to public service. Having just successfully prosecuted a brutal murder case, Roger turns his attention to discovering the shady dealings of Niles Parker -- the town's former mayor, Roger's old boss and the father of the woman Roger almost married.

Pennye Carrington ran away from Port Delamar with plans never to return. However, learning that her brother had murdered a family member of a famous movie star changed those plans. Pennye comes back with the hope of bringing stability to a family in disarray, but facing the torment of her childhood may be more than she can handle.

Roger's mission to bring down Niles Parker and Pennye's desire to keep her brothers out of trouble create a middle ground, where two people who couldn't be further apart, embark on a danger-filled journey of discovery to find themselves and each other.

About Me:

I'm a lot of things: a Christian, wife, mother, friend, author, artist, rock hound, science geek and animal lover. The first four take priority. The rest tend to jostle for my attention. Since I'm always a dreamer, author usually wins.

Indeed, my first two books are the result of a dream -- an actual dream. It nagged me for six months as I mentally tried to fill in all of the gaps. I finally had to write it down. Since then, God has continued to bless with me inspiration at times of His choosing.

Technically, I'm an Inspirational Romance writer. But I like to think that romance includes more than the relationship between two people. It can also be about the era or place, or even a single moment in time, when an elusive whisper reaches inward and ever so gently taps the soul, saying, "This... Remember this."

It's my desire that my stories create such a moment.

Some of my methods for filling my creative reservoir are reading about the histories of small towns, pouring over old photos in antique shops and people's homes (If I'm at yours, I'll ask to see your picture albums.), and asking prying questions about your best family stories. Oh! And if you ever see a lady on the side of the road, taking pictures of old, dilapidated houses and buildings, it's probably me. My website: http://shawnakwilliams.com/

Win a copy of THE GOOD FIGHT!

Details about my book release contest:

http://shawnawilliams-oldsmobile.blogspot.com/2011/10/kindle-giveaway-with-new-book-release.html

My Halloween Mischief

2011-11-02T18:06:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to "Julie" --this month's winner of my book giveaway. Thanks for joining us at the Monster Mash. Stayed tuned for more seasonal contests.

SWANSBROUGH MANOR AND CEMETERY

If you celebrated, how was your Halloween? My crowd made our way to our yearly haunt at Georgia's Swansbrough Manor. Featuring a spook-filled cemetery, creepy church, swampy ol' bayou, and two pirate ships, our wonderful friends include us every year by allowing us to take part in the action. Hundreds of visitors attended this past weekend's celebration and toured the haunted grounds. Several incriminating photos have circulated around Facebook, so I'm sharing them here just for you. (Thanks to Dawn W. for the pictures.)

A sleepy pirate guards treasure within the Black Pearl.

This poor fellow is locked up in the hold.

A sneaky little stick man danced around the cemetery all night long.

By day, the Black Pearl juts out of the manor's right wing with the cemetery in the foreground.


Yours Truly minding the bayou as a voodoo witch.

I wish I had the room to post all of the pictures taken by friends and visitors, from the cemetery to the church, to Davy Jones' Flying Dutchman. It was a wonderful, fun-filled Halloween once more for our community. You can check out more pictures and video at the manor's website: www.swansbroughmanor.com

Take care and enjoy the candy. The holidays have just begun!

~Danielle Thorne

Monster Mash Your Way to a Good Book

2011-10-26T04:00:00.002-04:00

It's Halloween and giveaway time!

This month I am giving away an ebook copy of my environmental romance, TURTLE SOUP. If Historical Regency is more up your alley, you may opt instead for a print or ebook copy of my Jane Austen-inspired novel, JOSETTE.

Choices, choices, choices. The read is up to you!

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Sing "Monster Mash" out loud to yourself. Or to the public. Whatever, enjoy it. Come on, at least hum the chorus!

2. Follow this blog, if you're not already a follower.

3. Leave a comment with your contact email so I can notify you if you're the winner. And tell me what you're going to be for Halloween. Don't be a party pooper.

BONUS!

This month and this month only, tell a friend about The Balanced Writer. Talk them into following the blog. Let me know via the Comments link, and I will send you a free ebook copy of TURTLE SOUP. Wow... so even if you don't win... you do!

Last, and because I couldn't help myself:

Happy Halloween!

~Danielle Thorne

DoN't MiSs ThIs WeEkEnD's GiVeAwAy!

2011-10-25T12:21:00.000-04:00

Don't miss this weekend's giveaway for Halloween! I will be giving away a copy of one of my books to one lucky winner. Don't forget to "haunt" by!

Book Signing Event

2011-10-12T11:12:00.000-04:00

SPECIAL EVENT

YOU ARE INVITED TO MEET THE AUTHORS

WHO?

Danielle Thorne

Laurean Brooks

Linda Swift

Pamela Hearon

WHAT?

Book Signing by four authors from four states writing many genres:

Contemporary and Historical Fiction

Mainstream, Romance, Inspirational, Regency,

Paranormal, Fantasy, Short Stories, Poetry

* * * **

Books for every age and every interest.

Authors will be giving away print books and ebook CD's.

* * * * *

Multi-published authors are available to answer your questions on digital publishing and share their knowledge and experience.

WHEN?

Friday, Oct. 14^th

11am – 2 pm

WHERE?

University Bookstore

Murray State U.,

Curris Center, Murray, KY

………………………..

These authors will also be signing books at ETCETERA

Student Art Gallery & Coffeehouse

320 North 6^TH Street, Paducah, KY

Saturday, Oct. 15^th from 10am – 1pm

Favs: Frozen Yogurt

2011-10-04T23:39:00.000-04:00

As the warm weather drifts off and the chill of autumn seeps in, I'm passing along one of my family's favorite evening snacks (before it gets too cold), and that's frozen yogurt. These days, yogurt has matured. It comes in wonderful flavors. It comes in wonderful forms. We love frozen yogurt! It truly tastes like real ice cream, even better, if you get the right brand.

We keep Kemps and the Publix brands in our freezer. It usually cost less than ice cream, and it has much less fat. Like, I mean, much. Forget eighteen grams of fat or more for a tiny half cup of ice cream. Frozen yogurt can run as low as three to five grams of fat. It's so sweet and wonderfully delicious, a small dish of it totally satisfies.

My favorite brand is the Publix frozen yogurt in the trendy black cartons. On sale I can purchase two cartons for about $7, which is far less than most brands of ice cream. And Publix offers several unique flavors that are amazing. My favorite is the Key Lime Pie. Most interesting is the Road Runner Raspberry (white chocolate yogurt, dark chocolate chips and a raspberry swirl). They also have a Moose Tracks version (oh, yeah) and some other chocolate varieties.

Kemps is another good brand we enjoy. My better half swears that their cookies and cream tastes more like ice cream than …cookies and cream ice cream. I like the brownie. It's smooth and rich. I often find coupons in the paper for Kemps, so do your homework.

If you're looking for salvation from all of the holiday sweets coming your way this season, try a carton of frozen yogurt. You'll be surprised how far yogurt has come these days, and you won't have to feel guilty for having a treat!

Ovarian Cancer Awareness: Welcome Our Guest

2011-09-20T12:35:00.001-04:00

In honor of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month (September), I'm delighted to have special guest, Tara D., visiting with us and sharing her life experience, as well as her battle with ovarian cancer. Please welcome her and read on.

Hi Tara! Thanks for visiting The Balanced Writer in honor of Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. Would you tell everyone a little about yourself--besides the fact that you’re a Nashville native, cartographer, a certified Pharmacy technician, and a mother of one talented, handsome son...

What is a favorite childhood memory?

My favorite childhood memory is riding down a long honeysuckle-lined road to the boat dock where we kept our boat, with the windows down, drinking in the heavy smell of honeysuckle.

What have you always been good at--talents-- that you appreciate now?

I was always a good reader as a kid, and I'm still an avid reader today.

What kind of things do you remember struggling with as you grew up? Did it make you a stronger person?

I struggled with shyness as a child, and I had to really make an effort to overcome that as I grew up. It did make me stronger, because I had to really fight the urge to try to disappear into the background and make an effort to talk to people. I felt like I was faking it. But that's what they say, "Fake it 'til you make it."

I can't ever remember or even imagine you being shy. You faked it well. Your outgoing personality, I happen to know, is one thing that draws people to you. So when were you first diagnosed with ovarian cancer?

I was diagnosed on Dec 1, 2008.

What were your first thoughts when you were diagnosed with the disease?

The funny thing is my first thought was, "I'm going to die," then I wondered how sick people were supposed to act. I just decided to be myself and just go with the flow.

How have your friends and family shown their support?

My friends and family have been very supportive. Especially my sister, Brandy. She drives me to most of my appointments and procedures, and I have several friends and family who have visited me in the hospital when I've been an in-patient.

What kind of extra help or support have you needed?

Sometimes I just need a shoulder to cry on or someone to complain to, and my special friends and my family are invaluable on those days.

I'm so glad you have people in your circle that are there for you. Have you had any empowering moments during this journey?

Maybe one long, almost three year moment: I feel powerful that I've managed to fight this disease for as long as I have and still feel okay most of the time. I also felt pretty powerful last summer when I passed a motorcycle riding course.

Okay, passing a motorcycle riding course is like the epitome of coolness. And to do this with an illness. Wow. How are you feeling these days?

I feel well most of the time. There are times when I feel pain from fluid buildup and the tumors, but I have pain medication for those times.

What are some things you enjoy doing right now?

I'm part of a scooter riding group. Not really a club but a great group of motor scooter enthusiasts. We meet a few times a month and take rides together. I try to ride when I'm feeling well.

What's one new thing you would like to learn or try?

I'm wanting to learn how to ride a scooter with a manual transmission so I can ride the new Genuine Stella scooter. They're pretty sweet, but I can't afford one.

Hmmm. Sounds like a case for Dream Foundation! I hope you get the chance to learn and try that. Now, on a more personal note, what kind of comfort or expressions do you appreciate hearing from others? What do you not like?

I like when people express that they are thinking of me and/or praying for me. I know people want to be able to help but many can't so keeping me in their thoughts is just fine. I don't really like when people say, "I know just how you feel," because they probably really don't.

Good tips for friends and caregivers to remember. Can you share some of the early symptoms of ovarian cancer?

Unfortunately the early symptoms of OC can be easily dismissed by many women as signs of aging, as they were by me. Lower back pain, heavy periods, bloating, heartburn. The best way to catch it early is with a blood test that is not part of a routine gynecological checkup.

That is precious information. I'd always assumed when I had my yearly checkup that was being taken care of. What else does everyone need to know to prevent and fight this disease?

Know your body. If something doesn't feel right see your doctor. Know if ovarian or any cancer runs in your family. But even with all this, it is hard to catch OC early.

So it's something women need to stay informed and aware of -- all the time. Would you like to share something you've learned about the world or yourself through battling cancer?

I've learned that my family and self are stronger than I ever realized, and I've learned that people want to help. If you can, let them help. You are giving them a blessing, as well as them blessing you, by letting people help. That's been hard for me as I have always been very independent.

I'm not going to say "I know" here, because I don't want to get in trouble. *GRIN* Your independence is another quality that I have always admired about you.

Okay, time for some quickie "Likes":

What's your favorite snack? Peanut butter crackers, cookies

Favorite vacation spot? Fort Morgan Beach, Ala.

Movie? The Princess Bride

Toothpaste? AIM

Dream Car: Smart Car

If you won a millions dollars you would: Buy a Smart car and a Kia Soul because they are both so cute. Buy my mom and my kid a new car.

What is your favorite thing about YOU? I'm smart, funny, and hardly shy anymore...

Thanks, Tara, for visiting with me and sharing information about OC. You're a brilliant, strong woman, and as someone who has always looked up to you, I'm honored to be able to share your story. Have a Happy Birthday this month, and best of luck and and prayers to you as you continue this fight.

~Danielle Thorne

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OVARIAN CANCER:

http://www.ovariancancer.org/

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/OvarianCancer/index

Pear Honey Adventures

2011-09-10T15:54:00.000-04:00

It's finally autumn -- football, colored leaves, pumpkins, and canning. Canning, as in sealing up our fresh harvests and putting them away for winter. This summer my other half stocked us up on blueberries, which went right into storage bags in the freezer. There's not a whole lot of room in there for other goodies.

I have to thank my friend, Carissa, for telling me about the sweet, syrupy and jam-like concoction one gets from simmering sugar, pears and pineapple together. It sounded pretty unique, and best of all, pear honey can be canned and stored for future use.

Canning is something I've never tried on my own. Years ago I canned fresh apple pie filling with a friend, but I never had the guts to start boiling glass jars and fruit and vegetables on my own. This past week, I decided to give it a go.

As you can see from the above photo, I managed to put up several jars of golden goodness in this delicious recipe. To date, I've only had it with french toast, but it tasted marvelous. I also understand it goes well on ice cream, waffles and the like. Chilled in the fridge, my container became quite jellied, so I think it would work on peanut butter sandwich, too.

Below is the recipe for pear honey. Time is precious, and this project didn't take up too much of it; only about two hours from start to finish. So if you'd like to try something new in your busy life, give this idea a go.

‎Pear Honey

4 lbs of pears, peeled and chopped

1 large can of crushed pineapple

5 lbs of sugar

Bring to a slow boil on medium heat and then stir until syrupy at least twenty minutes. The pears will mostly dissolve with the exception of a few chunks, and the rest will be dark like honey. Can and process according to your canner's instructions. For the Georgia area, it was ten minutes in a water bath. Once canned, it's a beautiful golden yellow.

Good Luck!

~Danielle Thorne

This month is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. Be on the lookout for the teal ribbon or display one of your own!

What It's Like to Be S.A.D.

2011-08-30T14:17:00.001-04:00

Not sad, but S.A.D., one of the frustrated millions that suffers from Social Anxiety Disorder. This is meant to be a positive, informative post, so wipe the frown off your face. We all have our quirks.

In the past people were just chalked up to being "shy" or "different." Not anymore. Like many social ailments these days, science and medicine are recognizing and giving extreme shyness a name.

WebMD reports S.A.D. as being the third most common mental disorder for the average Joe. Or Jane. Symptoms include a fear or nervousness of people (even people they know), places (even everyday places) and new things in the realm of social interaction. From experience, I can tell you that it feels like this:

Upset stomach…those fluttering butterflies!

Stomach (ulcer) pain and cramps

Sweaty palms

Pounding heart

Shortness of breath

A blank mind

Irrational feelings of being watched, judged, criticized, disliked, ignored, or invisible

Someone could be suffering from severe social anxiety, and you may never know it -- unless you follow them home and watch them take their antacids and curl up exhausted into bed.

It is bewildering to feel these feelings, especially when you know they have no basis or make any sense. Nonetheless, it makes no difference when it's time for a social call, party, or a shift at work. Sometimes just walking into a room, even a room full of people you know, is enough to make the heart pound. And to be singled-out? People with S.A.D. have no desire to be the center of attention. Even if it's well-meant. Karaoke? No way.

Suffering from anxiety in social situations can also lead to depression, and obviously the two impairments go hand in hand. For me, I can actually remember the onset of S.A.D. in my life. It arrived in junior high, along with puberty, mean girls, and everything else life throws at you at thirteen. I was a relatively happy child, if not quiet, but by the time high school loomed a few months away, I suddenly couldn't walk down a hall or into a classroom without almost fainting from inexplicable fear. My friends didn't understand me, and I didn't understand them. We "changed." Or rather, I couldn't deal with the pressure of simply socializing with anyone else. These effects led to a lifelong habit of avoiding people, social situations, and trying new things.

S.A.D. sucks.

There is medication and also counseling to help those with severe S.A.D. function socially and stress-free. But it never truly goes away. There have been ups and downs: I've tried new things and learned to be patient developing relationships, but I've also spent spells crying in a bathroom stall at church, school, a restaurant, or a concert for no reason whatsoever other than there were too many people around. The best way I have learned to deal with this monster is to fake it until I make it and to confide in those I care about not to give up on me.

I've been very fortunate in the last few years of my life. My best friend of almost two decades did not give up on me when I quit answering the phone. She has always been there and tolerates my anxiety with good humor. (In other words, she loves to embarrass me.) My family is also very understanding and puts up with Mom's weird issues.

In other areas, I took up a new hobby that initially scared the heck out of me, but I continue to progress in the sport. I pursued a lifelong dream to become a novelist. And, after the eighteenth or nineteenth move in my marriage, I was able to reach out to folks in my neighborhood and community and make a friend or two. (You know who you are, and I love ya).

And I have conquered Karaoke…in small doses.

So, the next time you see someone dash in and dash out without a word, or sit quietly and stare into space, it may not be that you're not interesting, they just may have S.A.D. Say hello and give them some room. Later on, if you give yourself a chance to get to know them, you'll find a loyal and true friend (who you must never sing "Happy Birthday" to in public).

~Danielle Thorne

You can find out more about S.A.D. here:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/social-anxiety-disorder/DS00595

Take a SAD test and evaluate your anxiety levels. http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/disorder/liebowitz/

Feta: The Big Cheese

2011-08-15T19:16:00.000-04:00

…at least in my house. It's time for another post on Favorites. Why a Fav post on Feta? Because this is a blog about balancing life and eating cheddar every day of your life is B-O-R-I-N-G. Worse, if you're still choking down American cheese singles wrapped in plastic sleeves, it's time to stop. Live a little.

About a year or so ago, I had a marvelous Greek salad at one of our favorite pizza joints and realized I really liked this white crumbly stuff. Thus, my obsession with Feta began.

Feta originated in Greece and was made from sheep and goat milk. Feta means "slice." It is higher in salt content than most cheeses because it is cured in a brine solution. Today it is made from pasteurized cow milk.

Slowly, as Feta invaded all my salads, it crept into the omelets, too. Because it seems to absorb whatever deliciousness you toss it with, it works with just about anything. Try some on a Hawaiian pizza with ham and pineapple. Toss some with fresh spinach leaves and your favorite dried fruit and vinaigrette.

Besides the processed cheese of our childhood, we can now get sliced anything for our sandwiches -- from Provolone to Gouda. Go for it. And check out my favorite recipe for Greek Salad below.

Greek Salad

½ head of Iceberg lettuce; chopped

1 small head of Romaine lettuce; chopped

½ cucumber; diced

2 Roma tomatoes; diced

¼ cup of Greek Kalamata black olives; chopped

3 green onions; diced, or ¼ chopped red onion

½ cup of Feta cheese; crumbled

½ lemon; squeezed

Optional: Pickled banana pepper rings

Toss all ingredients. Squeeze lemon juice over salad. Salt and pepper to taste. Mix with a quality Greek dressing. Banana peppers can be served on the side.

Staying On the Roof

2011-08-09T10:00:00.002-04:00

Please welcome guest author Heather Cashman, sharing her thoughts on balance and life. I haven't been touched by such thoughtful observations and ideas in quite sometime. Enjoy!

The word “balance” makes me think of many things. I think of teeter-totters where, because I was five feet tall in kindergarten, three other classmates could pile on the other side to even out my weight. On the occasions where it was only my cousin, I had to use my legs to push her up and down with little benefit for me, but I made it work. Another childhood memory of incredible balance was the Weeble-Wobble. No matter how hard I punched, kicked, laid on, or even dropped it on its head, the thing always righted itself. It was marvelous and frustrating at the same time.

As a writer, I often feel like the Weeble-Wobble. Fists and kicks and drops from marketing, publicity, family requirements, social networking, blogs, church, humanitarian service, eating, and the endless list of demands (never in any order) continue to knock me sideways.

The question is: How do I keep getting back up? Or better still: How do I choreograph the fight? While I admit I’ve never stayed down for long, I also acknowledge that I rarely rebound as quickly as that Weeble-Wobble would.

This concept of balancing my life made me think of other characters that never seemed to lose their balance. Those in the beloved musical, Fiddler on the Roof. Teyve, the protagonist, begins his story by explaining:

“In our little village of Anatevka, you might say every one of us is a fiddler on the roof, trying to scratch out a pleasant, simple tune without breaking his neck. It isn’t easy. You may ask, why do we stay up here if it’s so dangerous? We stay because Anatevka is our home. And how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in one word—tradition!”

For the people of Anatevka, their physical homes were a representation of the real meaning of home: the things that you love, that ground you, that give you sanity, and that you might even die for.

I have many homes. One home is my family, regardless of the location, size, or value of our current house. Another is writing; when I am in a world I’ve created with characters I know almost better than myself, I am home—even if I am in an auto shop typing on my laptop while I wait for the car to be serviced. I also attend a church where I feel at home with the people I worship with. I also consider my country a home and feel a deep sense of belonging when I contemplate the founding fathers, those who serve to maintain our freedom and my rights as a citizen.

Finding our homes, or what matters most to us, is essential in finding balance. The main source of regret in life is looking back and realizing you’ve spent your time doing something worthless or perhaps even destructive. Soul-searching is required. Honest self-assessment will be the only thing that can aid in deciphering what matters to you, what your homes are.

This discovery process is also in a constant state of change. Our priorities will shift. An example of this is when I first began to write. I was a clean-freak. I would never sacrifice a clean home for five hundred words. At that time in my life, a clean house was required for me to feel at home. Slowly, as I began to write more, I eventually thought about publishing. Only then did I consider the fact that a clean house meant more to me than publishing a novel. If I wanted to write full-time, I would have to sacrifice the priority of a perfectly clean house for writing.

My children are still a priority that takes precedence over writing because they are more important to me. So we must also prioritize these homes, like our year-round home and a vacation home. Some may seem like a mansion that take hours to maintain while others are a cottage in the woods that take only minutes. That’s not to say that the small things in life are not as important. Sometimes taking the vacation is essential to one’s sanity. Only you can judge what is wanted, important, or essential for your own perfectly balanced world.

Like the teeter-totter of my youth, there are times where you have enough people to help you balance, but there will be times where you end up doing most of the work to compensate for the deficit. In those more difficult times, try to watch the face of the person across from you on the teeter-totter. Find joy in the service you render and realize that can be a home, too.

Once we find the things in our life that matter most, we must form traditions centered on them. By traditions, I mean things that make us feel grounded, that make us feel at home. If one of your priorities in life is your physical health, then your traditions might be as simple as brushing your teeth every morning and night or exercising every day. If family is a priority, your traditions might include having dinner together or having turkey on Thanksgiving. For some people, having balance means going to church every week. For others it may be a day spent in nature.

In our busy lives of certain uncertainty, we must find places of normalcy and meaning that will offer a foundation of refuge and renewal. Just as the teeter-totter and Weeble-Wobble need hard ground to stay upright, we must have that sure footing so that as we juggle the curve-balls of life, we don’t have to worry about watching our steps. They will come naturally.

~Heather Cashman, Author of PERCEPTION

Your perception will sharpen once you see through a tiger’s eyes.

More than five hundred years after the apocalypse, the survivors of off-grid genetic experimentation have refined their mixed DNA to the point that humans and their animal counterparts share physical and mental links. Varying species have divided into districts, living in a tenuous peace under the President of Calem.

Ardana and her tiger ingenium Rijan leave their life of exile and abuse in the Outskirts, setting out with their twin brothers to redeem themselves and become citizens of the Center. But shedding their past isn’t as easy as they had hoped. When the system that shunned them becomes embroiled in political conflict and treachery, their unique abilities and experiences from the Outskirts make them invaluable to every faction. The runaways become pawns to friends as well as enemies, and with every step it becomes more difficult to tell which is which.

Author Bio:

Heather Cashman graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry but has always loved to write, winning her first contest in the second grade. Married since 1992, she has three unique children and has moved from Arizona to New York to Kansas. She loves to kayak and canoe down the windiest rivers she can find. She welcomes opportunities to visit schools, libraries, and book groups in person or via Skype. Born in Tucson, Arizona, Heather currently lives near Wichita, Kansas with her husband and three children.

Amazon Author Page

August Giveaway Winner

2011-08-08T16:32:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Becca, August's randomly generated comment winner of the $10 Amazon gift card and an ebook copy of Regency period romance, JOSETTE. I'll be in touch soon!

Join me next month for more fun stuff, and tomorrow check out Heather Cashman, a visiting author who shares her input on balancing life and writing.

~Danielle Thorne

2011-08-01T04:00:00.002-04:00

Click here to link to more Blog Giveaways!

It's time for another giveaway! Summer has turned the corner in the South, so that means pool time and reading lists are getting shorter.

How about a $10 gift card for Amazon.com to pick up a book or some pool toys? I'll also throw in an ebook copy of my Jane Austen-inspired regency, JOSETTE.

TO ENTER:

1) Follow this blog by registering on the left-hand sidebar. You can sign up via email or follow through Google.

2) Leave a comment for this post sharing what you've been reading this summer! Entries must include a contact email address.

Good Luck!

Would you like to learn more about my books? Visit my official author website at www.daniellethorne.com!

Bad Math and Good Food

2011-07-26T04:00:00.001-04:00

This Tuesday -- today -- I'm visiting author Regina Andrews and talking about my bad math skills. Visit us and have a good laugh right here at Regina's.
And just for fun, I'm sharing my Sunday dinner that took all of five minutes to prepare. This is Crockpot comfort food at it's Tex-Mex best.

Cheesy Verde Crockpot Chicken

4 frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 can of Campbell's Cheese Soup

1 can of green enchilada sauce

Onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper

Place frozen chicken in a Crockpot. Add both cans of soup and sauce. Season to taste. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or until chicken can be shredded with a fork. Serve over rice.

Give the recipe a try on a busy day, and don't forget to check in next week for August's Blog Hop where I will be giving away a $10 Amazon gift card and a copy of my ebook, TURTLE SOUP.

Sound like a plan? See you next time!

~Danielle Thorne

August Blog Hop Prize

Do You Hear What I Hear?

2011-07-20T11:25:00.000-04:00

One thing parents of high schoolers can expect during the hot days of summer is late afternoon and evening practices. Football, track, cheerleading, marching band students and others, spend weeks of their summer vacations sweating themselves to the point of dehydration and missing out on summer jobs and parties. That's commitment.

I was not involved in band when I was a teen. At football games, I supposed the kids put together their halftime shows with a few practices and some intellectual coordination. Now, as a band parent these past five years, the behind the scenes lives of marching band kids has opened my eyes.

The Newnan, Georgia, Northgate Vikings Marching Band. 2008

Two of my children have embraced music education in the school system, and I have learned that the financial cuts made to these types of programs are just as important as those made to general education. Music programs have given my children opportunities to find peers with whom they can relate, have taught responsibility and discipline, and opened their minds to grasping other academic subjects. As a family with ADHD and Asperger children, I can testify that programs such as marching band, may have literally saved the life of one of my kids. It has at the very least, kept him on a charted course in the right direction.

The center tuba player is mine.

In our neck of the woods, the marching band student gives up July through November of every year. He stands at a attention, runs or marches over three hours a day, after a long day of school, until late in the evening at least four times a week. Some Saturdays are sacrificed from dawn to dusk. These kids sweat, sunburn, endure mosquitos, gnats and stinging insects, ankle and foot problems, and chafing (Ouch!). They don't just memorize marching patterns, but pages and pages of sheet music. On top of this, they perform in thick, wool uniforms while standing in the baking sun or soaking rain.

The tenor sax player is mine, too.

Besides the benefits already listed, I can share as an observer, that when these students place in competition or cheer on a winning football game there is a joy and camaraderie that can't be denied. It touches my heart to see music and hard work bring people together.

This week, my third child is attending his last band camp. While I'm sad it's his senior year, I'm also excited that he has goals and is excited for his future. In our case, that doesn't mean he will pursue music as a profession, but it I know it has given him the tools to succeed along with many fond memories.

The Arts and Athletics are necessary programs for our schools. I hope if you have ever wondered what you can do for your child, you will consider placing him or her in music or a sport when they enter middle school. By high school, there will be so many options to choose from, and an early taste of these experiences can be the positive catalyst to keep them focused as they grow into adulthood.

It may only be summertime, but I am already getting excited for football season. And that's thanks to all of those band kids out there taking the field.

Favorites

2011-07-12T21:55:00.000-04:00

It's time for another favorite of mine, and this week it's FOLEX, a miracle spot cleaning solution for carpets. I discovered FOLEX many years ago after one of my kids dumped a volcano kit on the floor, and all the gray powder poofed throughout the room, landing permanently in the white Berber carpet. Not a great memory.

FOLEX is a part of my weekly cleaning routine. After vacuuming and making note of any spots, I walk around and spray, rub my finger, and then blot, any stains in my carpet. It takes out virtually everything, from dirt, grease stains, food spatters, magic marker, toothpaste and more. What I love most, is it's not foamy, just a simple liquid. You don't need sponges or towels, just your finger. It doesn't lighten the carpet either. It's amazing stuff, and I can't live it without it.

Recently, Wally World quit carrying FOLEX so I had to hunt it down online. They don't sell their product on their website, but it is still available at Home Depot and other home maintenance stores. Lucky for me!

I've only had one stain that FOLEX couldn't clean up completely: volcanic ash.

You might want to make note of that if you live with any mad scientists.

~Danielle Thorne

Like the new website? The Balanced Writer has been updated.
Tell me what you think!

Winner!

2011-07-08T15:44:00.005-04:00

Congrats to follower, Michelle, for winning the $10 Amazon Gift card giveaway and a free copy of one of my ebooks. I'll be in touch!

I hope everyone who celebrated U.S. Independence Day had a wonderful holiday full of sunshine and grilled food. Next week I'll be posting about one of my favorite household obsessions, carpet cleaning. Strange I know, but a writer has more quirks than the average Joe.

If you are familiar with the book review site, Martha's Bookshelf, you must check out her review for my Regency romance, JOSETTE. It's so sweet and I deeply appreciate the time book reviewers take to write down their thoughts about my work. She's also having a giveaway, so visit the site to win some books, mine included!

~Danielle Thorne

Freedom Giveaway

2011-07-01T10:01:00.005-04:00

Every Fourth of July, Americans celebrate their freedom with fireworks, grilled food of every kind and watermelon. Why watermelon? I have no idea, but there's always an option for homemade ice cream, too.

To celebrate, I'm giving away a $10 Amazon gift card via email for one lucky visitor who will be free to spend it however they wish. Just comment on this post about your favorite summer eats. If you're not a blog follower, sign up today!

Our giveaway winner will also be able to choose a copy of any of my current ebooks which can be checked out at my author website.

No worries if you don't win, keep reading for my homemade ice cream recipe passed down from my husband's grandmother. It's delicious and easy. A great dessert for a wonderful holiday!

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream for Ice Cream Makers

3 eggs beat until stiff with mixer

1 cup of sugar; beat

1 large package of vanilla instant pudding; beat

1 quart of Half and Half; beat

3 tablespoons of vanilla; beat

Pour into four quart ice cream maker. Pour whole milk into mix until it reaches fill line. Freeze ice cream according to ice cream maker directions.

The Balanced Writer hopes you are having a wonderful summer. Son number three and I are featured above to remind you to have some good times this season. He recently received his scuba certification making eight dives off Key Largo. Talk about brave. I'm a proud mummy.

Take a break and do something out of the ordinary. Happy Independence Day!

~Danielle Thorne

Balance with Nancy Naigle

2011-06-27T06:00:00.000-04:00

Today I'm welcoming words of wisdom from author Nancy Naigle on balancing life. I ran into Nancy on the Sweeter Romantic Notions readers and writers loop, and fell in love with the covers of her new books. She's a small town girl at heart. And she says, "ya'll." What's not to love about that?

Nancy is giving away her new book to one of our lucky visitors who comment, so say something clever!

Take it away, Nancy...

I am thrilled to have the chance to join Danielle to chat about balance. This is one of my favorite blogs to read to help me remind myself just how important it is.

I’m Nancy Naigle, and I write love stories from the crossroad of small town and suspense. I live in Virginia with my husband of 17 years on a goat farm in the southern part of the state. By day, I’m a Senior Vice President with Bank of America.

Life balance, or maybe I should say the act of trying to balance life isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes some good things come out of that struggle.

Being out of balance is kind of what inspired me to finish my first novel. Let me explain. You see, I, like you, live my life at a microwavin’ drive-thru speed. I’ve always had to juggle my busy career with family, friends and everything life wanted to toss my way. Of course, what life tossed in the mix was generally in the form of one of those police nail-strips thrown under your tires to make you swerve to a stop.

Whew. Just thinking about it wears me out.

At a particularly rocky stage of my life I had escaped between the pages of a novel by Jayne Ann Krentz. When I finished that book, I closed it and sat there holding it in my hands. I felt relaxed and it was kind of an amazing moment. One I hadn’t felt in a while. I felt hopeful, too. That gal in that story, she’d overcome huge obstacles, and (Jayne hadn’t let me down) there was a fabulous happy ever after.

That feeling I had at that moment. That’s the one that inspired me to work towards publishing my stories. I thought, “If I could rescue one gal, for one little while, from her crazy-paced life and make her believe it would be okay...that’s the best gift ever.”

Many stories later, SWEET TEA AND SECRETS finally made its way to completion and debuted last month. It’s a small town love story with enough suspense to keep your mind off your day job for a while. The residents of Adams Grove are a wonderful group of folks that you just might grow to think of as friends. At least I hope so!

Now, back to balance. I’m not going to bend your ear with paragraphs of scientific quotes about life balance, or bore you with what we ALL know. It’s so much easier to say than to do, right?

I’ll tell you that only you can decide what the right balance is in your life. But trust me on this, when things get the craziest, if you’ll take just a little ‘me’ time – even just 10 minutes – it’ll pay off big. Lock yourself in the bathroom and soak in a hot tub with a novel, sit and do nothing, nap, whatever works for you. For me, novels work best because reading forces me to forget my own story if even for just a little while.

My momma use to lay in the back of my daddy’s pickup truck and not answer us as we ran around looking for her. I never knew that until I was in my late thirties. I still laugh about it. She was pretty creative, really. She said she couldn’t relax in the tub because we’d talk to her through the door or wiggle our fingers under it to say hello. I guess that would make it a little hard to relax now that I think about it.

I promise you, your kids won’t flunk out of school and your husband won’t starve to death, but you may just be a better:

mom,

coach,

cook,

maid,

planner,

employee,

cheerleader,

friend,

spouse,

nurse,

shopper,

listener,

family member,

super-hero

and all those other roles you play ... than you’ve ever been.

**To celebrate visiting with ya’ll today, and to say thanks for sharing in the excitement about the debut of SWEET TEA AND SECRETS, I’m hosting a little contest right here. Just leave a comment to be included in the drawing. We’ll draw one lucky winner who will receive a signed copy of my book (or e-format if you prefer) along with my very favorite tea to sip while you relax and read it.**

Hugs and high 5's!

Treat yourself to a little escape. It’s okay, really.

Nancy Naigle

Love stories from the crossroad of small town and suspense.

www.NancyNaigle.com

PS- You can stay connected with me on facebook and twitter @NancyNaigle. I’d love it if you’d join my newsletter. I’ll keep you to date and share a little trivia about the wonderful little town of Adams Grove, and the second in that series, Out of Focus, coming out in November. I also have a young adult suspense that I co-authored coming out in July titled, inkBLOT.

You can sign up at http://www.NancyNaigle.com/ncont.htm

Pineapple-Black Bean Enchiladas

2011-06-21T21:19:00.000-04:00

Every week Atlanta's newspaper offers a meat free meal idea for dinner. Today we tried the latest recipe, and I thought it was tasty. My pineapple-loving son devoured it. I've made a few changes to the original recipe as I always do, but a good imagination can add all kinds of variety to this dish.

Here's the general idea:

Canola oil

1 chopped onion

½ chopped red pepper

½ chopped green pepper

1 20-ounce can of pineapple tidbits, drained, save juice.

1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can of chopped green chiles

1 teaspoon of salt

Fresh chopped cilantro (to taste)

1 to 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese

1 can of red enchilada sauce

10-15 flour tortillas

Sour cream for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat a little oil and cook chopped onions and peppers just until soft. Stir in pineapple, beans, chiles, cilantro and salt. Once mixture is warm, remove from heat and fill tortillas, rolling and tucking in a greased 9X13 pan. In a separate bowl, stir the saved pineapple juice into the red enchilada sauce. Pour over enchiladas. Sprinkle with cheese to taste and bake covered in foil for thirty minutes.

Other ideas:

I served this with an avocado salad and lime-flavored tortilla chips on the side. Heavenly. The next time I whip it up, I will probably add another can of beans, because there was more fruit than beans. Another option would be to downgrade from pineapple tidbits to crushed, in a smaller container. Last, but never least, I may swap out the chiles for some banana peppers. Pineapple goes great with banana peppers!

Enjoy!

~Danielle Thorne

Mommies and Yogurt Bars

2011-06-08T15:00:00.001-04:00

So I'm going to mom's house in a few days which is when my next blog will be posted. It's funny after all these years how different I feel about going home. When I was nineteen, it was back to oppressive safety; I was happy to be home and taken care of, but back to being told what to do. When I was thirty I was excited to show off my kids and how much I'd learned -- how independent I was. Now, another decade later, going to my parents' house means my parents need me. I'm filled with worry about their health, their finances, their future. I know in my heart, that the tables have only just begun to turn.

My parents are moving out of their home state this summer to be near my brother. It's comforting to know they will have someone nearby to watch over them. For me, it's just another six hour drive in a different direction. Ten years from now…that's a little hard to think about, but I'm sure that one thing will always stay the same: That feeling I get when I first walk through the door and call, "Mom?" and the few seconds I wait to listen for, "I'm right here!"

My Tasty Treat Find

The new "Jala" brand vanilla and pomegranate frozen yogurt bars are amazing. This is not a paid advertisement. I’m a couponer so I often try new products. They taste like cherry cheesecake, no kidding. And 1 gram of fat! I highly recommend them. I don't recommend trying to show your kids you can still do a back flip in the pool this summer if you're over forty. I'm limping today. Think I tore something.

~Danielle Thorne

Splash into Summer Winner

2011-06-01T10:33:00.000-04:00

This month's giveaway had almost two hundred entries which tells me A) everyone gets excited about free reads, B) people are addicted to shopping at Amazon.com, or C) I have an amazing and interesting blog. I'm going to go with "B."

The randomly generated winner of the Splash into Summer prize is SherryS.

Congratulations to SherryS for winning this month's copy of TURTLE SOUP and a $25 gift certificate from Amazon.com. Huzzah for you! Thank you to all of my new followers who clicked on board and for your double entries, too. I hope you enjoy The Privateer Newsletter I send out every month.

It's warm, it's sunny, it's summertime…almost! It sure feels right around the corner in central Georgia. Amidst all of the weather tragedies this season, the past Memorial Day weekend was a great time for friends and family to get together and spend quality time remembering our fallen heroes. In our country that usually includes eating. Yes we did the burger thing, too. For three days.

This because along with Memorial Day, our second son graduated from high school. It was a wonderful moment for a young man who embraced music and himself to fight his way through an education system which isn't always ADHD friendly, among other things.That's my proud boy below:

Congratulations to all graduates this month. We're counting on you!

If you like free stuff, you'll want to check out the web's June Annual Summer Treasure Hunt and its daily prizes. I'll be giving away books on June 4^th you can win just by visiting my website. Find out more here or click my magic little treasure box.

~Danielle Thorne

Giveaway Time! Splash into Summer--

2011-05-25T07:00:00.000-04:00

--with some TURTLE SOUP and a $25 Amazon gift certificate!

Welcome to The Balanced Writer's monthly giveaway. To "splash into summer," leave a comment, and you might win a copy of environmental romance, TURTLE SOUP, and an Amazon gift certificate.

Set between the Georgia Aquarium and the Caribbean island of St. Thomas, this adventure will leave you with a smile on your face and more than likely, ready for a snack.

Sea turtles may be endangered but after an encounter with marine biologist, Jack Brandon, nothing will stop Sara Hart from naming her deli, Turtle Soup. When Jack takes a job at the Georgia Aquarium, Sara finds the environmental poster boy at her door, hungry and carrying a chip on his shoulder. Neither thinks the other has what it takes, until a scuba class reveals what lies beneath the surface.

Five "Mystique Moons" from Mystique Books!

"Witty, original and unexpected, this is a delightful read."--Long and Short

"A story of love lost and the ability to find love again. Rated YOU GOTTA READ!"--You Gotta Read Reviews

If you'd like to win a copy of TURTLE SOUP, along with $25 from Amazon.com, please (1) leave a comment on this Splash into Summer blog post and follow this blog. If you are already following, no problem, just leave a comment!

(2) You're welcome to snatch a second entry by signing up for my newsletter, THE PRIVATEER NEWSLETTER at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThePrivateerNewsletter/?yguid=197416267.

Summer is just around the corner so get ready to chillax! If you'd like a low-fat slush to keep you cool, try this delicious chocolate treat. You'll love it!

Chocolate Slush

1 cup of ice

½ cup of skim milk

1 envelope of Dark Chocolate Hot Chocolate

Directions: Mix all ingredients in blender until slushy. Serve in a tall glass with a straw.

Good luck to all entries, and enjoy the slush!

~Danielle Thorne

If you enjoy this blog, please share it with your friends. If you'd like to find out more about my books, such as my bestselling, BY HEART AND COMPASS, check out my website at daniellethorne.com!