Thank you Mr. Thornton
What’s Jack up to? He’s feeling rambunctious today. Bounding around the house and jumping on the kid’s heels as they go off to school. Sorry, Jack, you’re stuck with just me.Thanks so much to all of you who visited and made comments yesterday. I kno
w it wasn’t my sparkling wit, but Richard’s. So, thank you Richard Armitage. Thanks to you I’ve made some wonderful new friends. Please keep stopping by.I want you all to know that like a good crusader I am spreading the word. I got in my car last night and slipped the North and South DVD into a friend’s mailbox. Hopefully, we’ll hear from her soon. Got t
o share the love!Now I know we were all distracted by Mr. Armitage and the perfection of North and South, but as a writer and a reader, I’d still love to know what are some of your favorite heroes from book or film and as an add on question: what is it that makes a good hero? Is it the face, the body, the voice or is it the manner that makes the man. Do you go for the sweet sensitive type or is it the bad boys that get you going?For me it’s the bad boy combined with just enough vulnerability to make your heart ache. John Thornton embodied this perfectly for me.
Best,
KwanaStay tuned for Project Runway recap!
North and South has done me in
What’s Jack up to? He’s quite playful today and constantly getting into trouble. Jack where are my shoes?
Thanks to my PIC, Megan, I am undone.
“You’ve got to watch North and South,” she said so innocently. “Trust me you will love it.” Little did I know that this BBC drama had mystical powers and by about 1/2 hour into it I would thoroughly be inducted into the N&S cult? How perfect can a mini-series be? Pretty darned perfect. I finished it with the hugest grin on my face and wanting to cry all at the same time. It was an emotional slug fest.
Wh
at can I say about Richard Armitage that hasn’t been said on a hundred other blogs? Probably nothing- the many You Tube fan videos prove it 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOAOqIgJ_jw – but I’ll go anyway. Those hard eyes, strong jaw and that sweeping nose that was often times a scene stealer. He’s instantly up there on my list of top brooding heartthrobs. A pure Alpha male in every way. So thanks Megan. The next dude will sure have some big shoes to fill. Man, I want to write a guy like that when I grow up.And that kiss. Well. That kiss. It jumps high up on my list of most swoon –worthy cinema moments. Up there with greats like:
-The Happy Birthday scene in Mississippi Masala. You know you loved it. Denzel and a whispered serenade. Come on.
-The final kiss between Bridget and Mark Darcy from Bridget Jones Diary. Naked, snow and being wrapped in his coat. So warm.
-The first dance between Lizzie and Mr. Darcy from the bbc Pride and Prejudice. Just a touch of the hand and she was done for.
-And now the Kiss between Margaret and John in North and South. I’m sure you can just imagine what that train ride to Milton was like.Now it’s your turn to share. Who are some of your all time swoon-worthy scenes or heroes from books or film? Do tell. Confession is good for the soul.Best,
KwanaSo, now where can I get my hands on some episodes of Robin Hood?
Rock your vote
What’s Jack up to? So far he’s just chillin’ but it’s still early.I want to thank all you who were kind enough to give comments yesterday on being a plotter or a pantser. It was wonderful to hear about everyone writing process. What I got from the discussion is there really is no right or wrong way to write. All that matters is that you do whatever works for you to get YOUR story done.On one of the other group boards that I read there was a pretty heated discussion on writers who read or not read. One brave soul admitted to not reading novels (through no fault of her own) and when she did the opinions flew. It’s amazing how firm folks can be in their opinions.That got me thinking and what I wrote to the group is maybe we should stop and think what truly makes a good book. Is it the credentials behind the book or is it the story? I think it’s the story and how the story is told. If you have a natural talent for telling a story than you are truly blessed.
Today is Super Tuesday and in 24 states primaries are going on for the presidential nominees. It is a historic vote on the democratic side as democrats choose between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. To me it’s not a bad dilemma to be in. Whatever your choice please me sure to get out and vote today.If you’d like a laugh check out this new Obama Girl video. I have to admit when the first Obama Girl video came out, I thought she’d hurt more than help. But now with the way Barack has been going in this race, heck, maybe she is super?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4HU_l5u0h4Best,KwanaConfessions of a closet pantser
What’s Jack up to? Today he’s still coming down from the NY GIANTS Superbowl win! He enjoyed a wild party last night with The DH, DD and DS. Dear Jack you’re looking a bit hung over today. Rest up.During my excavation weekend I read Stephen King’s On Writing. I was surprised to read Mr. King confess that he plots “as infrequently as possible.” I was shocked! Stephen King, bestselling author of some of the most intricate stories ever, not a plotter, but a pantser. Suddenly my own wandering way of writing seemed a lot more acceptable. Heck, I’m in pretty good company.Usually when I have a story I know point A and have glimpses of point Z, but only blind faith that there will be something exciting happening on all the points in between. Now I do plot in the lightest of ways, writing lists of things I would like to see happen in whatever book I’m working on. When I want to go more in depth I do Post-it storyboarding. But along the way, these lists usually start to feel confining and have to change when my characters suddenly take on lives of their own and turn in directions I never anticipated. What fun.
Story board for She’s Got Game
So writers out there, what’s your way? Would you admit to being a member of the pantser club along with me and, um, Stephen King or are you one of those extremely organized writers, that I always envy, who start out with a twenty page synopsis before typing CHAPTER ONE on the page?Best,
KwanaInspiration Excavation
What’s Jack up to? It’s the weekend so he’s happy to have a full house and The DH (his best buddy) around to give him long walks and play endless games of fetch which tire me out way too quickly for his taste. Have a blast Jack.
So it’s Superbowl weekend this weekend which pretty much means I’ll have four free hours while the D
H and DS sit in front of the TV and watch the big game. For some reason I have a football block and just can’t get into it. 50 yard, first down, flag in the play. Huh? Although, I have been enjoying all the crazy player/model/actress romance talk in the media lately. And sure, with The Giants going to the Superbowl this year, I’ll do my duty as a good wife and a New Yorker and root for the home team, but from a far while watching a Project Runway or Top Chef marathon up in my room.On top of watching these marathons I’ll be doing a little excavating for inspiration this weekend. Having written quite a few manuscripts, I’m at the point where I really want to take my writing to another level and step out of my self-made box. Buh-Bye censor!
A good friend of mine (thanks MG!) sent me a bunch of writing workshops to listen too which I’m really excited about. I’m going to continue with reading Stephen King’s On Writing which I’m thoroughly enjoying and get some gentle advice from Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird. For further inspiration I’ll be checking out some cool clips from Romance Novel TV and getting an inspiration shot in the arm from some of my favorite bestsellers. Here’s a couple to inspire you from Jo Beverley, Eileen Dreyer and one from Nora Roberts on getting The Call!http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid717209145/bclid422873267/bctid1323293055
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid717209145/bclid422873267/bctid1382944764
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid717209145/bclid422873267/bctid1353531312Best,
KwanaHomemaking
What’s Jack up to? Today he’s going nuts over the electrician who’s come to hang the new chandelier. Stop jumping on the man, Jack! He’s here to do a job not play with you. Sorry Mister.
What makes a house a home? And why to man and women usually have such different ideas about it. After much prodding and finally me just going for it, I finally got a new chandelier. I love it. It’s simple enough to satisfy the DH who likes all things minimal and just ornate enough to make me feel like I’ve been decorating. It’s a far cry from the blue (yes,blue) and white pendant light that was there before.
I’ve been
putting quite a few little touches on the house this week. Hanging an old painting that I had in storage for years (jury is still out on it) and putting up a cool iron cross that I found for a steal (the DH jury is still out on that one).
I’m happy though. We’ve been in our little cottage for 2 years now. It was time. There’s just something to little touches that change a house into a home.Now, onto the next project! Sorry DH.
Best,
KwanaKnitery
What’s Jack up to? Besides stealing slippers and having me walk barefoot on the cold floor, Jack is quiet this morning. Thanks, Jack.Yesterday was my day to host my weekly knitting group. We unofficailly go as: The Knit Witches and if you come at the wrong time you can sub another word entirely for Witches. (Wink, wink, ladies!)As always, it was a fun unwind in the middle of the week and nice to catch up on the suburban news. The coffee and the talk were flowing freely. For now The Witches will remain anonymous in order to protect the not so innocent.
Progress was going well on all the ladies projects although, I’d like a little more forward movement on my scarf. Hosting knitting made it tough to stick to WW, but it’s once a week and I had the ladies take home all the leftovers. Thank goodness, because if that leftover Chocolate Almond Slice was in my house this morning it was sooo be eaten. Check out this spread. Chocolate almond slice is on the bottom of the photo. Yes, on my plate.
I hope you get to take a little time to sit and get with your crew this week.
Best,
Kwana
The Malan Show ep. 2
Sadly, no Project Runway last night, but here’s some cheer. Enjoy episode 2 of The Malan Show. watching him have a sandwich in the park sure put a smile on my face. Best,Kwana
For Love or Money
So will any of you out there admit to watching Bravo’s new show The Millionare Matchmaker?Ok, I’ll go first. I’ve checked it out and I have to say I’m kinda drawn to Patti Stanger the clubs owner. She’s a Jersey Girl complete with curves and frosted lipstick transplanted in La-La land. Warning, watching this won’t make you have any great feelings towards men or women. Especially men. Sorry guys, but how may 18 year olds can you really chase at forty? The answer is: Apparently a lot. Best,Kwana
Playing in the Rain
What’s Jack up to? He’s currently soaked after frolicking in the rain this morning. So now he’s doing the annoying the back and forth swipe on the basement couch. Ugh.Here he is with a morning greeting. Get down, Jack I want to sleep in.Best,Kwana
