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Writer's Corner: Active vs. Reactive Characters

September 19, 2012, 11:25 am
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Here's where my head's been at, thinking about story and characters. Every remarkable story is defined by a remarkable character. In recent literature, we've got Lisbeth Salander and Katniss Everdeen as prime examples. There are more, obviously. But those are the ones that spurred this thought process. 

If you look at the characters who are the most involving, you’ll generally find a common thread – they don’t let life happen to them. Their lives are defined by their actions and choices. Sure, mistakes are made. There are regrets. But they’re interesting, and you want to know what they’ll do next.

The easy story to write is the one where life happens to your character. You bring problems to his door, and he gets to respond. Rather than plan his actions, you let your character relax, sip tea, and wait for the phone to ring. The more often they wait, the more passive they become. You can hide it for a while with twists and turns, but after a while readers subconsciously become disinterested, even frustrated with the character.


Take a look at the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Trilogy. The first book is the strongest; the chemistry between Mikel and Lisbeth is involving, and not just because Lisbeth is one of the most charismatic and unique characters to come out of popular literature in the last 50 years.

She’s that interesting, but what does the author do with her in the last book? Lock her in jail and expect the bland character to get her out. As a result, the last book is the weakest.



(I've got a whole other tirade about how the author wrote a glorified version of himself into the book. Sure, Ian Fleming did the same, but at least James bond is interesting.)

Similarly, take a look at Katniss Everdeen of The Hunger Games. The books work best when you really don’t know what she’s going to do next. But in the third book she’s essentially rendered powerless, stuck as a figurehead or in hiding underground. Just like Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, Mockingjay is the weakest of the trilogy because the most dynamic character is locked away.

The good news that there's more than one way to make a character dynamic. A dynamic character doesn’t have  to be swashbuckling or computer-hacking or government-overthrowing to be interesting. Think of Elizabeth Bennett. Obviously, as a single woman with a tiny dowry during the 19thcentury, she couldn't control her destiny much. But what could she do?


Snark. And the book is better for it.


 So take a look at your story. Is your character reactive or passive? Ask yourself - 

1.) What is the last bad decision your character made?

2.) When did your character last surprise you?

3.) Which characters do you feel are doing the lion’s share of moving the plot?

4.) Who does your character take advice from?

5.)  What kinds of verbs is do you surround your character with?


If your character is making so few decisions that he hasn’t made any bad ones, seldom surprises you, relies on other people to move the plot, talks about action rather than acting, and seems to be hanging around a lot of passive verbs, he is likely a reactive character.


If, on the other hand, he is getting himself into scrapes, takes you by surprise, drives the plot neatly, knows his mind, and spends time with active verbs, you’ve got an strong active character on your hands.


Tips to save reactive characters:


1.) Plan ahead. Your character is more likely to drive the plot if you’re first aware of the plot’s direction. It’s easier to move the pieces across the board when you know where you’re going and how you want to get there.

2.) Increase the tension. Put your character in a tight spot, physically, emotionally, and make her fight her own way out.

 3.) Less thinking, more doing. I don’t care if your character is particularly cerebral. Friends who hem and haw for weeks or years before a decision are boring and trying. Characters are the same way. A reader will respect decisiveness, even if that decision turns out to be foolish.

4.) Get to know your character better. A lot of times, reactive characters happen by default when you simply don’t know your characters as well as you should. What are the sorts of things that will drive him to action?

5.) Surround your character with active verbs. Even if he’s going through a pensive stage, he’ll read more dynamically on the page.

My next character tip is to give him (or her) a superpower, and not, I'm not necessarily talking about flight. Stay tuned for the next blog...
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Casting the Oscars: Some Thoughts

October 8, 2012, 5:44 pm
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A couple weeks ago, the Academy announced that Seth MacFarlane would be hosting the One-hundredy Eleventh Oscars.

(Just kidding. It'll be the 85th.)


After thinking about it since then, I still think it's a terrible idea. They're going after the 21-45 year old male demographic, that elusive demographic that so many programmers aim for. It's about advertising. I get it. But it's still a terrible idea. Who in their right mind thinks that the audience for Family Guy and the audience for the Oscars have much, if any, overlap?

This is a marketing gaffe, and I don't think it's going to end well.

What the Academy needs their host to sell , on any given night, is THE MAGIC OF MOVIES. That's it. If you buy that, you'll hang on through the technical awards, through the In Memorium montage, through all of the explanations of the movie creation process because this is part of the JOY OF CINEMA.

Can every host sell it? Of course not. There have been more duds than not on the last several years. Which makes me think the Academy needs to try something new. Traditionally, they hire comedians. Let me be more specific - it's usually comedians *comma* male. Has it always worked? Of course not. Why so few ladies? A woman hasn't hosted since Ellen DeGeneres. Was it great? Well...it did run long. And a bit snoozily. Actually, the thing happened like it was an episode of her talk show that the Academy just happened to attend. But it was congenial, and far less of a mess than the Alec Baldwin/ Steve Baldwin combo (oy).

What Hugh Jackman showed us is that a song and dance man - who can deliver a line - can be even better. So who would I pick? Someone who I doubt made anyone's short (or long) list, but who I think would be phenomenal: Idina Menzel.


She's a triple threat, can deliver a line, has terrific stage presence, and looks great in a dress. She'd be magnetic. She'd also pull in the Broadway crowd, which would be on-brand for a year when Tom Hooper's Les Mis is likely to be a top best pic contender.



ABC - the network airing the Oscars - has made good money by gearing their primetime lineup for women. Grey's Anatomy, Once Upon A Time, Revenge, Castle - it works for then. And in the day and age when Bridesmaids and The Help prove they can be female-centric and make plenty of money, it makes me wonder why the Academy is still chasing after the young male audience.

Sure, they may tune in for the opening monologue. But will they stay for the entire telecast? Will they be swept away by THE MAGIC? I think no.

And here's the hubris of it - imagine the reverse for the Superbowl. Imagine of they were trying to pull in the young female audience (particularly the audience who's enamored by Downton Abby). Imagine Adele doing the halftime show. I mean - she's great, she's super popular - but do you think a rousing rendition of Rolling In The Deep is going to get women to watch football? Probably not. Which is why they hire people who enjoy dancing around to fireworks.

Gosh, there are so many good people to choose from. What if Tina Fey and Amy Poehler co-hosted? Or Tom Hanks? Or (as people have suggested for years) Neil Patrick Harris? Someone more on brand, at any rate. Every time some showrunner gushes about "keeping the Oscars fresh" I roll my eyes - it's not about keeping the Oscars fresh (does anyone worry about keeping the Superbowl fresh? Besides deodorant companies? No?), it's about rating.

And you know what tends to drive ratings? The nominated films themselves. So the backbends, the "let's have James Franco and Anne Hathaway host to pull those youngsters in" (which resulted in a deeply anti-establishment Franco doing...basically nothing throughout the telecast. Money well spent, there), it's really all superfluous. So why not hire someone the core audience might not hate?

Just a thought.
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Celebrating Christmas in a Broken World

December 17, 2012, 1:54 pm
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The Lord and I have been wrestling a bit lately.

And by a "bit" I mean "a fair amount" and by "wrestling" I mean "giving the Lord opportunity to break out some of his divine patience." "Lately" could also refer to "a while."

I know that's vague, but it's a deeply personal sort of wrestling. the kind that involves patience and grief and sorrow. The last several months have taken a toll, and Christmas looming made it a little trickier.

Because there's nothing like holidays to remind you of the cracks, the uneven spaces in your life you wish weren't there but have no control over. We are reminded to aspire to "Merry and Bright," when sometimes "Stable and Content" is not an easy achievement.

That's where my head-space was before the Newton, Connecticut tragedy.

Gosh, it breaks my heart. And it makes me angry. I'm really good at putting a positive spin on things (call it a defense mechanism), but there was nothing to make the event anything other than completely, utterly, devastatingly heartbreaking.

Here is the truth as I know it - we live in a broken world. A deeply broken world. God sent his Son because of its brokenness.

Sometimes Christmas is portrayed as the easy holiday - it's babies, bright stars, and barn animals. Easter's the tough one, because you can drape a cross in lilies all you want, but there's still torture and death before the resurrection.

A closer reading, though, reveals that the birth of Christ did not just involve inns and sheep. There was Herod, and the death of innocent babies, and a flight to Egypt.

Jesus didn't come to make the world un-broken, that wasn't the point. The Jewish zealots really hoped he would overthrow the Roman regime, but that wasn't the point either.

He came so we could find spiritual unity with God, a unity that would manifest itself in a future, perfect world. He came to help us carry the load until then, to grieve with us, intercede in prayer, to give us a perfect model of holiness to aspire to.

Christ's arrival, death, and resurrection didn't negate our free will, but it did give us the tools to use it responsibly.

I really love Audrey Assad's "Winter Snow," because it reminds me of how Christ could have come but didn't, and how his arrival in a shabby stable was part of a larger narrative.



I also recommend this NYT column by Ross Douthat, especially when he talks about the narrative of the New Testament.

As far as Christmas? Myself, I have to cling to the hope of an infant Christ. Also, I mod-podge paper maché reindeer, cut paper snowflakes, play Christmas music, and find joy in small, silly things.

This year will not likely go down in history as my Best Christmas Ever, but it's still part of the narrative. The best part? I know how it ends. And as much as the Lord and I wrestle, and I am thankful that he is the original author of happy endings.
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Something Had to Give

January 21, 2013, 10:24 pm
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Dear Readers -

As you might have noticed, the blog's been collecting dust bunnies lately. Working on this book, I've found I haven't been able to write, take care of life, and blog at the same time. In the past I was able to blog and write at the same time, but in the past I didn't have this guy -


- who can be a handful. There have also been quite a few other things going on, making keeping up with posts more difficult than usual.

With the Oscars coming up (February 24th!!), I have thoughts to share, and we'll get to those at some point. Robbie Iobst and I will be doing a round-up of the nominees pre-Oscars, and I'll be doing another Oscar fashions post after the big day.

I've also got a recipe post that's been mostly done for a while...trouble is, I've kind of misplaced the data card with the photos on it.

All that to say, there will be blog posts someday. Until then, I'm occasionally tweeting (occasionally on the subject of The Bachelor, that fertile ground for reflection and comedy) and posting on Facebook from time to time (most recently - character name changes is a hot topic).

Later!

-h
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Oscar Predictions 2013 - with Robbie Iobst!

February 23, 2013, 7:33 pm
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Hello, dear readers! I've missed you much. Glad to be back, and glad it's Oscar season! While Seth MacFarlane is currently projected to drive me crazy every time he breathes, I can't wait for the rest of the broadcast. This year is going to be a doozy - for the first time in years, I'm going in with a mix of educated guesses, gut instinct, and the knowledge that anything could happen in several categories.

To help me break this down for you,  I'm delighted to welcome back my friend and fellow cinephile Robbie Iobst!


Robbie: Thanks for having me! Ever since I snuck out of my bedroom at age 12 and turned on the TV in the middle of the night to watch "Stella Dallas" with Betty Davis, I've been hooked. I try to have Oscar parties most years, with my largest party having 75 guests, three TVs, a ballot and prizes. This year I'll will be wearing my lovely gown at home, watching in earnest while sipping something decadent and sugar free (oxymoron, yes).

Hillary: I am in awe of your party prowess! I'm throwing a very last-minute get together this year - diamonds optional ;-)

Well - there is a lot to talk about in several of the categories, so let's dive in!


Actor in a Leading Role 

Hillary: Daniel Day-Lewis has had a lock on this category from the word “Four.” I had hoped Hugh Jackman might challenge that position, but it hasn't shaken out that way.

Jackman is a rare man in Hollywood - he can do pretty much anything, from stage to superhero to musical to host. But like I said, the Oscar is DDL’s this year. Here’s hoping it’ll be Jackman’s in the near future.


Will win: Daniel Day Lewis
Dark Horse: Hugh Jackman

Robbie: I agree, Hillary! Daniel Day-Lewis is a shoo-in for best actor. I loved the voice he gave Lincoln and his intense and quiet portrayal carried the film. However, if I were voting, I would vote for Denzel Washington in Flight. Denzel’s portrayal of an alcoholic pilot was mesmerizing and surprising. His character was tremendously arrogant and lost, yet Denzel brought sympathetic moments that had me hoping for the pilot to somehow see his way through. This was great acting to me. But there is no way Denzel will win.

Will win: Daniel Day-Lewis
Should win according to me: Denzel Washington

Hillary: Denzel was very, very good in Flight. Can we take a second to talk about how many strong films released this year? Last year was definitely an off year - some good releases, but nowhere near the lineup we had in 2012. You see it happen that way, directors getting into a particular schedule and end up all on the same schedule. They're basically all cycling together, creatively.


Actress in a Leading Role

Hillary: I've gone back and forth on this A LOT. And after swinging from one side to the other, I really think Emmanuelle Riva may have this.


Robbie:Wow, Hillary. Emmanuelle Riva? Have you moved to France? I bet you most of the voters know very little about her. :) Of course, when I saw Amour she dazzled me with her ability to create a woman dying a little at a time. Outstanding. But I really like Jennifer Lawrence in Sliver Linings Playbook for this. Her portrayal of a grieving crazy widow was wonderful. Her character is weird and at the same time, likeable. Jennifer infused both an intensity and a softness to her character that I feel is Oscar worthy. Jessica Chastain in Zero Dark Thirty is amazing but lacked the depth of an Oscar winning performance. Her character was zealous and driven, but proved to me one-sided to me.

Will win: Jennifer Lawrence
Should win: Jennifer Lawrence

Hillary: I tell you, I’m really going back and forth. But Riva did win the BAFTA (that's the British Oscars, for the uninitiated), and there’s a lot of voter crossover. Even before then, though, I had concerns about Jennifer Lawrence. You must believe me when I say I love her - both on and off the screen.

But at its heart, Silver Linings doesn’t have that sort of self-important gravitas that Academy voters prefer, and neither does Lawrence. Actors like to spend a lot of time talking about craft and character and preparation and how challenging their work is, but Lawrence has been very clear in every interview how she doesn’t prepare, and underscored it when she turned down an appearance on Actor’s Studio.

I truly believe she will go on to win more than one Oscar, and appear in many movies. In many ways, I think Lawrence is Hollywood’s Great White Hope in a time when they desperately need a real-life star who’s under 45. But she’s so young, and I think the aged demographic that comprises the Academy is going to look at her, read her interviews that include fart jokes, and check the box for Emmanuelle Riva.



Riva is a major French star in her own right, as a iconic actress during the French Wave. Voting for her means voting for a legend, for gravitas, and death, and Issues, and she’s unlikely to be nominated again at her age. I’m so fifty-fifty on this. But my gut says Riva. If Lawrence wins? I’m looking forward to that speech. 

May well win: Emmanuelle Riva
Not particularly dark horse: Jennifer Lawrence

Robbie:Hillary, you’ve made me think. Thank you! And I didn't know she turned down Actor’s Studio. Wow.


Actor in a Supporting Role

Robbie: To me, this is the category that might be the most surprising. Alan Arkin is a sympathetic favorite and was delightful in Argo. Philip Seymour Hoffman is the dark horse, but SO talented. His character was completely weird and off putting to me. I didn’t see Django Unchained so I don’t know about Christoph Waltz. Robert De Niro, was well, ROBERT DE NIRO. Is there anything he can’t do?

But Tommy Lee Jones was commanding in his performance in Lincoln. I loved him. So to me it’s between Alan Arkin and Tommy Lee Jones. I have to go with Tommy Lee Jones in Lincoln.

Will win: Tommy Lee Jones
Who might win instead: Alan Arkin

Hillary: I agree. I love Alan Arkin’s turn, but it was as Alan Arkin-y for me as Robert Deniro was Robert Deniro-y. I wish John Goodman had gotten a nod, and maybe he did in a parallel universe. But in this universe, my money’s on Tommy Lee Jones, the most compelling character in his film. 



Will win: Tommy Lee Jones 
Dark Horse: Alan Arkin 


Actress in a Supporting Role

Robbie: Anne Hathaway has dominated all the award shows in this category. She is well liked and her performance in Les Misérables and that song, well, wow. She really nailed it. Oscar worthy, definitely. However, I really liked Sally Field as Mary Lincoln in Lincoln. Her strength and borderline craziness came across the screen to make her a complicated and interesting character. I feel that her performance throughout Lincoln is better than one song in Les Misérables. I am sticking my neck out on this and say Sally Field.

Will win: Sally Field
Should win because she acted for more than 10 minutes: Sally Field

Hillary: I applaud your neck stickage! Every time I want to vote Field (and you have to know, I really love her), I see a clip of Anne’s singing and my skin goes goosebumpy and I start to get misty. EVERY TIME. Any other year, this would be Sally Field’s award. But miserably, I have to give it to Annie H, her misery, and her two squares of oatmeal paste. 

Will win: Anne Hathaway 
Dark Horse: Sally Field, because we really, really like her.  


Animated Feature Film 

Hillary: Wreck-It Ralph won the Annie award, and most everyone is predicting its win, so that’s where my guess is going. 


Robbie: My boy is 14 now so I am seeing a lot less of these animated wonders. However, we did see Brave and oh my goodness, I loved it! I’m hoping by just saying this "I’ll change the fate of this award."(That was said in a Scottish accent. Pretty bad one, especially since I have to explain that.) I choose Brave, bravely.


Hillary: HOW DID YOUR BOY BECOME 14? Seriously. I liked Brave a lot; I just wish it had pushed the storytelling a bit more a la The Incredibles. That said, I really thought Frankenweenie would have performed better in this category. C'est la vie!


Writing - Original Screenplay 

Hillary: More of the flipping and flopping. I'm switching from Amour to Zero Dark Thirty. It won the WGA. I've heard a lot of last-minute buzz for Django Unchained, which won the BAFTA in this category. I haven't seen it, but Danny did, and he really didn't care for it. I've also read that the script was all over the place; when the film releases to DVD, Tarantino is planning a director's cut that will include the giant swaths of material that was cut. Is that a directing issue or a writing issue? Either way, it's not as strong as Inglourious Basterds.

That said, I tip my hat to Moonrise Kingdom. I see you, Wes Anderson, and I liked your movie very much.

Will win: Zero Dark Thirty, Mark Boal
Dark Horse: Django Unchained, Quentin Tarantino
Other Dark Horse: Amour, Michael Haneke

Robbie: I choose Mark Boal for Zero Dark Thirty. It was written well and interesting. It’s the kind of movie I would like to rewatch after I study some history on Al Qaeda.

Will win:Zero Dark Thirty - Mark Boal
My second choice: John Gatins for Flight 

Hillary: Ooh, Flight was a good script. (Though after watching it I wondered if we needed Kelly Reilly's character's backstory in the first act. Either way - SO MANY GOOD MOVIES THIS YEAR!)


Writing - Adapted Screenplay

Hillary: Chris Terrio won the WGA for Argo, beating Tony Kushner and David O’ Russell. My hunch is that Argo will take best pic, and because it takes best pic it’ll win here. Much of the strength of the film is how well-structured the script is, creating tension until the very last moments over an event that most of America remembers (not the Bieber fans - the other rest of America). 


Will Win: Argo - Chris Terrio 
Dark Horse: Lincoln - Tony Kushner 

Robbie: In this category, I completely agree with everything you said. I could just cut and paste your remarks, but I won’t do that. I wish I’d written it first. So basically my choice is:

Will Win: What Hillary said
Dark Horse: What Hillary said

Hillary: Ha! Upon reflection, when they win - likelihood that someone will yell a version of “Argo f-yourself”? I say high. 

Robbie: I don’t like profanity, but that would be very funny!

Hillary: I tell you, it will happen, and it shall be bleeped. I imagine they're stretching out the delay for the telecast mainly for that particular catchphrase...


Music - Original Song


Hillary: Ever since “Skyfall” dropped, it’s had the award in the bag. Adele’s single reminded us that sometimes Bond songs can be really, really great.

Robbie: It will be fun to watch Adele at the Academy Awards. I love her. I so hope she wears something that doesn’t look like a tablecloth like she did at the Grammys.

Hillary: Ugh, that was a terrible dress. And so sad, because she was adorable at the Golden Globes.

Robbie: She will win hands down, but I do LOVE “Pi’s Lullaby,” also. A little Robbie trivia here - I’ve never seen a Bond movie. For some reason I’m proud of that.

Will win:“Skyfall”
My other choice:“Pi’s Lullaby"

Hillary: I haven't seen the full canon of Bond films, but I do enjoy Daniel Craig's Bond. But I applaud your film rebellion. 


Foreign Language Film 

Hillary: 

Will Win: Amour 
And...done.


Robbie: The only foreign film nominee that also got a best picture nominee is pretty much going to take it. This is a “Duh” category in my humble, extremely humble opinion.

Hillary: Agreed! 


Cinematography

Robbie:Roger Deakins has been nominated 10 times and never won. So of course, being the cheerer for the underdog I vote for him.

Even though I've never and will never see a Bond movie.

However, the cinematography of Life of Pi was magical, so if not Roger for Skyfall, then Claudio for Life of Pi.

Will Win: Roger Deakins - Skyfall
If not, I hope: Claudio Miranda - Life of Pi 

Hillary: Roger Deakins won the guild award, but I really think this award is going to Life of Pi. While Deakins’ work elevated the visual style of Skyfall, Life of Pi is so visually arresting that I think it’s the one to beat. 


Will Win: Claudio Miranda - Life of Pi 
Could Win: Roger Deakins - Skyfall  


Costume Design


Hillary: This is always such a tricky category to predict! Both Anna Karenina and Mirror Mirror won Guild awards (historical and fantasy categories, respectively). Eiko Ishioka could win a posthumous award for Mirror Mirror, and it could always swing to Lincoln or Les Misérables - but Jacqueline Durran’s designs for Anna Karenina also won the BAFTA (and remember, there’s a fair amount of voter crossover there). So I’m going with Anna Karenina. THOSE are the dresses I’d want to wear!

Will win: Anna Karenina
Dark Horse:Lincoln

Robbie: I have to go with my personal favorite on this. I LOVED Snow White and the Huntsman. I never really take notice of costumes in a movie unless they are a direct part of the story. But I remember very clearly coming out of the theater saying I would LOVE to have Charlize Theron’s wardrobe.

Will win: Snow White and the Huntsman
Dark Horse:Anna Karenina


Documentary - Feature

Hillary: Again, another tricky category to predict. But I've heard a lot of good things about Searching for Sugar Man, so - sure!

Will win: Searching for Sugar Man
Dark Horse:How to Survive a Plague

Robbie:Searching for Sugar Man has gotten a lot of buzz, so I am going with it.

Will win:Searching for Sugar Man


Documentary - Short

Robbie:I am guessing so I am going with Redemption because I love redemption. Excuse my ignorance of this category. And others.

Hillary: The shorts are almost always super tricky! I'm going to flip-flip again and go with Inocente for the win. The combination of topics smells like Oscar Bait to me.



Will win: Inocente
Dark Horse: Mondays at Racine


Film Editing


Hillary: Both Argo and Silver Linings Playbook won A.C.E. Eddie Awards, but I think the award will go to Argo. Again with the terrific pacing of Argo, and a lot of that is due to the editing. As well as being a piece of good film making  let’s be honest - Argo is a Hollywood vanity trip. It’s about how a movie, even a fake one, can save lives. I’ll go for Argo.

Robbie: I hope Argo wins. Wonderful suspense is often a product of excellent editing and this movie creates wonderful suspense. But I have this sneaky feeling it won’t win. Why? Could be my breakfast or the fact that it didn’t get any best director love. I don’t know.

Will win: Argo
If it doesn’t: Silver Linings Playbook

Hillary: Am now very curious about your breakfast...is your oatmeal anti-Argo? (I feel like there's a cornstarch joke in there somewhere...)

Makeup And Hairstyling


Hillary: It is a truth universally acknowledged that Hollywood does not often vote for Hobbits. So I’m giving this one to Les Misérables. WE SHALL SEE.

Robbie: Hillary I raise you and call you. I bet they will. WE SHALL SEE!

Will win:The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey


Music - Original Score

Hillary: I’m thinking Mychael Danna for “Life of Pi.” Voters like to go with the cool scores (see: Social Network) or the iconic ones (see: The Artist). And three of the last four winners have been nomination newbies, so I'm going with Danna. Also - I loved his score for Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding.

Will win: Life of Pi
Dark Horse: Lincoln (and yes, I’m saying Williams is a dark horse - dude hasn’t won since Schindler’s List. Is this score as iconic? I don’t think so. But it is pretty.)

Robbie: I absolutely loved the score from “Life of Pi.” Second place would go to “Lincoln” in my opinion. Very sweeping.

Will win:“Life of Pi”
Maybe:“Lincoln”


Production Design

Robbie:I would give this to Les Misérables. The genius of translating this stage production to a movie lay in the wonderful design of each set. I absolutely loved how they made prison, the priest’s home and the blockade “come to life.”


Will Win: Les Misérables
Dark Horse:Lincoln

Hillary: Hmmmmmm.....Anna Karenina won the Art Director’s Guild Award, and its concept is basically predicated around the production design. But my gut says Lincoln, so...



Will Win: Lincoln
Palomino Horse: Anna Karenina
Chestnut Horse: Les Misérables


Short Film - Animated

Robbie: Can I just admit I have no idea? I don’t have a five sided coin or I’d toss it for this and the next category. So I guess I will give it to “Maggie Simpson in ‘The Longest Daycare.” I’ve heard about that one and she is well, a Simpson.

Hillary: It’s tricky! Adam and Dog won the Annie award for short film last year, and Paperman won this year. I saw and *loved* Paperman (and made Danny sit down and watch it with me), so that’s where I’m voting. But Adam and Dog could also win because, you know, dogs. They’re tops.




Will win:Paperman
Palomino Horse:Adam and Dog


Short Film - Live Action

Robbie:This is like choosing food in a foreign buffet. What looks good? My uncle’s name is Henry, so based upon that scientific and well researched knowledge, my vote goes for Henry.


Hillary: I can respect that! I've heard a lot of good buzz for Curfew, so that’s where I’m going. Also: I think I had one once. So there’s a connection.

Robbie: HA! Excellent reasoning.


Sound Editing

Robbie:I looked up the difference between Sound Editing and Sound Mixing. One captures the correct sound effects and makes sure they sound correct and the other makes sure the sounds mix well with the final track so that each comes across well individually or together. I feel a tiny bit more educated. Sound Editing is the gathering of the correct sound effects and making sure they sound like what they should sound like. Based on this, I choose Zero Dark Thirty because of the sounds when they entered Bin Laden’s home were spot on. That’s the best I can do for this category.

Hillary: Thanks for checking on that! I think I’m leaning toward Life of Pi. For now.


Will Win:Life of Pi
Various Sundry Horses:Skyfall, Zero Dark Thirty, Les Misérables


Sound Mixing

Robbie: Based on my recent world wide web education, I feel that “Life of Pi” had extremely good sound mixing, with all of the animal sounds with the ocean and the lovely score.



Hillary: I agree that Pi is a strong contender. But one of the biggest selling points of Les Misérables was all of that live singing. I’m veering to Les Misérables for this one.

(Note: How many different pronunciations of Les Misérables will there be during the telecast? For some people, this could turn into a drinking game.)



Visual Effects


Robbie: My vote would go for Life of Pi. I was dazzled by the dichotomy of a dream like world at sea which looked realistic on the screen. The shipwreck scene was marvelous and tragic, the flying fish and the jumping whale were terrific and the scene with the jellyfish lighting up the dark ocean felt like visual poetry. If Life of Pi gets the Oscar, it will be well worth it.

Hillary: Agreed! It was the most visually stunning film of the year - I loved the jellyfish. When you saw Pi, did you see it in 2D or 3D?

Robbie:3D. It was definitely the way to go.

Hillary: We did too. I thought it was the best 3D I’ve seen.

Robbie:Absolutely. I remember seeing Avatar in 3D and just getting a headache. This actually added to the story.

Hillary: YES, on both counts. It was the first 3D film to not make my eyes crazy. Well, scratch that. I think Kung Fu Panda II was okay on that front. But Pi is still the superior film ;-)


Best Director 


Hillary: Another tough call! Steven Spielberg seems like the default choice because no one gets to vote for Ben here, but is it really the best call? In contrast, Ang Lee took a book everyone thought to be unfilmable and made a breathtaking film out of it. And out of left field, there’s Michael Haneke, and if the Oscar night turns into an Amour love-fest, a win for Haneke could certainly happen. 

Will win: I’m going with Ang Lee for now. WE SHALL SEE 
Beige Horse: The ‘Berg 
Dark Horse: Michael Haneke 

Robbie: Great points, Hillary. I have to go see “Amour” so I can contribute to the conversation about that film. But for now, I am thinking Steven Spielberg will run away with this. It was a sweeping film, very Spielberg-esque, and he helped DDL create that incredible performance of Lincoln. So I am going to go with him.

I loved what Ang Lee did with “Life of Pi” but I believe it was mostly due to the joy and miracle of computer effects. One more note, the up and comer Benh Zeitlin did a masterful job with “Beasts of the Southern Wild.” His name is going to come up in the future.

Will win: Steven Spielberg
Future winner: Benh Zeitlin
Evidence the Academy doesn’t always get it right: Ben Affleck and Kathryn Bigelow


Best Picture 


Robbie:  I saw all the movies except Django Unchained. I went to see Argo in October with my sister-in-law in Albuquerque. I knew the story and I knew how it would end. But here is why I believe this movie should win the Academy Award: my sis-in-law and I were on the edge of our seats the entire time! That is a great movie well done when you can give the audience a suspenseful experience even they know the ending. It was truly a ensemble piece with Ben Affleck leading the pack but subtly. I especially enjoyed Bryan Cranston but I love him in everything he does.

Will win: Argo
Should win: Argo!

Hillary: When I saw the first trailer for Argo, I thought - That’s it. That’s the Best Picture. And I felt the same way after seeing it in October. When it began losing Oscar momentum I was concerned, but things turned around when Ben Affleck didn't receive a Director nod and everyone cried foul. After that, Argo starting to win, you know, everything. And while some people think it’s still because of Affleck milking the Director snub, I disagree. The fact of the matter is it’s an extremely strong film, which everyone happened to remember once they started to watch the screener DVDs. Conversely, everyone had the opportunity to fall asleep on their own couch during the Lincoln screeners.


 And let’s take a sec to chat about Lincoln. It looks like an Epic film, smells like an Epic film but HEAVENS is it self-satisfied and ponderous. Would that the film were framed from the perspective of Thaddeus Stevens, the most complicated man in the film. Even better, I wish the Coen Brothers had made a movie about the lobbyists, who were doing good things with squirrely motives. Anything but a film about a good, not very complicated man doing a good thing for good (though never very defined) reasons.

And while Lincoln was certainly one of our greatest presidents, and I truly believe his death stunted the regrowth of the South to this day, I wasn't convinced that he made a compelling enough protagonist for the film.

Robbie: We agree completely on Argo and disagree completely on Lincoln. As I watched the story of the last fight of Lincoln’s career I was anything but bored. This was a man who has defined leadership in the American presidency. I believe that Spielberg and Daniel Day Lewis brought his style of leadership to life on the screen, surrounded by a complicated mess of political debates. Sure it’s a movie and can’t truly be a history lesson. I mean it’s Hollywood, for crying out loud. But the story made me and two of my friends go to the library and the internet and read about Mary Todd Lincoln’s housekeeper and the senators who fought on both sides. This kind of movie making transcends a simple story. It gives credence to thought about what was and what might be. I liked it. A lot!

Hillary: That’s cool that it inspired further research! What did you think about Silver Linings Playbook? 

Robbie: I was confused by it at first because I didn't really like Bradley Cooper’s character or Jennifer Lawrence’s character. But as the movie went along, the humor and familial conflicts made them sympathetic. When that happened, I started to relax and enjoy the story. And by the time of the dance scene, I was converted.

Hillary: I loved the dance scene! I thought the third act of SSL was very strong. But I also had a hard time with the suspension of disbelief in the first act, particularly in the way they treated mental illness.

Robbie: I totally agree with your third act point. I don’t understand what you mean about how they treated mental illness. If you are talking about that doctor playing the song to “get to” Bradley Cooper’s character, then yes, that was ridiculous.

Hillary: I actually really liked the doctor, but my issue was that some of the portrayals of both Bradley Cooper’s character Pat and Jennifer Lawrence’s character Tiffany made them seem less intelligent, particularly Pat. That seemed to change by the third act, but it was hard to believe for a long time that Pat would have ever been high-functioning enough to be a married history teacher.

Robbie: I see your point. It’s a good one. But who wouldn't marry Bradley Cooper? :)

Hillary: Well, he's not my type, but you do make a good point ;-) There was a lot to like about the film, and I thought was one of the strongest motifs was how everyone has their mental quirks, even if they haven’t been stuck with the “mentally ill” label. A strong film, but best? That one goes to Argo. 

Will win: Argo 
Dark Horse: Lincoln 


Hillary: Whew! So - now that we're at the end, we've come to the most important part. Robbie - what would YOU wear to the Oscars?



Robbie: Hillary, I will be wearing a dress extremely similar to the one Mrs. Ben Affleck (aka Jennifer Garner) wore to the Golden Globes. I love this color and of course I will be decked out in Harry Winston diamonds.




Hillary: I love that dress! 

Well, this is my pick - it's from the Oscar de la Renta Pre-Fall 2013 collection, and...it's pick. And it's got pockets. I bet it twirls.

(Note: Katy Perry wore the yellow dress in this shot to the inaugural ball, and said she felt like Belle, which I thought was pretty great.)

In other news, I'm thinking there will also be a Red Carpet Fashion Gown-a-pol-ooza again, so do check back. I'll also be tweeting through the festivities, so be sure to check in here.

Thanks again for joining me, Robbie! And happy Oscar viewing everyone! 
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Home Stretch!

April 11, 2013, 10:47 am
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You know that part in Star Wars when that one guy is "almost there"...until (if I remember correctly), he gets blown up in his TIE fighter by Darth Vader?

Anyway, that's where I'm at in the book. Almost there. Literally typing the end. I DESPAIRED OF THIS DAY EVER COMING. I do not anticipate being blown up by a sith lord, though, literally or metaphorically.

Well, because it had to come, it needed to come, I've continued hiatus-ing from the blog, because the book and the blog could not coexist.

In the meantime, here's a photo of Shiloh with his moose. I recently repaired that very antler.

It's been a crazy spring, because Danny's been studying for the PE exam (Professional Engineer, for the uninitiated. It means he'll be able to stamp things and testify in court on matters relating to engineering. Danny's more excited for the stamping than the testifying, naturally). He's been studying hard, I've been nose deep in book, and the house is looking more and more like a cave these days. I will not describe to you the state of our fridge last week; just go ahead and feel superior.  The studying is nearly over, though - Danny sits for the test tomorrow (!!) in Spokane, and then we'll enjoy a short getaway after.

And then I'll finish the book, and then...

...I'll start the second one.

As one does.
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Confessions of a Perpetual Church Shopper

June 16, 2013, 7:33 pm
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National Cathedral, Washington D.C.
We don't like church shopping. We don't do it for kicks. But the thing is, we keep moving.

Since we left Eugene, Danny and I have visited or attended nine churches. One of those we left early. Two others we drove by, or parked near before deciding whether or not to enter. We've stalked websites. We've listened to online sermons.

I've even read Yelp reviews.

And now we're in the process of leaving Richland and relocating to Portland. While I'm excited about the move, finding a church home can be emotionally exhausting. But we've done it a lot, so on the subject, I have thoughts.



1.) I hate being singled out as being a visitor. When people find out you're a visitor, they get this odd rabid look. I'm sure you've seen it. Their eyes light up, and suddenly they're trying to make sure you come again, so they can convert you. This usually happens without any real conversation about your spiritual history. (You can negate this slightly if you bring your own Bible. Never mind if you read your Bible on an e-reader, you need the real thing for this situation).

2.) I don't want a special gift. Really, what I want most is community. Don't give me a book, don't give me free coffee. Do you really want me to come back? Invite me to a women's group, a Bible study, a post-church coffee group. And not a "hey newcomers, talk to the pastor after church" (which often has an aftertaste similar to item 1), but an honest to goodness invitation.

3.) This requires talking to me. No because I'm a visitor, but because I'm a person. Because if y'all don't talk to your people - not just the people you know, but the people you don't - I'm not okay with that.

4.) It's important to have a good website. I'll dismiss a church out of hand if their website has been "under construction" for two years, and is poorly or inexpensively done. In this day and age, the website is both a church's first impression and electronic bulletin. Don't ruin it with a purple background and yellow hypertext links.

5.) For the love of all that is holy, I can't with churches that try to be cool. The way I see it, If you have to try, it's not cool. If you are, naturally, great. Fine. Whatever. But in general, Christianity really isn't cool. The message of sin and redemption is not hip. The message of Salvation is not popular - what it is is necessary. It's truth. It's a challenging blend of freedom and sacrifice, and wrapping it up in shallow "relevance" and buzzwords is an insult to everyone's intelligence.

6.) Buzzwords. You've heard them. Relevant. Transparency. Real. Transformative. Overuse of the word "thing" (i.e. "Jesus Thing, Love Thing, Grace Thing, etc). See also: overuse of the word "place". And while I'm at it, phrases like "speaking into someone's life" or "loving on someone" drive me nuts too. Speaking into someone's life sounds awfully condescending, and loving on someone...seriously. Think about it. Does it sound legal to do in a public place? My issue with buzzwords is that they're either a Christian shorthand or verbal window-dressing.  While I know synonyms are a good thing, we don't always have to linguistically reinvent the wheel. A church that relies too much on Christian buzzwords is either trying too hard to sound meaningful, or too disconnected from the rest of the world to know how silly they sound.

7.) Speaking of window dressing - coffee. If you're that into it, as a congregation, I'm concerned about the sermon quality. We attended one church that featured an official coffee break after the worship and before the message (it was, in fact, a good time to sneak out). In the past, most churches I've attended have served coffee in the Ye Olde Folger's tradition, but around here, if a church serves Stumptown they'll tell you on the website (because this is how you choose your church, right?).  So aside from my quality sermon concerns, my other thought here is that if you're going to be coffee-obsessive, throw the tea-drinkers a bone and offer good-quality tea options.

8.) MUSIC. It's church, not a Beyoncé concert. Colored lights are a bit much. Strobing, flashing lights, ditto.  We are in church to worship God, not to marvel at how much effort has been put into the staging, or wonder about the electricity bills.

9.) I appreciate a church that isn't afraid of acknowledging life's difficulties. We live in a fallen world, and while yes, we have Jesus, and Jesus saved us, we still have to hang tight through this life until we get to heaven. And sometimes? Sometimes this life is really hard. Scripture is pretty open about this, but I've visited several churches that seem reluctant to admit that this is reality, as if they're concerned that if we talked about the tough stuff, people might not buy into the Hope of Christianity.

10.) In a similar vein, I appreciate churches who aptly identify that their church congregation ins't solely made up of married adults with children. In a church body, there are younger singles, older singles, divorced adults, widowed adults, and couples struggling with infertility. While I'm sure it's tough to craft sermons that suit everyone, there's an importance to being sensitive to where people may be at, especially if it's a painful season of life.

11.) I do appreciate signage toward the main entrance. It's nice to look like I know where I'm going, rather than wandering around the front, examining the landscaping. Do you want people to come to your church? Make sure they know how to get in.

We did visit a new church today, and while there were a couple tricky points - we couldn't find the entrance, and several well-meaning greeters wished Danny a Happy Father's Day - we both enjoyed the meat of the message as well as the worship.

In the months to come, we'll continue to visit churches in the Portland area and I may well report back on it. Especially if people try to love on us. I'll have to blog about that.

What about you? What do you look for in a church? 
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The Adventures of Quinoa: An Interview with Tiffany Beveridge

June 23, 2013, 9:59 pm
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Last Thursday, I was puttering around the internet, pausing in my search for a new title for the book (more on that later), when I clicked on New York Magazine ‘s link “Imaginary Stylish Toddler Sweeps Pinterest.”

Originally envisioning a strange, pre-school Catfish-type situation, I was delighted to discover instead Tiffany Beveridge’s Pinterest board, entitled “My Imaginary Well-Dressed Toddler Daughter.”

After plenty of internet exploration – not just the board, but also Tiffany’s quippy, succinct blog– I was intrigued. So I’m beyond delighted to host the author of “My Imaginary Well-Dressed Toddler Daughter,” Tiffany Beveridge, here on the blog!

Hillary: Tiffany - tell us about your inspiration for the “My Imaginary Well-Dressed Toddler Daughter” board. How did it start? When did it take off? What precipitated the creation of Quinoa as a character?

Tiffany: It actually started very organically over a year and a half ago. I kept seeing cute things on Pinterest for girls, but felt I had no claim to them since I only have boys. Then I thought, why not? After all, Pinterest is really just an adult Fantasy Land. So I named the board for my imaginary daughter and started re-pinning clothes from friends that I thought were cute and fun. It was when I went out searching for little girl clothes on Pinterest myself that I found the over-the-top photos and looks. And then I guess my sense of humor got the better of me. I mean, come on, if I'm going to spend time dressing an imaginary daughter on Pinterest, why not go all the way?


It was also around the time that quinoa (the grain) was all over Pinterest. I felt I could barely scroll through a page without several new quinoa recipes being shared, and I remember thinking how funny it was that a grain had become trendy. Like, so trendy somebody was probably going to name their kid Quinoa. And then I realized that person would be me.

So, the story lines began in the captions and Quinoa became this little running joke among my friends and family. Then last Monday night, as I was plugging my phone in to charge before bed, I noticed a bunch of notifications from Pinterest about new followers on that board. Things have been snowballing since then.

Hillary: How do you feel about Pinterest as a platform for character and story? Do you think other writers will follow suit?

Tiffany: I think Pinterest has always been about story telling, just maybe not in the way that I’ve done. Take a look at someone’s Pinterest boards and you’ll get a good idea about who they are, about their dreams and wishes—it tells a story about them. I hadn’t realized at the time that what I was doing was such a new concept, but judging from the response, I think it’s shown to be a great medium for creating a story.

Hillary: One of the things I love the most about the board are the character names – not just Quinoa, but all of her various companions. To paraphrase Austen, do they proceed from the impulse of the moment, or are they the result of previous study?

Tiffany:The names are completely an impulse of the moment! People are getting a kick out of them, and while they are meant to be ridiculous, I’ll admit that I actually like a few of them.

Hillary: Obviously, the demand for Quinoa pins has grown. Do you wait for that perfect/perfectly ridiculous image, or do you go looking for something that speaks to you? How do you choose what to caption?

Tiffany: I do searches to find the right pictures most of the time. The one I wrote recently about Quinoa in the train station is an image I’ve seen for months and wanted to use but didn’t have the right story yet. Then it just clicked.


Hillary: In the past few years, we’ve seen social media streams leaving the internet and crossing over into both print and television. Do you see Quinoa making that leap? Are there other projects of yours that you would rather see in the spotlight?

Tiffany: I would love to see Quinoa find new platforms and ways to entertain people. She’s a very fun character, so we’ll see where she can go from here. I do have other projects, but they aren’t ready for the spotlight yet, so I’ll let Quinoa lead the way for now. She certainly loves the attention.

Hillary: If Quinoa were to cross over into another medium, what do you think that might be?

Tiffany: Of course as a writer, a book is the first thing that comes to mind, but if I've learned anything from Quinoa, it's to never underestimate the options.

Hillary: One of the great things about “Well-Dressed Toddler” is that there’s a very specific voice and point of view. How is that voice/POV compare to your voice when you’re blogging or working on your novel?

Tiffany: I think my blogging and writing style has always used humor to deliver my ideas, though the “Quinoa’s Mom” voice has developed into a style all its own. The novel ideas I’m working on are not parody, not quite as silly, but hopefully still engaging. I think they both have a lot of heart.

Hillary: Speaking of the novel-writing, how’s that going? What genre/s are you interested in? Do you see the success of “Well-Dressed Toddler” informing your future projects?

Tiffany: Novel writing for me has been a huge challenge, partly because I’m busy as a copywriter with an already busy family, but it’s that mountain I’ll always want to climb. I’m interested in adult fiction, contemporary stories about navigating the ups and downs of life and relationships.

I do think this experience with "My Imaginary Well-Dressed Toddler Daughter" will inform everything I do in the future.

A couple of months ago, I did a little writing workshop with my son’s fourth grade class. I told them how important it is to write all of your ideas down, because it’s hard to tell your bad ideas from your good ones when they are all sitting around inside your head. I said, get them all written down and eventually you’ll recognize the good ones. Those words have been echoing in my head this week. I had no idea Quinoa was my best idea. No idea at all.

Hillary: Which authors do you enjoy reading?

Tiffany: Lately I’m obsessed with Miriam Toews. Her novel, A Complicated Kindness is unbelievably beautiful. Barbara Kingsolver has been a longtime favorite, and Judy Blume was probably my first love.

Hillary: How does your family feel about Quinoa?

Tiffany:I have to thank my sister Leslie for being Quinoa’s biggest fan. She’s continually asked for Quinoa updates from the beginning, which has kept me more motivated to write them. My husband and sons didn’t really know much about her until this week, but I think they are coping well with this new addition to our family.

Hillary: As Quinoa's audience has grown, which responses have you enjoyed the most? Which have surprised you most?


Tiffany: I'm overwhelmed with the kind responses, both in comments and what's being written about the board around the Internet. My favorite thing to see is how much people understand the character. I have a feeling it's going to make me step up my game!

Hillary: So, which of the Quinoa pins are you proudest of?

Tiffany: I think I will always love "Quinoa farts glitter" most. Maybe it's the copywriter in me, but I feel like there's a lot of story in those three words.

Hillary: Thanks so much for coming by, Tiffany! Best of luck with your work and all things Quinoa!

In the past we've seen all kinds of creativity spring from the structure of social media - whether it's 120 characters on Twitter, image-based feeds such as Tumblr and Instagram, or the bottomless-pit of blogging. While there are some individuals who clutch their pearls over emerging media and the death of the book, I don't really worry about it. Because people are creative, and stories will find a way to be told.

What do you think about Pinterest and other social media platforms as a home for plot and character? Do you see the constrictions as a fun challenge or a hindrance? Share your thoughts in the comments!



Tiffany Beveridge is a freelance writer living in the Philadelphia area with her husband and two average-dressed, but wonderful sons. She's a kitchen dancer, cookie maker, funny-in-person, funnier in print, middle child with an urge to travel. She is the creator of the Pinterest board, "My Imaginary Well-Dressed Toddler Daughter."

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Happy Anniversary, Us - Part VI

July 7, 2013, 12:30 pm
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Six years ago today, I married my best friend.

What’s amazed me, over the years, is exactly how much change and transition we’ve been able to fit in over those years, whether it’s my beginnings in publishing, Danny’s graduate school, our travels to Memphis and Richland, and now a move to Portland very near on the horizon.

A lot of change, but in some ways we’ve become good at it. When we were engaged, we drove eleven hours to California for Danny’s cousin’s wedding (our own wedding was some two months off). And I remember how we drove down, stayed for a short while and returned – another eleven hours, of course, and returned still wanting to be near each other. I remember thinking at the time that it was a good sign.

The ability to often spend long periods of time together has served us well over the years, during the seasons when we've been unmoored from family, from a church, from friends, from outside activities. While we always celebrate a return to social life, in the times between we still enjoy each other's company.

As our hopes to begin a family have been deferred, we've had more time together than, I think, either of us anticipated. By now, we know each other really well, and yet Danny still surprises me in the very best of ways.

This next year will be yet another year of changes - at least two moves, the search for a new church, and settling into a new social circle. We'll figure out which grocery store we like the best, and decide the best place to walk the dog. We'll find new haunts and favorite date spots.

At the heart of all of it, though, I feel so very blessed that I enjoy the person I'll be doing those things with. If I see a movie, Danny's the one I want to see it with. If I read a particularly interesting book - something like Where'd You Go Bernadette - he's the one I want to discuss it with. Long walks are nicer if he's along for the stroll. I love exploring new places together.

So here's to another year of adventures, of home-hunting, of change.

Another year of us.

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Dealing with Infertility - 14 Things I've Learned

July 20, 2013, 7:54 pm
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Of all the hobbies to have, treating infertility is one of the worst. Sure, there's often travel involved, and sometimes you do get to meet interesting people, but the rest of the time there's a lot of awkwardness and expense without a lot to show for it.

In fact, it's one of the few hobbies that people are willing to sacrifice their money and privacy for years without seeing any results - just so their lives can become even more expensive.

It's the worst, but you learn to cope. I've learned a lot over the years. And while there are some really wonderful pieces on the subject (highly recommend this one), I've decided to leave the deep stuff to those who are on the other side and stick with the practical bits.


1. Make sure you and your spouse are on the same page with your fertility plan. This is big. And it can be a transient thing, so have this conversation often. What treatments, when, and how are they being paid for.

2. Be kind to yourself. This means:

  • Edit your social network. You don't have to look at every baby picture on facebook (there are a lot). Most of the time, the minute a friend or acquaintance of mine announces a pregnancy, I un-follow their news feed. 
  • The same goes for Pinterest - if looking at knitted baby booties makes you sad, for heaven's sake don't subscribe to those boards. 
  • If volunteering with children's ministries at your church is too difficult/depressing, change ministries. (If it helps you feel better, by all means continue!)
  • You don't have to go to every baby shower you're invited to. It's okay to decline kindly and send a gift if you can (and it's okay for that gift to be a gift card - if shopping for baby gear makes you miserable, don't).
None of this means that you hate your friends or their progeny, or that you won't love and pray for them. Set yourself - and everyone else - up for success. There is no medal for Noble Suffering.


3. Get yourself one of these.

If you're not a dog person, fine (though I'll say this about Cavaliers - they're the dogs non-dog people bond with). Get another kind of pet - cat, bunny, sugar glider, whatever makes you happy - you need those endorphins.

But Cavaliers, in particular, and really suited for the job. They're portable, which is great if you live a distance from your fertility clinic. They're very affectionate, and very bonded to their owners (also: everybody else. Cavaliers have no enemies).

When you do have children, Cavaliers are great with them. One of the things I love about Shiloh is that the smaller the child, the lower he flattens himself to the ground to meet them. He makes sure he's as un-intimidating as possible - and that's not something I taught him. He just does it.


4. Write down, if necessary, your questions for your Reproductive Endocrinologist. Those are some expensive appointments, so make sure you get everything out of them that you want.

5. Take a good book. This is not the time for the borderline book - you need some exceptional reading material for the waiting room, material that doesn't strictly involve IVF financial planning.

6. If you're going HSG test or an IUI treatment, wear comfortable clothing and try to build time in your day for a nap afterwards. Ideally, stop at Starbucks for something sugary on the way back.

7. If you're undergoing an HSG, IUI, or ovarian ultrasound (really, anything involving stirrups), shave thine legs. This is not for the health care practitioner, who has likely seen everything. This is for you, and the shreds of your dignity.

8. Consider acupuncture. There is a lot of literature about the benefits of acupuncture for fertility. Be sure to tell your RE. Acupuncture is not only effective for fertility, but also stress - AND there are Chinese herbs you can take that are pre-natal safe (unlike the rest of the antidepressant shelf) to help with the stress. A good acupuncturist will be familiar with your fertility treatments and will be able to coordinate your acupuncture and herbs accordingly. Also, your insurance might actually cover it.

9. When it comes to your friends and family, discuss with your spouse what you're going to share and not. There's no right or wrong answer - you have to choose what you're both comfortable with. It's okay to guard your privacy. If someone wants to know exactly what your fertility issues are (and they will), you don't have to tell them.

10. On that note, have responses prepared for common questions.

  • If someone wants to know what your fertility issues are, or what you're doing about them, it's okay to say "there are a few different issues but we're working with our doctor to resolve them," or even, "I'd rather not discuss the subject." 
  • To the classic "when are you having kids" question, try "not yet, but hopefully soon"  for casual acquaintances, and/or people who respond well to a brush-off. 
  • For those that don't (or if you're just feeling sassy), try "It's the funniest thing, they're on back-order! We ordered them a long time ago, but they just haven't shown up yet." 


11. Be gracious. Most of the time when people ask awkward questions, it's coming from a place of caring mixed with a lack of knowledge. For instance, people who ask if we've considered adoption usually have no idea how expensive it is (usually around $5K for a state adoption, $20K-$40K for a private domestic adoption, $27K-$50+K for an overseas adoption. Conversely, fertility treatments run $450-$16K, depending on what treatment you're doing, if there are oral or injectable hormones, imaging, labs, etc. More if you're using donated materials.)

12. Don't put your life on hold. Take trips. Buy clothes. Cultivate other hobbies, such as crafting, yoga, dance, or hiking. Enroll your dog in obedience and agility glasses. Learn to play a musical instrument. See a movie. In other words - have fun, stay busy.

13. Find humor where you can. There have been multiple times when parts of our fertility process have been really and truly hilarious. I will draw a veil over the specifics, but the fact is that when you take lady parts + gentleman material and add either the medical establishment or voices of experience (who are themselves beyond TMI), therein lies comedy. Enjoy it when you find it.

14. Pray continuously. This is hard. It's hard to ask God over and over for the same thing - for years - that He gives to others with ease. But he told us to come to him with our wants and our needs. Pray against bitterness and cynicism. Pray for direction. Pray for him to heal your heart, over and over again.

Those are my thoughts. If you've experienced infertility, what would you add to this list?
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Little Boxes

August 1, 2013, 7:04 pm
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I'm writing this from my phone while we drive to Shiloh vet, where he will be thrilled to see some of his favorite people,  and less thrilled to receive a series of vaccines.

This hasn't been his favorite week, since we've been packing up the house. But soon we'll be quasi-settled in our interim housing while we sell our house.

Right now, we're trying to squash a much as we can into our last days in Richland, wishing there was time for more even while wishing we were already in Portland. And while I hate packing up,  I've been culling through a good deal of clutter. It feels good to be clearing things out,  getting ready for the next chapter.

Lots of excitement ahead, though! We'll be headed to Atlanta (specifically Decatur) for my cousin's wedding, and I'll be continuing work on the edits.

My hope is to be able to find a little pocket of time to enjoy some summer weather - Oregon is capable of some glorious Indian summers.

That's what I'm looking forward to  -  what about you?

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Time Travel

September 20, 2013, 9:21 pm
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...is what I'm going to go with. I was prancing around (what movie was it where the guy said, "I seldom prance?), thinking I was going to blog more regularly when the first book was done, and yet, it's not mid-September and I think we can say no, no that did not happen.

I've started four blogs, but nothing's gotten off the ground in a real and true and meaningful way.

(Okay - I had to Google it. The line is from Aaron Sorkin's The American President. That was bothering me.)

Anywho, we moved...kind of. I don't feel right with a past-tense verb because it's not over. But in early August, we moved our personal belongings and excess stuff into storage and in with a generous family member, leaving the house staged in such a pristine state that I will hold on to those pictures forever.


Getting out of the house was hard, ugly work, ending with me sobbing as I vacuumed the dining room rug - not because I was getting emotional over leaving the house, but because when I was done, I had to move on to the living room rug, and my poor psyche just couldn't take it.

(Also? That vacuum was the worst.)



  But we got out, and we moved in with a generous family member, and a few days later we flew to Atlanta for a cousin's wedding and a bit of sight-seeing.


And then we flew back to Portland and began to settle in a teeny bit more, at which point we celebrated my birthday (though we did drive south to the Oregon Gardens) with some Saint Cupcake cupcakes.


Let's see...what else? Oh right - edits. The book got a front-to-back overhaul, which was a lot of work but it's much better looking. I just got the copy edits back too, so it's getting nice and shiny.

Did I mention the house is pending sale? In fact yes - we're pending, which means we'll be moving the last of our things our of the house (mainly furniture and decor, and the things in the bathroom drawers that I just couldn't deal with anymore). But we did secure a cute little townhouse in Portland, so yay!

And Portland? It's dreamy. And rainy. And delightful.

To close: here's a montage of Shiloh in the bath -


So that was my month-and-a-half - what were you up to?

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Dialing Down the Holidays and Life in Portland - a Not Very Organized Blog

November 21, 2013, 12:12 pm
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A wreath I saw at Provisions in Eugene last year.
I've tried to start, like, four or five blog posts in the last while. And...they're all kinda ranty. You don't need that. So I'm drawing a veil.

We're coming out of a high-stress season in our lives, and into a time of more manageable mid-stress. I think I still have a subconscious fist raised to the heavens over what we've lived through for the last while.

There's certainly a place for a good rant, but...yeah, I'm not there yet. Because so much of it is still too fresh, and when I dial it back to normal people levels, it becomes short to the point that it could be a baby Facebook post, rather than full-scale blog. Or I'll change my mind.

Seriously, I was half-way into a post about why I'm not making all of my Christmas gifts because I just don't have the time, y'all, and then Danny told me he's going out of town on business.

A holiday centerpiece I made last year.
Incidentally, this has been pretty popular
on Pinterest.
As I processed that, I realized that if he was gone, I would have to paint something or knit something to lift my spirits.

You know, something I could give as a Christmas gift.

My ultimate point, though, was I didn't want to feel peer-pressured into a handmade Christmas, because that's the kind of pressure only thrown at women, and that drives me a little nutters. So I say make stuff if you're feeling it, and if not? Give a book. Stories are hand-crafted too! We have freedom in Christ, and that means we have the freedom to celebrate his birth in a variety of ways.

Our Thanksgiving is going to be pretty simple this year, I think, because so many of our family members have a lot going on. And I'm very, very okay with that. My attitude for the holidays is to consider - What Would a Man Do? And that's the baseline. Anything I add to that is gravy, and must be done with my eyes wide open. Gender equality in our time!

The Lumineers, at song. 
We got to go see The Lumineers while they were in Portland, and that was fun. Admittedly, the sound inside the Rose Garden was...sloshy. And the second opening band was a solid "meh." But The Lumineers? If you ever get a chance to see them live, do - they knocked it out of the park. So much fun.

Yeti's make the best farmers (seen at Whole Foods)
Portland is all kinds of lovely - being here is good for the soul. And I'm not just saying that because we eat well, which is also true. But the green and the leaves and the trees - it's delicious.

Shiloh, at rest.
Shiloh is transitioning fairly well to the new digs, although we've been working through a couple issues. First, he is not a fan of the damp. Secondly, he's not sleeping through the night unless it's on my pillow. Not on my pillow, he'll be awake and barking anywhere between 3:30-5:45. Now, if we weren't in a townhouse with shared walls, I would just let him bark it out. But the efforts of being a good neighbor is costing us sleep. I'm in the process of trying a few things, so we shall see how that goes. We may just have to sound-insulate that room pretty thoroughly, in the end.

Shiloh in the leaves. He was not a fan of sitting on them.

The book - it's off for typesetting. So - almost to bed? Pretty much to bed? Are the galley copies the book equivalent of your child getting out of bed to ask for water? I say yes.

I must get back to work - I've got a couple characters traipsing through Provence, and yes, I am jealous.




So that's how things are here in Portland. How are you looking forward to celebrating the holidays? Are you in a season of transition that's causing you to rethink your usual traditions? Are any of the living beings in your house waking you up at night? Leave a comment!
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Simple Holidays from Thanksgiving to New Year's - an Update

January 2, 2014, 4:32 pm
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The holidays - they're over!

Did you survive? I hope you did. We did, though there were a few skin-of-our-teeth moments.

I wrote in the previous post about how we were simplifying the holidays, and I wanted to write up a recap of what that looked like and how it went.

For Thanksgiving, we had nine loved ones over for Soupsgiving 2013. Now, if you've followed this blog for any length of time, you know that I have a deep and abiding love for soup. What you likely don't know is that I have an equally abiding hatred for roast turkey. So for me, the Soupsgiving was a win on several levels.



Soupsgiving 2013! Photo courtesy of Kara C. 
I made a pumpkin pear soup that was gluten and dairy free, and a potato leek soup that was absolutely not dairy free.  I have no recipes to share for either; the leek soup is one I've been messing with for a while, in order to best copy the one we had at Grand Central a while back.

Soup prep!
This go-round was definitely the most successful - I used a base of shallot (maybe three shallots?) and celery (three stalks), and while I think I intended to put in garlic, I think I forgot. There was also a lot of leeks.

So. Many. Leeks.
I cooked the savories down for a long, long time, mainly because I figured if I cooked them way down, I might have a shot at everything fitting into the same pot.

Pot o' soup + annex
It did not, but it still tasted good. I used chicken broth, added the potatoes, simmered everything, and then pureed it until it was very smooth. Afterwards I added some heavy cream, some creme fraiche, and some salt and pepper.

Crystal formation in the frozen potato soup - had to
make some adjustments to get the top back on!
I noticed after the soup was thawed and frozen that the salt had to be adjusted again. (Unfortunately, I discovered this after barking at my brother-in-law that the seasoning was perfect, and how dare he salt it?? And then I tasted it, and...yeah, it needed salt. Oh well.)

The pumpkin soup, on the other hand, started with a traditional mirepoix base of carrots, shallot, and celery, and I think some garlic went in too. After cooking those down and adding some chicken broth (three cups, maybe?) I added the pureed pumpkin and a pear. After cooking it for a while and tasting, I wound up adding a second pear and some maple syrup to get the sweetness just right. Also: coconut milk for richness. I think one can.

The soups I made ahead and froze, and dessert I made the night before, parbaked, and browned in the oven before serving. It's Smitten Kitchen's Pear, Cranberry, and Gingersnap Crumble, and it's a favorite. I like throwing a bit of brandy into the filling, just for kicks.

Sugared cranberries for the crumble.
So! That was Thanksgiving. Most everyone brought soup - we had five, I think, soups in total. I loved it - I loved it all. I would repeat it every year.

For Christmas, well, it was a nutty December. We had the snow, for one thing, which froze our kitchen pipes for a bit.

Our makeshift dish-station in the downstairs bathroom.
Which was cleaned with an inch of its life.

That was festive. But Shiloh looked awfully cute with a dusting of snow.  And then Danny wound up having to leave town the week before Christmas.

Shiloh, looking both noble and snow-dusted.
I wrote earlier about not being pressured to make Christmas gifts. And while I held fast to that for the most part, I did opt to make caramels for cousin gifts this year. Largely, this was because I couldn't bear to do much more last minute shopping.

Caramels! Those wrappers took forever.
And while they were my first caramels ever, they were delicious and wonderful, so everybody won.

Christmas piano!
We skipped a tree, in the end, because a.) there was no good place to put it, and b.) the thought of unpacking Christmas decor made me twitchy. So instead, I decided to wrap all of our gifts in white and silver, and stack them around the piano.

In the end, there were about four times as many gifts as pictured. I loved it! The only downside was that once we packed up the gifts to travel, we were suddenly very un-decorated.

(A note: if you actually play your piano, this may not work for you, or at least not at the gift volume that we deal in. But our piano is still re-acclimating to Oregon humidity, and won't be tuned for another month. So - decor it is!)

And for New Year's Eve, there were several reasons why we opted to lay low. Rather than cook or eat out, I picked up a couple prepped lamb chops and some sides from New Seasons, cooked up the lamb, reheated the sides, and done! Less work than cooking, less money than eating out - oh, and the wine the butcher recommended with the lamb was both tasty and cheap.

For New Year's Day, we began what I hope may be a tradition of a macaroni and cheese dinner.

If cheese is your thing, you need this book. Stat.
Find it here.
Convincing Danny to make this a regular thing will not be hard. I used the "Classic Mac" recipe from The Mac + Cheese Cookbook, with the Oscar Wilde Irish cheddar I found at New Season's. It was...really, really good. And it reheated well, without any separation of the cheese sauce.

So...those were the holidays. My hope for next year is that we'll simplify things further, hopefully with less travel and more quiet. What did work this year was that I had every single bit of wrapping done before we left town - that includes gifts for both my nuclear and extended family, as well as Danny's family - which was a blessing. Oh, and next year I want to try more candy making.

Starting in, you know, October.

Those were my holidays - what did you do this year that worked for you?

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Why Cookbooks Matter in a Pinterest World

January 4, 2014, 10:00 am
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Funny story - I received a bunch of gift cards for Christmas, for both Amazon and Powell's Books.

For a while I've been circling various craft books, whether it's paper craft, needle felting, what have you. But the thing is, new hobbies take time.

And - I've got books to write. Food books, not needle-felting books. So after hemming and hawing over using the gift cards to get started on something new, I decided to take what is, likely, the wiser path.



I bought cookbooks. Real, paper, hand-bound cookbooks.

This was not a sacrifice - I love cookbooks. I use them to plan meals, to research recipes, and as springboards for new recipes.

Don't get me wrong - I love online recipes. If you've poked around my Pinterest boards, you know this to be true. And while I've certainly found winners, I find that online recipes don't replace cookbooks.

For one thing, cookbooks are written and produced by people who know what they're doing. It's not some random home chef in Nova Scotia who happens to be handy enough with a camera to make a recipe look like it works, it's (ideally) someone who's logged some serious hours in the kitchen.

For another, cookbooks are edited. You know an editor has spent a good deal of time checking and double checking the wording as well as the measurements. While there may be mistakes from time to time, they're more checked-over than your average blog post.

And - I won't lie - I think they're beautiful. Obviously, some more than others. Yes, I am swayed by the aesthetically pleasing book. I love one with pretty pictures, and you know what? I'm okay with that. I'm good with adding beauty to my life. And while one of my favorite books is fairly utilitarian - America's Test Kitchen's The Best Simple Recipes, it still has well-styled food shots and a clean design.

And lastly? They're curated. Every recipe is hand-chosen for that book. It's a collection, an experience. Some cookbooks will feel like a trip to France - like Dorie Greenspan's books. Others will feel like you're in a friend's kitchen, like Ree Drummond's books. Some books will take you to your favorite bakery, or a back to a favorite vacation.

I love them. And bless my husband for moving them from home to home!

That's how I feel about cookbooks - what about you? Which ones do you use the most? Which are your favorite to look at?
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Writer's Corner: Compelling Characters

January 9, 2014, 8:49 pm
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It's been a while since I've had a Writer's Corner post. Which...is kinda too bad, because I had some cool insights about characters a few months ago. Be sure to tell me what you think in the comments.

So, the last writerly post was about active versus reactive characters. As I was thinking about active characters and their common threads, I landed on a thought - the very best active characters have a superpower.



I don't mean flying, not necessarily. Just something that that character can do very well. Their gift. What this means, essentially, is that you're enabling your character to contribute.

If your character can contribute, it's so much easier to make them an active part of the storyline. Because if used correctly, that gift can be a pivotal point in shifting your plot from act to act.

That talent also gives the reader to hang on to. It's a way to set that character aside as being different from everyone else traipsing across the page.

Obviously, in fantasy and magical realism, this can be more pronounced. But it doesn't have to be. And it doesn't have to be anything particularly meaningful. Your character can be extraordinary with numbers, excellent at chess and, ergo, strategy.

In my books, Jayne is a terrific features writer. She's the best, and everyone knows it. In Simply Sara, Sara is a whiz with fabric. In A Table By the Window, Juliette is handy in the kitchen.

There are thousands of examples throughout literature, film, and TV - think of Anne Shirley and her imagination, Bilbo Baggins' knack for theft, Elizabeth Bennet's wit, or Tyrion Lannister's cunning.

The second piece to compelling characters is that it helps if they're damaged in some way. To quote the recently viral Chantielle MacFarlane, "If you have no baggage, you have no story."

That baggage, that story - you need that. It pulls a character's motives into deeper relief. Damage gives a character back story, a mystery. It creates uncertainty within a scene.

So take the super skills, and give them to someone with issues. Keep them in balance - Don Draper when he's off his game is unpleasant and boring. Without his talent, he's not worth our time as a character.

Conversely, a character with a superpower and too little baggage reads flat and single-dimensional.  But mix damage with talent?

That, my friends, is a character I want to hang out with for hours.

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Which fictional characters have stayed with you? What do you think are their strengths? How do you think their lives have shaped them?

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Remembering Memphis

January 20, 2014, 6:02 pm
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Sometimes it feels funny to experience Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Portland, OR. Political correctness is...assumed, and expected. That's not to say racism doesn't happen, but it's different, and often more subtle.

Not so in Memphis. You can't get through the morning commute without noticing the stark racial and socio-economic divide. When I drove Danny to work in the morning, we'd be driving from the east side of the city to the center along with other Caucasian commuters, usually driving newer American cars or German imports.

On my way back to our hotel, though, I drove back with the African American service employees headed to work on the east side. The cars were either much older, much flashier, or both. Sometimes the tires were worn so deeply that the metal core sparked on the asphalt, and yet I've never seen so many Mustangs and Corvettes as I did on Memphis roads.

I'll never forget what it was like to be driving somewhere new, and to transition from a clean, photogenic neighborhood into a poorer, less safe one - with only a street or two in between. Antebellum-style houses would give way to loan shops, alcohol stores, run-down restaurants, and most tragically, funeral homes. So many funeral homes. All of these would have bars on the windows.

Danny and I once picked up Thai food for takeout, from a restaurant we later realized was near the Hickory Hill area. We counted the number of cop cars we saw until we returned to the hotel; there were seven.

Some time on the internet will tell you more about the racial/socio-economic divides that plague the city. Violent crime rates in the poorer neighborhoods are some of the highest in the nation. Public schools are predominately populated with African-American students; most of the middle-class Caucasian families send their children to private schools or home-school.

Memphis is, of course, home to the Lorraine Hotel, where Dr. King was assassinated. That site is now the home of the National Civil Rights Museum. Having spent time in that city, I can only hope and pray that one day it will be a place where grace and generosity will abound. As it was two years ago, I found it a city that could alternately the friendliest and the most frightening place I'd ever been.

As a Caucasian woman in the Pacific Northwest, I feel profoundly under-qualified to offer any sort of commentary on race relations. But I've traveled enough that in remembering Martin Luther King Jr., I can't shake the profound sense that we still have so very, very far to go. 
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Oscar Predictions 2014

February 27, 2014, 12:46 am
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Sorry, not much with the blogging lately - I've been hard at work with the book while dodging snow and Olympics and travel and chronic headaches and...you know. Stuff.

Be forewarned I condensed things a bit this year (but in a thoroughly logical way). And if you're amused by such things, I'll be live-tweeting the Oscarcast in all of its glory Sunday night. So! Let's dive in.

Best Actor:


I think this puppy is going to Matthew McConaughey, though it's not a sure thing. Given my druthers, I'd hand it to Chiwetel Ejiofor. And this is an Oscar that Leonardo DiCaprio wants.

McConaughey and DiCaprio have both been campaigning their hearts out. The narrative that Leo's people have presented is that he's the guy, he's always been the guy, and he should be rewarded for his body of work.

McConaughey's narrative is that after a career of popcorn flicks (and for several of those films, that's putting it nicely), he's the comeback kid with Hidden Depths. And it's not just Dallas Buyers Club, it's his performances in Magic Mike, Mud, and The Wolf of Wall Street. And - because in Hollywood campaigns, there's always an and - he's a nice guy. He has a photogenic wife, kids, and outside interests.

It plays better, politically, than DiCaprio's well-documented extended adolescence. So this round will likely go to McConaughey, and DiCaprio's turn will come again.

Likely win: Matthew McConaughey
Dark Horse: Leonardo DiCaprio
Real Dark Horse: Chiwetel Ejiofor


Best Actress:

What was once considered a sewn-up category became a bit unraveled when Woody Allen's past became even more controversial than usual. But Cate Blanchett has been a favorite from the beginning, and she won both the SAG award and the BAFTA, both of which have overlapping voters. 

So it'll go to Cate. But if the door is opened wide enough, the person to walk through would be Amy Adams for her role in American Hustle.

Likely win: Cate Blanchett
Dark Horse: Amy Adams




Best Supporting Actor:

Jared Leto has had a lock on this category for a while. He won the SAG, but the Captain Phillips'Barkhad Abdi).
fact that he wasn't nominated for a BAFTA maybe leaves a little room for play (the BAFTA went to

Maybe. But not likely.

Likely win: Jared Leto
Dark Horse: Barkhad Abdi


Best Supporting Actress:

In other uncertain categories, we've got Lupita Nyong'o and Jennifer Lawrence almost head to head. Jennifer Laurence won the Golden Globe (which is more about exposure/momentum than anything else) and the BAFTA, while Lupita Nyong'o won the SAG.


On paper it's close, but I'm thinking Lupita may have this. Jennifer Lawrence hasn't campaigned much; Lupita has been everywhere while impeccably dressed. Honestly, I don't think Jennifer wants it. Rule of thumb? The Academy rewards actors who campaign. If someone doesn't want it, they'll give it to someone else who does.

However, if she does pull out in the end, it'll be because of this sequence - 



Likely to Win: Lupita Nyong'o
Not Dark Horse: Jennifer Lawrence


Best Directing, Editing, Cinematography, Visual Effects, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, and Score:


Sorry, for succinctness we're going to throw the Gravity sure-shots in together. No one's arguing that Gravity was the most technically glorious film of the year, and possibly the decade. Directing? Alfonso Cuaron won the DGA, which is almost always enough (unless you're Ben Affleck), as well as the BAFTA. His film will run away with the technical awards as well as the Score, with its first-time nominee and distinctive feel.


Disclaimer: I have not seen Gravity. The first time I saw the trailer? Scared the heck out of me. I cannot even deal with the premise. Just picking images pushed my limits. So...I leave this to the film critics and I will continue to watch movies about characters who at no time float in space or are low in oxygen and I can't even type this, I'm wigging out.


DAISIES PRINCESSES UNICORNS LA LA LA LA LA LA.

Let us move on.


Best Writing, Original Screenplay

It's between Her and American Hustle for this one. Her won the WGA, but the screenplay award is a frequent consolation prize, and American Hustle has a lot of nominations but isn't favored for many (if any) wins. So I think the Academy will throw David O. Russel this bone.


Don't get me wrong - Her is cleverer (but oy, so much awkward. SO MUCH), but I don't think the entire film has enough momentum to carry it through to a win.

Likely win: American Hustle
Could well win: Her


Best Writing, Adapted for the Screen

This one should go to 12 Years a Slave. It could turn left at Captain Phillips, which won the WGA, but this should be a screenplay win for John Ridley.


Likely win: 12 Years a Slave
Dark Horse: Captain Phillips


Best Animated Feature Film of the Year

A highly successful box-office juggernaut, Frozen is an affirmation of the truth that if you animate princesses and give them songs sung by Idina Menzel, people will come.


Likely to win: Frozen
Dark Horse: The Wind Rises


Best Foreign Language Film

Frequently compared to The Wolf of Wall Street, The Great Beauty is all the things that Hollywood loves, yet given the socially-acceptable gloss of having been shot in a foreign language. Suzanne Bier's The Broken Circle could edge in here - the Academy does love her - but I think Beauty has this one. However, had Blue is the Warmest Color been released sooner (and thus been eligible), it would most likely have waltzed away with this and a few other awards as well.


Likely to Win: The Great Beauty
Could Win: The Broken Circle



Best Hair & Makeup

This is the moment when I spend a moment writing about WHHYYYY wasn't American Hustle nominated? Or Gatsby? Or Catching Fire? Or Hobbit? WHY with Bad Grandpa? Indie Wire wants me to buy into it, but no. I'm not.


Well, you can read here about the makeup budget for Dallas Buyers Club, and be subsequently impressed. It will win because the narrative about Robin Matthews making seborrheic dermatitis rashes out of her mom's cornmeal makes a good story, and I'm not convinced the entire Academy can live with Bad Grandpa being an Oscar winner for anything at all.

Likely win: Dallas Buyers Club
Could win: LA LA LA LA I CAN'T HEAR YOU
Should have been nominated in the first place: American Hustle, for Christian Bale's hair alone.


Best Costume:

Oh, I don't know. The Designer's Guild crowned 12 Years a Slave. The BAFTAS crowned The Great Gatsby. Others are predicting an American Hustle win.

This is going to be one of those awards that will be easier to predict about ten seconds before it's announced. If it's a night where everything comes up towards one film or another, the costumes will go with it. This is also a category where the Academy voting will differ from the guild when they see fancy dresses.


So...let's go Gatsby. I might still love when you're no longer young and beautiful.

Likely to win: The Great Gatsby
Dark Horse: American Hustle


Original Song:

Let it Go features the vocals of Idina Menzel and the lyric "frozen fractals," two things are that kinda great. The song itself is fun and rousing, even if the underlying message is perhaps not ideal (Queen Elsa gives up any attempt at communication skills, builds an ice castle, and releases the sexy. We should all of us be able to style our hair in a side-fishtail so quickly). However, it's a good entry into conversations about what in life is worth letting go of, and what's worth hanging on to even when it's hard. You know, like flossing.





Production Design:

Gatsby's emphasis on style over substance may have made it a better spectacle than, you know, movie, but the best parts of it will likely be rewarded come Sunday.


Likely to win: The Great Gatsby
Dark Horse: American Hustle

Best Feature Documentary:

I'm going with 20 Feet from Stardom on this one, which not only did well at the box office, but includes subject matter many Academy members will relate to.


Likely to win: 20 Feet from Stardom
Dark Horse: The Square


Best Documentary, Short Subject:

The Lady in Number 6. Sometimes it's all about subject matter.


Likely to win: The Lady in Number 6
Dark Horse: Everything else


Best Animated Short:

Get a Horse is the favorite to win, and...it's okay. Inventive, in a lot of ways, but...I think we can agree this was a thin year.


Likely to win: Get a Horse
Dark Horse: Mr. Hublot


Best Live Action Short:

The Voorman Problem is a.) not subtitled and b.) features Martin Freeman, who we can all agree has had a very good year. I say yes.


Likely to win: The Voorman Problem
Dark Horse: Just Before Losing Everything


Best Picture:

12 Years a Slave, Gravity, and American Hustle have been circling each other for months. Gravity is a lock for the technical awards, while the artistic awards (makeup, costume, production design) will go elsewhere.

American Hustle is a salute to a time that is near and dear to many an Academy member's heart.


12 Years a Slave is not an easy film. In fact, while I'm guessing it'll take the top prize Sunday, I have doubts that everyone who voted for it watched it. Sometimes the film that wins says a lot about how the Academy wants to be perceived.

Can't wait to see how the categories actually shake out Sunday!

If I were going (and without a budget), I'd wear this pink gown from the Zuhair Muraid Couture collection (and it's partly because I'm obsessed with the leaf belt). You can see the rest of the collection here.

Are you going to watch the telecast on Sunday? What parts are you looking forward to?
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Lessons from Television: Olivia Pope vs. Veronica Mars

March 7, 2014, 6:36 pm
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Last month I decided that, with the new Veronica Mars film coming out, the time had come to re-watch all three seasons of the original show.

Tough work. I suffer for art, y'all.


The more I re-familiarized myself with the show, which is a treasure trove of clever writing and surprising guest stars (Jessica Chastain, Melissa Leo), the more I saw similarities between Veronica Mars and Scandal, specifically the two main characters.


Scandal has its own strengths. The characterizations can be sharp, the writing crisp, the plot fearless. 

Both women are fixers. When people find themselves in the midst of tragedy and scandal, Veronica and Olivia can find a clever way out. They both use unorthodox means of questionable legality. They have friends and associates who are fiercely loyal, while their love lives are a mess.

Both shows struggled during the third season. In Veronica Mars, the tertiary characters wobbled and behaved erratically (never mind the frequent, giant plot-holes, such as Vinnie Van Lowe somehow being an eligible candidate for Sheriff, despite never having been a policeman), and yet Veronica remained strong.


We knew what she wanted, who she cared about, how she was damaged, and in Season 3 we learn how this negatively affected her life and relationships. In shows where you have to suspend a healthy amount of disbelief to buy into a teen-aged detective, the realism helped to ground the character.

Until now, watching Scandal has been like watching a top that's been spinning crazily and yet remained upright - somehow, despite the soapy twists and turns it managed to maintain its balance.

And then Season 3. The top is pinging and bouncing, and while it hasn't crashed yet, there's the feeling that it's inevitable.


For starters, there are a lot of tertiary characters that the writers want us to emotionally engage with. And that can be fine. But if you're going to build out a team of strong characters, you have to make sure that your central character is still the most compelling.

The telling moment for me was in the most recent episode, when Olivia yells at Fitz that she has her own hopes and dreams.


I sat there and thought, "Really? Hopes and dreams? Do share, because this is the first we're hearing about it."

And three seasons in, that's an issue. We should know what motivates her, and we're pretty sure that the Truth, Justice, and the American Way ship has sailed, because Olivia Pope is nobody's girl scout.

Much of her character in the first two seasons centered around her past and present affairs with the president. And yet, for the woman that we're told she is, there should be thoughts and motivations beyond her (admittedly concerning) personal life.

Contrast this with Veronica Mars. We knew her long-term goals, to finish college and make a career of investigation. For a 16-18 year-old, it works. In the shorter term, she wants to solve her best friend's murder, the double-mystery of her drugging and subsequent rape, and find her mother.

All of these are emotionally loaded, and we care deeply about each outcome. We watch her be alternately stoic and overwhelmed as she sifts through each issue. 

But all we know about Olivia Pope right now is that she wants Fitz to be reelected, and she likes the idea of living a "normal life" with Fitz in a "cabin" in Vermont. 

Yet when it comes to Fitz, we don't have any compelling reasons why he should be president (he admits that his greatest talent does not lie in foreign policy, cough), or why the two of them should be together. I get that Olivia is supposed to be mysterious and enigmatic. But after three seasons - we need to know stuff. It's important. We have to be able to get behind her goals, want to root for her success. 

And if not? That is a major, major structural issue. 

Shonda Rhimes is great at launching shows that are compulsively watchable, but the sustainability is an issue. Sure, Grey's Anatomy has been on for nearly ten years, but it began to jump back and forth over the shark in season 4; I don't know what's been going on and I'm okay with that. I'll watch previews in passing and simply be pleased if certain characters have managed to stay alive (when the death rate rivals Vampire Diaires, that's saying something). 

I'm excited to see how the transition from TV to film goes for Veronica Mars. And who knows - Scandal may be able to course correct. 



But until then, it's a strong lesson in character building. Even with established characters, sometimes it's important to step back and refocus on your character's goals and motivations.

Short term and long term, they inform the character's actions and keep your protagonist from becoming passive or unknowable.


Which strong characters have stuck with you? How do you think the serial-nature to television writing affects characterizations? Share your thoughts below!

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Bavarian Sugar Cookies for Pub Day!

March 18, 2014, 4:39 pm
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It's pub day! I can't believe it's here! A Table by the Window is officially on sale. I was up late (more on that later) and refreshed my web browser until the "pre-order" button became a much lovelier "order now" button.

It's finally available from retailers nationwide, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD, Lifeway, and Powell's Books.

I'm so excited that it's received such lovely reviews from Publishers Weekly and RT Book Reviews, as well as endorsements from Joanne Bischoff, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Katie Ganshert, Leslie Gould, Meg Moseley, and Carla Stewart, who each took the time to read during the hectic holiday season.



So to celebrate Pub Day, I wanted to share this recipe from the book for "Bavarian Sugar Cookies." If they remind you of the cookies in Stranger Than Fiction, it's because Juliette and her friends watch the movie together after Juliette has a difficult day, and the cookies bring them together.

Here’s the thing—there’s not exactly any such cookie as a Bavarian sugar cookie. But it’s such a charming part of the movie that I’ve gone along with it — we’ll consider them Bavarian inspired. This recipe is an old family recipe — any sugar cookie served during the holidays uses this recipe. I love it because they're more flavorful than most sugar cookies you’ll get your hands on!


~ Bavarian Sugar Cookies ~

For the cookies:


½cup unsalted butter (pasture butter is nice if you can get your hands on it)

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tablespoon cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½teaspoon sea salt


For the icing:


1 pound powdered sugar

¼cup salted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Enough cream to reach desired consistency


1.) Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together.


2.) Cream butter with sugar for 5 minutes, until butter is pale and fluffy. With the mixer running on medium speed, add egg, cream, and vanilla.


3.) Add flour mixture slowly, blending until fully incorporated.


4.) Allow dough to chill overnight.


5.) Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll dough out a little at a time on a lightly floured pastry cloth. With cookie cutters, cut dough into shapes. Bake on a parchment paper–lined baking sheet for 5 minutes or until the edges just become golden.



6.) For the frosting, beat butter until fluffy. Add the sugar in small amounts, and use the cream to adjust the texture as necessary.


7.) Frost with a wide spatula once the cookies are cool. Store cookies once the frosting has set between sheets of waxed paper.


Makes about 36 cookies.


Hope you enjoy the cookies! I made the dough last night and made them up today while watching Julie & Julia. I feel I've been scrambling to be ready for today in the midst of last week's food poisoning (ironic, yes?), but getting to have Meryl Streep's Julia in the background while cutting sugar cookie hearts? Absolutely wonderful.

Want to catch up on the start of A Table by the Window? Click here to read about how the project came about. An excerpt from the book can be found here. Happy reading!
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