After an absence of, oh a couple weeks, here I am, back with another Five on Friday. That is if I can find the notes I wrote once I got inspired about this post. Ah, here we are. I’ve got piles of papers all over my office because I’m organizing things for the new year. And then my cat comes and sits on things and that doesn’t help much either. But anyway. Here goes:
What we did for New Year’s Eve: Went to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens (which I loved), ate take-out Italian and drank red wine, and fell asleep on the couch after having a New York New Year’s (i.e., watching the live version of the ball dropping, which occurs at 9 PM on the west coast). It was a perfect evening.
What I wanted to finish last year and didn’t: The first draft of my current WIP, a novel. But seeing as how I started it when we were in France in September and have only about 20K words to go, I’m not too upset. I may be when I look back over it, though. It is one helluva messy draft and by messy I mean plot holes big enough to drive a truck through, boring characters, loose ends that don’t tie together. This, my writing friends, is why God invited rewriting. Or so I tell myself. Oh, and I also have a couple knitting projects I dearly wanted to complete but didn’t. Maybe because I keep falling asleep on the couch at night, my knitting time.
Where I’m headed next week: To Nashville, for Room to Write. We’ve got a couple spaces left if you live in the area (or even if you don’t) and would like to devote some time solely to your writing. Great way to start the year! There’s more information here. And please join me in beseeching the universe to cure my sinus infection before then otherwise I’m not quite sure how I’ll cope on the plane. 
What I’m reading: I just finished Shonda Rhimes‘ Year of Yes, which I highly recommend. (In case you don’t know who she is, she is responsible for the TV shows Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, among others, and, as she says in the book, is dedicated to normalizing the characters we see on TV–i.e. including women, minorities, LGBT, etc.) The book is worth reading to study her style alone. She is funny and engaging and she uses a lot of repetition for effect. But it is also very inspiring–after dedicating herself to saying yes to everything, even things that scare her, she loses 100 pounds, gives the commencement speech at Dartmouth, and many more.
I’m also reading The Book of Speculation, by Erika Swyler, which is cool. There are mermaids who die mysteriously, weird old books, tarot cards, and an ancient house about to fall into the Long Island Sound. I’m not 100% engaged with it quite yet, but I think I will be.
And finally, I’m reading Home Baked by Yvette Van Boven. Yes, I’m reading a cookbook. At least parts of it. She’s got bits and pieces about flour and other ingredients and I’ve already learned so much. (Like, the fact that baking powder is basically just baking soda and cream of tartar and you can make your own.) It is a beautifully designed cookbook (including photos of Ireland and the author’s illustrations) with tons of great recipes in it.
What I wish for you: A very happy and productive 2016, with tons of writing in it, naturally!
What’s going on for you this first day of the new year?
J.D.
Don’t you read any guys? No wonder you’re hooked on knitting. Just to show that I’m fair-minded, I’ll check out Shonda Rhimes. Someone who can be scared is alright in my book. This first day of the year, it is worth noting I have watched less than 5 minutes total of football. I have looked at WIP several times. Thus far, I’ve chunked in about 15 words. But this post is my last procrastination. So I’m pinching my nose and off the board I go.
Charlotte Rains dixon
I have to say, I don’t read a lot of men. But I figure that gets balanced out because most men don’t read a lot of women. I actually gave Steve a couple thrillers for Christmas I want to read–Red Sparrow and I am Pilgrim. Heard of those? Worth checking out, especially the first one. And I’m sure those 15 words were absolutely stellar!
Don Williams
My first day of the year, as well as the second and third is to simply lay back, recline and unwind! It’s been a hectic year for me and I need all the rest that I can get. I wanted to go see the same StarWars movie as you, but unfortunately, unless you can go and share the movie with someone else, like a good friend or two, the movie is a no go for me. Unfortunately, I either couldn’t find someone to go with me or my friends had already seen it. Oh, well, hopefully, it’ll be a better 2016 for all of us.
Charlotte Rains dixon
We are lucky to have a neighborhood theater — 2 actually– that has been recast to show first run films nearby. It’s a great, comfy and old-fashioned place to watch a movie and while it does get crowded for some films, it doesn’t have the overwhelming feel of the big theaters. So you’d be comfortable going there by yourself. I truly wish for a wonderful year full of good health for you, Don!
Dyoung
We just saw Star Wars last night. Normal screen- not sure how I could have seen in 3-D or iMax. All were offered at the theatre we went to and there were still a LOT of people. Our theatre was about half full. Good film. Well made- of course.
As far as sinus infections go- I’m pretty sure that’s what my daughter brought home on thanksgiving. It was just before Christmas that we both finally for sure got rid of it all.
I have a friend who loves to read cookbooks. She reads them about the same rate I browse Pinterest recipe boards.
I love your five on Friday weekly feature- I’d like to implement something similar to my blog.
Have a great trip to Nashville. I’d love to attend one of your conferences- in Nashville no less!
Charlotte Rains dixon
Oh please do come to Nashville (or France, or Portland) some time! That would be so fun.
We saw Star Wars in 3D and it was okay (the 3D, not the movie, which I loved, as you know). I can kinda take or leave 3D.
And I look forward to seeing a Five on Friday on your blog. I may miss this week, though, because I will be in Nashville…
dyoung
Oh, and Charlotte, don’t forget……Downton Abbey airs TONIGHT!
– http://thirteenpointrun.blogspot.com/
Charlotte Rains dixon
I hope you enjoyed it. I’m slinking away quietly while I mumble that I’ve never really gotten into it….
dyoung
Mine is titled “super sunday:” :)
And I could have sworn you, too, were a downton junkie…
Charlotte Rains dixon
Ah, sorry, I just have never gotten into it. But I can still try again! When other people are passionate about something, that makes me want to be, too.