Oct 30, 2011
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
[For the original article, click here.]
This is another prompt from Writer’s Digest Community: You and a friend break into your neighborhood swim club late one night to go for an after-hours dip. While splashing around in the pool, you go into shock when a dead body floats to the top. Worse yet – it’s someone you know.
It happens that during the week I found this prompt, I had seen a few episodes of The Twilight Zone. I’ve not written much in the way of sci-fi or thrillers, so I wanted to give it a try.
What could be worse than discovering the “you” that you feel you are, is actually dead? How does a person reconcile the moment of death with the collision of their own body? Does the spirit and mind live on, and can it play tricks on you?
It’s hard to explore these questions in 750 words or less, but I did enjoy the challenge of what might be.
Oct 29, 2011
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
This recipe was inspired one rainy afternoon while I watched Paula Deen on The Food Network. They sure have some great eats on that network! I was trying to think what I could make with my last roll of phyllo dough, and I caught a glimpse of her sautee’ing asparagus. Voila! Another recipe was created.
Phyllo dough is essentially easy to work with, but it is delicate. It’s important to follow the directions on the box to keep it from drying out.
I recommend preparing your asparagus ahead of time, assembling your ingredients in order of use, and preheating the oven while you wrap. It doesn’t take long to get into the rhythm of sprinkling and rolling, and soon you’ll have two pans full of some delicious snacks!
To prepare the asparagus, take one stalk and bend the end (not the tip) until you find where it snaps. This is place you want to cut all your asparagus. If you don’t, when you eat the ends it will be stringy and chewy. (In other words, gross!)
INGREDIENTS:
2 bunches asparagus
2 sticks butter, melted
1 roll phyllo dough, room temperature
Parmesan cheese
Italian Seasonings
other seasonings (I prefer Lowrey’s Salt Free 17 Seasonings)
Olive Oil
Carefully unroll the phyllo dough and assemble your ingredients within easy reach. Cut the dough lengthwise, into two long strips. Gently baste the top sheets with melted butter and sprinkle with cheese and seasonings. Be careful not to apply too much pressure when basting or you’ll rip the dough.
Take one or two asparagus stalks (depending on how thick they are) and lay the end so it matches up with the edge of the dough. The tip will stick out from the other edge. Gently roll. The phyllo dough may stick to itself. If this happens, delicately separate the rolling layer from the one underneath it.
Place the asparagus wraps on a nonstick cookie sheet. Since the phyllo dough crisps but does not expand, you can place them close to each other without worrying they’ll stick.
Gently baste the wraps with olive oil and sprinkle the tops with cheese and seasonings.
Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 14-15 minutes, until the phyllo dough is golden brown. Best when served warm.
Oct 29, 2011 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Okay, I’m not one to go all in about spirits and things. I believe there are supernatural forces, but as a Christian, and a scaredy-cat, I ignore; nay, resist, such topics.
Most of the time.
Just over two weeks ago, I journaled about the death of my mentor.
We weren’t that close. He was someone I respected as a writer and creator. He encouraged and inspired me to continue in my own writing endeavors. Big words for what boils down to: I like what he said and did, and he saw potential in me.
And then he died.
I don’t know what to do with this void. Do I write about my personal loss? What personal loss? It was a peripheral relationship. So why let others in on my tears? Because he told me to. He told me to write. Every day. No matter what. In joy. In pain. On vacation. Write. Every day.
But for a few days of mourning, I stopped.
I guess that didn’t make him happy. I guess I still have potential. Because in the middle of the night, during a rare thunderstorm no less, I received an email from him. Last night. Two and a half weeks after his death.
I’m not joking.
The interesting thing is, it was the very first email he ever sent me. From years ago. I’d asked his advice as a writer, never thinking he’d respond. But he did. And so our writer’s relationship began. I’d had it saved on hard copy. Saved in my email inbox. And suddenly it pops up on my blackberry like a brand new message.
“Molly Jo… I will give you an answer which is the absolute answer. Write every day and write for at least a couple hours. … What you have to do is make writing a very high priority in your life … Writing is like weightlifting. The more you do it, the stronger you’ll get. … That’s the best advice I can give. If you want to be a writer, you gotta write.”
So. Here I am. Still feeling silly about being affected by the loss of someone who was not yet a dear friend. Still wondering what I could possibly have to write about. Thinking of my unfinished projects.
And in the middle of the night, the heavens opened to wash away my clouds; and he reminded me of what’s important. I write because I am a writer.
True story.
“I write for the same reason I breathe. Because if I didn’t, I would die.” ~Isaac Asimov
