Sep 25, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
I know, y’all just had an update not too long ago. Thing is, things are getting good. They’re getting done. They’re getting, well, you know. Out there.
So, earlier today I had a tiny emo moment on the FB NOLA Swarm Group page. It went something like this:
“Feeling a bit stressed as I sit to write today. Wrenched my back earlier which makes sitting . . . or standing . . . or walking . . . or breathing . . . uncomfortable. It’s the third time in a month this has happened, so I know today isn’t debilitating. But it surely is distracting.
I’ve been taking my mind off things by watching my NOLA-based shows: Nightwatch, NCIS, Double Jeopardy, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. (Big surprise on that last one, right?). I’ve been thinking about my proposal and the compare/contrast section. Been thinking about my new day job and the budget and traveling to see family and friends next year.
Does it even make sense to anyone-ANYONE-that right now I want to box NOLA up and tuck it into a dark corner of the farthest away closet I can find?
What if it’s not as good as I think it is? What if I didn’t just miss the mark, but missed the entire target? What if the end doesn’t justify the means?
What if all this soul bleeding means nothing in the end except over five years of wasted time and attention and energy?
So I hope you understand when I say as wonderful as this is, being so close to finished, today I just want to crawl back into bed and cry. Getting ready to say goodbye to my baby is so hard.
But here’s the thing about writing: I can’t *not* do it. I can’t have NOLA sit around, going nowhere. Do I want it to stop? No. But there’s another journey for NOLA when the first draft is done. I call it the firefly aspect. It’s where I let my little larvae grow wings and glow its way to my alpha readers, my editor, and my agent; then, hopefully, into the hearts of others like you and so many more.
And then I’ll talk all y’all with me to CENTRAL, where you’ll meet Nick and Serenity. And then to KEYS with Anastasia and Littleman. And then FLINT, and HI, and PORT, and STRIP, and TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES. And more.
But know this: no matter how much I write, how many cities are in this series, NOLA will always be my first, and greatest love.
And, I hope, yours too.
I love you all for being on this journey with me and keeping me grounded.
With much adoration and appreciation,
~Molly Jo”
But after that, I hunkered down, said a few prayers, and started. I took my little Post-It notes, my little scraps of paper, and I processed. Every. Single. One.
And I closed out the day with 2,131 new words. I have less than 8,000 to go to my desired word goal. And I have a plan.
In addition to writing end material, I’ve been adding clues throughout. Hints of this and that. Why does this character do these things? If it’s important, they need to do it often. If not, they need to do it less. What about the weather? Yes, I’m from California. The desert, no less. But really. If you’re reading a book set in New Orleans, how often can I mention the humidity before y’all are rolling your eyes and saying, “Okay, we get it!”?
And I’m keeping notes. On the manuscript. On paper. Because I’m also writing what comes next. I can’t wait to write those two words when it’s finished. Nope, I’m not even gonna write them here. Because when I’m ready, like really ready, I want them to be authentic. Official. Not practiced, not sampled, not automatic.
Those two final words at the end of the first draft . . . They’re coming, my friend.
Stay tuned.
Oh, and here’s a new meme to get all y’all’s attention.
NOLA by Molly Jo Realy
TWEET THIS: #NOLA Update: September 25, 2017. @RealMojo68 #amwriting
With a finish line and a finishing line,
Happy Reading!
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Save
Sep 24, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Frankly, On Faith.
I’m gonna keep this short.
You’re here for a purpose.
Not only that, but you’re where you are for a purpose.
Will you stay there? Probably not, and that’s okay. Because life is always full of movement. Just like a body in motion tends to stay in motion.
But know this: If you’re breathing, there’s a reason.
You have a purpose.
“But our bodies have many parts,
and God has put each part just where he wants it.”
~1 Corinthians 12:18 NLT
You’re not meant to be an ostrich, or a closet shelf, or a candle hidden under a basket. Those things are buried, empty, fruitless.
You have a purpose. Even if you don’t know it yet.
Frankly, On Faith . . . : Many Parts, One Body
He knows.
And He’ll keep growing you until you’re ready to blossom. Now and then you’ll be pruned (no fun), but rest assured the Heavenly Gardener is using only the best fertilizer and tools to make sure you are tended to properly. There will (hopefully) be runoff that will trickle over to the other seeds you and He have planted. He’ll use you to shelter, He’ll use others to shelter you.
All you need to do is open up and ask Him to feed you.
And just like the rest of His garden, He’ll tend to you perfectly. If you let Him. Your job is just to share what He’s done for you with the rest of your world.
TWEET THIS: You have a purpose. Even if you don’t know it yet. @RealMojo68 #franklymydear #faith
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Sep 23, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy
Twitter: @MollyJoRealy
Instagram: @MollyJoRealy
Photos can’t replace words for informational learning, but let’s be real: Visuals are a big part of our world today. Our attention spans are shorter. If you want someone’s attention you need to grab it immediately and a photo can do that ohsomuch quicker than text.
Recognition comes before cognition. This means our brains will say, “Wait a sec. That looks familiar.” And then our eyes read the words that follow for more. It can be a photo of someone we know, food we like, or a place we’ve been researching online. Or we see something completely unexpected. Something beautiful, gross, shocking, lovely . . . you get the, uh, picture.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : NOLA research
This is why logos are so important to brands.
We “know” who a popular company is without thinking about it.
Whether you’re a writer, a painter, a home improvement DIY-er, visual postings will increase your followers.
I mean, I can tell y’all about my Lizzie Cat. But unless you’ve seen her photo, you don’t really know how beautiful she was. Am I right?
Frankly, My Dear . . . Lizzie Cat
Photos are great on a sidebar, as a Tweet, on Instagram, and of course, Pinterest. Look at Facebook: How many posts do you scroll through that don’t have a photo? Not too many any more.
You don’t need to be a pro-photographer, but you do need to know a few basics.
Here’s a few tips I learned through trial and error:
- If you’re posting to your professional or public sites, make sure it’s something your audience cares about
- Take a few photos and post the best one: clear, in focus, good display
- Use photos to enhance your story, not tell it for you
- Don’t drown your viewers in twenty photos of the same scene
- DO share multiple views that capture the enormity of your surroundings
- Before-and-After posts are great for home and yard clean ups, holiday decor, parties, and announcements
- Coffee and foodie photos are always da best.
- And cats. Always, always, always cats.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Berry Sunshine enjoying the last licks
Depending on which media site you’re posting to, hashtags are also useful in describing and enhancing your visuals.
How do you use photos to draw an audience?
TWEET THIS: When Your Photo is Worth a Thousand Words @RealMojo68 #socialmediasaturday
With a smart phone camera and a watchful eye,
Happy seeing!
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Sep 22, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Five Things Friday
So, I know the blog’s been a little eclectic lately. A bit of this, a touch of that. A few guest posts. But that’s just like life, isn’t it? I mean, are all your shirts blue? Do you only ever eat eggs for breakfast? Do you never hang out with different people?
I think not.
And that’s why this blog is a li’l bit of everything me and you.
Today’s Five Things Friday is the essential foundation of Frankly, My Dear . . . These five tenets are what FMD is built on. And just like a recipe or a closet, they’re made to mix-and-match. One wouldn’t be without the others. That’s why there are contributing writers, and many readers. We just blend together, dare I say it, like sweet and tea. And Frankly, My Dear . . . I wouldn’t have it any other way.
- Frankly. Okay, Yes. It’s Southern. Yes, it’s Gone With the Wind. Yes, it’s, well, in a polite way, my way of saying I’m gonna be who I am and while I respect all y’all’s opinions, I’m gonna say it like it is. I hope that’s okay with you. And since the blog’s been around for a few years and is growing, I’m gonna assume it is.
Frankly, My Dear . . .
- Faith. This is a biggie. I can say with certainty I would not be here without God and the peeps He’s placed around me. Y’all are my strength, my source of encouragement, my sounding boards. And I pray each day that I’m able to give as much back to you as you give to me. There’s such beauty seeing God at work in and around me, and I long to share it with each of you.
Frankly, On Faith.
- Family. Whether it’s blood family, God’s family, or my writing family, I’m blessed by every one of you. Family are the ones who see your inner beauty when it doesn’t show. The ones who talk you off the ledge. The ones who let you tether yourself to them for strength and guidance. And they’re the ones who laugh and cry with you no matter what, no matter when. Just because you’re family.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : New FRIENDS
- Food. There’s nothing better for me than feeding my people, and feeding them well. Food, drink, snacks, desserts. Doesn’t matter. The kitchen is my second favorite creative place and I relish making recipes. Heh heh. I said relish. But seriously. Food is more than essential. It’s a beautiful necessity. And I love sharing it with you.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : The Unemployment Cookbook
- Fun. This is the “everything else” category: Writing, crafting, travel, reading, DIY, home improvement, Happy Planning. And coffee. These are the things that make us happy individually and collectively. These are the seasonings to life.
Seattle Souvenirs: Coffee, honey, and books.
What are your favorite parts of life?
TWEET THIS: Five Things Friday: Frankly Faith, Family, Food, and Fun @RealMojo68 #5TF #fivethingsfriday #franklymydear
With open arms and a happy dance,
Happy Living, y’all!
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Sep 21, 2017 |
SuperGirl is at it again! This month, she shares the beauty and benefits of that timeless classic, lemon. If you get a chance, follow her on Twitter for more tips on how EOs are da best.
by Cara Pearson @ThatBedfordGal
Summer is almost gone. If you find yourself sighing for lazy summer days, why not keep the memory alive with a little lemon in your life?
I’ve always loved the tangy-sweet taste of lemon. I can’t tell you a favorite use for it—there’s just too many. Lemonade. A perfectly seasoned salmon steak with lemon and rosemary. Lemon Meringue Pie. It conjures up visions of careless days spent by the water’s edge.
You probably have already been told that the acidic content of lemon pulp can break down the enamel of your teeth. An essential oil won’t have the same effect. Why not, you ask? Because lemon essential oil is cold pressed from the rind of the fruit—not the pulp. You can flavor your favorite foods and beverages with the delicious benefits and fragrance of lemon without the acidic content.
Keep Summer Going with Lemon Essential Oils
Lemon essential oil has a high content of limonene, giving it a powerful punch in antioxidants and cleansers. I add a drop or two of lemon essential oil to my water to keep me hydrated and help cleanse, as it aids digestion and provides immune support. Lemon can be a great polish for your wood furniture. I love that I can go natural and use it in my cleaning—add several drops to a glass spray bottle with vinegar. It also boosts mood and deodorizes.
With such diverse options for this essential oil, it is no surprise that lemon is one of the most popular. Try substituting a drop or two in your favorite recipe calling for lemon juice. Essential oils are incredibly potent—for instance, one drop of peppermint oil equals 28 cups of peppermint tea! So one drop is usually more than enough. And when using EO’s in your cooking, add the oil towards the end, as high heat can cause much of the oil to vaporize and lose their potent quality in your food.
One of my new favorite ways to use lemon essential oil is as a room deodorizer. Slice a citrus of your choice, and hollow out a half. Fill this with coarse sea salt, and a drop or two of lemon. This will be good for about a week; it’s a lovely centerpiece and smells amazing!
You don’t have to say goodbye to summer just yet. You can carry those sunny-day feels into the hum-drum of winter with this citrus oil.
*When ingesting essential oils, it is important to only use CPTG (certified pure therapeutic grade). Many EO’s contain synthetics (think perfume) which have been added to dilute and stretch so as to offer lower prices. You wouldn’t drink perfume, so please don’t ingest essential oils with added synthetics. Take care of yourself!
**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
TWEET THIS: Keep Summer Going with Lemon Essential Oils @RealMojo68 @ThatBedfordGal #lemon #summer #essentialoils
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Enigmatic. Fragile. Tenacious. Reader. Writer. Musician. Grace. These are all words that describe Cara. A superhero/barista by day, she makes coffee and plots epic stories in the Deep South. Evenings, she can be found on the ranch, making her own natural skin and beauty products and helping others reach wellness goals through essential oils.
