Why Manuscripts Get Rejected by Literary Agents

Time to get back to work writing! February began my query process. And guess what? Today, yes, I'm still querying hoping to snag that one literary agent who screams, "I LOVE THIS! Yes! Yes! Yes!" (i.e. the one who LOVES my story, my writing...and me as a person:)) Bite they have. I can't ignore this or get discouraged either (though it's so easy to)! I feel like I get so stinkin' close (so close) and then "poof" it's back to focusing on sending out more query letters again. I can't wait...

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Tuscan Salmon with Rosemary Orzo

Tuscan Salmon with Rosemary Orzo "Fresh herbs abound here - as does niacin, an energizing B vitamin: One serving of salmon dishes up nearly 70 percent of our daily niacin needs." (Recipe found in Self Magazine April 2011) serves 4 6 oz orzo 2 tsp olive oil 1 1/2 cups chopped onion, divided 1 TBS chopped fresh rosemary 4 salmon fillets (5 oz each), skin on 1/4 cup plus 1 TBS chopped fresh basil 1/4 tsp salt 1/8 tsp black pepper 2...

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Star Tribune Blog - Are you Waiting on Something?

My latest blog in Star Tribune! Are You Waiting on Something? Waiting. I feel like I've been doing that a lot. You?  Read more. Tweet ...

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Pet Peeves

We all have em, right? It's always good to get things off your chest. So I am. Because today wasn't a good day for me. Snow is coming. It's cold in late April (where are you spring?). I'm wearing the same turtleneck purple sweater I've already worn like 15 times this winter and am so ready to retire to the back of my closet. I feel so out of touch with fashion right now. I'm wondering what the heck I'm doing with my life. I feel like...

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Living in the Moment

It's hard to do but maybe living is better than all that waiting I'll be posting my next Star Tribune blog in the next couple of days. It has to do with waiting. Waiting is one of the hardest things to do, and also the most stressful. Sometimes we have no control over the way things turn out or the end result of something. Yet, we always seem to think we have all the control and easily let the worry(ing) eat us alive. We seem to...

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Mexican Turkey Burger from a Housewife

I can't say I'm a huge fan of the Real Housewives (though I tend to get hooked when I turn it on). I used to watch Real Housewives of Orange County but then all these other states started to follow and I couldn't keep up anymore, plus I couldn't take all the stupid drama. But I can't seem to ignore Bethenny Frankel. She's popping up everywhere, and in my Health Magazines. She always seems to have the greatest recipes too. I decided to...

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Tools Needed to Write a Book

Is it Doable to Write a Book? We all have dreams (I hope. If not, get to work!). Mine was to write a book. As I wrote, I noticed something rather cool happening to me. Call it confidence or self-assurance, not sure. But my dream kept growing and growing into this wild adventure. Soon I wanted to be published. Then I decided I wanted to write full time as a career. Then I wanted my book to end up on the New York Times...

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Shrimp "Spear-It"

Asparagus Whole-Wheat Pasta with Lemon Dressing serves 4 (found in Self, April 2011) 1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces 8 oz whole-wheat penne (I used whatever we had leftover) a packet of sun dried tomatoes, chopped a packet of fresh basil, chopped 2 TBS grated lemon zest 2 TBS extra-virgin olive oil 2 TBS fresh lemon juice 1/2 cup crumbled feta I added a bag of frozen shrimp for extra protein 1. Boil...

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Chicken with Fresh Tomato Sauce and Balsamic Broccoli

Chicken With Fresh Tomato Sauce and Balsamic Broccoli serves 4 (found in Shape Magazine...either March or April 2011 issue) 4 4-ounce chicken breasts 1 tsp paprika    salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 12-ounce microwaveable bag broccoli florets 2 tsp olive oil 1 pint cherry tomatoes 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/3 cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced 4 TBS balsamic vinegar (I used Aceto Balsamico from The Olive Tap...

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Sitting Still

Is there such a thing? My mom told me when I was little, I slept a lot. My older brother never slept. She had to wake me up to feed me and poke me to make sure I was alive. If only I could go back... For the past year, I've been spending every minute of free time writing a book. And today I feel like I'm going to jump out of my skin. Why? My book is finished, tons of queries are out to agents, some even have my full manuscript in their hands, and I'm wondering what's next. Why can't I sit still and glow in the fact that I just did...

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Quick Easy, Healthy Lunch

Tuna and Bean Salad serves 4 (found in Women's Health - April 2011) 2 cans of 3 oz chunk light tuna packed in water 1 can up cannellini beans 1 carton of grape tomatoes, sliced 1 can of corn 2 hearts of palm (canned), sliced - I used a whole can of artichokes instead because I couldn't find hearts of palm 1 tsp fresh parsley 1 TBS olive oil I added a squirt of lime, but I think lemon would be good too. 1/4 diced red onion Karl's...

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