Book Review: ‘A Place of Yes.’
The best qualities in you have always been there, but when you get stuck in the past and make your pain your identity, then that’s what you become. —Bethenny Frankel, “A Place of Yes”
Morethebitterlemon
Book Review: ‘Cleaving’.
I just finished reading Julie Powell’s second memoir, Cleaving: A Story of Marriage, Meat, and Obsession. You might recognize Powell’s name from her first book, Julie and Julia, which I read and loved. Because of that, I was looking forward to reading the sequel, and I wasn’t disappointed. While Powell’s first book was much about […]
MoreHey, teach!
After weeks of prepping, I had an interview yesterday to determine whether I could teach a class I created all on my own: Blogging for Beginners. I got the class! I will say, right from the start, I never ever thought I would teach. However, over the 10 years of my writing career, I have […]
MoreStory Submissions.
As a reader of this blog, I have to assume you have some experience, or at least interest, in romantic relationships. I have joined thoughts with fellow writer and blogger Gina Gennari of “Just Married” to write a book about dating and relationships. Although we have several stories between us, we need your input. Please […]
MoreAlways & forever.
To my one true love, Holly. Lonely was the song I sang, ’till the day you came. Showing me another way, and all that your love can bring. Happy Valentine’s Day! See you tonight Baby! Love always & forever, John Mayer
MoreMrs. Bieber
I was excited this morning when I heard a sweet story on the news: the story of Mrs. Bieber. Mrs. Bieber, or Avalanna, is a 6-year-old who is diagnosed with a rare type of cancer. She is a huge Justin Bieber fan, so much so, she had a fake wedding to him. When the Biebs […]
MoreLosing it all.
I talk a lot about losing relationships—the romantic ones—and how difficult they are to move past. This weekend, I lost three friendships faster than I could ever imagine. Losing friendships, I am learning, is part of life. You meet people, they spend time in your life, and perhaps they stay, or maybe they go. These […]
MoreStanding up.
Remember when I told you I had been thinking of Valentine’s Days gone by? Well, as I’ve mentioned, they aren’t all ribbons and pearls, or chocolate and roses, perhaps. But, they aren’t all about me sitting and moping, either. If I think back further, years ago, there was a Valentine’s Day when I actually stood […]
MoreSimilar paths.
Anna Sofia Martin’s latest article on The Frisky really caught my attention: “8 Tips For Landing a Job or a Man This Valentine’s Day.” While I’m not looking for either of those things, I’ve never thought about just how similar these two things are: job hunting vs. on the prowl. Martin finds herself in a […]
MorePrevious heart.
I’ve been thinking a lot about Valentine’s Days from years behind me…and it doesn’t look pretty. One in particular, two years ago, hurts me the most. But as I continue to move on as a single woman, learning from these moments is what it’s all about. So, I want to share with you a piece […]
MoreChocoholic.
Choc-o-hol-ic adjective Containing or relating to chocolate: Dove is the favorite chocoholic brand. Caused by the excessive consumption of chocolate: chocoholic headache. Suffering from chocoholism: her chocoholism tendencies were ruining her diet. Noun Person suffering from chocoholism.
MoreKeeping distance.
A week from today, couples will celebrate the oh-so-fun holiday, Valentine’s Day. Jesus. For the 26th year in a row, I’m single on Hearts Day, and once again, I’m searching for ways to survive this couples’ holiday. Luckily, The Frisky came to my rescue with the article, “15 Ways to Avoid Valentine’s Day This Year.” […]
MoreGuilty pleasure.
Last week, I was driving home late from a meeting and was blaring my usual 90’s music station. I squealed with delight as the Backstreet Boys’ “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” came on the radio. Is the song a work of art? Hardly. But listening to it brought me back—way back—to the days when songs from boy […]
MoreToxic.
Earlier this week, The Frisky posted an interesting article, “Thoughts From Guys On Our IM: Do You Worry About Being a ‘Toxic Bachelor’?” The article stemmed from a friend of the author’s who’d said he wanted to settle down in fear of becoming a “Toxic Bachelor,” explained as a moment in time when it’s “no […]
MoreHow to love.
Lil Wayne is one of my favorite artists—not to mention a fun person to see in concert—but I love how clever his songs are. Months ago, on a date, his song “How to love,” came on, which sparked a good conversation about Weezy himself. Things didn’t work out with that date, but it’s a fond […]
MoreSent, inbox, trash, delete.
Yesterday, I started the oh-so-fun task of cleaning out my work email account, as we are going through a program migration tomorrow. So that left me to sort through a solid 7,000 emails in attempts to start fresh. Sigh. Things were going as great as they could be considering the circumstances when I started clicking […]
MoreThe list.
Yesterday, The Frisky posted an article on “the list.” You know the list I’m talking about…that list of everything you want in a significant other. Perhaps some of the things on the list are dreamy—his stunning eyes, his golden locks—some of them might be fun—hobbies he’ll have, or those he won’t—and of course, there are […]
MoreWhen to text.
As I venture out more and more in the dating scene, I’ve gotten more annoyed with the amount of text-messaging that happens there. Yeah, I know I sound like a huge loser, that I’m not with it. Believe me, I do my fair share of texting and have even had entire relationships (or so it […]
MoreChronic cuddler.
Earlier this week, a local magazine published an editorial I wrote about my neighbor. You can read it here. Long story short, I went to his apartment for what I assumed was an innocent evening and ended up having to run out of there after he was trying to force me to cuddle with him. […]
MoreBlogging in higher ed.
In last Sunday’s issue of The New York Times there was an “Education Life” insert full of articles on the modern college student. As a blogger, I was super excited to check out “Term Paper Blogging,” an article written by Matt Richtel on the idea of the age-old term paper being replaced with a blog. […]
MoreCaught in the middle.
One thing about writing a memoir is the difference between what happened then and what is happening now. The things I’m writing about, or rather, thinking about writing about when really they need to be edited and rewritten, happened years ago. Many. Years. Ago. Not only do I have to remember several things about those […]
MoreIf it was easy…
Just before the new year, I read a book I just couldn’t wait to get my hands on: “If It Was Easy They’d Call the Whole Damn Thing a HoneyMoon,” by Jenna McCarthy. The reviews for this book promised a hilarious read, and they were right on point. McCarthy tells the story of life as […]
MoreBreaking the pattern.
Last week, one of my favorite website, The Frisky, posted an article about dating habits: “10 Unhealthy Dating Patterns And How to Break Them.” I am a sucker for any article relating to dating, but I’m usually shocked at just how true they are. This article was no different. While yes, I know there are […]
MoreGet (p)interested.
Well, I succumbed to the peer pressure and joined Pinterest. If you haven’t heard yet, Pinterest is basically a collection of virtual bulletin boards where you can post pictures, clippings, ideas, etc onto them just as you would a real bulletin board. I have several friends who’ve been on this for months and have told […]
MoreExit Left, Wordlessly.
In last Sunday’s issue of The New York Times, there was a great Modern Love article by Aimee Lee Ball, “Exit Left, Wordlessly.” Read it here. In it, Ball explains a relationship she had with a Civil War re-enactor. Although she was attracted to him, she questioned some of the stories he told her about his […]
MoreDrive down memory lane.
Before I left work yesterday, I was rummaging around in my desk and came across an old stack of CDs. Near the top was one very dear to my heart: The Spirit Room by Michelle Branch. This album came out in 2001, when I was a junior in high school. This was the same year […]
MoreBetter late than never.
Hello all! I know I am constantly apologizing for not posting enough on this site. I also know that excuses don’t get anyone anywhere—only action can do that. But here I am, posting. I’m not huge on New Year’s resolutions, but it’s always good to have goals. In 2012, I am most definitely staying on […]
MoreOnline submissions.
I came across this article on Twitter (follow me @OrangeJulius7) last month from Writer’s Relief: “Online Writing Submissions: Mistakes Writers Make Submitting to Literary Agents and Editors” Here’s a few tips I learned: Don’t rush. Take your time, follow ALL of the guidelines. Don’t forget to actually SUBMIT the work. Proofread (no typos or slang). […]
MoreRedundant.
It seems really silly and stupid of me to post two entries in a row that are apologies about not writing. I have, yet again, put all the fun stuff on hold for what? Work, I suppose. This book is really important to me, so I don’t know why I keep letting it slip to […]
MoreStill alive.
Hello all! I want to offer my sincere apologies for not writing in well over a month. I know, I’m a slacker…and I’m kicking myself in the ass for it. Truth be told, I’ve made the mistake of letting other things get in the way of making progress on my book…things like work, freelance, and […]
MoreIntimidated.
I’ve been researching agents and the publishing world for just a few days now, and I will admit {as much as I hate to} that it is an intimidating world out there. I’m starting to second guess all of the work I’ve done, and wonder if I need to work harder, longer, be more clever…in […]
MoreHelpful hints.
Hello everyone! I’m spending a Sunday inside {it’s rather dreary outside}, but I’m attempting to be productive and do some research on this whole book publishing thing. I’m reading some of the articles in my 2011 Guide to Literary Agents, and have found some helpful links for all of us! The Association of Author’s Representatives […]
MoreThe day you’ve been waiting for…
That last post (below) was one a wrote WHILE giving a presentation on why blogging is great for business. I logged into my Dashboard and showed the audience just how easy it is to post using WordPress (I know, I should be paid for this stuff). But anyway, last night I finally finished editing the […]
MoreOfficially ready for 2011.
On my way home from work this evening, I used a gift card I got for Christmas to purchase the latest edition of Writer’s Market (the gospel for us folk). In years prior, I buy the general Writer’s Market, but since all I am focused on this year is publishing my book, I was happily […]
MoreI’m still here!
Hello all, and Happy New Year! Ugh, my sincere apologies for not writing lately. I have been totally drained, and really haven’t done a good job of keeping up with ANY of my many writing projects…I’m completely blaming the holidays and my long break from work that’s got me completely lazy! Anyway, I hope the […]
MoreEditing, round one…done!
I literally JUST finished editing my first rough draft. Man, it feels great! Many of you have offered to help me edit and I’m so thankful for that. I made all of my edits with pen and paper, so it will probably take me a few days to make them electronically (I know I probably […]
MoreStill editing.
Hello all! I promise I’m still around. I just unpacked the rough draft to do an hour or so of editing. I am currently on page 21. I’m hoping to be finished tomorrow, so I can make all of my changes electronically and then send out the latest copies of the text. Wish me luck!
MoreLet the editing begin.
Hello readers! My chapter, “Checking Out” was the final chapter of my book—that’s right, I’ve completed writing the rough draft of How To Make Lemonade! It feels really weird saying that…but at the same time, it feels great. I wrote it months before the deadline I assigned myself, which is beyond me, really. Now that […]
MoreChecking Out.
In late October, Austin and I got into a pretty heated fight (big shocker, I know). He was coming into town for Thanksgiving the following month and I told him it would be a good time for us to meet each other’s parents—my mom was coming in town to cook with me and he was […]
MoreBroken People.
AJ, Hey you! Just wanted to say thanks for another great weekend. I have fun with you whether we’re out or just at home…because you’re that cool. I’m looking forward to another visit soon. I know things might suck now but I am certain time will help in a decision that will be the best […]
MoreThat Feeling.
Toward the end of July, I had a bit of a meltdown. I hadn’t really talked to Austin much since I got home from Dallas. So I assumed he would never talk to me again. Everything he was doing I was applying it to my fear and I finally broke down. I thought about what […]
MoreOne-a-Days
Before my trip to Dallas, Austin and I got into another fight. We talked on the phone one day when clearly, we should not have. He was being a dick because I didn’t call him when he wanted me to. So when I said I’d let him go so he could work, he got pissed. It […]
MoreMisery Loves.
Shortly after my 22nd birthday, school and work were really taking up my time and energy, and I was really stressed out over my summer school classes. But since I was so busy, I didn’t have much social time. Most of my girlfriends had boyfriends or didn’t have time or money to go out, which often […]
MoreWave Goodbye.
After Austin graduated, I went on vacation to St. Thomas with my mom and best friend. Austin was still in Baton Rouge looking for jobs. In mid June, I spent three days and nights with Austin. Thursday night was the first time we saw each other since I got back from St. Thomas. I really […]
MoreBack to Texas.
After I cooled off from being royally reject by Eddie, I went back on my word and started talking to Austin again. Naturally, when my friends found out Austin and I were talking again, they were skeptical—warning me that all Austin wanted from me was sex, but I gave him the benefit since I cared for […]
MoreGiving Up.
When Eddie didn’t call me the following day, or days after that, I knew it was the Adam situation all over again. I was confused and heartbroken. But unlike my relationship with Adam, Eddie and I were always open with each other. It was clear how much we liked each other’s company. But if that […]
MoreTrail Mix.
In September, I went to an LSU game with a few of my girlfriends. We thought it would be a great idea to wakeup early and throw back a few mimosas, since it was an afternoon game. But the alcohol and the heat made for a very unpleasant mix. So I went home early, and […]
MoreOlive Street.
After work, we went to a restaurant just across the street from American Eagle. We ordered beers—I got mine on draft and he made a weird comment about how draft beer was cheaper and wondered if that’s why I got it. It wasn’t. During our conversation, it came out that I had a male roommate. […]
MoreNew Territory.
In August, A&F was cutting my hours, so I looked elsewhere for work. Naturally, I decided to go to the dark side and put in an application at American Eagle. When I went to drop off my completed application, there was a hot guy working the counter. His name was Eddie. He was just my […]
MoreStupid Hat.
I managed to survive my time at work, even when Austin was around. He wasn’t dating anyone else, and neither was I. In June, he told me he wanted to take me to the Marc Broussard concert that I’d bought him tickets for when we were still together. I liked Marc Broussard, but I wasn’t […]
MoreLove Letters.
Austin and I didn’t go on many dates before we decided to be exclusive. Our first two dates went very well, and I remember wondering if things were moving too fast. I didn’t know if I was really ready for another relationship—I was still feeling the baggage from Adam. But I felt like Austin and […]
MoreFish in the Sea.
I was in the stockroom at work one Saturday, trying to reorganize clothes, when Austin came in complaining about a recent date he went on. The girl he went with worked at A&F with us, just like all of the girls Austin took on dates. His general complaint was a blanket fear of never finding […]
MoreI Spy.
After Halloween, the anger portion of my grief set in. The lovely Facebook showed me pictures of Adam in a frat boy costume. He was with a girl who was dressed as a pirate wench. She is now his wife. Although I had declared my single status on Facebook, I wasn’t an idiot—Adam hadn’t met […]
MoreCleared for Landing.
When I flew back to Louisiana, I had just as much trouble as I did getting to Indiana. My luggage was lost, again. And I could tell something was very off with Adam. I hadn’t talked to him all day, and even when I called him to tell him I made it home safely, he […]
MoreRight Down the Middle.
When I returned to LSU for the fall semester of my junior year, I was on a high. I was in love with someone who loved me. When I left Indiana, we were certain we could make it work, despite the 14 hours between us. I was confident in our relationship, feeling like it was […]
MoreThe Sunrise.
After the night in Adam’s dorm over winter break, and returning to LSU for the spring semester, I was ready to go home and see my friends for the summer. Sheena and I were headed out for a typical summer night—out to a lake house. This was a friend’s family’s lake house—a notorious hotspot for partying […]
MoreBack to the Grind.
Hey there! I’ve spent a long weekend with my dad, who came into town for his 50th birthday and the football game of the year: LSU vs. BAMA. It was his first time in Tiger Stadium, and we got to cheer on the Tigers to victory! A really great game to see. We spent the […]
MoreThe Darker Side.
As close as Adam and I were, I never saw much of him during school breaks. Over the summer, Adam and his family spent time at their lakeside cottage in Michigan. During Christmas break, he was either closing the cottage or traveling to visit other family members. From the outside, his family looked perfect. Adam’s […]
MoreThe Start of it All.
He arrived at her house in his black Sunfire. The sunroof was open, letting the evening sun pour into the gray interior. He was the first one in our grade to get his license and a car, dubbing him the official driver. His friend was in the passenger’s seat, waiting for my girlfriend and I […]
MoreNew Chapter.
My latest entry was the last of my story [for book one anyway}. I sifted through piles of notes, postcards, journal entries, pictures and even paycheck stubs to gather my thoughts and jog my memory of those things, which happened years ago. Although parts of it were difficult to go back and examine, I knew […]
MoreToo Late.
When Thanksgiving actually came around, I didn’t see or talk to Austin despite us being in the same city. I spent time with a man I was casually dating. Months passed and I distanced myself from Austin—the more time went on, I realized just how wrong he was for me, but I hadn’t had my […]
MoreTurkey Day.
In late October 2007, Austin and I got into a pretty heated fight (big shocker, I know). He was coming into town for Thanksgiving the following month and I told him it would be a good time for us to meet each other’s parents—my mom was coming in town to cook with me and he […]
MoreBroken People.
October 7, 2007 {9:34 p.m.}: I’ve been feeling better about the AJ situation since we talked about things. When we talked, we never really got anything solved, but at least I learned Austin didn’t mean most of what he said and he was just trying to get a reaction out of me. There is still […]
MoreDoesn’t Mean Anything.
September 30, 2007: Been a long time since I’ve been here. Been writing some on my computer—but I’ve reached that point where I really need to just WRITE. Last night, I cried for the first time over a fight Austin and I had over two weeks ago. I left for work and was coming home […]
MoreBack From Dallas.
AJ, Hey you! Just wanted to say thanks for another great weekend. I have fun with you whether we’re out or just at home…because you’re that cool. I’m looking forward to another visit soon. I know things might sucks now but I am certain time will help in a decision that will be the best […]
MoreCity of Light.
I was on my way to Los Angeles for the first time ever, and I was alone. I’d flown alone many times before, but never to a place where I didn’t know anyone. I’d never been further west than Chicago. I boarded my plane, headed to LAX, and felt pretty relaxed on the large flight. […]
MoreHouston Airport II.
August 14, 2007 {9:59 a.m}: It seems airport writing has become my thing—or maybe just airports in general. I’m here in Texas on my way to Los Angeles, finally! So much has happened since I wrote last. Seriously last week was such a roller coaster. Gabe and Nik and Evan ALL contacted me so my […]
MoreA Meltdown.
July 25, 2007 {10:40 p.m.}: Okay, so yesterday I had a bit of a meltdown. For starters, I really hadn’t talked to Austin much since I got home from Dallas. So of course I assumed he would never talk to me again. Everything he was doing I was applying it to my fear and I […]
MoreHouston Airport.
July 22, 2007 {9:22 p.m.}: New journal, I know. Here I am, in Houston waiting for my next flight into New Orleans. I just finished my weekend with Austin in Dallas. I had so much fun with him and I definitely was so sad to leave him. Of course, I was wrong about so many […]
MoreAnother Fight.
July 10, 2007 {12:59 p.m.}: OK, so I don’t have my fucking journal, I’m at Starbucks and pissed at Austin AGAIN! This is the third time in three days. We talked yesterday when we definitely should not have. He was being a dick because I didn’t call him when he wanted me to. So when […]
MoreJust Wondering.
July 7, 2007{8:30 p.m.}: Okay, once again it’s been awhile since I’ve been here. I’m 22 now! School and work have been really taking up my time and energy…I’ve been really stressed. My geology grade sucks, I can’t seem to get ahold of the concepts and time is running out. But since I’ve been so […]
More
The Bitter Lemon 
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