I bought a crockpot a few days ago, and I've been raving about it on Facebook and Twitter, and to anybody who can't get away from me fast enough.
This little piece of machinery has become my BFF, my boon companion, my own personal chef that has delicious food waiting for me when I come home, or even when I am home. All I do is put basic ingredients in the stoneware container, and several hours later they have been magically transformed into a mouth-watering meal.
Naturally I think how this is similar to the writing process. (I've warned you before how everything reminds me of writing. Now you can see what I mean.)
I discovered this link between crockpots and writing because I have a sort of deadline in mind for publishing Lord Wastrel. This is the next book in The Curse of True Love series, the one that follows Lord Rakehell's Love.
I would say Lord Wastrel is about 85% done--but don't hold me to that, since my math skills can be a bit sketchy. Also, my characters love to surprise me with unexpected, unsanctioned work stoppages and slowdowns, especially when I believe we're all in a good groove.
Anyway, I would like to publish this book in the next month or so, but some parts aren't quite right yet. It's not one of those situations where I can just pound out a certain amount of words and everything will be fixed. No, what is required is sitting and stewing.
I take all I know about my characters, as well as the scenes I've written, and dump it into the big crockpot of my brain. I ponder why the chapter I devoted hours to on a previous day is decidedly lacking in zing. I cogitate about how the character is going through the paces, but they're a bit begrudging about it, as if they are aggravated that I can't figure out what they need to say and do.
Sometimes my crockpot brain does its thing while I'm occupied with chores, or reading, or commuting. It's nice to multi-task, since my contrary characters will take as long as they need to. I respect that. After all, I'm a contrarian too.
Still, I can't help but wish it was a quicker process. While the crockpot takes mere hours, my brain might take a couple of days to finally produce that result I've been impatiently waiting on.
So if Lord Wastrel takes a little bit longer than I'd hoped, now you know why. I'm constantly stirring, lifting the lid to check the progress, trying not to whine, "Aren't you done YET?"
I just have to be patient with the process. It always works. Always.
Until then, I'll just wish for that day when my writing brain acts more like a microwave than a slow cooker.
Here's the recipe I promised you. You can use pork or beef, too. It's so yummy.
Ingredients
1 medium onions or 1/2 large onions, thinly sliced
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Sauce
1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons molasses
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1 pinch salt
Directions
Cut the onion in half and slice into thin half rings. Line the bottom of the crock pot with the onions.
Trim the chicken breasts and place on top of the bed of onions.
Mix all of the sauce ingredients together and pour on top of the chicken covering completely. (I make the sauce the night before so that it is a simple dump and run in the morning.)
Cook for 6 hours on low setting. The sauce thickens and turns into a dark rich brown during cooking. At the same time the onions dissolve into the sauce.
When the chicken is falling apart tender, take two forks and shred the chicken.
Serve on top of split buns. I like mine toasted so they hold up better to the weight of the shredded chicken.
Now that you've had a yummy lunch/dinner - go write Lord Westral!! LOL
<3
@Barburella
Posted by: Bookhammock.wordpress.com | October 16, 2013 at 06:03 AM
OMG, that sounds amazing! If I wasn't thrilled about getting my crockpot before, I sure am now. LOL I've got to pick up a couple of ingredients and then I'm definitely making this. (Can you hear my characters cheering in the background? LOL)
And I spent all day yesterday on Lord Wastrel -- slow but steady. Okay, slow but slow. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 16, 2013 at 07:28 AM
I should really use my slow cooker more.
Posted by: Kate Warren | October 16, 2013 at 02:53 PM
I'm so glad I have one -- it does require a little planning (not my strong suit!), but boy are the results worth it!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 16, 2013 at 08:06 PM
Ha! More like a microwave. :) You crack me up, Donna. I love my crockpot, especially when I remember to get it going. :)
I agree, that recipe sounds delicious. I'm going to have to try it too. Thanks!
Posted by: S.J. Maylee | October 17, 2013 at 11:41 AM
Ya gotta admit it would be AWESOME to have a microwave brain, right? LOL I'm gonna put my crockpot to work tomorrow, so it can be exerting itself while I'm writing. We're such a great team. :)
And hey, maybe we can force Eleanor to make this recipe for us. If she sneaks back in here, we'll create a distraction. . . LOL
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 17, 2013 at 12:00 PM
Sometimes having that slow-cooker brain makes everything blend perfectly in the end. So worth the wait. Of course, I get impatient too and want to rush to character-plot-story microwave :)
I always love your writing comparisons, Donna. So much fun. And I just grabbed that recipe to try. Sounds delish!
Posted by: Mae Clair | October 19, 2013 at 12:52 PM
Mae, I'm glad you like my writing comparisons. I swear everything can be analogized to the writing process. LOL
I get impatient, too, which is why there ought to be at least ONE part of the process that's microwavable. I'd definitely pick revisions. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 20, 2013 at 01:49 PM