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What Writers Can Learn From TV

I’ll just come out and say it, “Hi, my name is Sarah and I’m a crime show junkie.” Deep breath. There I said it. I LOVE a well written, well cast mystery drama. I devour them like a dog with a fresh steak. I especially love murder mystery shows featuring a crack sleuth author (like Murder, She Wrote or its more recent protégé Castle.) But that’s for another post.

So here’s the kicker, most writers might consider TV a bad habit – something to add to the list of things that keep you from writing. And, for the most part, if you are on the couch for five hours watching a Jersey Shore marathon, that is true. You are wasting your time! And with reality TV – ugh! But I’m here to liberate you from your TV rut.

Yes, get up off your couch, in fact, do a couple laps to get your circulation going again and then get to your writing spot. Now, here’s the bad news – no more reality TV marathons. (There’s really nothing edifying whatsoever about them – although I’m sure if I tried hard enough I could rationalize some merit out of…maybe…one episode.) But fret not my writing friends, there’s good news. Watching TV can actually benefit your writing!

So how can you rationalize watching all your favorite shows instead of writing? How do you tear yourself away from those captivating stories on the screen to create your own? USE them to enhance your own writing!

Here’s the deal, you get to pick one episode of your favorite show (or a scene from your favorite movie) and use it when considering the following list of things we can learn from TV.

  1. Multiple perspectives. That brilliant show you love so much was most likely written by more than one person. What can we learn from this little fact? Don’t be afraid to bounce your ideas or drafts off of a few trusted writing friends or your critique group. Having multiple eyes on a piece can provide depth and perspective that you might not otherwise have.
  2. A short and simple plot. While there are plenty of shows that have multiple sub-plots and character spin offs, ultimately the more successful series have a format where each episode has an overarching, clear and simple plot. Check the show you’ve chosen. What is the main plot in a nutshell? If there’s too much going on in a single episode it can bog down your audience and cause them to lose interest.
  3. Ending on action. Consider your chosen episode again. How does it end? How do the producers keep you coming back for more? They end every episode or commercial break in some sort of action. They leave you with a question or with a vested interest in the main characters that make you care about what happens to them. This is a common method used among many great suspense writers like Grisham and Patterson. It’s what keeps you tuned in through the commercials and what will keep your readers turning the pages.
  4. Dialogue. Dialogue is generally the aspect I come to admire most in my favorite shows. It’s often the feature that makes me classify a show as my favorite. Is the dialogue of your chosen show realistic? Quick-witted? Dry humor? Whatever it is that makes you appreciate the words that come out of your favorite character’s mouth, consider the factors that support what they say. How exactly did they say “I love it.” Was it with sarcasm? Sincerity? With a raised brow in question? What do you think the director told the actor when explaining how they should act out that scene? What was their motivation? Try the following exercise to help you study and catch all the nuances of your favorite scene and see how it helps amplify the dialogue in your own work.

Exercise – watch an episode of one of your favorite shows. Listen carefully to the dialogue and write down your favorite quotes. After the show – use it! Try to re-create the scene surrounding that quote. Capture all the five senses of your characters and portray the mood of the moment. So go ahead, watch re-runs of Friends. But do it with paper and pen in hand.

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Writer’s Kitchen: Absinthe Cake

Absinthe Cake

Earnest Hemingway didn’t like to talk about writing. Fearing that talking about it would remove the magic, he chose to let the ideas and stories percolate in his subconscious after a day’s work.

However, what worked for Hemingway doesn’t work for everybody. Personally, sharing the writing process and experience with Sarah creates inspiration in itself. Whether we’re camped out with our laptops and working on our novels or just checking in on each other’s process and ideas while enjoying a glass of wine or a pastry, that community we share helps unblock a stalled story and creates accountability. And sometimes it’s just good to leave the writing behind for a while and share an experience. Like baking a cake.

Our husbands joke that we were separated at birth. In addition to the childhood subscriptions to Cat Fancy magazine and an uncharacterisic propensity toward loud, angst-filled music, we’re both passionate about two things: writing and good food. And we often find the two connecting in some way.

For example, cooking and baking are methodological. A recipe spells out the ingredients and steps, and when the instructions are followed, the result is a cake, loaf of bread, entree, or hors d’oeuvres ready to be enjoyed. Likewise, when ideas and writing tools are combined, the writer produces a poem, short story, article, or novel that may someday engage and delight readers.

We all have our own processes, whether we keep our lips closed on our book like Hemingway or work with a critique group to get feedback. Hemingway probably wouldn’t agree with my way of doing things, but given his time in Paris during the 1920s, I wouldn’t be surprised if he approved of this cake.

Absinthe Cake
Adapted from David Lebovitz’s The Sweet Life in Paris

3/4 teaspoon anise seeds
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup almond flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 Tablespoons unsalted butter (bring to room temperature)
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs (bring to room temperature)
1/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup absinthe
Grated orange zest

For the glaze:
3 Tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup absinthe

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prep a 9-inch springform pan by buttering it and then lining the bottom with a round of parchment paper.

Crush the anise seeds with a mortar and pestle, then combine with all the other dry ingredients and sift into a small bowl.

In another bowl, combine the milk, absinthe, and 1-2 teaspoons of orange zest; reserve the rest of the orange for another use.

Beat the butter and sugar, preferably in a stand mixer, until light and fluffy, then add eggs, one at a time, letting the first one become incorporated before mixing in the second.

Stop the mixer at this time and add half of the flour mixture. Stir briefly, then add the milk and absinthe.

Taking care to not overmix, add the rest of the flour mixture and stir by hand just until incorporated.

Pour the batter into the pan and gently smooth the top. Bake for about 35 minutes, using the toothpick test to determine when it’s done. Let it cool somewhat before removing it from the pan, and let cool completely before beginning the glaze.

When you’re ready to glaze the cake, liberally poke holes in the cake with a toothpick to help the glaze soak in. Stir the sugar and absinthe together in a smooth bowl, taking care so the sugar doesn’t dissolve. Brush the glaze over the top and sides of the cake, continuing until you use all the glaze.

Enjoy!

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Destination Inspiration: Naked City Taphouse

“Come In. Sit Long. Drink Beer. Talk Much.”

So says the sign hanging over the kitchen in Naked City Taphouse in Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood. Here, the beer showcases the best of the Northwest, the wine is selected with care, and the food is exceptional beyond the normal pub grub.

The two of us spend our days in Greenwood, where we hold our day jobs, so Naked City is a natural fit for our post-work writing brainstorms. The sign above may as well be the motto for the inspiration we’ve found here. When the two of us publish our novels, we’re likely to include Naked City in the acknowledgments, for the time we’ve spent here letting our creativity brew.

Food

Best known for their beer and pretzels, Naked City also provides a full menu featuring locally produced artisan bread, house-made pickles, menu items for both carnivores and vegetarians, and selections for voracious appetites (a selection of hearty sandwiches) and nibblers (landjäger, sliders).

The beer is the focal point, with a comprehensive selection including a couple dozen options available on draught. They even brew their own beers. Come for the beer, but also try their great wines. While you’re not going to find Cayuse or Isenhower here, their small but well-chosen list will exceed your expectations for a pub, and their house wine–a pinot noir–around the $5 mark is definitely above average.

Our recommendations:

  • Landjäger – Cut into thin slices and served with grainy mustard, it’s the perfect chomp to pair with a beer
  • Reuben – This is possibly the healthiest reuben out there; at least it tastes like it. Full of flavor and packed thickly with meat, but not oozing with grease, Naked City has perfected the balance between decadence and restraint in this classic sandwich.
  • Veggie sandwich – Not your average vegetable sandwich, stuffed with artichoke, asparagus, carrots and onions, this one comes on a pillowy bun from Essential Bakery (confirm fact) with a sauce so flavorful it’s hard to miss the meat. It’s sure to please both vegetarians and carnivores.
  • Smoked cheese and tomato sandwich – Okay, maybe it’s not fair to mention an item that’s no longer on the menu, but I’m still holding out hope that a future menu revision will bring this delightful sandwich back. Open-faced on a wonderful bread, the Beechers smoked cheese was melted with slices of tomatoes was perfect simplicity, especially when paired with a salad with the house vinaigrette.

Location and atmosphere

Naked City boasts a traditional pub style with a few unique touches. With the typical mirrored bar backdrop reflecting the back bar with stacked glasses, the local art hung on the adjacent wall contributes a neighborhood flavor. What makes this venue even more notable are the two TVs hanging on both ends of the bar showing old black and white movies and ESPN. It provides a great mix. You can catch the tail end of Casablanca while waiting for the Sounders kick off.

In terms of volume and writability, the background air is mostly composed of subtle white noise of chatter and low, but not obnoxious music, in various genres from beat based to oldies. Nothing overwhelming. The decibels are high, but like all good white noise, easy to talk over. Some writers may consider it welcomed noise because enough is going on that one can sit and work in anonymity.
There is ample table seating for two-to four and two-sided bar seating. They will also accommodate larger parties for critique groups. It’s a family friendly establishment with high-chairs readily accessible.

Purchased presence

Purchased presence calls for at least a drink, maybe with some scrumptious food if time allows.

Writeability
With an underlying energy, this is the perfect venue for a person who works well with white noise. But if you are driven to distraction, this is not the place for you unless you can utilize it. It’s a good location for a writer who needs to get out of the house, get a jumpstart, or for someone who works best under the scrutiny of watchful eyes (whether the eyes care if you are working or not). We’ve found that, often times, looking busy leads you to be busy.  And if it’s enough of a distraction to hamper your work, perhaps you just need a break or you need to call a writing buddy to join you for some valid accountability. This is a great writing venue with a lot going on, one way or another, you can use the bustle to your advantage.

Set your own time frame and writing goals to get done – this is an excellent deadline destination. It’s also good if you need a short brainstorm session. 90 minutes – beer or wine or two, plus food like a sandwich and your piece can be done in the length of a soccer game.

Price: $$

Parking

Street parking is readily available if you’re willing to walk. While one can often find a spot on Greenwood Avenue virtually right in front, it can’t be guaranteed in this up-and-coming neighborhood. If you can’t find parking on Greenwood Ave, head north on Greenwood, turn right on 87th and travel a block east until you reach Phinney Avenue North. You’re likely to find a spot on the street between the Safeway parking lot and the apartments across the street.

Writers’ tip

Come equipped with a composition book and a pen with plenty of ink; the written word–rather than the typed–will flow as smoothly as the beer being poured from the taps. Laptops, while welcomed, erect the invisible don’t-disrupt-me-walls and clash with the convivial atmosphere here.

Find it
Naked City Taphouse
8564 Greenwood Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 838-6299
www.nakedcitybrewing.com

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Destination Inspiration: Portland’s Pearl Bakery

If we were going to choose any city in the country that would feel the most like our Seattle home, it would have to be Portland. It’s familiar enough, yet has its own distinct character, making it a great spot for a writing getaway. On a sunny Thursday in June, the two of us hopped in Sarah’s car and drove down I-5 for a day-long adventure in Portland.

After asking around for a great bakery or cafe, we walked through the doors of Pearl Bakery, a spot where locals told us other cafes get their pastries from. So, it must be good, right? We were pleasantly surprised–on a number of levels.

First, the shortbread was moist and crumbly and dense and perfect (we’re all about food, after all). Second, the setting–from the lighting, music, furniture arrangement, and overall ambiance–made for a great writing spot. So, with that, welcome to Nooks & Cranberries and our first Destination Inspiration post.

Food (first things first–writers need fuel to get them started)
We’re quite spoiled. Our hometown of Seattle is packed with delicious pastries, from the buttery, gooey twice-baked chocolate croissant at Bakery Nouveau (more on that in a future post) and the pain au chocolate at Cafe Besalu (OK, more on that, too). After tasting such marvelous baked creations, we’ve both come to the conclusion that it’s just not worth wasting calories on less-than-delicious treats. So with that, Pearl Bakery had to work hard to impress us.

The brownie, while nothing unique, was moist and chocolately, just as a brownie should be. However, it lacked the complexity and depth of a true artisanal pastry (although the raspberry was a nice touch). The shortbread, however, was spectacular. It exceeded our expectations with its crumbly texture that was moist, yet fell apart in the mouth with a delicate burst of salt and a smooth, buttery finish. Soft toward the middle, crispy toward the edges, the shortbread was neither too rich nor too dense. Yep, it was perfect. Lighter than a cookie yet denser than a cake, it could be considered the pound cake of shortbreads.

Sarah’s chai was exactly what one would expect from a cup of chai: the right amount of spice and sweetness. While nothing unique, outstanding, or noteworthy, it was a solid and traditional version that one can likely expect consistency from. It gave the impression that if Sarah were to order a second cup, she’d get the exact same thing. Come to think of it, that was also the case with Daytona’s cappuccino.

By the time we arrived in mid-afternoon, some of the shelves and spaces in the display were empty, indicating that items had been picked over. Breads and pastries must have already flown off the shelves. We weren’t surprised, though. Just take a look at these carrot cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and candied lavender that Patrick and Ian are holding (below). Mouth-watering, right?

So, what does this have to do with writing, you might ask? Everything. Nooks & Cranberries is all about finding inspiration everywhere, from the pillow-padded bay window where you curl up with a journal to the coffee shop you hole up in with a laptop and earphones. But not just any coffee shop will do. If the pastries aren’t delicious, if the coffee is stale, we wouldn’t be in the mood to write; would you?

Location and atmosphere
In the Pearl District, at the corner of NW 9th Avenue and NW Couch Street, this gem is just blocks from Powell’s books, Diesel and one of our all time favorite stores, Anthropologie. Ample indoor and outside seating.
The atmosphere is Tuscan cottage meets Parisian café. Decorated with baguettes and other breads, a rustic wheat wreath, plus white hexagon tiled floor and pendant lights in white and art glass blue.
There is bar seating along sweeping windows and table seating framed out by single,  small pane warehouse windows. The high ceilings studded with pendant lights provide an open, airy atmosphere and, on a warm summer day, a lot of sunlight. This can be a good thing, but as my grandma used to say, all good things in moderation. After sitting in a warm sunshiny window and soaking it in…one may want to move as the heat becomes oppressive and the glare can make it hard to see your laptop screen.

The music is good for writability. It’s instrumental, classical, like what one would find on KING 98.1. On this particular day, the air was filled with something like Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Very low key.

It’s a great place for meetings, whether you’re meeting for business or coming for an interview.

Despite visiting an hour or so before closing time, the bakery was clean and well kept, including the kitchen, which you can see into and observe the inner workings of the shop. Overall, it’s a clean, very transparent place, without seeming exposed or flashy.

Purchased presence
These people are gracious and welcoming. We feel you wouldn’t feel any pressure if you bought one drink and stayed here an afternoon. But then again, why not order seconds and tip well? After all, service is great and the baristas are friendly. No wonder Pearl Bakery seems full of regulars.

Price: $
– Shortbread – $1.50
– Brownie – $2
– Chai – around $3
– Cappuccino – around $3
– Totals: $5 or less per person, plus tip. Reasonable, no? After all, you don’t want to spend your entire advance on coffee and treats, do you?

Parking
Plenty of street parking, plus a parking lot across the street, which look like a paid lot (wonder if they validate or let customers park free?)

Writers’ tip
Come fully charged–outlets may be hard, if not impossible, to come across.

Find it
Pearl Bakery
102 NW 9th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
www.pearlbakery.com

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Dear Writer,

We’re two Seattle writers always seeking out the best places—cafés, bars, restaurants, hotels, etc.—to inspire us and spark our imagination. Surrounded by craggy, snow-capped mountains to the east and the ever-undulating blue waters to the west, we’re constantly amazed by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and the endless inspiration it provides for the writer who seeks it.

Whether we’re curling up fireside at a Northwest lodge or having a brainstorming session with a friend at a café, we’re always discovering new places just waiting for us and our imaginations. As we discover those places, we’re rating the experience for the writer—meaning you will never lack a wealth of places to go with your imagination.

In addition to our regular posts about creative nooks, we’ll be posting words, photos, and quotes to spark your creative engine and knock out that writers block for good. Looking for expert advice on character development, food writing, children’s writing—you name it?—it’s coming!

Curious about when our next post is coming? Check out our editorial calendar (coming soon), and, of course, check back often because we’re known to be spontaneous as well.

Come back soon for our first café critique. Our features on creative nooks will include everything you need to know about the hours, pricing, and parking, as well as how it ranks for inspiring creativity.

We encourage comments. Let us know what you think. The Northwest is yours just as much as it is ours. Share your experiences of the places we recommend and suggest new places. Not from the Northwest? We’re always searching for “dream desintations” so share where you go to write.

Happy writing,

Sarah and Daytona