The New Years’ holiday, with its duality of backwards-reflection and forwards-resolve, is a perfect symbol for what we historical fiction writers do all the time. We have one foot in the past and the other in the present. We research and write, look into the social customs and private lives of early era people, establish imaginary friendships with kings and industrial magnates, and ask the what-if questions about folks dead long ago.
But our future goals and plans are important, too. Which – finally! – brings me to spatchcocking.
What’s spatchcocking?
It’s a cooking method for large birds like chicken and turkey, where you snip out the backbone and flatten the entire thing to cook in the pan. It looks weird, I know, but apparently everything cooks much more evenly, without the breast meat drying out. (I have yet to try this). For full instructions, check out the video below:
You’re still wondering how the heck spatchcocking is connected to my future plans, right? Ok, I’ve kept you waiting long enough.
I’m going pro, folks, and if that doesn’t make a newbie author feel flayed and splayed – aka spatchcocked – I don’t know what will.
I’ve now written two books in the Concordia Wells mystery series, so I’m preparing the first, Dangerous and Unseemly, for publication in the next few weeks. It’s a mystery set in 1890s Hartford, Connecticut, at a fictitious women’s college, modeled after the Seven Sisters colleges of the time.
The cover artist and copy editor are hard at work now on the project, and the formatter is ready to go once the editor is finished. Squee!
I also have a makeover planned for this website, to go from pure blogging to something more author-centered. I’ll still be blogging regularly because I love hanging out with you guys, but the new site will also have all sorts of goody pages about the world of my protagonist, Professor Concordia Wells, and the college where she teaches. There will be info about the Progressive Era, the city of Hartford during that time, and current museum exhibits dedicated to the time period. There will be links and books galore, Pinterest boards, and sample chapters.
Website developer Laird Sapir has been instrumental in putting this together, and she did a fabulous job! Once I have a cover and a date for the book, the new site will go up.
Stay tuned, and thanks for all of your support!
Do you have big goals for 2013? I’d love to hear from you.
Until next time,
Kathy
P.S. – Special thanks to fellow blogger and fab cyber friend Gloria Richard for issuing the challenge to write a blog post using the word “spatchcock”!
Way to go Kathy!
That spatchcocked bird looks delicious. I for one am looking forward to your new page. It’s a great way to keep your readership informed and salivating for more.
I might toy around with something similar for my series, although it will be a tad dark….
😉
Zack…
See? And, now Zack beat me over here.
Too bad you weren’t first up with the post, Zack. I would have required measurements for the prize. Inquiring minds and all that jazz…
Just sayin’…
As Jenny says.
😉 *wink wink, nudge nudge*
Toying around with something “what” similar, Zack?
A new look for your page to keep fans salivating, or various methods and/or targets for spatchcock cooking?
Toying around with something to keep fans anxiously waiting for the other books… Spatchcocking looks like it would take a bit of practice.
I’m going to have to try it.
Haha, Gloria! It’s the thrill of the win, rather than the undies. Go ahead and donate them to some poor guy going commando at the moment. (I’ll let you come up with your own method of determining that). Of course, you are free to send me a button saying “K.B. is the best spatchcocked blogger everrrr” – or something of the sort. 😉
Thanks for the inspiration!
Zack, you are FAST! Exactly what sort of “tad dark” thing do you have in mind?
By a “tad dark” I mean it would hopefully be scary, visceral, and something that would put you on the edge of your seat.
My series is dark paranormal/thriller/horror. I’m not exactly sure how I would classify it, I just write what I see in my head.
😀
“Scary” and “visceral” are words I’d apply to spatchcocking, Zack. Maybe I can channel my inner dark side, LOL. Just took a peek at your site…looking good!
KA-SNORT!
I went for a stroll back to comments to see who might have posted. Yeah, I know. NOT the most productive use of my day.
And, there you were, K.B! You wascally wabbit. It’s official. I now have a competitive bone in my right earlobe.
Congratulations! You will soon be the proud owner of elaphantine man-undies. What — erm — size should I specify in the order?
There will be more challenges.
You have been warned.
Oops, see reply above. Can’t get the hang of these darned windows…
Hi Kathy! I am standing up and applauding you!!!! I cannot tell you how proud I am of you and how excited I am. I can’t wait for your book to come out. You give me renewed hope that someday I will be able to join the ranks with you all and actually publish a bloody book. Patience has never been my virtue, but oh how life is teaching me how. Congratulations Kathy! (What can I say about Laird that you don’t already know! She’s a doll! ) P.S. That bird looks delicious by the way. I say splay it out girlfriend! Rock on Kathy!!!!!! 🙂
Thanks so much, Karen! You always give me a boost!
Spatchcock! Who would’ve thought? Those crazy words. Where ever did Gloria come up with this one?
I’m very excited for your 2013 plans. A new website? Sort of like redecorating your house? How exciting! Published books? Totally cool!
My goals? Well, I don’t have any over ambitious goals for this year. Just live life without too much worrying and try to appreciate something different every day. I am planning on trying to blog a little more this year and to finish my current WIP and start another one. I’m also hoping to spend a little more time at the piano. I have a big beautiful grand piano that sits in my living room and collects dusts. Those ivories need to be tickled and I’m a gonna tickle them!
Here’s hoping you have a wonderful new year!
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
I must give credit where credit is due.
It was a long, creative hop around Jenny Hansen’s blog that brought me to that word.
On her link back to her post about having Turkey Block, I scrolled through comments and found one from Piper Bayard who mentioned Spatchcocking as a favorite way to cook turkey; mainly because she likes typing and saying the word Spatchcocking.
Things quickly went to the wild side from that point forward.
And, then, K.B. snatched up my Spatchcock post challenge while I was still thinking what I might do with it — the word, not the undies.
LOL, Gloria, I’m sure there’s plenty of spatchcocking to go around…. 😀
Patricia, those all sound like fab goals for this year! I’ve got a piano player in the house, and I love to listen to him practice. Happy 2013! 😀
I had never heard of spatchcocking…and I won’t be trying it soon. let me know how it goes when you try it. good luck with your release…can’t wait to read it.
Thanks, Louise! I’m sure I’ll be published before I do any spatchcocking. 😉
Holy crud-pies! It’s happening! I’m so excited for you! It’s finally being born. I can’t wait to read about Concordia and all her adventures. And I can’t wait to see the overhaul of your blog/website. What an exciting time for you. Lord knows, you have been working your butt off woman.
Smooches!
xoxoRASJ
Aww, thank you, Renee! There’s plenty more keester to be worked off, believe me! 😀
Awesome! Congrats.
Thanks, Sonia! 🙂
I have two internal responses when a favorite writer/blogger tells me they have a book coming out: (1) Woot-woot! I can’t wait! and (2) No! My TBR pile is already to the moon, and I know I must read their book!
Congrats, and I will definitely be watching for the book release. I’m currently in the midst of a historical mystery (Rhys Bowen) and love that genre. Best wishes, Kathy!
Do you like Rhys’s Royal Spyness series? I know what you mean about the TBR pile, Julie. A mixed blessing, isn’t it? Thanks for the kind words!
My goals for 2013 are to return to a higher level exercise routine, get more done at my house and be less negative. I’m feeling all freaking cheerful already.
Go, Jay! I’m sure your wife would love it if you combined housework and exercise. Everything would be sparkling! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Woot woot. Kathy is going PRO! I love it! I can’t wait to see the new site, the cover design and all the FUN to be had. Congratulations. 2013 is going to be HUGE my friend…HUGE! I can’t wait….very exciting times….
For me, I am trimming back a little in 2013. I am working on a word motto but it’s more about a proactive year of getting my shit in more order – weight loss, meditations, fitness, food as fuel, organized…etc…taking a little “me” time, simplifying and being more purposeful in how I use my time. I am exciting. No book publishing or website overhauls but I’ll be overhauled by the end…hahahaha!!
Here’s to an incredible 2013!!
Sounds like FAB goals, Natalie! Sometimes pulling back and reflecting/making plans is the way to go before you can move forward. Good luck with everything, and thanks for being such a terrific cyber buddy. Looking forward to sharing more awesomeness in 2013! 😀