I spent most of last evening researching Indian cuisine for the new book. Now I just need to go to Sahara Mart for ingredients like ghee, red lentils, and kalonji. I'm going to try making Indian Naan and Chapati bread and something called Dahl that's made with red lentils. I made my own garam masala spice mix, except I didn't have any ground cardamom, so I need to get that too. LOL! Who knew writing a book with an Indian hero could be so interesting!
Speaking of things I've never done before, I was recently asked to give a workshop on world building to the Indiana RWA chapter next March. When Slave was first published, people used to tell me how good I was at world building, and back then, I didn't even know what that meant. I know what it means now, but I still wasn't sure I could teach anyone my method. However, after giving it some thought and jotting down a few notes, I realized I could do it--one of those "you never know 'til you try" things.
Since Sandy James and I were asked to come back to the Starbase Indy convention in November, I thought this might be a good topic for that too. So I started working on an animated PowerPoint presentation for it--something else I've never done before. Sandy added a few pictures and I had a blast searching for additional Star Trek-themed illustrations. I'll probably use different pictures for the IRWA version, but I'm betting the Trekkers will get the jokes!
Enjoy your Monday!
Congrats Susan on your win. I love Indian food, Cheryl. Has to be my all time favorite. Please post recipes and photos of the outcome. YUM!! Congrats on the workshop hosting gig! I think it's a great idea for the sci-fi convention too. I'd love to see the presentation when you are finished.
ReplyDeleteSend me your mailing address, Susan! I'll go to the post office tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteNever mind.... Got it!
ReplyDeleteI'll let you know how the recipes turn out, Megan, but if you'll mouse over the names, the links to the recipes are there. This newer blog format doesn't make the links as obvious. Guess I should make them bold or something. Oh, well...
ReplyDeleteOkay! I made the links to the recipes bold. Don't seem to be able to change the color. Maybe I need to do that before adding the link...
ReplyDeleteAha! It worked!
ReplyDeletecongrats susan
ReplyDeleteCardamom is an interesting seed...my Dad used to throw the seeds (whole, but bruised by rubbing them together) into the coffeegrounds when he perked a pot of coffee--said he learned it from a Scandinavian man he knew as a kid.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear about the new direction you're taking!!
Congrats to Susan!!
Yay for Susan!
ReplyDeleteDang, I wish I could come and see your presentation. I'm a big Trek fan not to mention a fan of you too! It's hard to get anywhere the conferences are when you live in Oregon, lol. We truly are at the end of the wagon train out here sometimes...BUT we have the #3 college football team! Go (Univ of Oregon) Ducks!!!
ReplyDeleteInteresting! Do you suppose cardamom would be good in tea? I have no idea what it even smells like. Not one of those spices I've ever used before, or I'd have had some on hand.
ReplyDeleteOregon? Yeah. That's a long way to travel for a Star Trek convention!