What happened?

"What happened to blogging once a day?" You ask, and quite rightly so.

Let me explain. I have been writing! And the good news is, it's all for you. I'm currently working on my first ever Young Adult novel, and I'm hoping to have it all finished, polished and sent off to agents by the beginning of September.

"September?" You say, wrinkling your nose at me. "That's plenty of time!"

Well, dear reader, I thought it was too, until I realized that I need this novel to be as perfect as I can make it. Writing is all I do these days. But I think it's good, and I can't wait to show it to you.

So please hang in there for a few more days, and I promise I'll have new tips for you soon!

Tip of the day: Use a dry erase board to outline your chapters

I've always struggled with outlining. Whenever I put pen to paper or type up an outline, it seems so formal; so set in stone. For me, the best way to outline is using a dry erase board and different colored markers. The idea of outlining a chapter and then wiping the board clean makes me feel good about moving forward with my project.

I map out each chapter by writing down what I need to include plot-wise. Then (using a different color) I add in the active questions or the loose threads, if you will. This helps me keep track, not only of what needs to happen in the chapter I'm working on, but also of the things that are yet unknown to the reader and will eventually need clarification. By doing this, I avoid getting myself into a situation where I have thrown out so many active questions for the reader that I can't even remember them, let alone answer them towards the end. Even if you think you hate outlining, give the dry erase board a try.

Tip of the day: Buy unique, handmade stuff from Etsy

My favorite online store is called Etsy. It's a place where super talented, super artistic people sell their super cute handmade things. I've found recycled glass, one-of-a-kind leather bags and vintage clothes on there, all reasonably priced.

A lot of the artists also custom make pieces, so you can get a dress that fits you like a glove, or comission that painting you've always wanted for your living room. Etsy is the perfect place to find gifts; for yourself or others. Click here to start shopping!

Tip of the day: Learn from screenwriters

When I was in college, I had to take all sorts of writing classes, including a somewhat terrifying class on screenwriting. In the beginning I dreaded the countless exercises, discussions and on-the-spot challenges our teacher would put us through, but after a while, I started to enjoy it. Three years later, I have yet to finish my screenplay. However, I learned a lot about screenwriting that I think can easily be adapted for those of us working on novels. Here are my two best learn-from-screenwriters tips:

1. Consider the setting in which we first meet a character. In movies, you can't successfully introduce a new character by giving lots of background information. You have to tell the audience something about your character by having him do something specific in a particular place. Here's an example: In your novel, you might be tempted to say that Bob is a musician, and that he's played guitar for 20 years. In stead, you could introduce Bob to your readers through a description of him sitting on the edge of a stage, changing the strings of his beaten, old guitar that has a Rolling Stones sticker on it. By letting the setting where your character is first introduced say something about your character, you end up with colorful prose that shows, rather than tells.

2. Get in as late as you can, and get out as quick as possible. When writing a scene in your novel, try to imagine that your story is a movie, and that we don't have time to see your character waking up, getting dressed, making coffee, leaving the house, going to work etc. Movie scenes start where the action starts. If your character experiences conflict once she gets into work, start your scene when she sits down at her desk, not when she's brushing her teeth 45 minutes earlier. Then consider how soon you can get out of your scene. Don't let your magnificently constructed conflict peter out because you spend too long following your character after there is no more action in the scene. Get out as quick as you can, and move on to the next scene.

Tip of the day: Make delicious Kryptonite soup

Ok, when I say "Kryptonite", I really mean spinach and asparagus. This soup is super healthy, super easy and super tasty. One serving is about 70 calories, and contains lots of vitamin A and C. The soup is also high in folic acid, which is good for all kinds of things like preventing cancer, heart disease and strokes.

Here's what you need to make soup for 4 people:

5 oz baby leaf spinach (150 grams)

3 cups fresh asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

2 cups chicken or vegetable broth (5dl)

1 tbsp canola oil or olive oil Salt and pepper to taste

1. First things first: Fill a medium saucepan with cold water and bring to a boil. When the water is boiling, add the asparagus and cook uncovered for 5 minutes.

2. While the asparagus is boiling, add oil, garlic and spinach to another saucepan and cook over medium heat. The spinach is cooked when the leaves are completely wilted, but still bright green.

3. Drain the asparagus and pour it into the saucepan with the spinach. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil.

4. Add to blender and blend until smooth. This should take about 30 seconds.

5. Pour soup back into saucepan and bring to a boil once more. Add salt and pepper to taste, and voilá, your Kryptonite soup is ready to be served.

Enjoy!

Tip of the day: Go see "Up"

It's 3am and it's technically not Saturday anymore, but I will go ahead and post my tip of the day anyway. Because I can.

I just got home from seeing Pixar's latest movie "Up", and all I have to say is that it's the most wonderful movie I have seen in a long, long time. I completely fell in love with the story, the characters, the humor and the amazing animations. It's a true adventure story that deals with a lot of important topics, like death, growing old, unfulfilled dreams and letting go of possessions. Although some of the themes are on the serious side, "Up" had me laughing all the way through (and crying a little bit). It's visually stunning, and totally heartwarming. Go see it.

Tip of the day: Learn from Jeanne DuPrau

One of the best authors I have come across in a long time is Jeanne DuPrau, who has written four middle grade novels that make up a series called "The Books of Ember". DuPrau's writing is tight and fast paced; she doesn't waste the reader's time with excessive dialogue or details that are of no importance to the story. The prose is beautiful, descriptive and engaging. When I started reading the first book, The City of Ember, I let out a rare sigh of relief. I knew from the first few sentences that I would be in safe hands with this author. From DuPrau I have learned the importance of economical writing, and the beauty of imagery. And as a reader, I've learned that it's still possible to get goosebumps when you're 24.

Click here to get your own copy!