USA Today bestselling author Jennifer L. Hart

Jenn's note: I've had quite a few family things going on this holiday season, so I've asked the Laundry Hag, Maggie Phillips, to post a blog in my absence. Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers, A.J is doing much better! Here's what we make in the Phillips's household every holiday as a desert that will feed any group of guests be they the in-laws or a ragtag group of wayward SEAL's. Careful though, it only lasts about a week and I know from experience downing one of these alone is a recipe for bigger pants! A modified Libby's recipe turned superman sized! Superman Sized Pumpkin Roll INGREDIENTS: • 6 eggs • 2 cup white sugar • 1 and 1/2 cup solid pack pumpkin puree (I use fresh but canned works) • 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour • 2 teaspoon baking powder • 1 teaspoon salt • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon • 2 teaspoon ground ginger • confectioners' sugar for dusting • 2 (8 ounce) package cream cheese (Again I use the Neufchatel) • 8 tab...

Put your reading glasses on kiddies, this is major! All you NaNo-ers who hit fifty thousand words,actually got your entire story out, give yourself a pat on the back. Now, repeat after me. "This is when the hard work begins." That 50K plus you wrote is what my friend, Saranna DeWylde , calls a dirty draft. Why dirty, because it's full of errors. Whether this was your first NaNoWriMo or your tenth, it doesn't change the fact that your month of hard work means nothing until you spit shine it til it gleams in the sunlight. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, I beg you not to submit that bad Larry at least until February. Why? The last time I checked, agents and editors hated NaNoWriMo because they are flooded every December with an inbox full of dirty drafts. You make all the rest of us who have polished and shined for months or years look bad too. These are the people who will (hopefully) make our life's work pay off. Don't send them a novel which is the equivalent to a love ...

Okay, and forgive me for being cliche, but this is so true no matter what you write. If a writer doesn't know his subject matter, that lack of insight comes across in the writing. And guess what, the writer ends up looking like a big old tool. We all know a few of those, don't we? So in this life, we are confined to a certain number of hours in a day and there are just way too many things to experience. As I've already said you can not write about yourself. Why? Because A) It's arrogant and presumptuous to do so. B)That's why we have blogs and C) It hurts more when those rejections start piling up. Then you wonder why the agent/ editor doesn't like you , not the story you wrote. There are more, but I digress. So, what is a writer who wants to write about everything to do. Simple--research. This is one of those neat things that you may not be told very often. Inspiration for a story can come from just about ANYWHERE. All it takes is an observant mind and the que...

Come read about my interview regarding all things Laundry Hag! Leave a comment, I'll be checking back all day!

INGREDIENTS: • 3 pounds of apples. I use Macs, but Empires work too. Do not use Granny Smiths or Delicious varieties as they yield a very thin, watery sauce. • 1/2 C water • 3/4 C sugar DIRECTIONS: Core the apples, removing all seeds. If you want pink applesauce, or if you're lazy like me, leave the skins on! Cover apple slices with water and bring to a boil. Note: Do not leave the apples boiling; as soon as they reach a boil reduce the heat. Don't do what I did, which is walk away and get on the computer because I scorched my pot and ruined the sauce! Cook covered on low heat for five minutes. Add sugar and cook three minutes more. You can also add a dash of cinnamon if desired. Remove from heat and let sit for ten minutes. Put through food mill to even out consistency and separate apple from skins. My boys fight over this job. You can serve it warm or refrigerate. Makes 1 Qt.

All writers are readers. It is a fact. Not all readers are writers. Another fact. Some people truly love the written word, but have no interest in writing beyond the occasional card or email. As a writer you need to understand both points of view. I was once told by an English teacher that I would "read anything that moves." While I'm still puzzling out exactly what that means, the concept behind the statement is undeniably accurate. I read everything I can get my meaty little hands on and while I prefer fiction, I'd read a cereal box if there was nothing else. Note the poll at the bottom of the page. There are others out there like me, people who will read whatever is in grabbing distance. Here's why it's important to be a reader-- we all see the world through our own, first person point of view. In reading, you are given a glimpse of how someone else views the world, you have a model for comparing and contrasting your own take. This isn't about who's...

INGREDIENTS: • 2 packages Cream cheese ***I use Neufchatel cheese • 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese • 1 cup shredded mozzarella • 4 tablespoons mayonnaise • 1/4 cup skim milk • 2 packages frozen spinach - thawed and patted dry • 14 ounces artichoke hearts - cut in 1" pieces • 1 clove of garlic minced or 1 tsp garlic powder DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place first 5 ingredients in a microwave- and ovenproof dish with lid (such as corningware). Heat in microwave for one minute or until all ingredients are easily incorporated. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place first 5 ingredients in a microwave- and ovenproof dish with lid (such as corningware). Heat in microwave for one minute or until all ingredients are easily incorporated. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place first 5 ingredients in a microwave- and ovenproof dish with lid (such as corningware). Heat in microwave for one minute or until all ingredients are easily incorporated. Mix the spinach, garlic and artichoke heart p...

On the surface this seems so obvious it's stupid. I mean, how can a writer not write? Easy. A little thing called life has a nasty habit of getting in the way of our novel-ing hopes and dreams. In my case, my multiple roles as mother, wife, group therapist, home repair guru, cleaning lady, entertainment coordinator and online junkie tends to suck the hours right out of the day. If you discount tweets, blogs, recipes, edits for others and reviews, I haven't written anything since Sunday. Picture me doing a double take when looking at the week and a little thought bubble over my head querying, "Just where did the time go?" And that's what happens—time marches ahead, ruthless and heedless of our best intentions. We are all going to have weeks, perhaps even months like this. What will separate the dabblers from the true believers is one simple fact. You have to want it badly enough. I've blown off friends and relatives when I'm trucking along on a novel. It is...

An excellent way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. Perfect for cold weather! INGREDIENTS: • About 2 Cups mashed potato • 2 Carrots or 20 baby carrots • 2 Celery Stalks • 1 medium onion • 3 Cups Vegetable or Chicken stock • ½ tsp dill • 1 tsp thyme • ½ tsp sea salt (regular salt works too, but sea salt has more flavor) DIRECTIONS: Chop and dice veggies. Cook with potato and spices in stock until tender, approximately 15-20 minutes on medium high heat. Should thicken on its own, but you can always add a little four and milk mixture if soup seems watery.

Thank you everyone for reading Redeeming Characters ! Although the story didn't make it to the finals, I have no doubt it will be in print soon! And now, for the grand unveiling. Drum roll, please. The winner of the Are You A Character Contest is.... Genevieve! You are the new heroine in Drue and Dakota's work in progress. Beautiful, resourceful and feisty as all get-out! Mega Congrats!