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What I'm writing in YEAR OF THE DOG

I just finished writing Year of the Dog ! It had a massive plot hole that I had to fix which turned out to be more work than I expected. Here’s a snippet: “Hey, Auntie Nell.” He wrapped his arms around her, bussing her on the cheek and breathing in pikake flowers and shortbread cookies. And suddenly he was nine years old again, and her solid presence had made his chaotic world stable once more. “What are you doing here?” He usually took her to dinner on Wednesday nights, but today was Tuesday. The edges of her smile faltered a little before brightening right back up again. “What, I can’t visit my nephew?” She angled around him to enter his home. “Is this your new house? Looks lovely.” Which was a blatant lie, because the fixer-upper was barely livable, much less acceptable to a neat-freak like his aunt. She also left four matching pink and purple floral suitcases on the stoop behind her. Only then did Ashwin notice the cab driver standing slightly to the side of the walkway. “Can ...
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Stinky Tofu

Captain’s Log, Stardate 10.20.2006

Blog book giveaway:
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My Monday book giveaway is Violette Between by Alison Strobel.
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Plug your nose . . . I have never actually smelled stinky tofu, but I have heard a lot about it. It is quite infamous.

If you ever get together with Chinese who are from China (usually Taiwan or Hong Kong) or Chinese Americans who have visited those places, they will ALL have stories to tell you if you mention chou dofu.

Naturally, I needed to write this into a book. Maybe two books.

I had to look up the Chinese name and came across this hilarious blog post about stinky tofu. This is the funniest story I’ve heard yet about it.

And if you read my debut novel, keep your eye out for chou dofu.

TMI:

Writing: I’m working on the 2007 Genesis contest! Revising a few rules and the scoresheet. Hopefully the ACFW board will approve it.

I also posted a book review on my Story Sensei blog of a writing craft book I just finished.

Diet: Thank you for your prayers! My surgery knee has been feeling better and I exercised yesterday! I did Denise Austin. But I feel big and fat since I haven’t exercised much lately AND I had a huge stress-eating-fest last weekend. Sigh.

Can I ask for more prayer? I caught a small cold on Monday, but it's slowly getting worse. Problem is, I have to lead worship at youth group on Saturday and at Sunday service.

And before you ask about exercise and sickness, I saw on Denise Austin that there is clinical research that moderate exercise does not harm your recovery time. I'm also of the mind that increased circulation can't be anything but good for you.
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Comments

Mary DeMuth said…
Though I haven't had the privilege of eating or smelling stinky tofu, I did encounter some interesting things in Asia:

DURIAN. OH. MY. GOODNESS. It smells and tastes like flatulence! Seriously! I just don't get it.

FISH EYES. Taste like chalk.

PIG INTESTINES. Taste like nothing, thankfully, but are chewier than medical tubing.
Fri Oct 20, 02:09:00 AM 2006
Anonymous said…
nope, never been near smelly tofu (i hate any tofu) but i agree about the durian. that stuff is FOUL! when we went to malaysia, my grandma gave us some and my mom loves it, but i hated it! it was dry and smelly. i remember throwing up after eating it. :(
Fri Oct 20, 05:13:00 AM 2006
Angela/SciFiChick said…
ick, that stinks!
i always seem to get sick before having to sing on a sunday at church! hope you're feeling better soon!
Fri Oct 20, 06:02:00 AM 2006
Jean-Luc Picard said…
I haven't has the pleasure (!) of eating stinky tofu, Camy. It sounds like something to avoid!
Fri Oct 20, 10:53:00 AM 2006
Unknown said…
Eww...you know what a weak stomach I have. Sheesh.

I'm praying for you, girl.
Fri Oct 20, 02:59:00 PM 2006
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