Interview with Hope Lyda

Captain's Log, Stardate 09.13.2007

Today I have an interview with chick lit author Hope Lyda about her latest novel, Life, Libby, and the Pursuit of Happiness!

Libby Hawthorne makes exotic trip itineraries but never leaves Seattle. She’d like to attend church but winds up at a bookstore. She longs for love—but who has the time? Delayed happiness has been worth it, because she’s about to get her dream promotion...

Or not.

So now what?

When a corporate merger leaves her demoted and disillusioned, Libby realizes she needs to start living authentically...and soon. But just as she tries to uncover her purposed life, her cruel and unusual boss, Cecilia, demands that Libby hide Seattle’s most famous homegrown rock star in order to keep her new, bad job. For the first time in years, Libby doesn’t have a step by step plan to guide her. She must trust her faith and her heart. But what is she supposed to do with her growing admiration for Blaine Slater, a new VP from Chicago, or the surprising kindness of the rock star living incognito in her Seattle apartment? Through the humorous twist and turns, Libby uncovers a big life truth—the detours we are afraid of might just be the perfect path to happiness.

And now, here’s me and Hope!

What inspired the storyline of Life, Libby, and the Pursuit of Happiness?

I really wanted to have a character (a lot like me and a lot like people I know) who is waiting for the perfect alignment of her life factors (faith, love, purpose, perfect home, family issues resolved, etc) BEFORE she'll give herself over to any of those factors. It's a catch-22 and a lot of us get caught up in this pattern.

So I did what all nice authors do...I set up dear Libby to take the fall so that we could watch what happens to her when everything goes wrong. What happens is...her real life begins! And I just love that.

What's your favorite scene?

My favorites to write were probably the scenes between Libby and Cecilia (her self-absorbed, crazy boss) because I love to be sarcastic and funny. However, when I read Libby...the scenes with Libby and Mr. Diddle at his old, run down Seattle bookstore are my favorites. The book starts with one of them. I'm easily transported to that narrow space filled with books...and I like the relationship that develops between Libby and Mr. Diddle. He sees her heart and her struggles even when she can't.

What is Libby's favorite movie?

Well, one of mine of course! Enchanted April (it's also a book)...is a fabulous movie about two women who leave the rain of London for a castle in Italy for their holiday. Libby dreams about one day traveling...she would share the longing these women have...to taste the sweetness of an adventure, to feel what life is about, and to finally take a step toward fulfillment.

I’ll have to see that movie! Okay, if you were a dessert, what would you be and why?

Hmmm. Can potato chips count as a dessert? I'm all about the breads and the salty foods more than chocolate or sweets. But I guess if I were a dessert, I'd have to be something like a German Chocolate layer cake. Anything with layers. I feel like my life is relatively simple...yet I have many layers to me. My thoughts run deep and sometimes consume me. I like to dig and discover the flavors of my heart and soul!

You sound like me! I’m all over the salty starches. What novel are you reading right now?

I'm reading Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen. I started it quite awhile ago on a trip, but then set it aside because I often read non-fiction. I've returned to it and am enjoying it.

You're off the hotseat! Any parting words?

I hope every reader truly pursues happiness...not as an elusive "some day" concept...but as a daily exploration of the goodness of this life, the purpose God gives each of us, and the unique dreams that are a part of who we are and who we are becoming. And people can feel free to email me at HopeLyda { at } yahoo.com or visit my site for book descriptions www.hopelyda.com.

Camy here: That’s something we all need to remember! Thanks for being here, Hope!

Tabi socks, part deux

Captain's Log, Stardate 07.25.2008 (If you're on Ravelry, friend me! I'm camytang.) I made tabi socks again! (At the bottom of the pattern is the calculation for the toe split if you're not using the same weight yarn that I did for this pattern (fingering). I also give an example from when I used worsted weight yarn with this pattern.) I used Opal yarn, Petticoat colorway. It’s a finer yarn than my last pair of tabi socks, so I altered the pattern a bit. Okay, so here’s my first foray into giving a knitting pattern. Camy’s top-down Tabi Socks I’m assuming you already know the basics of knitting socks. If you’re a beginner, here are some great tutorials: Socks 101 How to Knit Socks The Sock Knitter’s Companion A video of turning the heel Sock Knitting Tips Yarn: I have used both fingering weight and worsted weight yarn with this pattern. You just change the number of cast on stitches according to your gauge and the circumference of your ankle. Th

No Cold Bums toilet seat cover

Captain's Log, Stardate 08.22.2008 I actually wrote out my pattern! I was getting a lot of hits on my infamous toilet seat cover , and I wanted to make a new one with “improvements,” so I paid attention and wrote things down as I made the new one. This was originally based off the Potty Mouth toilet cover , but I altered it to fit over the seat instead of the lid. Yarn: any worsted weight yarn, about 120 yards (this is a really tight number, I used exactly 118 yards. My suggestion is to make sure you have about 130 yards.) I suggest using acrylic yarn because you’re going to be washing this often. Needle: I used US 8, but you can use whatever needle size is recommended by the yarn you’re using. Gauge: Not that important. Mine was 4 sts/1 inch in garter stitch. 6 buttons (I used some leftover shell buttons I had in my stash) tapestry needle Crochet hook (optional) Cover: Using a provisional cast on, cast on 12 stitches. Work in garter st until liner measures

Toilet seat cover

Captain’s Log, Supplemental Update August 2008: I wrote up the pattern for this with "improvements"! Here's the link to my No Cold Bums toilet seat cover ! Okay, remember a few days ago I was complaining about the cold toilet seat in my bathroom? Well, I decided to knit a seat cover. Not a lid cover, but a seat cover. I went online and couldn’t find anything for the seat, just one pattern for the lid by Feminitz.com . However, I took her pattern for the inside edge of the lid cover and modified it to make a seat cover. Here it is! It’s really ugly stitch-wise because originally I made it too small and had to extend it a couple inches on each side. I figured I’d be the one staring at it, so who cared if the extension wasn’t perfectly invisible? I used acrylic yarn since, well, that’s what I had, and also because it’s easy to wash. I’ll probably have to wash this cover every week or so, but it’s easy to take off—I made ties which you can see near the back of the seat. And

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Camy’s Worsted Cotton Comfortable Skirt with Lace Edging knitting pattern

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Captain’s Log, Stardate 01.07.2006 I’ve been developing the spiritual theme for this current project for a while, and I think I’ve finally nailed it down. This song has inspired me in my own walk, but then it occurred to me that it communicates the emotional theme for my WIP very well, too. The Robe by Wes King Anyone whose heart is cold and lonely Anyone who can't believe Anyone whose hands are worn and empty Come as you are Anyone whose feet are tired of walking And even lost their will to run There is a place of rest for your aching soul Come as you are For the robe is of God That will clothe your nakedness And the robe is His grace It's all you need Come as you are Anyone who feels that they're unworthy Anyone whose just afraid Come sinner, come and receive His mercy Come as you are For the robe is of God That will clothe your nakedness And the robe is His grace It's all you need Come as you are From the album: The Robe c1993 Emily Boothe, Inc. (BMI)/Careers-BMG Mus

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Lady Wynwood #7 early release Kickstarter