Jane Lynch to Marry Partner
Jane Lynch, who stars in the hot new TV show Glee is getting married! Usmagazine reports that the actress, 49, is engaged to her longtime girlfriend, psychologist Lara Embry. The couple plans to wed in May.
Cheryl Burke Splits with Boyfriend
Cheryl Burke, who is a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars¸ has split with her boyfriend, model Maxwell Zagorski. People.com reported the split, confirmed by Burke’s rep. The reason for the breakup? A source close to the couple said it was the distance, as Burke, 25, lives in L.A, and Zagorski, 22, lives in New York. Burke was introduced to Zagorski, who has modeled for Levi and Abercrombie and Fitch, by former Dancing contestant Lance Bass last winter.
Interview with Eva Pasco
Q: Why did you decide to start writing?
As you know, I never stopped writing since my childhood escapades on a pink Tom Thumb typewriter where my vivid imagination conjured mysteries and even my own espionage series. My writing merely took a turn for the practical in college and throughout my teaching career. I resumed writing creatively again because I became restless to find my own niche in the Second Act of Life like my protagonist Carla Matteo—art imitating life. I fell back on what came natural to me.
Q: What gave you the idea for your novel Underlying Notes?
A perfume aficionado, fragrance has always been an important thread weaving through my life. One day I stumbled upon an online perfume forum and registered. This membership escalated my curiosity about undiscovered fragrances to a frenzy, expanding my perfume collection discreetly stashed in cupboards and decorative boxes. Meanwhile, I grew tired of reading magazine articles about the exploits of middle aged women who took up roller blading, deep sea diving, or achieved mystical enlightenment by scaling mountains in Tibet—I’m serious! That’s when Carla Matteo stepped into my field of vision wafting insecurities, inhibitions, quirks, anxieties, and fears. I knew I wanted to tell a story about an ordinary woman with foibles, restless to find her own niche, parlaying a fragrance addiction to embark on an introspective journey of self-discovery.
Q: What did you find most difficult about writing?
Since Underlying Notes is my debut novel, the primary difficulty I had at first was accepting my own unconventional methodology. I don’t schedule a set time to write, and there can be a lapse of days before I resume where I left off, though I’m constantly incubating and fermenting ideas and dialog in my head. I would berate myself for working at the speed of a glacier—retreating to a previous paragraph for the purpose of editing and revising, then advancing a paragraph or two for the day. I constantly go back to the very beginning to keep every nuance fresh in my mind and to be sure all details fit together with precision. After completing my novel to satisfaction with very little editing required, I’ve not only accepted, but embraced this excruciating methodology which best suits my writing proclivities.
Q: On the other hand, what was your favorite part about writing?
By far my favorite aspect about writing is when words just spill onto a page with coherence, and the elusive word I’m looking for seems to present itself as a eureka moment. I also feel exhilarated and exonerated at the completion of each chapter because I’ve been able to fabricate a cohesive piece crucial to the story purely from the figment of my imagination.
Q: How did you take the news that your novel was being published?
To say I was “overjoyed” is an understatement. I did an awful lot of jumping up and down that day. When I eventually landed back on earth, reality hit. Publication is just the beginning of an author’s journey.
Q: Are you currently working on another book?
I am seven chapters into my next Chick Lit novel with a protagonist on the cusp of forty. The setting is a fictitious town in northern Rhode Island where local history plays a significant role in moving the plot forward.
Q: What do you enjoy doing in your down time?
Not privy to much down time, I do enjoy my morning workout lifting weights and hopping on the elliptical trainer in my office. I spend a considerable part of the day networking and writing ezine articles about Rhode Island. I also contribute weekly nostalgic memoirs and rambles to a Sixties site where I have my own profile page.
Q: What’s one of your favorite authors or books?
Though I’ve adhered to my own cardinal rule not to read books in the same genre I write so as not to unduly influence storyline or style, there is one author in particular who resonates with me—Anne Lamott, whose perfect wording exposes life’s imperfect moments.
Q: What would be your advice to aspiring authors?
I won’t be the first to dispense advice which must sound like a cliché: “Believe in your own merits as a storyteller.” This belief in yourself will enable you to persevere when you encounter setbacks.
Q: What is or do you think would be your favorite place to travel?
I’ve never been fond of flying, so don’t know how far I’d get as the crow flies. My favorite place to be is by the ocean, strolling along the shore at sunrise or sunset. My fantasy place to travel is Morocco simply because its aura captivated me in the movie classic, Casablanca.
Healthy Recipe: Grilled Chicken & Rice Salad
I have recently started taking baby steps into the cooking world. I don’t cook- I just don’t. I don’t enjoy it: from the grocery shopping, the time it takes to prepare foods, and especially the clean-up. But I came to a realization that I cannot live off of Ramon noodles and turkey sandwiches forever. (Sigh.) So I started with easy meals, like spaghetti and other simple pastas. Then the realization hit that I also cannot live off pasta- it was quickly becoming monotonous- not to mention full of carbs. So what to do? Luckily, this little thing call the internet is full of healthy and simple recipes, so I have decided to take full advantage. I signed up to get daily recipes from Fitness Magazine, and while I won’t try all of them (I’m extremely picky and quite plain when it comes to food) there are good suggestions and tweaks that I can make to my regular meals that will help slash calories but still taste great.
One healthy recipe that I am trying out this week is the Grilled Chicken and Rice Salad. Check out the ingredients and recipe below:
Ingredients
1 recipe Thyme Vinaigrette
12 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breast halves or thighs
1 cup loose-pack frozen French-cut green beans
2 cups cooked brown rice and wild rice blend, chilled
1 14-ounce can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
1 cup shredded red cabbage
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1 green onion, sliced
Lettuce leaves (optional)
Directions
Prepare Thyme Vinaigrette. Brush chicken with 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette; set aside the remaining vinaigrette until ready to serve.
Grill chicken on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 12 to 15 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink, turning once halfway through grilling. (Or broil on the unheated rack of a broiler pan 4 to 5 inches from the heat for 12 to 15 minutes, turning once halfway through broiling.) Cut chicken into bite-size strips.
Meanwhile, rinse green beans with cool water for 30 seconds; drain well. In a large bowl toss together beans, cooked rice, artichoke hearts, cabbage, carrot, and green onion. Pour the remaining vinaigrette over rice mixture; toss to gently coat.
If desired, arrange lettuce leaves on 4 dinner plates. Top with the rice mixture and chicken.
Thyme Vinaigrette: In a screw-top jar combine 1/4 cup white wine vinegar; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons water; 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese; 2 teaspoons snipped fresh thyme; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1/4 teaspoon salt; and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cover and shake well.
And check out FitnessMagazine.com for more healthy recipes!
Chelsea Handler Moves out of Boyfriend’s Home
Late night talk show host Chelsea Handler has reportedly moved out of the home she was sharing with boyfriend and boss of four years, Ted Harbert. A rep for E! told this to Usmagazine, “The couple is no longer residing together. Ted has nothing but the highest regard for Chelsea both personally and professionally.” Handler, 34, and Harbert, 55, began dating in 2006, and Harbert also acts as Handler’s boss. He is the President and CEO of Comcast, which owns E!, the network behind the comedienne’s show Chelsea Lately. It has not been confirmed that the couple has split, just that they are no longer living together.
Gary Coleman Arrested for Domestic Assault
People.com has reported that Diff’rent Strokes actor Gary Coleman was arrested and is being held in Santaquin, Utah. He was arrested on one misdemeanor count of domestic assault; the victim has yet to be identified.
Last year, Coleman’s wife Shannon Price was arrested after a domestic violence incident involving the actor.
Interview with J.L. Penn
Q: What finally gave you the inspiration to start writing your novel?
I have always enjoyed writing but had never done it professionally. When I was younger, probably around college age, I tried to write a novel a few times but could never get past a few pages. I think the problem was that I was trying to write a novel rather than tell a story. With Reunion, the idea for essentially the entire story came to me in a flash of inspiration. And that inspiration was born of a small kernel of truth, which really leads into your next question…
Q: How did you get the concept for Reunion?
I really did come upon my old high school crush online. We exchanged the usual pleasantries — how are you, what have you been up to, etc. He even suggested that perhaps we should get our kids together for a play date sometime, but that was it. However, it got me thinking about how many other people were probably going through similar scenarios but perhaps taking it a step further. I let my imagination go a little wild with it and envisioned how a simple innocent little reconnection could evolve into something potentially life-changing. Ironically, I have since learned that exact thing has happened to various people not so far removed from my own circle of friends.
Q: I read that you are writing a sequel. Can you give any details on that?
I actually have two novels in production right now. I will only say that the sequel revolves around one of Jessica’s girlfriends and that Jessica is a secondary character in the sequel. The sequel was in the very early stages when I had another “lightning bolt of inspiration” similar to what I had for Reunion, so I switched gears for the moment and have been writing pretty diligently on a different unrelated novel. It’s still chick lit, but the characters and plot are completely different. The first two rough draft “teaser” chapters are currently posted on my website (jlpenn.com).
Q: What is your favorite genre’s to read?
Not surprisingly, my favorite genre to read is chick lit. I do also enjoy reading mysteries occasionally, but I generally stay away from dramas, horror, and non-fiction. I read to escape so I just want to be entertained, not depressed or even particularly enlightened. For that reason, I do also enjoy books written by comedians now and then.
Q: What is the best part of writing books?
The best part of the act of writing a book is when the book takes on a life of its own and I cannot wait to see what happens as I am writing it. I know that probably sounds strange but it really does happen. That was the first clue I had that I actually had something here. I really felt like it was a page turner as I was writing it, so I have of course been thrilled to hear that others feel the same. The best part of having written a book is easily the sense of satisfaction one gets knowing that others are reading and enjoying the book.
Q: Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions?
Oh sure, doesn’t everyone enjoy an annual exercise in futility? Say it with me now … I am going to lose a few pounds. I am going to exercise more. Sound familiar? Me and every other American woman, right? Oh yes, and of course I also want to be more organized. That last one is the only one I have actually made any progress on so far this year. Oh my gosh, how could I almost forget? I did have one more resolution — to have Reunion become a New York Times Bestseller!
Q: Do you have any guilty pleasures (tv shows, food, etc?)
Okay, who tipped you off? Don’t tell anyone but I am a huge fan of the Wiggles. In my defense, I have a toddler, but I really think I enjoy their songs more than she does. In fact, you really know you are a Mom when your celebrity crush is a guy who only owns blue shirts and dances around in jazz shoes singing about dinosaurs and fruit salad. Since my TV is perpetually tuned to either the Wiggles or Nick Jr. these days, watching anything else is a real treat and a rarity. Given the opportunity though, I love Psych, Seinfeld reruns, Big Bang Theory, HGTV, and Food Network. I was devastated when the Monk series recently ended. As for food, I have a terrible sweet tooth and a taste for Italian. I’m not sure I have ever met a dessert or a pizza that I didn’t like.
Q: I read you love cooking. What is your specialty?
I love to experiment and my best experiments tend to have an Italian flair. I adore garlic, rosemary, basil – fresh is the best. Over the holidays I came up with a great little recipe (or so I think) for using up leftover mashed potatoes — forming them into little balls mixed with chopped onion, dipping them in Italian breadcrumbs and rosemary, browning them, and serving them with a fruit dipping sauce made of apple butter and pineapple preserves. It’s very simple but a great blend of sweet and savory. I’ve had a couple of recipes published but I am really still a novice in the kitchen. I’ve certainly had my share of smoke alarm dinners.
Q: What is your advice to aspiring writers?
Oh my goodness, I still consider myself an aspiring writer so I am probably the worst person to give advice, but if I had to, I would have to be cliche and say don’t give up. And also, do not force it. If you are really meant to do it, the inspiration will come. Without inspiration, they are just words. If you force it, it will sound forced. Also, do not fool yourself into thinking that writing the book is the hard part — it’s not. Getting the book into the hands of the readers, which unfortunately means successfully getting it in front of the eyes of agents, is where the real work begins. But if you really believe in your work and have someone other than little voices in your head telling you that it is good, then keep at it. Well look at that, it turns out I did have some advice!
Q: Where is your favorite place to travel?
While I love to travel, I have to confess that I hate to fly. Have you ever seen the beginning of the romantic comedy French Kiss? That’s me. Okay, well, maybe not quite that bad but I really, really do not like to fly. Between my fear of flying and my fear of having a screaming toddler on a plane, I have not done much traveling lately. My favorite trip from the past though is probably Iceland. When I tell people I have been to Iceland, I get one of two responses — “Iceland? What’s in Iceland?” or “Wow! Iceland!” The latter is the reality. It is a fabulous destination full of diverse landscapes, friendly people, and probably the cleanest air and water you will ever enjoy. In just one day I saw a fantastic European style city, a glacier, a black sand beach, crazy cool lava formations, a small iceberg, a volcano, oodles of waterfalls, and lots of geothermal bursts of steam pouring out of the ground. We were there for eight amazing days and I can not recommend it highly enough. Iceland may actually make an appearance in the Reunion sequel but we shall see…
2010 SAG Awards Wrap Up
The Screen Actors Guild Awards aired last night, and the award show was filled with daring fashions, tearful acceptance speeches, and the right amount of comedy. Betty White was honored with the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award and Sandra Bullock was the presenter, quipping, “Yes, I know that a lot of people really find Betty White inspiring. I mean, she’s been working in an industry for more than six decades in a business that doesn’t exactly value getting older. Me, I find Betty White annoying. Sorry, it’s true. Betty, you make me feel bad about myself. You make me feel like the slacker.” Betty gave it right back to Sandra when she started her speech after her standing ovation. “She is such a wonderful one,” she said, looking at Bullock. “Isn’t it heartening to see how far a girl as plain as she is can go?”
Other memorable acceptance speech moments were: Sandra Bullock calling her husband Jesse James “really hot,” Michael C. Hall thanking his wife Jessica for “wearing that dress,” and Drew Barrymore trying to give her thanks while being “really sick and nervous.”
Check out the list of winners below:
FILM
Best Actor- Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
Best Acrtress- Sandra Bullock – The Blind Side
Best Supporting Actor- Christoph Waltz- Inglorious Bastards
Best Supporting Actress- Mo’Nique- Precious
Outstanding Performance by a Cast- Inglorious Bastards
TV
Best Actor- Drama – Michael C. Hall- Dexter
Best Actress- Drama- Julianna Margulies- The Good Wife
Best Actor- Comedy- Alec Baldwin- 30 Rock
Best Actress- Comedy- Tina Fey- 30 Rock
Ensemble in a Drama Series- Mad Men
Ensemble in a Comedy Series- Glee
Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster
Such a Pretty Fat from hilarious author Jen Lancaster will keep you laughing throughout. Lancaster pens her journey to try to lose those extra fifty pounds, get healthier, and maybe stop getting called a “fat bitch.” Bitch she can handle, but maybe it wouldn’t kill her to hit the gym, work up a sweat….
Or maybe it will. She joins Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers, starts using her gym membership and hires a personal trainer. So while eating tiny portions of cardboard food and being worked to her workout death, Lancaster gets the idea to track her journey and turn her experiences into her next novel. The money from getting published is the best motivation to keep her going back to Barbie, her perky personal trainer that pushes her to the extreme each time she steps foot in the gym.
After realizing that paying attention to her diet and exercising is actually helping her lose weight, Lancaster becomes more motivated to keep it up, and Such a Pretty Fat turns out not to be only a hilarious memoir of one’s struggles with body image, health, and weight loss, but an inspiration as well. A must read on the chick lit lists.
