My Writing Process – A Blog Tour

Greetings!  This is not your typical Lemony Thyme recipe post.  Today I am participating in a Blog Tour. One week ago I had no idea what that meant.  However, because I was asked by Trisha with The Lazy Mom’s Cooking Blog, I couldn’t resist.  Trisha is witty in a way that draws you in and keeps you entertained.  She will make you chuckle out loud and want to drink wine with her.  And while I love that about her, it’s her spectacular photography that first led me to her page.  You’ll want to get in on that action at http://www.thelazymomcooks.com/.

As I find my groove on how this blog tour works, I’d like to invite you to join me and follow along.

• You’ll learn a little more about me and my Writing Process.  WARNING – I’m a bit scattered in that regard, however answering the four questions below has given me a perspective on where I started and how far I’ve come.
• I’ll introduce you to three talented and passionate food bloggers.  There are countless blogs that inspire me on so many levels.  I chose these three sites for their compelling photography and element of common ground.  I’ll share more about why I selected them below.

1.  What am I working on?

As we approach the 2nd anniversary of Lemony Thyme (June 17th), I’ve currently published 659 recipes and have 59 additional draft recipes started.  Those don’t include the hundreds of recipe inspirations that are either typed into the Notes app on my phone or scratched onto scrap paper lying by my computer, my bed, my coffee cup, etc.

I’ve tried to stick to a schedule and line up posts in advance, but inevitably I’m compelled to share recipes that are current and relative to what’s going on in our lives.

2.  How does my work differ from others of it’s genre?

After pondering this question for some time, the best way for me to answer is that I hope Lemony Thyme is a reflection of me, my style, my passion for fresh herbs & family, good food & drink, chocolate & food photography.

3.  Why do I write what I do?

The short answer is because I love to cook, love to eat, and love food photography.  Lemony Thyme affords me a place to record those experiences and share them with you.

I’m either writing as a means of sharing a dish that I’m passionate about.  In that case I create the recipe, prepare and picture it, share it with my family….then worry about what I’m going to say to interest you enough to give it a try.  That’s exactly what happened with this recipe for a grilled cheese sandwich.

Or I’m cooking as a means of writing a story I’m passionate about.  This is my favorite way to write and cook.  That’s when it becomes therapeutic.  Couldn’t we all benefit from a little therapy now and then.  My post titled Not Just Any Saturday Adventure… was a way to share the special time I spent with my Mom.  It led to a great family recipe for Boston Baked Beans.

4.  How does my writing process work?

If I’m writing as a means of sharing a dish I’m passionate about, I’ll often do a Google search for a little historical background.  Did you know that Quinoa was the sacred crop of the Inca Empire and that 2013 was declared the International Year of Quinoa by the United Nations?  Neither did I until I made Peruvian Roast Chicken and wanted to know a little more about Peruvian cuisine.

If I’m cooking as a means of writing a story I’m passionate about, I write first, cook later.  Writing is very personal and ‘personal’ was not at all where I intended Lemony Thyme to end up.  However over the past two years I’ve found that sharing childhood memories or Sundays with Shelby adventures makes me happy.  And happiness fuels my passion.

I write, reread, walk away.  Come back, reread, tweak, reread, walk away.  Then I proof read multiple times.

A brief introduction to three blogs I admire

From the first time I discovered Erica’s Recipes I knew I’d like her.  I was reading her article titled My Pantry.  I could have sworn she must have been standing in my kitchen when she wrote it.  And then I read her Top 10 Cooking Do’s and Don’ts…I said ‘EXACTLY’ out loud…more than once…as I read through her list.  I really like this lady and admire how dedicated she is to her blog, while juggling family, triathlons, and working as a scientist.  Yep, she’s all that and more!  Then there’s her Food Gawker Gallery.  She has an eye for picturing recipes.  Be sure to visit Erica at http://ericasrecipes.com/.
Common Ground:  Our Pantries; New England girls transplanted to the South.

Cocktails.  I must be honest and tell you that Tracey’s post titled Cocktail of the Week: It’s About Thyme! Plus, Parmesan-Thyme Crackers was all it took.  I’m addicted.  Her page is Salty Sweet Life.  Her recipe titles are captivating.  Her photography is mouth-watering.  Her ingredients are fresh and full flavored.  And her cocktails are hand crafted works of art.  If that wasn’t enough, she has an aquaponic garden where tomatoes and herbs grow from the top while Koi fish swim in the bottom.  It’s amazing! You’ll want to become a regular visitor at http://saltysweetlife.com/.
Common Ground:  Using fresh herbs in all types of recipes, including cocktails.

“Every time I see one of these gorgeous photos from Boxofspice I’m inspired. She takes a few fresh ingredients and paints a masterpiece.” That was my comment when I first saw Rakhee’s Watercress + Sugar Snaps with Raspberry Sesame Dressing + Ginger Wild Rice recipe.  Every one of her photographs from that point forward has moved me like a fine painting.  Likely her stories of life and love of her Mom give her art special significance.  She’s a writer.  More than once while reading her blog posts I’ve found my heart and eyes filling up.  Visit http://boxofspice.com/ and prepare to be moved.
Common Ground:  Our Mom’s inspire our writing.

Whew.  This challenge took me outside my comfort zone, yet I thoroughly enjoyed digging deeper and getting to know more about these beautiful ladies above.  My wish is that you are inspired to visit their pages and get to know them.  Yes, we are recipe sites, but we have so much more to share.

All my best,
Libby