What's on the menu?

a fun creative exercise :)

Something that I’ve come to realize in regards to writing and writer’s block is that, at least for me, I can’t always write my way through it. I can’t put a bunch of “bad” sentences down in the hopes that something coherent will come out and unlock something new. I end up staring at the blinking cursor and 9/10 times deleting loads of words that already existed, instead.

Creativity is such a complicated skill. It would be great it if were something we could train and build endurance for, like weightlifting or marathon training. If it were as simple as “Show up, do the work, and you’ll keep making progress . . .”

In a very general sense, this is true. And, like with most physical training, the rule of thirds is applicable. 1/3 times it’s going to feel miserable, 1/3 times it’ll feel fine, and 1/3 times it’ll be a fantastic day. But, I find that I simply can’t go through the movements and type in the doc I’m supposed to be typing in on those more difficult days.

What seems to work for me lately, though, is mixing up the exercise. Creativity begets creativity. Answering prompts, creating graphics . . . even coloring!

The other week, after I’d been putting it off because I wasn’t hitting my word count goals for, like, the third week in a row, I completed a super quick (because the things I put off the most always are the quickest) marketing assignment that helped me get unblocked. I designed a meal menu for Left of Forever, including snippets as to why I’d choose each item. I thought I’d share it with you all because 1) I’m proud of it and think it’s cute and fun and 2) I figured it might be an easy way to help someone else who could be stuck, needing to capture their flow again by thinking in a new direction.

Anyway, here she is! Let me know your thoughts, and if anyone else designs a menu for their book I would love to be tagged :)

*No rules as far as these things needing to be mentioned in the book itself. Operate on vibes alone or however your heart desires!*

Dear Stranger,

I think one of my favorite parts of writing this story was romanticizing some of the mundane realities of marriage. I loved putting Wren and Ellis on a romantic adventure away from home—giving them space away from the responsibilities and pressures they let get in their way before, all to grant them the perspective to miss the everyday life they once had. It’s no coincidence that so much of this includes eating and drinking together.

When I imagine heading to the Byrd’s home for a meal, I picture some everyday faire with a romantic twist. And obviously, dessert is non-negotiable.

Cheers,

Tarah

Menu:

Drinks:

BYO Craft Beer (preferably from an Oregonian brewery)

Champagne

Dinner:

Green salad with butter lettuce, citrus supremes, avocado, watermelon radish, crispy shallots, and champagne vinaigrette.

-Bright and savory, with a sweet, unexpected twist with the citrus supremes! A bit like the fresh twist in Wren & Ellis's story with the letters and journaling, I think it's the perfect opener.

Blue cheese stuffed burgers with homemade kettle chips on the side.

-Burgers are both approachable and customizable. Easy to add as many fixings to as you'd like, to elevate into something fancy or to keep simple. Once Wren & Ellis decide to start working through things, they also make their own rules as they go. Their whole roadtrip is filled with things that are simple and romantic in turn.

Dessert:

Basque cheesecake with berry compote

-Some things are actually better after they've been burned. This cake is one of them, and so are Wren and Ellis, knowing what they lost before and what they might have again.

To be continued . . .