So, I’ve been super stressed out lately – not in an anxiety way, but more of a “Oh My Freaking Word I have no time” way.
Which is never fun. So I needed a really fast vegetarian recipe that didn’t have:
- Spinach
- Avocado
- Tomatoes
Why? Because Mr. Meat Lover hates those things. Me? I love them, but whatever.
So… I decided to make corn and black bean quesadillas. It’s quick.
The end.
Corn and Black Bean Quesadillas of No Stress
For the stressed-out writer with no time
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 4 TBSP onion (diced)
- 1 can black beans (15 oz or so, drained)
- 1 can whole corn (drain this bad boy, too)
- 1 TBSP brown sugar (yum)
- .25 cup salsa (pretend salsa isn't made from tomatoes)
- 2 TBSP butter (split in half)
- 8 8-inch flour tortillas
- 1.5 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, jack or a mix)
-
Writer, you have no time. I get it. Big breath. Get read to cook
-
Get saucepan. Do not drop it because of nerves. It is okay.
Put burner on medium.
Pour oil into saucepan.
Step back.
-
You can do this. You have deadlines. You have kids. You have pets. You have yourself and life is moving too fast but it is totally okay, writer.
Stir in onion.
It takes about 2 minutes to soften.
No. Two minutes is NOT too much time.
Calm down.
-
See? Two minutes have passed.
Stir in corn.
Stir in beans.
Stir in sugar, salsa, and pepper flakes if you feel like them. Like 1/4 tsp.
Curse me out for not putting that in the directions.
Cook for 3 minutes, which is how long it takes to heat.
THREE MINUTES IS NOT TOO MUCH TIME! AUTHOR! CALM DOWN!
-
Yes, you’re write. Yelling at you doesn’t help. You have frayed nerves. You have emotion. You have deadlines.
Repeat after me, “It will all be okay. It will all be okay.”
Get a big skillet. Put on medium heat. Melt a little of the butter in there.
-
Put a tortilla in the skillet.
Sprinkle cheese over it.
Top with bean mix from other pan.
Put tortilla on top.
Cook until it’s a nice gold, like a medal you will win for your writing. It is even round like a medallion! Wow quesadillas are awesome.
Once it is gold on one side, flip it, cook until it is GOLD on both sides.
Do this for all the tortillas. You may need more butter.
But you did it, writer, no stress!
Man Verdict: I love this. Salsa does not count as tomatoes
Dog Verdict: Yum
Carrie Verdict: Salsa is MADE of tomatoes usually.
WRITING NEWS
Yep, it’s the part of the blog where I talk about my books and projects because I am a writer for a living, which means I need people to review and buy my books or at least spread the word about them.
I’m super good at public image and marketing for nonprofits but I have a much harder time with marketing myself.
So, please buy one of my books. 🙂 The links about them are all up there in the header on top of the page on my website carriejonesbooks.blog. There are young adult series, middle grade fantasy series, stand-alones for young adults and even picture book biographies.
Write! Submit! Support! Begins Again in July!
There is a quick webinar (free) on Tuesday about the Write! Submit! Support! class that was created at the Writing Barn in Austin. You can sign up for that here.
It’s not easy to create a thriving writing career in the children’s industry, but what if you didn’t have to do it alone? Write. Submit. Support is a six-month program designed by author and Writing Barn Founder Bethany Hegedus. Classes are led by top creatives in the children’s industry field; they’ll give you the tips and tools you need to take both your manuscripts and your developing career to the next level. Think of it as an MFA in craft with a certificate in discovering (or recovering) your writer joy! – Writing Barn
And more about the class I specifically teach? It is right here.
Here is what current students are saying:
Carrie is all strengths. Seriously. She’s compassionate, funny, zesty, zany, insightful, honest, nurturing, sharp, and…Wow, that’s a lot of adjectives. But really, I couldn’t praise Carrie enough as a mentor. I’ve long respected her writing, but being talented at something doesn’t automatically mean you will be a great mentor. Carrie just happens to be one of those rare cases of extreme talent and excellent coaching. Aside from the specific feedback she offers, she also writes letters in response to the process letter and analyses. These letters have been so impactful for me as I writer that I plan to print them and hang them up. Creepy? Maybe. But they are so inspiring. And that, in the most long-winded way possible, is how I would summarize Carrie as a mentor—inspiring.
Dogs Are Smarter Than People
And finally, the podcast DOGS ARE SMARTER THAN PEOPLE is still chugging along. Thanks to all of you who keep listening to our weirdness. We’re sorry we laugh so much… sort of.