Friday, July 01, 2011

Screams and Beat-Up Trampolines: Tonya Kappes' Writing Process

Happy Canada Day! Please help yourself to yummy maple syrup, tourtiere, poutine and . . . um . . . Screech.

Today, I'd like to welcome guest blogger Tonya Kappes! Tonya is the author of the wonderful Carpe Bead'em and The Ladybug Jinx. Take it away, Tonya.

“Good morning. Your coffee is ready.” My dear husband bends down and kisses my forehead before he heads out for work. “Have a great writing day.”

I roll over and lazily look out the window over the lush Kentucky bluegrass meadow outside. The birds are singing, I see a few deer nipping at the berry trees, and the reality sets in….

“Hurry up. The kids’ lunches need to be made. I’m late,” my dear sweet husband screams, waking me from my wonderful dream.

I shield my eyes from the sun blasting through the window, and look out to see my dog having a barking match with the neighbor’s dog, bikes thrown down, and balls all over the yard, not to mention a beat-up trampoline.

Before I get my foot on the floor, one of my four teenage boys run into the room needing a shirt ironed before school, and another one dangling a squeezed up tube of toothpaste in the air because I forgot to get some at the grocery store.

Now my real day can begins…

I wish I could say I go to my office with a cup of coffee in hand and read and respond to my emails, blog, check Facebook, Twitter, and the other social networking sites.

I don’t. I send my teenage boys off to school and get ready for the day job that I have in order to pay the bills. I go to said day job, come home, take boys to various extra-curricular activities, and then my writing begins.

Sleep? What’s that? I drink over TWO pots of coffee a day!

When Talli asked me about my writing process, I thought I was going to choke on my coffee. What writing process? The more I thought about it, the more I realized I do have a writing process. It’s just not a traditional process.

Some writing days are better than other. But I do write everyday and usually 2k words, I just take it with me. I wrote my first book under a tree during my son’s football practice.

My writing process begins with an idea, characters and I let them live in my world, in my head. I keep a writing journal with me (even at ballgames, honor clubs!). The story comes to life and I write. I write in school car line while waiting for my kids, the veterinarian’s office, grocery store line, church (yes! God wants me to be successful and make people happy with my words.), I don’t plot, or create really cool color coated charts. I just write. Generally by the end of the day, there are over 2k words that I have to put in my laptop…sleep? What’s that?

Seriously though, if someone really wants to be a writer, you make time for it. And even though my writing process is different, it works for me. In six years, all my boys will be out the door, and then I’ll have that dream of waking up looking out at the Kentucky bluegrass.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

83 comments:

  1. Happy Canada Day, Talli.

    I was reading that first part and feeling rather envious and then discovered it was a dream. I love that you write where ever you are, even church.

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  2. I love your beginning snippet. Where you in my house??? Nice meeting you! Have a wonderful summer.

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  3. Hi, Debs!! Thanks so much for stopping by! This week I've been on vacation and took off my mom hat! I sat on the beach every day and wrote over 8k words this week. When one of my kids would come up to me, I'd yell, "Does it look like I have a mom hat on right now?" By the end of the week they began to ask me what hat I had on....sigh....back to reality and writing at church;)

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  4. Hi, Salarsen! I might be at your house. There are so many people in mine, I do get a bit confused. Thanks so much for stopping by, I really appreciate it. You have a fantastic summer too!

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  5. Sleep is overrated hahaha. Thanks for finding time to get those words in every day because your stories are fabulous.

    I love the covers, too.
    Thanks for sharing~
    Nancy

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  6. Great post, Tonya! And as a writer myself, I can honestly say my writing process sounds a lot like yours: write when you can, in between kids' schedules, horseback riding trips, family, and whatever else happens in the short hours of the day. Here's to all the pantsers out there!!!

    *waving to Talli* Nice to visit your blog and meet you. Thank you for having Tonya here. Isn't she great?

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  7. ***blushing*** Thank you, Nancy!! I have to say that I get a kick out of people's stares and whispers, "what's she writing in that notebook?"

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  8. That's the beauty of writing ... It's so portable and we can take it with us with laptops, notebooks, journals, notepaper. Even to just jot down notes to use later on, it's possible to write on the go :)

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  9. Waving....Renee, oh, I'd love to give some time to horseback ride. That would do wonders for my muse!! Thank you for stopping by and offering your kind words! I have to say that the lack of time gives me the fire I need to get those words written.

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  10. I sooooo get that, Joanne! When I'm driving I turn my phone into a recorder or call my answering machine and talk a scene into it. Thanks so much for stopping by!!

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  11. I loved this. Even more I loved Tonya in the comments, 'does it look like I have my Mom hat on?' I'm totally stealing that :)

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  12. Gosh, Tonya, you are ALL OVER THE PLACE! Nice to land a guest spot in the U.K.
    I really like your quote, "writing process begins with an idea, characters and I let them live in my world, in my head."
    I believe that's mostly the way I've produced my 6 completed ms.
    However, with my WIP (# 7) I'm finding that I do a bit more outlining as I'm writing. Where this helps me is when I realize my timeline needs to be adjusted, that Character A can't be here because two scenes ago she was on the west coast. So, I go back and find a place in my running outline where that person could have been on the west coast earlier ... and therefore back in TN in time for the scene I'm writing. Before, my pants-ster style would have fully developed both scenes where they were and I'd have to go back an un-do a lot of stuff.

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  13. OMG, Tonya...aka Soul Sister...I just spit coffee at my screen after reading that you write in church too...because...

    "...(yes! God wants me to be successful and make people happy with my words.)..."

    LMAO!!!

    And I'm tellin' y'all, if you haven't read Tonya's books yet, you're in for a treat!!!

    There's a new queen of quirky-crazy, high-class hillbilly humorous fiction and it's Tonya Kappes!

    Cheers, Soul Sister!

    And what a hoot of a great blog, Talli!!!

    Got my wine glass raised to ya...yes...I know, it's just breakfast here...but it's a big 'ole TGIF and a long holiday weekend! So bring on the wine with my omelet!!!

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  14. Oh man...I EDIT in church on my Kindle (with a black cover, looks like a Bible) and thought I was the only one who did that. I also plot in my head when things in the sermon get boring. I feel your pain...we have three teens, a dog, and a rabbit, ALL with attitude. :)

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  15. Thanks for sharing your writing process, Tonya! Great post!
    Happy Canada Day, Talli. Poutine. Mmmmm...

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  16. Happy Canada Day Talli.
    I was in Toronto and Niagara a few weeks ago.....A wonderful place to be,

    Yvonne.

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  17. I love how you write! You're my new inspiration.

    Happy Canada Day.

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  18. Happy Canada Day! This is a great post. I don't drink that much coffee but I definitely don't sleep much if I'm writing:)

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  19. Happy Canada Day, Talli! Poutine sounds heavenly!

    Tonya--you're right. If you want to be in this crazy business, you make time for it! I used to have a very organized schedule. Now, I find myself writing at odd times, mostly on my smartphone. Thank heaven for Dropbox and Evernote!

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  20. I love your attitude, Tonya. If you want to be successful you have to make time for it. Recently I started training for a grueling triathlon, it takes up three hours of my day. Which means three hours away from writing. But I switched my schedule around and stopped watching night time t.v, and still follow your example of 2k wrds a day. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  21. Giving up sleep and drinking lots of coffee. Seems to be two common threads with writers! Love your books!!

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  22. It's great how you're able to write on the go. That's probably what keeps you sane! Of course you never get a moment's rest with 4 teenage boys! Maybe you could give them ironing lessons and write about it! Julie

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  23. Hi, Sarah! I'm glad you stopped by, and you can steal my hats anyday:)) I have several!

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  24. Hi, Jeff! Seven manuscripts? That's fantastic! Now get those out the door into reader's hands. I'm just not a plotter. I find it forces me to write and I lose my voice. I write with humor, and if I try to force it, it falls flat and smells like a wet dog. Generally I know the ending though. Does that count?

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  25. Cheers, D.D.! You can have that glass of wine and I'll toast you with my coffee cup. Thanks for the sweet words about my quirky characters. They dance across the page for me. I can't complain. Happy Canada Day, and Fourth of July weekend.

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  26. Hi, Markee~Yes, I LOVE my Kindle, but not smart enough to get the black cover....hmmm...great idea:)

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  27. Cheers~to CANADA DAY!!! And Catherine, what is Poutine that you and Talli are talking about?

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  28. Carol *blushing* thank you! That's the nicest compliment. I really appreciate it. If my books give one reader a smile, I've done my job. Cheers to your writing!! Keep me informed!

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  29. Poetry~Happy Canada Day! They have pulled out all the stops for Will and Kate it seems. I've never been to Canada....shame really since I am so close. I need to do that.

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  30. Thanks, Christa! What gets you through the long hours of writing? I probably shouldn't drink that much coffee, but I love it! The hotter the better too. And none of that flavored stuff either:)

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  31. NORMA! I must have some of this POUTINE, whatever it is...does it go with coffee????
    WOW~you write on your smartphone?? Girl, I'd need to be making it large font! Amazing!

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  32. Ummmm...L.A....You are inspiring! I'd never let my reality tv shows go by the wayside at night and even to pick my butt up off the couch to train for a marathon...shooooo eeeeee!
    I admire that. It's like setting goals to write. You have to set goals in order to achieve them! Dream big, girl!! One of my favorite sayings: "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their own dreams." E Roosevelt!
    Good for you!!!

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  33. Hey, Misa! Thanks for stopping by! One day you might find me toes up on the ground from too much coffee, but they can finally put on my tombstone "the end" Cheers!

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  34. Hey, Empty Nest Insider! Great idea, only....I can't afford to buy new clothes because they will burn the other ones. I just can't believe how it happens...when they each turned thirteen, it was like their brain became a liquid mush. Darnest thing I ever saw!!

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  35. We take what we can get! Although I'm glad my day isn't as chaotic as Tonya's.

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  36. Loved meeting Tonya and if her writing is as funny as this Blog,then I'm looking forward to her getting those boys away from home and her writing. Good Luck Tonya....keep smiling and writing :)

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  37. Tonya, you're an inspiration to me. I need to write more and write faster!

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  38. What a wonderful dream, if only it could be how our days really started. LOL! Congrats to you for accomplishing 2K a day despite the hectic realities of life, that is amazing! Thanks for the great guest post. It was nice to meet you.

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  39. Happy Canada Day, and I loved this post! Writers do have to find time - MAKE time - to write. Because really, who has the spare time to write a book just lying around? Not me!

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  40. Hey, Tonya!

    Love your books. Absolutely adored Carpe Bead 'Em. If anyone hasn't read it yet and likes women's/fiction/chiclit, you're in for a treat. I also enjoyed the town of Granberry Falls. You did such a good job on creating that town. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

    Tonya, I hear you on buying out the time to write. In today's world you have to do that.

    Hope you and the guys are having a grand vacation!

    Hugs, Sweetie.

    Sia McKye's Thoughts...OVER COFFEE

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  41. Two pots of coffee a day! Whoa! Great guest post. :)

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  42. Happy Canada Day & thanks for the maple syrup!

    Interesting to read that Tonya wrote her book beneath a tree while her son played football! Now that's dedication!

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  43. Loved this! Tonya you sound just like me. So nice to know I have company in my sleepless writing madness.

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  44. Happy Canada Day to you Talli!!

    And thank you for this guest blog post too! Hello there Tonya! I am always in awe with writers who juggle family, work and writing. I so understand about having a writing process without realising you got one too! I swear I don't have a writing process and am not that disciplined and am quite lazy really, but when I find a competition I really want to go for on an idea that strikes, a kind of process kicks in - it's my own personal one but I get the job done to deadline.

    Thanks for sharing! take care
    x

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  45. Happy Canada Day, Talls. I think of you as being British, but I guess that's not entirely accurate. :)

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  46. Happy Canada Day, Talli! No Screech for me thanks - but I could go for some poutine! :)

    I love when I hear from other writers who write around their chaotic lives - makes me feel right at home!! :)

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  47. Thanks for being so candid about your process, Tonya. It's both amusing and inspirational. I so admire that you wrote your first novel during your son's football practice. You're right -- there are no excuses. You just have to get it done. I still have a long way to go, but I'm determined.

    Happy Canada Day!

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  48. I love this. This proves you can write a book anywhere, any time - you just need to try! I'm so whiny about 'getting my writing time at my desk' - I really need to try loosening up :-)

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  49. Oooh and happy Canada Day, Talli!

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  50. Hi, Alex! I hear ya! We do take what we can get. It seems pretty chaotic looking at it on paper, but when I'm doing it, it's just automatic:) Cheers!

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  51. Thanks, Pauline! I joke that I'm the princess, queen, and jester of my family. Truth be told....my kids LOVE coming to my book signings. They think it's so cool:)

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  52. Oh, Edie! I adore you! Thank you so much for all your wonderful advice before I released Carpe Bead 'em! It was invaluable!!

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  53. Hi, Heather! It's my pleasure meeting you. I love connecting with new people!! Life does get hectic, but it's all how we look at it. I must say, my cup runnith over:)

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  54. Sia~as always I appreciate your warm spirit! I can't tell you how much I admire you!! I'm honored that you've read my books and actually enjoyed them (you never know....my mom loves them, but she's my mom). We are having a grand vacation, and I hate to see it end...this time next week I'll be at a baseball game~yippee....

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  55. Hi, Bethany! I'd love to try laying around and writing a book:) We all know that's not going to happen for six years!

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  56. Thanks for stopping by, Author! Yes, two pots, maybe three a day. I got a lot of kiddos to get around, plus two dogs, and a man to take care of...oh, and writing:) Cheers!

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  57. Hi, Adir! You know what was even more fun than writing the story under the tree? All the weird stares I got from the other parents. They thought for sure I was writing something about them. Guilty??

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  58. And to think, I wasted all that time during sermons just doodling.

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  59. Siv~ I'm sure we could share some stories!! We do sound alike!! Cheers!

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  60. Hi, Old Kitty! Girl your process is your own. What ever works for you and gets it done is awesome!!

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  61. Hey, Jemi! I guess chaotic helps me get it done. Have a fantastic weekend.

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  62. Hey, Megan. There are some days that I just want to lay down and veg in front of the tv, but with my kids schedule I can't...so I am known to fall asleep in school car line, lying down in the back seat of my van with my laptop running. The school secretary has woke me up a time or two. Hey, car line is TWO HOURS LONG!!! I can get 2k words written in a little over an hour. Naptime is gooooooood!

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  63. Sanga, don't worry, I'm whiny too. Especially when momma needs a little pampering. Pampering=me in my office + door shut + no children sign on door unles there is a bone sticking out of your body and BLOOD is pouring out.
    Cheers!

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  64. You're right, you have to make time for it. Boy, you do have a busy schedule. Thanks for the post.

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  65. Agreed, Tonya! Deciding to be a writer also means deciding to allow ideas to infiltrate our every daily activity. I find red traffic lights a great time to jot down plot points or dialogue! Thanks for giving us an insight into your writing process :)

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  66. Loved "Carpe Beadem" and the way you incorporated local places into the story. All busy mothers have to grab any moment they can. And, finding something useful to do while waiting, makes the time go faster.
    Got to ask: Do you also write the love scenes in Church? I know "God is love" and all but....:)

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  67. Its great to meet you Tanya! And happy Canada Day to all!

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  68. I'm usually writing sermon notes in church and hadn't considered novel notes. I'll be bringing two journals with me now! Nice meeting you!

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  69. Talli, great post, and interview, really interesting getting a behinds the scenes! it is all about the time you put in. Amanda

    Amanda - Realityarts-Creativity
    Art Blog

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  70. I was so jealous, until I got to the ironing and the day job! Now it's all sounding a bit more familiar! I fit my writing in all over the place, because as you say, if you want to do it, you find time.

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  71. Hi, Clarissa! Thanks for stopping by!! I hope you have a great weekend!

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  72. Madeline! Red lights are great!! I do take that time to jot down bullet points so I can remember what I was thinking.

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  73. Stephen, thank you! It's nice to meet you too.

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  74. Hi, Lynn! Keep writing down the sermon! I'm pretty good at multi-tasking, so listening and writing as become a skill for me:))

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  75. Hi, Mary! I don't even write sex scenes! So no....I don't write any of those in church. I'm so glad you could see all the places my novel, Carpe Bead 'em, took you. I have a tendency to throw in a couple places I've visted:)

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  76. Hi, Amanda. Thanks for stopping by!

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  77. Hi, Amie! I tell you~we do have to squeeze in everything we like to do. Life has gotten so hectic that yes, if we want something bad enough, we will figure it out! Thanks for coming.

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  78. Hi
    I read your post. It's amazing story you share with us. Have a wonderful time.

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  79. Hi Tonya, Hello Talli,

    Nice meeting you, Tonya!

    Thanks for the intro, Talli!

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  80. Hi, Nas!! Very happy to meet you too! Talli is GREAT!! Isn't she??? Thanks for stopping by.

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  81. There really is something to be said for letting those characters rattle around in your brain for a while before you begin to draft the novel.

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  82. I loved this post. I do hope you get some breathing time soon. If the words come they will come at the most inopportune moment (middle of daughter's wedding).

    Keeping track of them when they run around my brain is a hard task.

    Thanks for sharing, Talli.

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Coffee and wine for all!