"I" is for Interesting

A to Z Blogging Challenge: "I" is for Interesting

Definition of Interesting -- engaging, exciting, holding attention or curiosity
Synonyms of Interesting -- absorbing, entertaining, pleasing, gratifying, satisfying 

How do you write interesting things that people will want to read?  I ask these 5 questions when I write.

1. Is my topic something others would want to read about?
2. Is the title catchy?
3. Does my opening paragraph grab attention?
4. Does the body have organization and good flow? Is it clear and to the point?
5. What can I add to the writing that would help make it more interesting and make people want to read more? I consider these things:

dialog             humor                    twist               ask a question
conflict           unique angle           a mystery        real-life experience, details/facts

Writing Exercise: What is your favorite magazine? Write down 5 topics that readers of that magazine would be interested in.  Pick one of those topics and write a short article about it.

I like cooking magazines. My response is below.
 
A Cordial Recipe
by Dawn M. Hamsher

Do you like Cherry Cordials? Mmmmm...Chocolate and Cherries. My grandmother bought me a box of Cherry Cordials every Christmas. I'd carefully unwrap the box and take one from the tray. I'd smell the chocolate and then bite into the sweet gooey mess. I'd never pop the whole thing in. I liked biting it in half and sucking up the filling that wanted to spill down the sides. 

Since my grandmother passed away, I no longer get Cherry Cordials, but I've found a recipe that is brings back those memories.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies                            Photo courtesy lisaiscooking        

Lisa's Choc Covered Cherry Cookie Link

·  1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

·  1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

·  1/4 tsp.  baking powder

·  1/4 tsp.  baking soda

·  1/4 tsp. salt

·  1/2 c. butter, softened

·  1 c. sugar

·  1 egg

·  1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

·  10 oz. jar of maraschino cherries, halved or whole

·  4 oz. semisweet chocolate chips

·  1/2 c. sweetened condensed milk

In a bowl stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, soda, and salt; set aside. 

In a separate mixing bowl, on medium, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, and beat well. Gradually add flour mixture to creamed mixture until well blended.

Shape mixture into 1-inch balls; place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Press down center of each ball with thumb. 

Drain maraschino cherries, reserving the juice. You can use whole cherries or cut them in half, depending on much cherry flavor you like. Place half or whole cherry into the dough depression.

For frosting -- In a small saucepan melt chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk over low heat, stirring often. Stir in 4 tsp. of the reserved cherry juice.

Spoon 1 tsp. of frosting over each cherry, spreading to cover cherry. If necessary, add additional cherry juice, 1 tsp. at a time, to thin frosting. 

Bake 350° for 10 min. Remove and cool on a wire rack.