Wattpad User Name: @Strawberry_Cream1928

Author Name: Saralee Arystenn

Tell us a little bit about yourself

Since writing third-person bios makes me feel super awkward, I'm just going to do this the informal way. Hi everyone! I'm Saralee, a dedicated teen author with a somewhat concerning passion for villains and all that they do. My writing career really got started about three years ago with the first draft of my debut novel, Glitches, which is now followed by four sequels and is on its way to publication next March. When I'm not writing or editing, I'm either reading, watching documentaries, or obsessing over marching band, in which I play the flute and the piccolo.

What genre do you write in? Why are you drawn to the genre?

I write primarily in Science Fiction, although I've also dabbled in Fantasy. Sci-Fi interests me because, obviously, of my considerable interest in science, and also because of its decided lack of the stereotypical fluffiness that tends to accompany popular literature. I have nothing against random romantic subplots and prolonged scenes in which characters cry in the rain, but personally, I like everything in a book to have some contribution to the main theme. This kind of directness makes a novel feel more real, and seems to happen most naturally in sci-fi.

What is your most memorable moment on Wattpad?

Hmm...that's a hard one. Wattpad has done so much for me over the past two years that it's difficult to pinpoint a single most memorable moment. I guess I'll have to go with the day I opened my inbox to find a message from Wattpad telling me that Glitches was now a featured story. For me, this represented the culmination of two years of writing and editing in order to make my very first book as great as I possibly could. I think I speak for most authors when I say that there's nothing more amazing than knowing that someone else recognizes the effort you've poured into your work.

Do you think that writing on a platform such as Wattpad has helped you grow as a writer?

That is such an understatement...I don't think I'd even be able to call myself a writer today if it wasn't for Wattpad. Before I got my account, the very thought of someone my age writing and publishing a book was beyond what I could imagine. Seeing so many successful stories written by teen authors inspired me to take my passion for writing beyond poems and short stories and attempt my first novel.

What advice can you give to those that are just starting out on their online writing journey?

Be resilient. Your first story may stagnate at a hundred reads, or it may soar to a hundred thousand before you know it. There's no way to predict what kind of comments you'll get, or how many followers you'll accumulate, so don't stress yourself out over those things. Remember why you chose to be a writer in the first place, and don't let a lack of popularity get you down. Keep writing, and even if you aren't an immediate success, someone's bound to eventually notice your effort.

What books have most influenced your life most?

Every book I read leaves an impression on me, but the two books that have probably influenced my life the most are Animal Farm and the Harry Potter series, both for very different reasons, of course. Animal Farm acted as a sort of reality check the first time I read it, reminding me that life isn't always full of happy endings and never to blindly accept the status quo. Harry Potter initiated my interest in the long saga, leaving me fascinated with the idea of following the same set of characters through a series of varied adventures and paving the way for the idea of the Books of Lessaenes.

Are you a published author? If so, what name do you write under.

I'm not published yet, but I will be very soon! 

Readers can connect with Saralee outside of Wattpad as follows:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaraleeArystenn

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/books_of_lessaenes/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/saralee.arystenn.3

Recipe Name: Grilled Veggie and Pesto Flatbread

Is there a special story behind the recipe? If so can you tell us a little bit about it?

I found this recipe when I started dieting almost a year ago. Now, you should know that I am a total foodie, and it only took me two weeks to get tired of eating nothing but salad. I wanted nothing more than to curl up on my couch with a big, delicious slice of pizza, but I knew I probably wouldn't be doing that for a very long time. Fortunately, the Internet saved me with this recipe: a perfect compromise between pizza and my veggies. Two ovens and three burned flatbreads later, I actually had something edible and even enjoyable. Now, I make this every time I crave pizza; it's healthy and delicious!

Ingredients

FOR THE DOUGH

1 cup warm water

2 1/14 teaspoons active dry yeast

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon honey

2 1/2-3 cups white whole wheat flour (Recommended:King Arthur)

1 teaspoon kosher salt

FOR THE VEGGIES

1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes

1 red onion, sliced

8 ounces button mushrooms, sliced

1 red bell pepper, sliced

1 yellow bell pepper, sliced

1/2 cup mixed black and green olives, halved

1 small yellow squash or zucchini, sliced

2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and pepper, to taste

FOR THE PIZZA

1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

1/3 cup olive oil

1/2 cup prepared pesto

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

Prepare the dough by combining together the water, yeast, olive oil and honey in a large mixing bowl, or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Let yeast proof for 3-4 minutes, or until just foamy.

Add in the flour (starting with 2 1/2 cups) and salt, and mix until well-combined. Knead (either by hand, or using the mixer) for 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. You may need to add more flour. Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for an hour.

With 30 minutes left in dough rising time, preheat the oven to 425°. Fit a baking sheet with a baking mat, or spray with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, toss together the cherry tomatoes, red onion, mushrooms, peppers, olives, and squash. Add in the olive oil, salt and pepper, and toss to coat.

Spread the veggies on the prepared baking sheet. And roast in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until all veggies are tender and beginning to brown. Remove from oven and set aside.

With five minutes left in the roasting time, preheat the grill to medium-high.

Divide the dough in half, and shape each into a ball. Place those dough balls on a platter along with the roasted veggies. In a small bowl, combine the chives, oregano, and parsely. Set on platter. Add the olive oil, pesto, and cheese to the platter.

Take the platter out to the grill. Working with one flatbread at a time, take the dough, and stretch it until it is about 12″ around (no need to be precise about it). Brush one side with olive oil, and place that side down on the grill. Close the lid, and let cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to solidify.

Brush the top with olive oil, and flip the flatbread. Spread half the pesto on top, followed by half the veggies, and half the cheese. Close the lid, and let cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Remove flatbread from the grill, sprinkle with half the herbs, and set aside. Repeat with second flatbread.

Good luck Saralee with your upcoming publishing release! In the meantime, make sure you put Glitches in your library.. you will be missing out if you don't!!! 

  https://www.wattpad.com/story/42827878-glitches-book-1  

Also, make sure you put @KellyAnneBlount 's Wattpad Block Party in your library and party with us all August long! We are only a couple of days away from the big event!!!!