Inspiration, Writing & Writers Kelly Bennett Inspiration, Writing & Writers Kelly Bennett

Spending My Summer Vacation

Were your "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" Back-to-School essays fact or fiction? Or like mine, some of both.

I used to think you had to "go somewhere else" in order to have something "interesting" to write. I'm learning what Tam Smith and Sharry Wright, blog sisters on Kissing The Earth

seem to have known all along, and what led young reader-me to spend countless satisfying summer days curled up in a cozy spot, reading: the landscapes of a book can be a real, as captivating, as life-altering as any. In case you're wondering why  I haven't been posting, it's Summertime. I'm spending my Summer Vacation. I'll write you all about it, later. . .

 

 

 

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Inspiration, Writing & Writers Kelly Bennett Inspiration, Writing & Writers Kelly Bennett

TRACING THE STARS: Just the Thing on a Hot Summer Day

I recently subscribed to Goodreads Quote of the Day. I'm delighted I did; these daily missives provide the jolt needed to spark my sluggish mind. This quote, by the late Carol Shields, author of STONE DIARIES, was the permission--and reminder-- I needed to toss aside all those "must-dos" and DO one of my favorite activities:

"Open a book this minute and start reading. Don’t move until you’ve reached page fifty. Until you’ve buried your thoughts in print. Cover yourself with words. Wash yourself away. Dissolve"

Erin Moulton's newest book TRACING THE STARS took me away on this hot summer day!

I didn't stop at 50 pages and you won't either!

 

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Announcements, Found Fun, One Day I Went Rambling Kelly Bennett Announcements, Found Fun, One Day I Went Rambling Kelly Bennett

LET'S GO RAMBLING BLOG TOUR 2012 AWARD CEREMONY

LGRBT 2012, LET'S GO RAMBLING BLOG TOUR launching my new picture book, One Day I Went Rambling, illustrated by Terri Murphy (published by Bright Sky Press) culminated yesterday at with the LGRBT AWARD CEREMONY. A couple of couple of handsome friends, Pucia & Brujita, drew the WINNERS of our LGRBT Cool Prize Giveaway. ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING's talented illustrator of and blog tour organizer extraordinaire, Terri Murphy, recorded the festive finale on U-TUBE. WATCH THE AWARD CEREMONY HERE: And the WINNER IS... Huge thanks to our blogger friends who hosted and toasted and boasted  (not roasted) us and ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING.

LET'S GO RAMBLING BLOG TOUR STOPS:

June 8:     “Author School Visits BY STATE!” Illustrator Interview by Kim Normanhttp://stonestoop.blogspot.com/2012/06/pleasant-ramble-with-illustrator-terri.html

  • “Kim Norman’s School Visit & Author Blog” Book Review by Kim Normanhttp://www.kimnormanbooks.com/www.kimnormanbooks.com/Blog/Entries/2012/6/8_REVIEW__One_Day_I_Went_Rambling.html

June 9:   “Simple Saturday” Book Review by Debbie Gonzales http://www.debbiegonzales.com/simple-saturday/2012/6/8/things-to-love-about-one-day-i-went-a-rambling.html

June 10: “Vonna Carter.com” Author Interview by Vonna Carter http://vonnacarter.com/wordpress/?p=7783

June 12: “Little Deb’s Doodling” Book Review by Debbie Meyer http://www.thelittledeb.blogspot.com/2012/06/one-day-i-went-rambling.html#links

June 13:    “Four Thousand Sentences to Go” Book Review & Author Interview by Cindy Faughnan http://www.cindyfaughnan.com/faughnan/index.php/4000-sentences/item/37-picture-book-one-day-i-went-rambling

June 14:  

  •  “The Story Continues -- The Writer's Plot” Book Review by Pam Zollman http://www.thewritersplot.com/news/2012/6/kelly-bennetts-newest-picture-book-one-day-i-went-rambling

June15:

June 16:    “On My Mind” Illustrator Interview with Alison Hertz http://www.alisonhertz.blogspot.com/2012/06/new-picture-book-one-day-i-went.html

June 17:    “Writing on the Sidewalk” Author & Illustrator Interview with Sarah Tomp http://writingonthesidewalk.wordpress.com/2012/06/17/one-day-i-went-rambling-by-kelly-bennett-illustrated-by-terri-murphy/

June 18:    "San Francisco/Sacramento Book Review" Book Review by Tammy McCartney http://citybookreview.com/2012/06/one-day-i-went-rambling/

June 19:   

June 20:      “Kids EBook Bestsellers.com”  Author Interview with Karleen Tauszik http://www.kidsebookbestsellers.com/2012/06/rambling-through-cyberspace-with-kelly.html

June 22:    “Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting & Writing” Illustrator Interview by Michelle Kogan http://moreart4all.wordpress.com/2012/06/21/terri-murphys-journey-of-a-picture-book-one-day-i-went-rambling/

Thank you to everyone who joined, liked, shared stories, blogged, tweeted, twittered, chirped, chime-in. . . RAMBLED ALONG!

If you're wanting a creativity boost, the whole long and winding ramble is on the LGRBT 2012 Facebook Page

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Trinidad Stories Kelly Bennett Trinidad Stories Kelly Bennett

If the Right Side's the Wrong Side What's Left?

So what if it meant driving on the other side of the road, in a strange car…I didn’t think driving in Trinidad would be a big deal. I drive rental cars in strange cities all the time. For the past 7 years I’ve been riding behind the driver on the wrong side of the road in Indonesia. That would get a person used to that side of the road, wouldn’t it? But everyone else said it would be a big deal. And then they started making a big deal out of me not having driven yet. So…

Thursday I bit the bullet and dragged myself out of bed when the alarm buzzed—before light—so I could drive Curtis to work. You know how those “brilliant” ideas sound so good the night before… I packed my walking shoes so I could drop him, walk the Savannah and be home before my usual morning even began. The Savannah is a circular park across the street from the BPTT Office (BP Trinidad). FYI: At 3 miles-around, it’s the largest round-about in the world (Guinness Book of World Records concurs.)

Traffic circles the Savannah one way, thus eliminating concerns about which way to set off. It’s a simple matter of going with the flow—and if need be, keep going around and around— until I became accustomed enough with driving from the passenger side to attempt turning onto a 2-way.  Surely the 3 miles once around the Savannah would be enough?

It’s not just a matter of driving on the opposite side of the road; the driver also sits on the other side of the car. In theory, driving from the passenger side seems simple. Don’t we all mentally drive when riding shotgun? What you don’t think about is the feeling of having cars so close to your right side when you’ve always driven with the traffic close on the left. Maybe it’s knowing if you stick your head a little too far out the driver’s side window an oncoming car could easily rip it right off with its side mirror….

The entire instrument panel is flipped, so the radio are on the other side, the gear control is on the other side, and, as I discovered when I flipped the indicator to signal I was pulling out, so is the windshield wiper lever. If this is any indication, I’m  going to have a very clean windshield.

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Found Fun, One Day I Went Rambling Kelly Bennett Found Fun, One Day I Went Rambling Kelly Bennett

Rambling On About Rocky Road...

We’re a little late, but since we’re Rambling by way of celebrating One Day I Went Rambling--which sometimes happens on Roads, and in my family, with Ice Cream--why not treat ourselves? Grab a sweater (don’t forget the jingle) and let’s go get us some!

Nanny, my grandmother, was always up for an evening walk. She’d grab a sweater (cause it “might get chilly”) stuff her pockets with tissue and jingle, and we’d set out. Our first stop was usually just up the street to pick up Nanny's sister, Aunt Evelyn.  Ostensibly these walks were to check out neighborhood garden, see who'd painted, put their house up for sale or sold. A corner cottage on a wedge of land was the home of an artist, so we'd make a point of walking past to see her latest painting on display in her front window. Regardless of which direction we set out or the number of twists and turns along the way, by unspoken agreement we’d stop for ice cream. Depending on whether we set out on a walk, a long walk, or a longer walk, we had a choice of three: if we needed supplies and/or popsicles tickled our taste buds, we'd make our way to the grocery at Valley Center; a long walk led to Dairy Queen for Buster or Dilly bars; a longer walk led to Freedom Center and the proper ice cream counter. Given the choice, my mother always chose Rocky Road. Where it began:  William Dreyer invented"Rocky Road" flavored ice cream in 1929. Before then most settled for chocolate, vanilla,  strawberry or other fruit flavors. Some thought Dryer was nuts: Why go mucking up creamy ice cream by adding "mix-ins'? Unheard of! Scandalous!  The Holiday Insights website (http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/June/rockyroadday.htm) says  Rocky Road ice cream was  a very popular treat during the Great Depression (Wonder if that poll was taken at a Bread Line...)

Rocky Road Day is always celebrated on June 2nd. We’re a little late, but hey! Since we’re Rambling by way of celebrating One Day I Went Rambling--which sometimes happens on Roads, and in my family, with Ice Cream--why not treat ourselves? Grab a sweater (don’t forget the jingle) and let’s go get us some!

If Rocky Road Ice Cream isn’t available, you can make your own.  Just add chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts are our favorite), marshmallows and chocolate chunks (broken candy bar or chocolate chips) to softened ice cream (usually chocolate, but any flavor works—it’s your road, claim it!)

Or, skip the ice cream and cook up at slab of Rocky Road Squares. Here’s how:

Rocky Road Squares Recipe

This candy is quick and easy to make. The only problem with this candy, is resisting the temptation to eat too many of them.

Yield: 2 pounds

________________________________________

Rocky Road Squares Ingredients:

•           11 1/2 ounces milk chocolate morsels

•           4 cups mini marshmallows

•           1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

________________________________________

How to make Rocky Road Squares:

1.         In a saucepan, slowly melt chocolate on low heat.

2.         Stir constantly to avoid scorching and burning the chocolate.

3.         Remove from heat and beat until smooth.

4.         Stir in marshmallows and walnuts.

5.         Spread mixture out in a buttered pan.

6.         Chill to harden.

7.         Remove from refrigerator and cut into squares.

This recipe was posted on the Holiday Insights website: http://holidayinsights.com/recipes/rockyroad.htm

 

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One Day I Went Rambling Kelly Bennett One Day I Went Rambling Kelly Bennett

Rambling On!

I'm a Rambling Gal/Made a lot a stops/all over this land . . . Ricky Nelson I hope you’re reading this cause we're singing your song—and we’ll keep on singing it from now until June 22nd. Why? Because it’s time! Time to welcome ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING, a new picture book, illustrated by Terri Murphy and published by Bright Sky Press.

What better way to celebrate a story about a boy who finds magic in the ordinary and adventure where ever he goes that by cranking up our imaginations and sharing stories.

That’s just what we’re doing for the next two weeks-June 8-June 22, Rambling’s Birthday Celebration is on. Come join the fun. Here’s how:

Tell a story of when you found something that turned out to be extraordinary, or a ramble day for you, sing a rambling song, draw a picture---Everything counts. Everyone’s creative. We’re Ready for Adventure, won’t you come rambling, too??

SHARE YOUR RAMBLINGS and ENTER THE GIVEAWAY now! Here: http://terrimurphy.typepad.com/mermaid_waves/

Lots of friends are helping us celebrate with reviews, blogs, stories, interviews---including some never-before-asked-or-answered stuff. Read and see for yourself. Here’s a list of who’s doing what when:

Let’s Go Rambling Blog Tour Stops:

ORDER YOUR COPY NOW, HERE'S HOW: www.brightskypress.com/infostore/ca.cart.asp?sAction=DisplayDetails&pid=219

DON'T LEAVE THE PARTY WITHOUT PLAYING...WON'T YOU COME RAMBLING, TOO???

 

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Writing & Writers Kelly Bennett Writing & Writers Kelly Bennett

What's That You See?

What Inspires: Looking At It SlantAccording to a blurb in the Authors Guild Bulletin, Crime novelist Peter James, spends one day a week with friends at the police force, much the way fictional best selling novelist Rick Castle in one of my favorite-escapes TV series, Castle,  shadows love-interest detective, Kate Beckett. (Hard to imagine the "friends on the force" James pals around with are anything like Castle's Kate Beckett, though...) In a PW interview, James said he asked the Detective Inspector he was shadowing in Sussex what it felt like to be a detective.  "Do you view the world differently?"James asked.

"You're looking through the windscreen at a beautiful summer day," the Detective Inspector responded. "I'm looking for a man who is standing in the wrong place."

What are you looking for?

Here's the trailer for Peter James' new book, Not Dead Yet

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Announcements, Found Fun, One Day I Went Rambling Kelly Bennett Announcements, Found Fun, One Day I Went Rambling Kelly Bennett

LET'S GO RAMBING BLOG TOUR-June 8-22, 2012

 

Register for the Let's Go Rambling Blog Tour!

In Celebration of the release of ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING, Illustrator, Terri Murphy and I are sending our brand new picture book Blog-hopping--make that Blog-Rambling!

 From June 8th until June 22, ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING will make guest appearances on our favorite blogs in the form of book reviews, interviews with the author or illustrator, or  spotlight mentions.  Anyone who participates in the blog tour, or comments on a guest blog post, comments/friends Terri or me on Facebook,  tweets about  our book with the hashtag #letsgorambling, or attends and participates in our Facebook event--One Day I Went Rambling Virtual Book Launch on June 8th will be eligible to win cool prizes.

What cool prizes you ask?  Well,  ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING is a story about an fun-loving boy, Zane, whose wild imagination allows him to see magic in the ordinary. He has a sidekick....a chameleon, who changes color to match Zane's friend with the most creative idea in that scene (Terri's clever add-in!).

 LGR Blog-Tour Cool Prizes:

1st PRIZE- This signed original illustration of the chameleon from the book’s dedication page.

2nd PRIZE- An autographed copy of the book, and this zany color-changing Chameleon!!

3rd & 4th PRIZES..ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING,  authographed, of course!

If you'd like to participate in the LGRBlog-Tour 2012, please fill out the registration form in the clickable link at the top of this page.  I will send you a pdf of the book, and Once again, anyone who posts a blog *3, comments on a blog *1 or posts a Facebook mention *1 (link the author's or my page to your mention) or tweets *1 (hashtag #letsgorambling), or buys the book *3(send proof of purchase to murfslawblues@gmail.com) are eligible entrants.  The numbers reflect how many times your name is in the hat. The prize drawing will take place on June 23rd. Winners will be posted and notified.

You can start by pre-tour commenting here! It'll count. Why not share a few lines from a time you went Rambling, and found something that turned out to be extraordinary....

We're ready to Celebrate! Won't You Come Blog-Rambling, too? P.S.  If you haven't yet, friend me and Terri on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/kellybennettbooks

https://www.facebook.com/terrimurphyart

 

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