Kelly Bennett 11/16/16 Kelly Bennett 11/16/16

Those Long Dead White Dudes Did It . . .

Back in the beforetime, before short skirts or yoga pants. Before American woman had the “right” to vote, or own homes, or for that matter, ourselves, women were writing.

In fact, “Female journalists were among the first to record, comment on, and publicize the events leading up to the Revolutionary War,” noted curators of the National Women’s History Museum exhibit, “Women with a Deadline.” But . . . did those white dudes buying and reading the papers want to read what they had to say? Not so much.

“When Charlotte Bronte’s poetry received the feedback stating ‘literature cannot be the business of a woman's life’ from poet laureate Robert Southey, she changed her name—as did her sisters. Thus Charlotte, Anne & Emily became published authors, Currer, Acton and Ellis Bell.

“Literature cannot be the business of a woman’s life”

— from poet laureate Robert Southey to Charlotte Bronte

Unlike the Bronte sisters, Ann Rule and Joanne Rowling, who published under male pseudonyms for publication (the Bronte's to fool the publisher; the others because the publisher hoped to fool readers), the decision for Mary Anne Evans, aka “George Eliot,” was completely her own. Or was it.

Evans used a pen named because she wanted to separate “Her own work from that of her peers, both in terms of genre and gender.” She made this decision after voicing her disgust of the romantic fluff female authors of the time wrote, in a “scathing essay ‘Silly Novels by Lady Novelists.’”

In light of Southey’s feedback to Charlotte Bronte, the question that begs asking is:

Were 19th Century women authors publishing “Silly Novels” because that was all they wrote?

Or was it because “Silly Novels” is what the male-dominated publishing industry felt women should write? . . . And read?

At least one American male publisher, Reverend John Blake asked himself that same question. And in 1828 he answered it by inviting author Sarah Hale to edit The Ladies' Magazine.

BTW: Sarah Hale wrote "Mary Had A Little Lamb" and campaigned ferociously to establish the Thanksgiving holiday.

In hopes that, as editor, she could “aid in the education of women, ‘not that they may usurp the situation, or encroach on the prerogatives of man; but that each individual may lend her aid to the intellectual and moral character of those within her sphere,” Hale served as, by the title she preferred “editress.” from 1828-1836 when it was acquired by Godey's.

Once the door was opened—and held open by that Long Dead White Dude and others like him—women poured into publishing. And while males still hold most of the journalism jobs according to a 2014 Washington Post article in response to Jill Abramson’s firing, “with 63.7 percent of the gigs, while women have 36.3 percent," that is not the case in all publishing.

Kekla Magoon noted in her April 2014 article, Vida VIDA Count: Children’s Literature: "Do Women Truly Dominate?"“All areas of Young Adult and children’s publishing is not only friendly to women writers—it is often considered to be female-led, since women occupy the majority of jobs in the industry, as authors, editors, agents and more.”

Back in beforetime, if Mary Anne, The Bronte Gals & Louisa May had gotten together, considering the demographics of publishing back then, I'm thinking their topic of concern would have been the same as that of today. Diversity does matter. Inclusion is necessary and important, and it totally sucks to be locked outside, wanting to join the party, knowing you have something valable to offer, and not being allowed in--or even on the invitation list!

Those long dead white dudes did it—for whatever reasons—and look how far we've come!

In the same way John Blake bucked the system by inviting Sarah Hale to become the first American female magazine editor, we can open our doors wider and reach out by inviting, encouraging & including diverse writers, artists, editors & readers.

Long Dead White Dudes Playlist:

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Kelly Bennett 11/14/16 Kelly Bennett 11/14/16

Honor the Super Moon

Today, dawn to dawn, the moon will be closer to the earth than it has been since Jan 26, 1948 and will be again until 2034.

In honor of the Super Moon, I've put together a playlist to put you in the mood to moongaze.

If you're inspired to try to capture the moon take a tip from NASA Photographer, Bill Ingalls:

“1. Include landmarks in the picture

Make sure you put something in the same frame as the moon, perhaps a building or some other land-based object. Without any other object for reference, Ingalls said, the shot won’t stand out among the pack.

”It can be a local landmark, or anything to give your photo a sense of place,” he said. This will likely mean you’ll be shooting the moon while it’s closer to the horizon. This also works in your favor because the moon appears larger at the horizon; the reason for that phenomenon is a matter of debate”

— "How to Photograph the Super Moon" NASA Blog

Science Blurb: If you are wanting to do more than just gaze at the moon, click over to NASA's blog for the scoop on the Supermoon Phenom from Dr. James Garvin.

IN PRAISE OF THE SUPER MOON Playlist:

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Kelly Bennett 11/6/16 Kelly Bennett 11/6/16

Who’s Pres Isn’t Everything . . .

Buzz aside, who will be our 45th president might not be the most important item on our ballot (Especially considering the governmental stalemate we’re now experiencing.) So in case you're considering not voting...

Freak Out time is now! Next Tuesday, November 8, 2016, the 45th President of these United States, a new "Leader of the Free World", will be elected. Although most of the freaking being done is over which of the two primary candidates will win the presidential election, these are not the only 2 candidates on the ballot— 4 other candidates (and in some states more) are also running for President. What more, GASP . . .

Buzz aside, who will be our 45th president might not be the most important item on our ballot (Especially considering the governmental stalemate we’re now experiencing.)

What does matter is every other item: local, state & federal representatives, judges, propositions, issues, tax changes, initiative, etc.—on our Nov. 8th ballots!

So, in case you are one of those who are considering not voting because:

You don’t like either candidate . . .

You're too busy to vote . . .

Or, what difference does it make to you, really. . .

Consider this:

ONLY 6% of the population voted in that first U.S. Presidential election, held April 30, 1789. Popular as he was, did good ole’ George Washington represent the majority voice of this new nation? Heck no! In that first election, only 6% of the population voted because only “our Forefathers” i.e. White. Male. Landholders were allowed to vote.

What Year Did Women Get the Right to Vote? 1920
What Year Did Asians Get the Right to Vote? 1952
What Year Did Native Americans Get the Right to Vote? 1957
What Year Did African Americans Get the Right to Vote? 1965
What Year Did Adults over 18 Get the Right to Vote? 1971
What Year Did non-english speaking citizens Get the Right to Vote? 1975
1765: One Huge Reason “The Colonies” now the USA went to war with England? Taxation without Representation aka “The Stamp Act.”
Here's more on our 341++ year-long fight for Voting Rights: US Voting Rights Timeline

Meanwhile, in other countries people are wishing for, fighting for, dying for the right to have a say in how they are governed. Don't Forfeit Yours!

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Kelly Bennett 9/29/16 Kelly Bennett 9/29/16

Ban My Book…Please!!!

So proud to find Tom Birdseye's hysterical book on the list! Write on, Tom! — So proud to find Tom Birdseye's hysterical book on the list! Write on, Tom!

It’s hump day of Banned Book week. Yes, I know, traditionally “Hump Day” is Wednesday. But that’s based on a 5-day work week. I moved Hump Day to the 4.5th day for those of us who follow a 7-day/every-day work week). That settled, back to my rant. . I’ve been known to jest, “Ban my book, please…” (Especially after Vampire Baby and Not Norman were published.)

As the saying goes, “Most truth is said in jest.” True. But I wasn’t kidding. And I’m not now, either. With both of those books, Vampire Baby especially, what I found happened is that rather than buying and then banning it, parents, grandparents & librarians—yes librarians—school, public and private—ignore it, avoid it, don’t touch it, or read it… Ignore it and it will go away, they think and do.

In the case of Vampire Baby, I was told it was because vampires are “taboo subjects” in many schools. At library/educator conventions, including TLA and IRA, I tried to explain to passing browsers how Vampire Baby isn’t really about a vampire. I tried to get the librarian or teacher to see for themselves: “Look at it! Touch it! Read for yourself, you’ll see…” They’d shake their heads or walk on by.

As for Not Norman, a Goldfish Story: Now it’s hugely popular & timely! People—adults, children, librarians—take one look at that adorable brown face peeking through the fishbowl with a goldfish for a nose and want to scoop it up. But back in 2005, when Not Norman was published, that was not the case.

I’d be at events & book signings, and many browsers, even “friends” who’d bought every other book I’d written offhand, skirted right past.

After all, that brown boy didn’t look anything like their children, grandchildren, students… Even still today this may happen. I can’t say for sure because I’ve banned those places.

Is being officially “Banned” bad? Yes. No one else should be able to take away our right to choose what we read.

…and No. At least. to be banned, someone has to care enough, be passionate enough, committed enough to go through all the trouble it takes to have a book officially banned. Truthfully, selfishly, I’d rather my book be banned than ignored…

“Books can be dangerous objects—under their influence, people start to wonder, dream, and think.”

— NYPL Banned Book Quiz

However, This is Banned Book Week! and so:

In honor of all those individuals and institution that went to all the time, trouble and expense—I’m talking hours and hours, sometimes years of trouble, People!—to get a book banned, let’s:

READ! READ! READ! All the BANNED BOOKS!

Here, courtesy of ALA is a list of the Most Frequently Challenged Children’s Books:

And, to challenge your knowledge of banned and challenged books, the NYPL Banned Book Quiz

Happy reading!

Ban My Book…Please!!! Playlist:

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Kelly Bennett 9/19/16 Kelly Bennett 9/19/16

The White Chick in the Room

The children's lit world is a-buzz over diversity! Everybody’s talking about how we need diverse books and diverse writers (and to a lesser extent, diverse illustrators), and they should be . . . But nobody is talking about the white chick in the room—especially not the white Writer chick in the room. I’m that chick.

There are two parts to the diverse books issue. Both of which, as a reader, educator, grandmother & citizen I recognize. Neither of which—beyond letting my book buying dollars speak for me—am I in a position to do much about. And, both of which are making middle-aged, female, marshmallow ME want to pull back into the corner I crawled into as a child to read, and crawled out of when I became a writer.

Social Media is to bless . . . and to blame.

Back in my youth (the second half of the last century), writers—authors—were invisible. What we young readers focused on was the story: if a story was compelling, interesting, engaging we read it, and shared it. With the exception of a select few we studied in school, none of us knew who wrote the books we read. No one cared much either, except when it was time to check out a new book.

This anonymity was both good and bad. Lightly brushing the surface, on the bad side, anonymity was partially responsible for the gross stereotyping, misrepresentation, and historic inaccuracies in literature we are trying to correct by pushing to support diverse writers, artists and books.

On the good side, this pre-social media anonymity allowed this white chick writer to hide behind my words. I was the girl who, while learning cursive back when we used No. 2 pencils and were graded on spelling and punctuation, wrote as lightly as possible so my teachers would have a hard time reading what I wrote, or notice any mistakes. The girl who, used books as invisibility cloaks at home. The girl who wrote her feelings because I would have had the crap beaten out of me if I’d dared say what I was thinking. Children in our house were only supposed to do what we were told—quietly—and smile.

I loved to write, and teachers praised my writing. But, lacking confidence in my own stories, I found my voice by telling other people’s stories. I could be anything I wanted to be, and write about anything I wanted to—Poof! Use initials and I’m a man! A pseudonym and I’m an abused wife! An Indian—(with tribal approval)! A Cambodian! A boy! Poof! Poof! Poof!

YES! Those who cares about literacy, education, community—children—know: We absolutely do NEED diverse books. Children like—and deserve—to see themselves and their ancestors accurately reflected in stories; children learn about others by meeting them in stories.

For a better look and the explanation, click over to "Picture This" — For a better look and the explanation, click over to **"Picture This"**

The graphic above shows books published in 2015 (and represents 2016 percentages too, according to Associate Professor and author of the post "Picture This", Sarah Park Dahlen, author/teacher Molly Beth Griffin & illustrator, David Huyck , the trio responsible for recently updating graphic.)

A huge majority of newly published books for children, 73.3% depict white characters; 12.5% animals, trucks & others, and the whole rest of humankind depicted in a mere 14.2%, while according to Wikipedia, about 62.6% of Americans identify themselves as white. BTW: no figures were included for gender, religious, ableness diversity…Due cause for another chart?)

YES! We do need people of diverse backgrounds writing for our children! For the same reasons stated above and more. If every story was the same, who’d ever need to read, or hear—or buy—more than one? (And goodness knows, as a kid, I wanted to read about anything else but my boring old self.) This isn’t the reason no one is talking about the white chick the room. In truth, much of the Diversity Matters talking is being done by white chicks.

As Sarah Park Dahlen noted in her post unveiling the graphic, the Minnesota Children’s Lit community which supported this updating is, "comprised mainly of white authors, illustrators, and editors working to promote anti-biased and anti-racist children's literature, support writers and artists from underrepresented communities, and remove barriers to inclusivity." Similar groups are forming all over America, including WNDB, We Need Diverse Books, and my own VCFA’s Young Writer’s Network connecting authors with children in an effort to “raise a new generation of diverse writers.” (I can’t speak for the world efforts...)

Who better to tell diverse stories than diverse authors and illustrators? This is the diversity question that has everyone ignoring the white chicks in the room. But is it the question we should be asking? Really?

Blogger, Kevin D.Hendricks a “work-at-home dad [who] wrestles with faith, social justice & story", charted the books he’d read during 2014, and wrote about his findings in his Jan.8, 2015 post “Defining Diversity is Kind of Tough.” When explaining his findings, Hendricks noted, “Sometimes you don’t know an author’s or a character’s ethnicity," and went on to explain: "In this case I made my best guess and counted any book with a non-white author or primary character (I didn’t chart other kinds of diversity—gender, sexuality, disability, religion, etc.—just because it was getting complicated). I’m sure I’m off in places.”

“Defining diversity is kind of tough. Sometimes you don’t know an author’s or a character’s ethnicity.”

— http://www.kevindhendricks.com/2015/01/08/why-we-must-pursue-diverse-books/

Writer Chick Me cringed when I read this. Not because Hendricks charted his booklist with an eye to reading more diverse stories. And not because he included authors (not illustrators, BTW) in the list. I cringed because he seemed disappointed that it was “kind of tough” sometimes to know an author's ethnicity from "the writing." Isn’t the goal of good writing for the author to be invisible?

Yes! Yes! Yes! Diversity in our literature, especially in our increasingly more global, changing, interconnected world does matter. We need to nurture and “support writers and artists from underrepresented communities, and remove barriers to inclusivity."

But does it have to be an OR situation? When it comes to writers & writing, should:

WHO wrote the story matter to a reader sounding out her first books all-by-herself?
WHO drew illustrations that sucked that child so deeply into that story he can’t even hear the TV matter, either?
Should Diversity Matters mean AND?

If it shouldn't, then where does that leave white, middle-aged, marshmallow writer chick me?

Right now, striped of my invisibility cloak, I'm feeling more like a plucked chicken: raw, exposed, maybe even a tad too close to my sell by date, than I am a chick. What are my stories to tell? . . . Animals? Trucks? Songs about Rainbows?

White Chick in the Room Playlist:

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Kelly Bennett 8/24/16 Kelly Bennett 8/24/16

Picasso or Cezzane-Which Are YOU?

Marty and I at VCFA this summer, learning to...(you guessed it!)

I'm a Cezanne. My writing bud, Marty, is a Cezanne. It's a blessing...or a curse. We discuss it often, but haven't reached a definitive conclusion . . .

If you are reluctant to scratch your John Henry on the bottom right corner of your work, or click "Send", you might be one, too. But if you're not, you--lucky you--might be a Picasso.

The inherent difference between Cezanne and Picasso, in this context, came to my attention by way of Malcolm Gladwell's Revisionist History podcast, specifically Episode 7: Hallelujah, about the creation of the song, but not.

Leonard Cohen closer to how he looked when he first wrote Hallelujah. — Leonard Cohen closer to how he looked when he first wrote *Hallelujah*.

For purposes of this post, what I'd like to focus on is not the song, Hallelujah, but how the song was written. Poet, Songwriter, Singer, Creator, Leonard Cohen is a Cezanne, too, as evidenced by this poem-turned-song's 15 year, countless drafts, journey from beginning to--Hallelujah!--Classic!

However, if/when you are so inclined take a listen to Gladwell's podcast for the whole story, including how, if not for Jeff Buckley having walked into the Mississippi--fully clothed, booted, singing--and drowned, Cohen's now-classic, oft covered & lauded song might never had been noticed at all.

Jeff Buckley (Dig the resemblance to Cohen in the photo above.

Aside: Below, as usual, is this post's Playlist. When I was searching U-tube for these videos, the list on which I found Buckley's must have been one featuring songs by artists with tragic stories as the next video up was Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole's version of Somewhere over the Rainbow, the result of a late night, one take studio session after which "Iz" died. Fortunately, after that, on a lighter note came Bobby McFerrin's Don't Worry, Be Happy. Bobby, I'm happy to report is, according to Wikipedia, still living, so by way of celebrating him--and because Don't Worry, Be Happy is a smile song--I included it, too.

Back to Cezanne & Picasso: Gladwell highlighted these two artist in his podcast because they represent two distinctly different types of artists. The difference is not restricted to visual artists. As Cohen's process shows, these 2 types exist within all Creators. And most significant to me, right now, the difference might be the root of some deep seeding feeling of inadequacy (I'll get back to that later). First, on to Picasso and Cezanne.

Pablo Picasso was a Conceptualist. While Pablo, baby, may well have spent a lot of time thinking, planning, visualizing beforehand, he created in bursts. His efforts produced polished pieces which, by all accounts I found, he considered "finished" and was more than happy to sign and send out into the world. No second guessing, no revising, call it "done" and move on to the next idea...and the next...and the next...

French artist Paul Cezann e was an Experimentalist (What I call a Revisionist). Cezanne, Gladwell noted, didn't sign much of his work because he couldn't admit to himself his paintings were finished! He had his manager pose for a single portrait some 100 times! Cezanne destroyed and/or tried to destroy what are today considered "masterpieces" because he felt he could not accomplish in creating them what he'd set out to do. He could not please himself. Cezanne did not know how to say "done." He agonized. He doubted. He revised...and revised...and revised...

We Cezannes, aka Experimentalists, aka Revisionists--are plagued with feeling of frustration, and inadequacy. Why, because we compare ourselves to Picassos.

And worse, our work may well languish, as Cohen's Halleluia, almost did because we don't--won't--put it out there.

Which do I think is better, to be a Picasso or a Cezanne?

Or, how we Cezanne's be more Picasso-ish? Or, do we want to?

Hmmmm I'll have to think on it . . .

Picasso or Cezanne Playlist:

Breaking News (As of Sept 2017): The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is currently exhibiting Picasso: On the Beach, which showcases Pablo Picasso. The artist also has upcoming shows at the Musée Picasso in Paris and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid. We would like to take this opportunity to promote his work. Our hope is that the timing of this outreach will effectively support both the museum and Pablo Picasso. Its Pablo Picasso page provides visitors with Picasso's bio, over 1100 of his works, exclusive articles, and up-to-date Picasso exhibition listings.

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Kelly Bennett 7/27/16 Kelly Bennett 7/27/16

Reasons to Believe

You may have noticed I've been AWOL (I hope you have anyway...) To put it mildly, waters in the Fishbowl are all churned up. I've drafted several posts in response to increasing, and increasingly, hateful, needless acts of violence & our political situation, but haven't published them. Why? As I was recently reminded:

The only way to vanquish hate is with positive energy, light and love.

A recent note from my friend author, Ellen Yeomans, filled me with hope and admiration. In short, did what I want to do and encourage in The Fishbowl: it Inspired me. My hope is it will inspire you too.

And if you are inspired to lend your support, Here's the TCS NYC Marathon Link:

“Dear Ones,

It’s true. I’ve taken a big step and registered for the New York City Marathon. To RUN. Figured I’d better make that last bit clear. Most of my friends and family will be scratching their heads by now and calling out to their significants, “Honey, did we know Ellen ran?”… “Ellen, who?”

Yeah. I know, surprising. But, people, I’m more than just Carhartt’s and pretty dresses. I have actual “workout gear” and running shoes. I even have an ipod playlist entitled “Running”—that’s how serious all this is. I’ve been running a long time now. Well, okay, I’ve been running since the end of December. Some have asked me how I was able to qualify for this marathon. Look, I’m NOT qualified, just rather determined. And if you have more determination than actual experience you can sign up to run through one of many great charities that have open spots. And that is how I’ve come to all this running business.

One of my incredible editors, Alvina Ling, lost her beloved young husband, Greg, to cancer on Christmas day. Their story is here:
goo.gl/OOSLcP . Alvina edited my novel, RUBBER HOUSES, which deals with a family navigating life after the devastating loss of the youngest child to cancer. So Alvina and I together have dealt with cancer both literally and literarily. Alvina resolved to run the marathon in Greg’s memory and asked if anyone would join her. I pulled a pair of sneakers from my closet, went outside, ran three miles, and decided I would.

And yes, 26.2 miles is a long way to go on foot. But some journeys loom larger still. The twice daily, six tenths of a mile I walked—and sometimes ran—from the Ronald McDonald House where I lived to Boston Children’s Hospital where my daughter, Paige, was a patient remains one of the longer journeys I’ve ever taken. It took forever to get there early each morning to see for myself how Paige was doing. The return trip to my room late each night seemed never-ending to my exceptionally weary body and spirit. Months of this daily journey passed and, as most of you know, Paige did not survive. Diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia at six years old, she died shortly after turning eight. A kinder, more considerate soul this world has never known.

So. I will run in memory of Paige and in memory of Greg. I will do this by raising money for Memorial Sloan Kettering’s “Fred’s Team.” Our official team name is Alvina’s Team for Greg. If you can help with a donation go to: goo.gl/kqcLwV If that is not possible, I will accept all of your prayers, good wishes, and New Age vibrations. Anything good that you’ve got, send my way! For those of you concerned that I need more than donations and good vibes, I have a coach. Phew, right? My coach attempts to keep me from doing anything particularly stupid. She is a dear friend who just competed in yet another Ironman triathalon this past weekend and I went along to spectate. Significantly, I now know what a marathon looks like. On November 6th my aim is to complete one. Help if you can, in whatever manner suits you best. I shall be grateful to you every step of the way.
Fondly, Ellen
”

— Ellen Yeoman's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ellen.yeomans?ref=br_rs

Reasons to Believe Playlist:

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Kelly Bennett 6/22/16 Kelly Bennett 6/22/16

99 Days and Celebrating!

Get ready for a Fishbowl Trifecta! First, an apology, then a confession, followed by a huge celebration!

I have been sorely neglecting my faithful Fishbowl followers, and for that I am truly sorry. There are countless, endless, reading opportunities, including blogs galore, and I so appreciate you--all 3 or 7 of you--for wanting to read mine. I have heaps of reasons why I haven't been posting (and each time I don't guilt ridden me finds a few more). The simple truth is this Gardening Leave has thrown me for a loop. And rather than taking time out to blog about it, I've wallowed in it.

I must confess, it's been super fun, just being, living, doing, with minimal obligation. And a big part of me considered hanging a "Gone Fishin'" sign and calling it quits. But the truth is...Confession Time...I like blogging.

People ask sometimes, "Why I write?" as in "Why do I think anyone should want to read what I write? What's so good about it?" Usually, that question is tossed at me during horribly uncomfortable moments: During a lull in dinner party conversations, after I've just received yet another rejection, when a big-time famous, award-winner author is standing nearby. I usually mutter something stupid. But now, thanks to this hiatus, I have the answer: I write to process events: I share my writing because I believe you and your, or you, might be experiencing the same things--if not in the same way. Or, you might need a diversion. I missed this time with you.

And if that's not enough to celebrate, dig this: The day, June 22, 2016, marks the 99th consecutive day in a 365 day Poetry Challenge!

Along with my writer bud, Cindy Faughnan, I am working through the Aspiring Poet's Journal, by Bernard Friot, illus. by Herve' Tullet. It's a fat book of guided assignments designed so "aspiring poets can spend a year developing their voice and practicing seeming the world through a poet's eye." While I am not a poet, not do I aspire to be a poet, I do want my writing to have a lyrical quality. Besides, what else did I have to do these past 99 days???!!

What have I learned during these 99 consecutive days:

Buddy System Works: Alone, It's easy to cheat
Consequences: If I don't post, I have to pay.
No matter how busy I am, where I am, how lousy the Internet, If I really want to, I can do it!

Only 264 more prompt to go!

99 Days Playlist:

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