Sara Ellie MacKenzie's Blog, page 18

#BehindTheScenes 10.11 - Books

Books, books, books...where would the world be without them? And why did I label this 10.11 and not 10? Take a look into this #BehindTheScenes and read on...

Well, actually, I will address the title first. LOL I realized that I did a Behind the Scenes 4 twice. I am going to right it. I am surprised that nobody mentioned it before. So, this is 10.11 and we are back on track next week.

So, we are back to books...and how I got there. I will not get into the writing aspect. That came later. This is about my love my reading. So, once upon a time, there was a minister who loved to read, and he passed it to his kids. The oldest - my father - passed on the same passion. As far back as I can remember, there were always books in the house. He read to us, taught us to read, and instilled in us the same love.

We had guest readers. Funny voices. Chapters left on a cliffhanger. Oh, to be a kid and hear that again! Every reader sat on a bar stool (no joke) and read their portion. I was on the bottom bunk, surrounded by stuffed animals and ready to go to sleep...

Sometimes, the worst situation can bring the best memories. Those very people who came to read to us are now long dead or moved away from CT or we've lost touch for various reasons. But I can still remember the beginning of my love affair with books. It was the people who came, those close to my parents or my father himself, who came to entertain 3 bratty kids that stuck out the most with me.

And that is what I will take as one of my most treasured, innocent times.

Namaste!

#BehindTheScenes #AuthorBlog #BooksBooksBooks #HeTaughtMeToRead #ThereWasHope #PreludeToWriting

#BehindTheScenes 9 - Crafting

I was never really into it.

Yes, you heard me. I never got much into crafts. I mean, when I was younger, I did. I used to paint seashells and rocks, cover papers with stickers and all sorts of things. We had a box of construction paper, markers and all sorts of crafts. I did art in school. It was fun.

Then, I got older and art classes were more complex. The teachers gave me bad grades because I tried drawing to their specs, but I was never good. I skipped as many art classes as I could in high school and then tried again in college. I went to CCSU for a few years and only took a class.

This is where one of the pictures comes in. I remember having a class where we had to draw our shoes. I brought in my sneakers and began drawing. I REALLY concentrated. Like, I put a LOT of efforts into it. My professor comes over and broke it down. Told me how wrong it was - the shadows, dimensions, everything. I was done after that.

It was not that I took the criticism badly. The professor was right. Even though it was an intro class, he still expected some level of ability. It was that this was NOT my niche. I barely passed and never took another art class again.

Over the years, though, I have done little bits and pieces that mean nothing to you and something to us. I make candles and tried a business selling. That did not work out obviously. LOL I did cross stitching since I was a teenager. I have not touched it in years, but my work is always pretty good (except the back, it's a mess). I paint magnets and little things with my son.

Remember that your words have an effect on others. That art is truly what the heart says to make. And that all of those pieces might not be in paint and pencil, but it can be through voice, words and acting.

Namaste!

#NotSoCrafty #WordsNotPaint #ArtProfessor #ReaderAndWriter

Hold Me Closer?

Yes, I did listen to the new Elton John/Brittney Spears song. Honestly, I do not have an opinion of it yet. I like to listen to it a few times. But I do get good vibes from it, so I hope this is a good comeback.

Well, anyway...holding closer. What does it mean? Anything you want it to be. Yourself, your friends and family, even your fur baby. It is that time of the year for parents. The kids are going back to school. Mine is starting tomorrow and he is going into 5th grade. Others are getting excited for autumn, dominating the last weeks of summer with their pumpkin spice (and no, I am not a fan).

It's also about letting out some secrets. I've held a lot close to my chest. Mostly, it's about the books. But I wanted to know what people wanted to hear about #BehindTheScenes Thursdays. No, I am not letting out details someone can answer for my banking. But I want to connect with YOU and see what you think. Please comment.

Anxious about tomorrow. Working hard on Through the Meadow. It is tough forming a new set of characters after ones you love are done telling their story. I have thousands of other ideas in my head and all of them I want to write for you. I cannot wait to finish this and begin the next book.

Klenard is but a revolution away from destruction. You care to see why? It all starts with two sisters, who fought for a Crown their father sullied...

Namaste!

#AuthorBlog #SecretsCloseToTheChest #HoldMeCloserTinyDancer #LocalAuthor #NewBritain

#BehindTheScenes 8 - Travel

Oh, the places you go and the people you see!

Welcome to another edition of #BehindTheScenes with me, Sara Ellie MacKenzie! I think the title says it all. Travel. I am not a huge car traveler anymore (long story about that), but I love seeing new things and meeting strangers. I also know many people out of the country and we exchange culture, government, social and whatever jokes about us.

I will not tell you my 1st airplane flight or any of that nonsense. But I will say that I welcome all sorts of stories and I love giving mine. I do not have a lot. I hope to soon. But my favorites are always in-state trips. Usually, they are a few hours or last the whole day. Beaches, museums, nature walks...we've been there! CT is not a bad place to find fun places.

I remember something that happened almost 30 years ago. Gillette Castle, East Haddam is where I 1st met my grandfather and his 2nd wife, my wonderful grandmother. I was 4-5 years old and had NEVER met them because they lived on the other side of the country. My grandmother was in her mid-40s. I remember she was very kind. She took my sister and I by the hand and we went into the castle.

Before the construction, the place was CROWDED. I mean it. We had to walk slowly in a line. I remember going inside in the back, where the greenhouse is. If you have never been to Gillette Castle, I will tell you that there is a small attachment in the back, before the view of the CT River. It is all glass and there is a fountain and plants inside.

All I can remember were the goldfish. They were in the fountain. And we were still walking with Grandma, me on one side and my sister in the other. We were not her blood grandchildren, but we loved her so much, just as she does to us (still!). And I still contact her today, long after Grandpa passed. She has a special place in my heart.

Travel did that. We can meet our family and friends. It can be the hello or the goodbye. It can be the introduction or the epilogue.

What special places do you hold close?

Namaste!

#Traveling #AroundTheWorld #TheSevenSeas #SweetDreams