Zelda Benjamin's Blog, page 5

1st Kiss Phenomenon and Fans of Sweet Romance

The world has discovered what fans of sweet romance already know.  A fashion ad showing twenty strangers in that awkward moment before their first kiss has had over sixty million views on Youtube.
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20795771,00.html

When I wrote the first book in my Love by Chocolate series for Avalon books, the guidelines were very specific - no sex. That meant the sensual push and pull between my characters could only go as far as a kiss.

Building a scene with a kiss.
Like any scene, the scene where your characters have their first spine-shivering kiss, must move the story along. This will be a turning point for your hero and heroine. Nothing will be the same in their relationship after that kiss.

The kiss
The lips know what to do, but it's not all about that first contact. There's a dance they play before the actual kiss. Characters touch and talk - hands to arms, check to check, and lips to check.

Stay true to your story
If the tone of your story is lighthearted, your kiss should be in line with the lighthearted nature of your story.
"True love is the greatest thing, in the world-except for a nice MLT — mutton, lettuce and tomato sandwich, where the mutton is nice and lean and the tomato is ripe." -
The Princess Bride

Wishing you, chocolate, love, and sweet kisses.

Encourage Kids to Write

Today I am deviating from my usual posts on chocolate and writing to participate in a wonderful project.



Give a young child crayons and paper( large paper for the smallest writers) and they will be happy for hours. These first scribbles are your child's 1st attempt at writing.








Today’s post is part of a Choose Your Own Adventure Story written and hosted by T. Isenhoff and M. Isenhoff on their Storyboys blog. T. is in 3rd grade, and M. is in 6th grade. This story was their winter homeschool project. Travel over to their blog to start at the beginning. Have fun!

Tony’s flashlight swept the darkness of the tunnel. There crawling toward them was a giant black tarantula. “Aw, gumbo!” Tony shouted.The boys tumbled out of the cupboard, choosing death by fist over death by spider.“There you are, punks!” Meatloaf screamed, charging toward them with his spiky red and blue hair and fists the size of milk jugs. “You’re dead meat!”“Run!” Tony yelled and made a beeline for the door, but Ed was frozen to the spot. In his fear, he dropped the package of cookies, spilling Oreos everywhere. Meatloaf came on like a freight train, sliding on the cookies, unable to stop. He slammed into the sideboard and hit his head on the corner. Then he dropped to the floor and lay still.“Is he dead?” Tony asked from the doorway. Ed was still as a statue. Tony came back and smacked him on the back of the head. “Wake up, dude. You just killed Meatloaf with a package of Oreos.”Ed dropped to one knee and felt for a pulse. “He’s alive,” he said with relief.Tony grabbed the root beer. He took a swig then splashed a little on Meatloaf’s face. The bully spluttered and opened his eyes. “Who are you? Who am I? Where are we?”Tony glanced at Ed with a look of surprise. Then he grinned. “Your name is Justin Beiber,” he said, “and we’re your best friends. We’ll help you remember everything.”Tony helped Meatloaf up and put a friendly arm around his shoulders. As they walked out of the room, he said, “For starters, your favorite singer is Lady Gaga. You dress up as a giant chicken at the Cluck Bucket restaurant, and you owe me fifty bucks. Let’s go see if we can find your costume...”The End

Celebrating Dr. Seuss

I can't think of a better way to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday ( March 2, 1904) than to have a week long celebration, celebrating reading. Not that I need a reason to read. My favorite Dr. Seuss story, Oh, the Places You'll Go! inspires young and old.The National Education Association celebrates, Read Across America every year. Lots of great ideas for projects to help celebrate all week long.  



From March 3 - March 8,  Smashwords is promoting Read an Ebook Week. As part of this promotion, Chocolate Couture is free for one week through Smashwords. Enter code RW100 Take advantage of this opportunity to download some books from your favorite genre.

I love when anyone does something to encourage reading. Studies have found that children who grow up with books in their home, regardless of their parents economic or education background do better in school and careers. 
Books in the Home     This birthday celebration would be incomplete without a mention of my friend Carmen Mueller. "Why do I only get one day?" She and her Pooh friends prepare for her month long celebration. My wish to you - A good book, in a cozy corner with a delicious treat. 

So You Want to Write Books

Writing Through Chocolate - The Basics

Starting today, I will be blogging on how writing about chocolate has helped me develop as a writer. The experience has brought me to a place where I would like to share what I've learned.
Recently, I was asked by two acquaintances, "How do I tell the story in my head? Where do I start?"




Not doubt, we all have that collection of Post-It notes, napkins, or remnants of receipts covered with scribbles of ideas. That's a good start. Don't toss them. Keep them in a box. You can always refer back to them and decide if they have a place in your current work in progress or not. 




Everything starts with a basic ingredient. You can't bake a chocolate cake without some form of chocolate. 


I can taste that first bite of a fresh chocolate cake before it's even out of the oven. It's not much different with your book ideas, we all envision our completed book. I write happily ever afters (HEA) so I know how my stories will end before I write the first word. How I'm going to get my characters to that HEA is the challenge.


You can't write a story without an understanding of its structure and characters. My first suggestion to any aspiring writer is to go out and purchase a copy of, The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler  After five books, I still use it to tighten and polish my stories. For new writers, this will be your sidekick as you lay out your story and get into the minds of your characters. 
To start your characters on the journey that will be your story, they must first step out of their ordinary world. Just like your characters, your decision to write the book of your heart is the beginning of your adventure.
Wishing you peace, love, and chocolate as you start out on this new experience.

Spring - A Season to be Creative

http://www.iheartnaptime.net/orange-cupcakes/
This adorable, colorful cupcake inspired me to write this blog. Yes, the colors of Spring are inspiring. How can you not smile when you see this photo? It's the perfect time to discover the best of the old and the new. Throw away all the heavy baggage you might have accumulated over the winter and move forward with something new and exciting. 
The colors, the holidays, and of course the wonderful chocolate candies are all a sign that Spring is on its way. Although, I'm a dark chocolate fan, these mini Cadburry eggs are my favorite Easter candy.

For me it's about new experiences, new foods, and cleaning out my closet.


Check out this seasonally appropriate excerpt from Chocolate Magic . Someone has stolen Chloe's Valrhona chocolate bunnies.


“Oh my ganache.” Chloe stood frozen in the doorway of her chocolate shop.Nothing appeared unusual as Phil parked his van in front of the Chocolate Boutique. The street was deserted at this late hour except for a few stragglers. The shop’s window twinkled with pink lights the same color as Chloe’s frosted hair. Chloe had to jiggle her key in the lock several times before it opened. She realized something was not right. When she turned on the light she knew exactly what was wrong.Not only had someone messed up her perfect rows of candy in the display case - an entire row of chocolate bunnies was missing from the overhead shelf.“Chloe, is something wrong?” Ethan came up behind her resting his hands on her shoulders.Phil asked a similar question. Their voices were no more than a mumble passing through Chloe’s mind. She couldn’t respond. The shelves without the bunnies looked so sad and empty. The sadness was so acute it hurt her physically to look at the vacant rows. She had fallen through Alice’s rabbit hole and couldn’t find her way out.When she found her voice, short fragmented sentences were all she could manage. “The bunnies were all done.  Lucy helped me decorate them, box them, and put them on the shelves.” Chloe moved toward the bare wall.Phil inched his way around her. He looked confused. “What bunnies?” “I think the bunnies were supposed to be on this empty shelf.” Ethan stood next to Chloe. He placed his hand on her elbow offering her support. “Am I right?”“Maybe this Lucy chick put them some place else,” Phil said.Chloe managed to shake her head in disagreement while she stared at the empty rows.“We should call the police.” Phil snickered. “Tell them your bunnies escaped.”
     “You’re not funny.” Chloe retorted. “These weren’t just any chocolate candy. They were made from Valrhona Chocolate.”“Val… what?” Phil looked from Chloe to Ethan.

S'mores Galore

I'm often asked if I actually made all the recipes I mentioned in my Love By Chocolate series. The truth is, I'm not a from scratch baker. When I bake I use boxed mixes and very often ready made cookie dough. Baking is much too precise for me. One ingredient off and the taste can be ruined. And when I bake a large cake or batch of cookies I find myself eating it all.

That's why I love s'mores. You can make one or dozens. They're compact and I can be as creative as I want with all the ready made ingredients. My personal favorite is made with 2 ginger cookies smeared with Nutella. I recently discovered a new Kraft product- marshmallow stackers. They fit perfectly between the thin ginger snaps.


Another non-traditional s'more that's easy to make - I adapted a little. I use a frozen chocolate chip cookie baked with micro-mini marshmallows and additional mini chocolate chips sprinkled on top. http://www.hugsandcookiesxoxo.com/2011/10/smookies-make-you-smile.html

And how about a s'more for Passover?

http://www.ingredientsinc.net/2012/04/passover-smores/#.USFnyWH3B8E
Do you have a favorite s'more recipe?
Thanks for stopping by and remember to eat chocolate everyday.

Heartbreaker Blog Hop - Music, Movies, and Books

 I write sweet romance that always ends with a Happily Ever After. http://tinyurl.com/aq49gwa 
However, my favorite romance with my all time favorite heartbreaker does not end that way. 


If you can watch this youtube video for the Way We Were without your eyes tearing than you're  a better person than I am. Just listening to the song as I write this blog makes me teary eyed. 


www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNEcQS4tXgQIn the movie, Robert Redford's character, Hubbell is my perfect heartbreaker. He is smart, sexy, an all American officer and a gentleman with a hint of bad boy. And he breaks Katie's heart as well as mine. The heart wrenching  story only adds to the attraction. My favorite scene is in the middle of the movie when  Hubbell and JJ are sailing. JJ asks Hubbell to list his best years. Hubbell replies, 1941, 42, 43.... all the years he knew Katie. 

Any time I hear the song I immediately picture the end of the movie. Hubbell sees Katie across the street from the Plaza Hotel. He crosses the street. For me it is the most memorable heartbreaking scene in any book or movie.

Who is the  heartbreaker from a book or movie who has that affect on you? 


Check out what over 200 other authors have to say about heartbreakers. Leave a comment for a chance to win the grand prizes.

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet2nd Grand Prize: A $100 Amazon or B&N Gift Card3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!"http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=168769"

New Year's Resolutions - No Thanks!

You as a reader can go to EACH blog "http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=168190" Comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet2nd Grand Prize: A $300 Amazon or B&N Gift Card3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!
I'll pick a random comment and give away a Dunkin Donuts gift card.

I've never been one to make New Year's resolutions and this year is no different. I have a life goal to live each day to the fullest. I don't let others define me. 
What about yourself do you like best?
I like to indulge in simple pleasures -
                                                           Read
                                                           Eat chocolate ( preferably dark)
                                                           Take a bubble bath Indulge- Jan. 8 is National Bubble Bath Day
What's your simple pleasure?Taking risks and going to the extreme is another way to live each day to the fullest. This year, dressed like Robo Cop I attempted to ride a bike on steroids down Whistler Mountain. I didn't make it down the twisting bumpy trail, but I did descent over 2000 ft. intact. Not sure what I'll try this year. Take a risk- That is not me, but you get the idea. 
What risks have you taken?If reading and chocolate are your simple pleasures all the books in  Love by Chocolate series are available hardcover, paperback, and on Kindle.http://tinyurl.com/cu2m6sv
Peace, Love and Chocolate for the New Year.

OATMEAL MUFFINS WITH A CHOCOLATE TWIST

In honor of National Oatmeal Muffin Day, I'm sharing my favorite recipe with a chocolate twist. The holiday is tomorrow, but since I missed Chocolate Covered Anything Day I want to get in early on this one.
This recipe is from the back of a box of Molino Rolled Oats sold back in the 1980's. Any rolled oats can be used. I don't think they sell Molino products anymore.
Ingredients1 cup rolled oats soaked in buttermilk for 1 hour1 egg1 cup whole wheat flour1/2 cup brown sugar1 tsp baking powder1/2 tsp baking soda1/2 cup melted oil or margarine ( I always use butter)
Preheat oven to 400Add beaten egg and sugar to oat mixture. Add dry ingredients. Stir in melted butter.Spoon into greased muffin pan - 1/2 fullBake 20-25 minutes
Chocolate TwistAdd chocolate chips, a packet of hot chocolate powder or 1/2 tsp of 100% cocoa powder.

FAVORITE CHOCOLATE MOMENTS OF 2012

This week end ( Dec 14- Dec 16) I will be giving fun gifts- all chocolate related - to a random winner. All you have to do is leave a comment and your email address on my blog.
Today's gift is a DD destination mug from sunny Florida and of course a chocolate donut ornament.

The fun part of writing about chocolate is not only the chocolate, but the wonderful people who consider me a chocolate expert. 
Fans, friends, and family have generously shared lots of chocolate stuff with me this year: recipes, fun facts, and delicious chocolate from all over the world.





My favorite recipe came from a fan. It's an old recipe from Better Homes and Gardens.


 Cocoa Ripple Ring    I used a boxed mix and  added                                                  2 packets of cocoa, or more.(mix with a tbs of sugar if you like)Layer batter in thirds, alternating with cocoa mixture, intoa well greased 12 cup bundt pan. Bake as directed on box. 


My favorite saying came from James Sweeney. We have to save the earth, it's the only planet with chocolate.


My favorite chocolates were a gift from my son - a delicious box of mixed chocolates from Bruge Street in Belgium.


http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/02/26/travel/a-weekend-in-bruges-beyond-cobbled-lanes-and-medieval-canals.html?_r=0
Do you have a favorite chocolate moment this year? Tell me about it.