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Muffins and Mayhem, Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life
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Dear Reader,
I'm in the midst of my annual 'grandchildren' vacation this week. So I've invited historical fiction author Tracy Higley to write today's column. Tracy doesn't just transport readers to the settings of her books, she transports herself as well. Her trips to Greece, Egypt, Jordan, Israel and Italy have found their way into her ancient suspense novels, including the popular Seven Wonders Series, and her most recent title, GARDEN OF MADNESS.
Please send an email and welcome Tracy to the book club: [email protected] She will personally answer you and she'll enter you in her book giveaway. Take it away, Tracy...
Summer is in full-swing, and if you're contemplating travel with kids you may be feeling a bit of dread mixed with that vacation-anticipation. One of the best trips I've taken was a recent journey to Italy with my teen daughter, a senior in high school, to explore Pompeii for one of my historical novels, POMPEII: CITY ON FIRE. For those heading out with kids this summer, here are my best tips to embrace the adventure and avoid the attitude!
Secure the "Buy In"
From Day 1 of trip planning, give your teen the reins in some area. My daughter's excellent sense of direction always trumps my tendency to get lost, so she knew it would be up to her to navigate us through Rome and Venice. If there's a particular location that interests your teen, give him the task of planning your time there. How about one day that is completely his to plan, from activities to food? He'll have ownership of the adventure, and probably be more agreeable to the plans you've made as well.
Mix Both Your Interests
Our trip to Rome was primarily to research Pompeii for my upcoming novel, but my daughter really wanted to see Venice. It meant a side trip of a couple of days and some extra expense, but seeing something she was interested in made the trip more enjoyable for both of us. Because I had no agenda in Venice, I found that the days were wonderful. Make sure you spend adequate time to satisfies kids' curiosity.
Just chill...
Take your cue from the average teen's attitude, and don't get freaked out when things go wrong. Because things will go wrong! Be spontaneous and flexible and embrace the unexpected as an adventure. My daughter and I encountered too many surprises to count--a missed bus at the top of Mt. Vesuvius, an unexpected roadside downpour, late night searches for wi-fi--but every one of them is now an entertaining story we brought back. Don't let detours ruin the fun.
Preserve the Memories
Don't forget to get pictures with your kids. It's easy to forget while you're sightseeing. You return home to find hundreds of shots of the sights, pictures of the kids, maybe a few of yourself. But make sure you find other friendly tourists and get some photos of both of you in all the important spots. It may feel awkward to ask a stranger, but you'll be glad you did. Those pictures together, taken at such memorable times, are priceless.
I've traveled the world researching my historical novels, but the trip to Italy to research Pompeii was unlike any of my others because my traveling partner was 17 years old. It was an adventure for both of us and much more than just a research trip!
Email Tracy (she'll reply and enter you in her book giveaway) at: [email protected] Be sure to include your mailing address, in case you are a winner.
Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.
** The 8th Annual Write a Dear Reader Contest! Simply write for fun. Read all about it at: http://www.dearreader.com/contest2012
Vacationing,
Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.muffinsandmayhem.com
* This month's Penguin Classics book is THE HARBOR by Ernest Poole. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin totebag. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/July12Classics
AUTHORBUZZ: MURDER IN HONOLULU: A Skye Delaney Mystery by R. Barri Flowers
Aloha, Reader: I'm thrilled to introduce you to female sleuth Skye Delaney in MURDER IN HONOLULU, my new Hawaii mystery series. When Skye's ex-husband, a former prosecutor, ends up dead in her Jacuzzi, she's on the case, putting herself in danger.
Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on MURDER IN HONOLULU to find out more about the book and the author, R. Barri Flowers. Send him an email, he'd love to hear from you.
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