You Never Know Who's LIstening ... shhh.

Words on writing – for what it’s worth.

I thought, after Heat Wave, that I had this job down. I write – for hours – everyday, I have the plot line, I have a firm grasp of my characters and I guess it was that arrogance that was my first mistake. I was super excited to write from Adam’s point of view – I didn’t take into account how difficult that would be … for the three previous books (Living Lies, Second Chance and Heat Wave) I’ve done my best to keep out of everyone else’s head. I didn’t want to mar Melanie’s view point by crawling into someone else’s thoughts – giving her insight on things that she shouldn’t have known.

Today, I know better. And I’m not taking anything for granted.

For Adam I darkened the things in my life. I chose male oriented shows, movies, books – read articles, magazines and listened to men speaking in restaurants. My mom didn’t understand when I was forced to shush her during one of these most interesting episodes. “Why are you listening to them? What are they talking about?” She asked, too loudly and I told her I didn’t know because she kept asking me questions. My poor mom. In my defense, I apologized later and told her why I listen … because I’m interested. In everything.

To all of you writers out there … whatever your hang-ups are, whatever you struggle with … know this (taken in an sympathetic way) we are all still learning, no matter how many The Ends we’ve reached … or (not so pleasant) once you’ve mastered a hurdle there will always be another one waiting to trip you up.

But remember you’re having fun. I can’t wait to see what Book 5 and the sequel to Moon Over Monsters are going to teach me … right now the first drafts are moving along nicely. But like all of my first drafts … there will be cutting, realigning, rewording … editing, rereading, changing, fixing, adjusting, mending and then I’ll be ready for the second run through.

Got to start somewhere.

Love All,

Kate

I know this looks different - they (the computer people that live in the walls and order me around via this device) changed my blog page. I'm still going to link here for as long as I can ... until they discover what I am doing. But I also included a link to the new blog place ...

http://powwowpublishing.com/KM/2013/12/11/you-never-know-whos-listening/

The Halloween Candy Caper

http://powwowpublishing.com/KM/blog/blog-list/

So I changed my blog site - this a good idea - who knows. But since I'm a technically challenged I rely on those around me and they said - good idea.

Let me know what you think and please stay tuned!

Love All,
Kate

Take Back the Power From Mean And Crush Its Little Soul

I was telling Brent that I feel bad - (I was pulling quotes from book reviews) - and I know I shouldn't because people can be mean. They probably don't even know they're mean. Maybe people are mean to them (because they're gossipy and unhappy) ... anyway - he said that it's "natural to feel bad".

That got me thinking - why is natural such a great thing? You read it on packages and hear about the benefits of 'going' natural. But who wants that? Natural childbirth hurts. And I used to have to eat watermelon outside or by the sink - because of all those seeds - now I just enjoy. And nature is really beautiful to look at and I think we should have more areas that are left alone. That being said - do I want to commune with creatures living in said environment? No. Because I have respect for wildlife. And great fear of bodily harm.

I'm thinking I prefer artificial. Artificial lighting makes me look better, I have an artificial lake in my backyard. Have you ever rubbed an actual strawberry on your lips or hair? Doesn't hydrate as well as lip balm or shampoo and then there are those pesky seeds.

It is something to think about on a non-election year.

I spent yesterday at a book event for Arizona authors. I sold one book, one download, made two Facebook friends, got invited to sign at a table for the UA Festival of Books, talked a lot and met some really nice local authors - it was a good day.

Okay - Brent just read an exceptionally nice review for all three books. I wish the good ones could worm their way in like the bad ones do.

Boo! to the power of mean!

Happy Monday!

Love All,
Kate

There's A Hero In The House

Where have I been? The answer is everywhere but that's got to wait.

Today I'm going for cliche. I have a new hero and her name is Wendy's Liberty Bell - we call her Libby and sometimes she responds, but only if she wants to. She's a 10 year-old Weimaraner and has got a huge bump on her nose. The vet says it's cancer but this dog is so strong and so amazing that I'm refusing that diagnoses. He only looked at an X-ray, there were no tests, no biopsies, NADA. Anyway, I couldn't be anymore proud of her. It's like if that rhino-bump were gone she'd be better than normal, she jogs on her walks, follows me around like her own personal vending machine and plays like a puppy. We are defying the odds and I believe she's sporting her Halloween costume with style!

Summer is over, kids are back in school and I'm fixing into a routine. I have to say that I wonder about other writers and their comfort patterns. Me, I can't write in solitude. It makes me lonely. Give me a fast food restaurant with headphones and a television and I'm set for a strong chapter. I cannot concentrate alone at my desk/table with music in the background. The other night I had the computer on the kitchen counter as I cooked spaghetti because I had a conversation going inside my head that I couldn't ignore and ... real people were hungry.

How do you write? How does your story come to you? Is it so much fun that you forget about the painful linking of words?

My publisher spoke to the editor and I have not had a more stressful moment ... since the last time that happened. I'm normal. On a regular day, with regular things ... I'm a together sort of person but when Jill is part of the conversation I become a crazed, scared idiot. She's absolutely the greatest and I want her to like the story and I'm so super sorry for my many errors - sometimes I wonder what she must think of me ... I can't even blame a public school education, not totally. And I went to college, I've strongly suggested to my mom that she write to the university and demand a partial reimbursement for my lack of grammar skills. But to be fair, it's her fault I can't speak Spanish and there's no money-back-guarantee with a parent. I guess it's time to be grateful for that (I've got two).

Hey, this was fun. I'll have to do it more than once every 3 months.

Thanks for reading.
Love All,
Kate

Uncomfortable Blockage

I'm not going to call it 'writer's block' because that sounds uncomfortable. And it isn't like I ran out of ideas or didn't have a game plan ... more like I was frozen by some futuristic device that allowed my brain to move while immobilizing my fingers. But this description makes it sound painless - which, it wasn't!

Each book has had its own set of issues:


Living Lies was difficult because it was the first and I was new (which I plan to alleviate - more later).
Second Chance was like 'nobody cares anyway' :(
Heat Wave was 'Jeez Louise, I give up.'
Moon Over Monsters - not so much any of that but the sales have caused the :(


And by now I have to ask myself ... why are you surprised that Chase is peppered with obstacles? Because! I don't expect sneak attacks from my-own-self! From my-own-characters! How is that even possible?
Well, they are spies and assassins! DUH! Surround yourself with sneaky characters and you get what you get!

But we're simpatico (homage to Cinco de Mayo) again and it is wonderful to be in love and be loved in return! Back on track and racing toward the finish line - that may have to be moved. Which causes another set of mental ulcers but ... can't nor shouldn't be ignored.

Here is where I'm going to (gladly) change the subject -
Last week I was privileged to be part of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Middle school career day. It was a great reminder of how lucky I am to be able to write, to create, to spend my days with Melanie and meet readers. So much fun. Of all the jobs, though some were really cool and for a split second I considered working with the animals at the zoo, mine is the best!
My very empathetic daughters would remind me that it's the best for me but other people like what they do better. Is it bad to have kids that are more adult than their parent? I guess I'll judge by the amount they need to spend on therapy.

Hope you like what you do better.

Love All,
Kate

104 Days Of Summer Vacation

As an English assignment this week my girls were given the task to write an original 3-6 page Science Fiction story. Using three of the seven characteristics of Sci Fi that I didn't know were requirements.
I would've loved that assignment much more than diagramming sentences.
When I was a kid I was hooked on the Nine Princes In Amber series by Roger Zelazny. I loved Corwin. I was ten or eleven and when I'd completed the last sentence of the last page of the final book - I missed him. So, Friday night, decades later, I retrieved my copy of the book (I am a terrible nostalgist) from the shelf with my other favorites and started to read it to the girls in the car as we drove to their sleepover. Though, I can't remember but the basic plot I still love Corwin. And I love Zelazny's descriptions.
Books hold an important part of our childhood memories - at least they do for me and even when I'm missing my room with the canopy bed, the 9"black and white television and having nightly dinner with my parents and brothers I can still pick up a book and be transported back. I can be that kid again.
Right now War Games is on the television and earlier Madonna was on the car radio - they weren't the best of times but they were my times.
But ... back to reality, the 21st century ... It's the end of April and I'm excited about summer vacation. In a few short weeks (or 104 days according to Phineas and Ferb) summer vacation will only be a memory and this prep time a distant recollection.
Live for the moment. That's a great motto but right now my moment consists of trouble with Chase. Not so much as writer's block more akin to AHHHGG!

Back to Corwin where it's safe.

Love All,
Kate

Melanie vs. Zombies, Serial Killers and Chemistry Teachers

I am a big fan of the library. I like to reserve books, movies, television shows – it's like getting a gift when the male voice kindly lets me know that I have a item waiting. 

However, a couple of weeks ago - Homeland, The Walking Dead, season 2 and Downton Abbey season 2 - all came in about the same time. And I had been waiting nearly 6 months for Homeland and three for the other two - no way was I going to miss out on this trifecta of television! 

We finished the very last episode last night. 

If you find Melanie killing servant zombies in a giant mansion while taking medication and sleeping with a suspect then you'll understand. My brain is swimming with these great characters and the vast difference in each of the tales. 

Another confession is that I'm in love with Dexter (just today reserved season 7). Not just Dexter but the entire cast - Deb is my favorite. 

I've been through the four seasons of Breaking Bad - didn't get into Mad Men but I am waiting on Game of Thrones and Justified.

I don't know what happened to me - I was never this kind of crazy over shows. Are they getting better or is it me? 

Now everyone has been telling me about Dr. Who? but my library doesn't carry the new one - I don't even know what it is - but it's got to be good! And I already can't wait. 

I do have to say that watching The Walking Dead before bed - isn't one of my best ideas. Oh, well, have to wait for next season. Kind of like having to wait for Chase Book 4 of the Melanie Ward Novels. - thought I should throw that in - do a little subliminal marketing. 

Well, if you can think of any awesome programming I've missed - let me know! 

My advice is to stay away from angry personal maids, Maggie Smith, serial killers, zombies, cops who are in love with your spouse, chemistry teachers, war heroes and Miami.

Got to go - the Arizona Wildcats are playing!

Love All,

Kate