Sunday, June 28, 2009

Character, imperfect

May 28, 2009

Not being a person with a natural leaning toward politics, some of the goings-on in the world of writing baffle me. I have to think pretty hard to figure some of the stuff out, and some of it never does make sense to me. I’m confused why a love story can’t just be a love story. You know…a story about two people meeting, discovering each other, and attempting to join their paths on their journey through this life. Must every story make a political statement?

I guess I’m a big disappointment to the folks that answer, ‘yes’.

I like happy endings. I thought I had one, but maybe I don’t. Fifteen years ago, I was sure I had it, and if I’d ended my life story there, it would have been with the time honored HEA. Would that have made the last decade, with all its trials and tribulations invalid somehow? Does a firm belief in the happily ever after taint my all future tomorrows? Depends on how jaded you are.

To those of us with long-term partners, we’re privileged to see them at their worst. Yes, privileged. When my mate acts like an ass, I see someone no one else ever does. It’s a singular honor bestowed in complete trust that I will not withdraw my love and affection over some meaningless behavior. If you don’t get that about your partner – grow up. You’re not so perfect either.

The stories he could tell on me….but that’s another blog. NOT.

In the quest to write a love story with honest, believable characters, a writer draws on all of life’s experiences. We know shy people who walk around with a chip on their shoulder to cover up the shyness, and people who hide their inner fear, and pain, with outward bravado. And we know kind, caring people with the patience of Job that no amount of stress seems to affect. I bet their partners could tell stories, too.

We are all made unique, thank God. So instead of trying to make political statements with my stories, I choose to make people statements. I hope I portray them with all their bad behaviors, contradictions, and shining moments. Good side, bad side, and human side. Mature, immature, perfect and imperfect all rolled together into one person.

Just like you and me.

KC Kendricks
http://www.kckendricks.com

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Saturday, June 20, 2009

The Daily Horoscope Reading

June 20, 2009

You're in the sweet spot today, and should be able to get your people to follow along just through the power of your personality. It's one of those days when you can start a million different projects!

Hmm. ‘Get my people to follow along.’

That’s my horoscope for June 20, 2009, and it’s not reassuring. ‘Get my people to follow along.’ I can’t even get my dog to follow along, most days. And as for starting a million different projects – oh no. No, no. OH NO. Not gonna happen. I have toooooo many projects started now.

One thing is correct, though. I am in a sweet spot. It’s Saturday, and the spousal unit is contentedly parked in front of the television watching the US Open. Golf is good because, unlike like baseball, it is watched quietly. As a reward for blessed silence, I’m watching the newswires and snagging photos of Tiger in action for my honey’s screensaver.

In the Chronicles of Amber, Roger Zelazny writes, “All roads lead to Amber.” My destinations today are a bit less metaphorical. I can join the golf watching, read a book, write a book, take a nap (that one seems to be winning), or even call up some friends and go frolic at the mall.

Or maybe I’ll just lean back and laze the day away. That would definitely be sweet.


KC Kendricks
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Wednesday, June 17, 2009

The Cyber Life (June 2009)

Note: The following blog entry is best viewed with tongue firmly in cheek while gently caressing a wine glass with the thumb and middle finger.

Bring it on, Facebook.

No, really. Who needs time to write, anyway?

Back in the day, I learned how to do a basic website. Thank God for software that doesn't ask for a lot html coding. After that, I moved on to LiveJournal. That didn't last long because of Blogger and WordPress. Hey, learn one, learn 'em all, right?

Being two for two (website and blog), why not take on Tom and get a MySpace account? Yeah. Why not?

Um.... those twelve unfinished manuscripts? Hello!

With MySpace in the bag, it was time to get back to writing, so I....

Hey...what's this? You can make your own book trailers and post them to MySpace? And on a website? And on YouTube? And LiveVideo? Cool.

Sooooo, I can now make a book trailer, but who the heck wants to? I have all these ideas for new stories...........

But the current wisdom espouses to the theory MySpace is out and Facebook is in.

Facebook? How hard can it be? How much time can it take away from the writing?

HELLO!!! That growing pile of unfinished manuscripts!!!!


[drumroll please]

I'm learning Facebook. If I ever figure out the url for my page, I'll post it to my mail list. Unless, of course, I come to my senses and actually finish a new manuscript first.

In the meantime, someone keep my publisher and editor away from reading my blog and finding out how badly (oops.. a word ending in 'ly') I'm slacking off.

KC Kendricks
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Friday, June 5, 2009

Come Vacation, Go Vacation



Coming June 7, 2009 - Seducing Light

Yes, the heading may say it all. I’ve been on vacation. It’s a good thing, and a bad thing, for the same reason. Being away from the day job opens endless possibilities.

While I’m grateful that I have a day job to pay the bills and such, having a week off has me hungry for a different, slower, pace of life. Being home has been a true joy. I want to be the Lady of the Manor every day.

On the writing front, I’ve finished a chapter a day, and could have done more. What kept me from it were trips to town, a few household chores, a day trip down through Ashby’s Gap into the Shenandoah Valley, and a serious rainy-day nap. Things that could be accomplished over a longer span of time, if I had time. In any case, this week is a glimpse of days to come.

How lovely it would be to get up each morning and write a chapter while the world wakes around me. Then I could do a few chores, spend some time with my honey, walk the dog. In the heat of the afternoon, write a little more, and call it a day and actually read a book or watch a little television.

Ah, for that perfect world.

It’s not to be, not yet. Monday will come and I’ll be back at the mind-numbingly boring day job, nodding and smiling as people whine at me about how hard they had to work while I was off.

I definitely need a less stressful way to spend my days, and I think writing is it. Only two-thousand, nine hundred odd days to go until I can retire.

****
Update - Seducing Light is available at Amazon

KC Kendricks
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