A Conversation Between Writers (ACBW) - Penny Pinchers

July 24, 2015

Peace and quiet and routine can be blissful. We got up early and went to Wal-Mart for a pantry run. I doubled up on everything we need to the tune of $217. I've been using that Wal-mart Savings Catcher app on my phone. The last trip it generated a coupon for $8.72. Good deal! - KCKendricks

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I put the app on my phone too. I've never gotten that much of a savings at once. But the few cents I get here and there add up. Everyone thinks I'm crazy, but it really takes no time at all. - Brenda Williamson

IWSG: Write the Story You Want to Tell

July 1, 2015

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group

http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com

I must confess the Insecure Writer's Support Group has had me perplexed for a while. Author Melissa Bradley mentioned this on her blog several years ago and I’ve lurked around the edges and read the IWSG posts from time-to-time. I finally decided to hop on the train, at least for the remainder of 2015, and see if I have any pearls of wisdom for other writers.

Insecurity is not unique to writers. We all own our fair share whether we like it or not. Personally, I get annoyed with myself when I feel insecure for no good reason. I’ve lived long enough to know there will always, and I mean ALWAYS, be someone smarter, prettier, wittier, thinner, more talented, richer and more successful than me.

There will always be those less successful, less talented, chubbier, uglier, dumber, poorer and who are severely lacking of a sense of humor, too. And no, I don’t get cocky over that fact and use it to pump myself up. That would be tacky.

I think it’s important for every writer to remember what it was that called them to write. That “something” that continues to call them to write even when discouraged or insecure. An old adage states you should write for yourself first because you’re your first reader. I can’t begin tell you how true that is.

The best stories I’ve written were for me and not for a deadline or in hopes of a decent review. In fact, I think most of those stories written to a deadline didn’t turn out all that well, but that’s fodder for another blog.

So here’s my pearl of wisdom for my first IWSG post: Write to please yourself.

Write the story you want to write and don’t worry about anything else until you’ve told it just the way you want to tell it. All the other stuff - proofreading, editing, publishing - it all comes after you write the story, so do the first thing first and do it just for you.

KC Kendricks

http://www.kckendricks.com

http://www.twitter.com/kckendricks

To the writers of the IWSG - network with me on Twitter at @kckendricks. 

I is for Illuminate (it's what writers do)

April 10, 2015

Day 9

The 2015 A to Z Blogging Challenge

Many Sundry Things

I is for Illuminate

*_*_*_*

What does it take to illuminate the way for us? I guess it depends if we’re discussing the physical or metaphysical.

The physical is easy. Give us a flashlight and we can switch it on and have light to see into dark corners. The path ahead becomes visible. It’s sort of a no-brainer. So what about the metaphysical?

Metaphysics deals with things we think exist but we can’t see. You know – the gremlin we know is hiding in the dark corner that runs and hides when we reach for the flashlight. Maybe I’m the only one with that particular tormentor. Count yourself lucky.

Writers dip into the metaphysical all the time. We know there are words out there, and the words create the story. All we have to do is pull them out of the air and get them on the page. Our innate creativity and passion for our muse illuminate our way to the words.

We create the characters unseen. We know them. It’s up to us to illuminate them and breathe life into them for the reader.

Beyond that, the printed word has illuminated and shaped the very world we live in since Johannes Gutenberg set his press in motion around the year 1439.

Writers illuminate.

_*_*_*_

Once again this year I have to do a little book promo along the way. You won’t know about my books if I don’t tell you about them, right?

I is for Ian Coutler’s Amethyst Cove series.

Free spirited Ian Coulter works hard and plays harder. An ex-cop turned private investigator, Ian enjoys meeting new men and making new friends. A night out ends up with one man on the floor at his feet, and another asking for his help. Big trouble’s brewing in little Amethyst Cove, and Ian’s a step behind. He’s quick to see Rick Mohr is the man holding the flare at the end of a long, dark tunnel.

Undercover agent Rick Mohr walks a fine line, serving two masters. Insider trading, counterfeit printing plates, and a blown-up yacht have Rick stuck between two Federal agencies, one of which has been compromised. Rick has to discover the mole before it’s too late. When Ian Coulter walks into his life, Rick grabs the chance to salvage his assignment with both hands.

It doesn’t take Ian and Rick long to discover joining forces, and sharing resources, has definite perks, ones not found in any departmental manual.

Double Deuce, Deuce of Diamonds, and Ace, Deuce, Trey are available at online booksellers. 

KC Kendricks
My home on the web- Between the Keys: http://kckendricks.blogspot.com
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My country life at Holly Tree Manor