tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2180834382841388762024-03-06T03:03:09.511-05:00Imagine TodayImagine Today the Possibilities for Tomorrow: Imagine, Educate, Actkjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.comBlogger562125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-70807371215917861022023-01-04T09:33:00.004-05:002023-01-04T11:03:04.519-05:00Gratitude and Intention #IWSG<p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8SUBaJNCr1pwW2Iz6f5aZUT9z3HGdkF8pNCRsKG96AQQjyWLn2BQe_D9hK2OyafVs86V0VWF483sTKJriFcfszMpTw7c8Ai1QFO3pvmbV9jqcAh-UJ4KIiEiIrFPcFZAMnDP3rsJTN4eyTUCV8V1oW7Cdhvin-TP3yMOErcgcvaTjD_mv9b-_mZ6HA/w200-h197/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge-2.jpg" width="200" /> </p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Happy New Year!!! </span></b></p><p>2023 is here and I have a great feeling that this year is going to be a good one! And what a great way to start it by having another post of the IWSG!!</p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: times; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;"><b>Purpose:</b></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: times; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: times; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;">To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!</span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px;"></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px;"></p><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Posting:</b> The first Wednesday of every month is officially <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #1713ff; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><b>Insecure Writer’s Support Group</b> </a>day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!--from IWSG website<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Find us on Twitter at @TheIWSG #IWSG</span></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px;" /><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px;">This month's cohosts are: <span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://jemimapett.com/blog/" style="color: #3e62b4; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Jemima Pett,</a><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://fictioncanbefun.wordpress.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Debs Carey,</a><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://kimlajevardi.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Kim Lajevardi,</a><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://thefauxfountainpen.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Sarah Foster,</a><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://www.literaryrambles.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Natalie Aguirre,</a><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> and </span><a href="http://journalingwoman.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">T. Powell Coltrin!</a></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px;"><br /></div><div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">January 4 question - Do you have a word of the year? Is there one word that sums up what you need to work on or change in the coming year? For instance, in 2021 my word of the year was Finish. I was determined to finished my first draft by the end of the year. In 2022, my word of the year is Ease. I want to get my process, systems, finances, and routines where life flows with ease and less chaos. What is your</span><span style="font-family: times;">word for 2023? Why? </span></span></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">I have two words for this year:<b> Gratitude and Intention</b>.</span></span></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">It's easy to be bogged down by stress, worry and negativity but when I take the time to actively think of what I'm grateful for each day everything else seems to be less important. So this year I really want to start each day by focusing on what I'm grateful for.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">One of the many things I'm grateful for is the IWSG, all of you who participate in this amazing community of writers, and of course<a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com" target="_blank"> Alex J. Cavanaugh</a> who began the whole thing. I joined when it began maybe ten years ago (not sure the date it started). I took some years off but when I was ready to come back the IWSG welcomed me as if I had ever left and was even stronger! Thank you!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Intention</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;">How many times have I caught myself scrolling through some type of social media app or even just getting lost in news articles that are for the most part meaningless? I'm really good at simply letting time slip through my fingers with not much to show for it. Not that I need to be accomplishing something every second but I want to spend the precious little time I have in this year of 2023 with intention. I want to decide how I spend my moments and not let them mindlessly pass without notice. To be present and to be grateful for each moment.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Do you have a word for this year? What are you excited about for 2023?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In other news, I woke up on January 1st to see that my e-book had made it to the #1 Best Seller list in its category on Amazon! What a wonderful surprise and a great way to start 2023 with a bang!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7PLPsirM6tgHsUn9OpDWAuarm6mttMPDU5lQ-vIDZqfIKJwdFabHiEPDRsMOkRIwjblyge-Q3HOQ6sE1zWTuwpyHuhswMtMY7USHLEQwLr-nuBfJqliFBCNBwux429DAKKejVyCrrbWy83GXUaVvPGuOzSQVlJbt44OnTP9LgqiWdg-Snh2WD6gzeQ/s1792/IMG_5632.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7PLPsirM6tgHsUn9OpDWAuarm6mttMPDU5lQ-vIDZqfIKJwdFabHiEPDRsMOkRIwjblyge-Q3HOQ6sE1zWTuwpyHuhswMtMY7USHLEQwLr-nuBfJqliFBCNBwux429DAKKejVyCrrbWy83GXUaVvPGuOzSQVlJbt44OnTP9LgqiWdg-Snh2WD6gzeQ/w224-h320/IMG_5632.jpeg" width="224" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;">I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and have a very Happy 2023!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;">Love,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;">Kathy :)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></span></div></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;" /></div>kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-40362405881089466222022-12-08T11:00:00.001-05:002022-12-08T11:00:07.800-05:00IWSG and New Projects<p><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8SUBaJNCr1pwW2Iz6f5aZUT9z3HGdkF8pNCRsKG96AQQjyWLn2BQe_D9hK2OyafVs86V0VWF483sTKJriFcfszMpTw7c8Ai1QFO3pvmbV9jqcAh-UJ4KIiEiIrFPcFZAMnDP3rsJTN4eyTUCV8V1oW7Cdhvin-TP3yMOErcgcvaTjD_mv9b-_mZ6HA/w200-h197/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge-2.jpg" width="200" /> </p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: times; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: times; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;"><b>Purpose:</b></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: times; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: times; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;">To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!</span></p><p></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px;"></p><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Posting:</b> The first Wednesday of every month is officially <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #1713ff; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><b>Insecure Writer’s Support Group</b> </a>day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!--from IWSG website<br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Find us on Twitter at @TheIWSG #IWSG</span></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><div>This month's cohosts are: </div><h1 style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: -0.02em; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; overflow-wrap: normal; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><strong style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: normal;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3Db058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854%26id%3D41fd3c5036%26e%3D2b6c455cea&source=gmail&ust=1670477757538000&usg=AOvVaw2Y5A4-9E6JVHCFAWhKc0Wk" href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=41fd3c5036&e=2b6c455cea" style="color: #007c89; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Joylene Nowell Butler,</a> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3Db058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854%26id%3D5ff6a08887%26e%3D2b6c455cea&source=gmail&ust=1670477757538000&usg=AOvVaw3YPVconTJqNoMFuV-K7nLq" href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=5ff6a08887&e=2b6c455cea" style="color: #007c89; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Chemist Ken,</a> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3Db058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854%26id%3D2c15f57322%26e%3D2b6c455cea&source=gmail&ust=1670477757538000&usg=AOvVaw15prhVjjDI8s1n5SjF19NR" href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=2c15f57322&e=2b6c455cea" style="color: #007c89; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Natalie Aguirre,</a> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3Db058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854%26id%3Dd575438b2c%26e%3D2b6c455cea&source=gmail&ust=1670477757538000&usg=AOvVaw25Z5cCN9uDWdbClhC6MSrK" href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=d575438b2c&e=2b6c455cea" style="color: #007c89; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Nancy Gideon,</a> and <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3Db058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854%26id%3Dbdd56d203c%26e%3D2b6c455cea&source=gmail&ust=1670477757538000&usg=AOvVaw3kxETJBwGvGFF3jWe5SFVN" href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=bdd56d203c&e=2b6c455cea" style="color: #007c89; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Cathrina Constantine!</a></strong></h1><div>The question of the month is: It's holiday time! Are the holidays a time to catch up or fall behind on writer goals?</div><div><br /></div><div>Well since I'm even posting this a day late, you can probably surmise that my holiday time is usually when I fall most behind in writing goals! But I've learned to tell myself that it's okay. As long as I have writing goals and I continue to work on them even haphazardly then I'm doing fine.</div><div><br /></div><div>Last month I mentioned that I'm working on revising a novel, which I am still doing but I've added another project to my goals list. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've decided to write a cookbook. My kids are about to all be out on their own. One is getting married next year and the others will probably be soon to follow. I'm actually writing the cookbook as a way to teach them how to make their favorite homemade recipes and if other people can learn and enjoy it that's even better! </div><div><br /></div><div>Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!!</div><div><br /></div><div>With love, </div><div><br /></div><div>Kathy</div><div> </div>kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-73053079521908332582022-11-02T11:00:00.000-04:002022-11-02T11:00:05.880-04:00November IWSG and NaNoWriMo<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8SUBaJNCr1pwW2Iz6f5aZUT9z3HGdkF8pNCRsKG96AQQjyWLn2BQe_D9hK2OyafVs86V0VWF483sTKJriFcfszMpTw7c8Ai1QFO3pvmbV9jqcAh-UJ4KIiEiIrFPcFZAMnDP3rsJTN4eyTUCV8V1oW7Cdhvin-TP3yMOErcgcvaTjD_mv9b-_mZ6HA/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8SUBaJNCr1pwW2Iz6f5aZUT9z3HGdkF8pNCRsKG96AQQjyWLn2BQe_D9hK2OyafVs86V0VWF483sTKJriFcfszMpTw7c8Ai1QFO3pvmbV9jqcAh-UJ4KIiEiIrFPcFZAMnDP3rsJTN4eyTUCV8V1oW7Cdhvin-TP3yMOErcgcvaTjD_mv9b-_mZ6HA/w200-h197/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge-2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: times;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); font-size: 15.399999618530273px;"><b></b></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: times;"><b><b style="text-align: center;">It's the first Wednesday in November so it's time for another IWSG post!</b></b></span></div><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: times; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;"><b>Purpose:</b></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: times; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: times; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;">To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!</span></p><p></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px;"></p><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Posting:</b> The first Wednesday of every month is officially <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #1713ff; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><b>Insecure Writer’s Support Group</b> </a>day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!--from IWSG website<br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Find us on Twitter at @TheIWSG #IWSG</span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #232323; font-family: times;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); font-size: 15.399999618530273px;">This month's co-hosts are: </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pensivepenspost.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Diedre Knight,</a> <a href="http://douglasthomasgreening.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Douglas Thomas Greening,</a> </b><a href="http://nickwilford.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><b>Nick Wilford</b>,</a><span style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> and </span><a href="http://dianeburton.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><b>Diane Burton</b>!</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The optional question of the month is: <b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">November is National Novel Writing Month. Have you ever participated? If not, why not?</span></b></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><div>I did participate several years ago in NaNoWriMo. The daily word count target motivated me to make sure that I sat down and wrote a little bit every day and usually I ended up writing more than the goal! But by the time it got to be the week before Thanksgiving and I was about to have sixteen people at my house I began to panic about the clutter covering my counters and the fact that I hadn't figured out what I would be serving besides turkey and mashed potatoes. For a couple days I dove into cleaning and meal planning and cooking anything I could in advance. I would have to write just before bed. Unfortunately, by that time I was too tired and fell asleep after typing only a few hundred words. </div><div><br /></div><div>When relatives started showing up on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, I decided to stop trying. Not because I had given up but because I wanted to enjoy everyone's company and not feel guilty for either not writing or for running off to a quiet corner to get a few words in. </div><div><br /></div><div>Even though I didn't officially complete NaNo, I still felt it was a success and a great experience! I had spent several days in a row getting into the habit of writing and I had a great start to a novel! All in all I would recommend trying it if you've never done it before.</div><div><br /></div><div>This year, I'm going about it a little bit differently. I'm still having a bunch of people over for Thanksgiving but I already have a completed novel that I need to edit. I've decided I will try to edit 3,300 words per day and maybe do a few more at the beginning of the month.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good luck to all of you who participate this year!</div><div>And have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! </div><div><br /></div><div>Kathy </div>kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-74877389896276668812022-09-07T15:18:00.002-04:002022-09-07T15:18:45.035-04:00Horror Isn't For Me! September IWSG!<p><b style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: times; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: times; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8SUBaJNCr1pwW2Iz6f5aZUT9z3HGdkF8pNCRsKG96AQQjyWLn2BQe_D9hK2OyafVs86V0VWF483sTKJriFcfszMpTw7c8Ai1QFO3pvmbV9jqcAh-UJ4KIiEiIrFPcFZAMnDP3rsJTN4eyTUCV8V1oW7Cdhvin-TP3yMOErcgcvaTjD_mv9b-_mZ6HA/s320/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge-2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8SUBaJNCr1pwW2Iz6f5aZUT9z3HGdkF8pNCRsKG96AQQjyWLn2BQe_D9hK2OyafVs86V0VWF483sTKJriFcfszMpTw7c8Ai1QFO3pvmbV9jqcAh-UJ4KIiEiIrFPcFZAMnDP3rsJTN4eyTUCV8V1oW7Cdhvin-TP3yMOErcgcvaTjD_mv9b-_mZ6HA/w200-h197/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge-2.jpg" width="200" /></a></b></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: times; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;"><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: times; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: times; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;">It is already September and I have no idea where this summer has gone! Between working, summer traveling, and our youngest graduating from high school this summer has been one of our craziest and I've really missed writing and blogging. But there's no better way to get back in the swing of things than with an IWSG post!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: times; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><b>Purpose:</b></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: times; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: times; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;">To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!</span><p></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px;"></p><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Posting:</b> The first Wednesday of every month is officially <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #1713ff; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><b>Insecure Writer’s Support Group</b> </a>day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!--from IWSG website<br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Find us on Twitter at @TheIWSG #IWSG</span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #232323; font-family: times;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); font-size: 15.399999618530273px;">Our awesome cohosts for this month are: </span></span><a href="http://kimlajevardi.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Kim Lajevardi,</a><span style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><a href="http://cathrinaconstantine.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Cathrina Constantine,</a><span style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><a href="http://www.literaryrambles.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Natalie Aguirre,</a><span style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/olgagodim.wordpress.com" style="color: #3e62b4; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Olga Godim,</a><span style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><a href="http://www.writer-in-transit.co.za/" style="color: #3e62b4; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Michelle Wallace,</a><span style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> and </span><a href="http://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Louise - Fundy Blue!</a><span style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: times; font-size: 15.399999618530273px;"> </span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #f4f2f8; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-size: 16px;">The optional question for this month is:</span><b style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </b></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: left;"><b style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">What genre would be the worst for you to tackle and why?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I'm willing to try most genres but for me, horror would be the worst genre for me to write. I have never been interested in watching or reading anything in that genre. I think my kids watched all of <i>The Shining</i> before I did. Even after finally watching it, I didn't enjoy it, and then those two little girls from the bloody elevator kept haunting me in my dreams.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Every time I have given in to my husband and kids who seemingly love to spend their nights watching a character be possessed or go coo-coo and grab the nearest weapon to torture everyone around them, I wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat dreaming that I'm running for my life.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">So I've decided that paranormal, psychological, and chainsaw massacre horror stories simply aren't my thing and my family can watch them without me. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">If I tried to write one, it would be really lame. Maybe I could write a spoof of a horror movie and make everyone laugh instead of scream.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">What would be your worst genre?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Hope you've all had a wonderful summer!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Love, </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Kathy :)</span></div></div>kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-65333463065870288782022-06-01T07:40:00.001-04:002022-06-01T07:40:12.021-04:00June's #IWSG Curiosity Gets Me to the End<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8SUBaJNCr1pwW2Iz6f5aZUT9z3HGdkF8pNCRsKG96AQQjyWLn2BQe_D9hK2OyafVs86V0VWF483sTKJriFcfszMpTw7c8Ai1QFO3pvmbV9jqcAh-UJ4KIiEiIrFPcFZAMnDP3rsJTN4eyTUCV8V1oW7Cdhvin-TP3yMOErcgcvaTjD_mv9b-_mZ6HA/s320/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8SUBaJNCr1pwW2Iz6f5aZUT9z3HGdkF8pNCRsKG96AQQjyWLn2BQe_D9hK2OyafVs86V0VWF483sTKJriFcfszMpTw7c8Ai1QFO3pvmbV9jqcAh-UJ4KIiEiIrFPcFZAMnDP3rsJTN4eyTUCV8V1oW7Cdhvin-TP3yMOErcgcvaTjD_mv9b-_mZ6HA/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <b style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: times; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;">Purpose:</b><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: times; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: times; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;">To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!</span><p></p><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Posting:</b> The first Wednesday of every month is officially <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #1713ff; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><b>Insecure Writer’s Support Group</b> </a>day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!--from IWSG website</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Find us on Twitter at @TheIWSG #IWSG</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: times; font-size: large;">The awesome co-hosts for this month are:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://sewhitebooks.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">SE White,</a> <a href="http://cathrinaconstantine.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Cathrina Constantine,</a><a href="http://www.literaryrambles.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Natalie Aguire,</a> <a href="https://joylenebutler.com/blog" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Joylene Nowell Butler,</a> and <a href="https://worddreams.wordpress.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Jacqui Murray!</a> </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;" /></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">This month's optional question is: </span></span><b style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">When the going gets tough writing the story, how do you keep yourself writing to the end? If have not started the writing yet, why do you think that is and what do you think could help you find your groove and start?</span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); color: #232323; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; text-align: left;">Curiosity is what keeps me writing to the end. I usually only have a basic idea of where the story will go when I begin. It is fascinating how characters take on a life of their own seemingly independent of me. My brain has birthed them from somewhere but then like real children, they sometimes make choices that I never would have expected. I want to see where their journey takes them. </div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; text-align: left;">For my non-fiction book, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Year-Broadway-Finding-Ourselves/dp/1735610011/ref=sr_1_1?crid=EMWJOPW5RITD&keywords=one+year+on+broadway&qid=1654083317&sprefix=%2Caps%2C197&sr=8-1" target="_blank">One Year on Broadway</a></i>, I persevered because I believed the world needed more stories of love and forgiveness, of coming together to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; text-align: left;">Can't wait to read what your strategies are to get through to the end! </div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; text-align: left;">I hope you all have a wonderful June!!</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; text-align: left;">Love,</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; text-align: left;">Kathy </div></div>kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-89929902680820914482022-04-06T05:00:00.004-04:002022-04-06T05:00:00.208-04:00CassaDark Release! Interview with Alex Cavanaugh and IWSG!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMAqwg03Xqt-w7PjlLAclEff0zI7ICHCZA2f4dD9JhXq9XsX4HoKVBGH3zD4m41IKNsd2n_DmiZEHx-AV3gxOab04WfGv-LU-VmQmRZRvzAeXYu0cs6UoWuiHugUBKxY7tEh_CtZ929U1vh1gCKP1wL8bhBX17K7ud5iHG5xsJRnQEVH89EI134QNqSA=s1089" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="720" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMAqwg03Xqt-w7PjlLAclEff0zI7ICHCZA2f4dD9JhXq9XsX4HoKVBGH3zD4m41IKNsd2n_DmiZEHx-AV3gxOab04WfGv-LU-VmQmRZRvzAeXYu0cs6UoWuiHugUBKxY7tEh_CtZ929U1vh1gCKP1wL8bhBX17K7ud5iHG5xsJRnQEVH89EI134QNqSA=w220-h332" width="220" /><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></a></div><p></p><p><b style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">CassaDark</b></p><p><b style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">By Alex J. Cavanaugh<br /><br /></b><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-size: 16px;">His world is unraveling…<br /><br />Bassan’s father is stepping down from command. His best friend almost dies when Bassan freezes. Now, he’s being sent across the galaxy to speak at an important conference. Despite saving the eleven races years ago, he’s paralyzed by fear and doubt. Could things get any worse?<br /><br />Once there, new acquaintance Zendar convinces Bassan to visit his planet for a humanitarian mission. Bassan’s special connection to ancient technology is the key to saving Zendar’s people. One problem though—it’s a prisoner planet.<br /><br />On Ugar, he discovers things aren’t so straightforward. As each secret reveals itself, the situation grows more desperate. If he can’t find the right answers, he might die along with Zendar’s people. Can Bassan summon the courage to be a hero again?<br /><br />Trade paperback, 226 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, LLC<br />Science fiction - Adventure (FIC028010) / Space Opera (FIC028030) / Space Exploration (FIC028130)<br /><a name="_Hlk58485074" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Print ISBN 9781939844842 $16.95 / eBook ISBN 9781939844859</a> $4.99<br /><br />Links:<br />iTunes – </span><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id1574189874" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id1574189874</a><span class="yiv6922740553gmail-MsoHyperlink" face="sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-size: 16px;">Amazon – </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0982FL3SH" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0982FL3SH</a><span class="yiv6922740553gmail-MsoHyperlink" face="sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-size: 16px;">Barnes & Noble – </span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940164947033" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940164947033</a><span class="yiv6922740553gmail-MsoHyperlink" face="sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-size: 16px;">Kobo – </span><a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=9781939844859" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=9781939844859</a><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-size: 16px;"> <br />Scribed – </span><a href="https://www.scribd.com/search?query=9781939844859&language=0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">https://www.scribd.com/search?query=9781939844859&language=0</a><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-size: 16px;"> <br /><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat repeat; color: black;">Goodreads - </span></span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58461762-cassadark" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58461762-cassadark</a><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-size: 16px;"> <br /><br /></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TmRCj7GwSPDYXa_kBNEJWwEsQpkLrS-ke5fY2fEmeYYEdEUgl8d54ZwXmlt2w02uC-oJXi-wHAQr8Nj6ySTojBlj9rdMk42hfVY0oNGC8O5DrxivhLoUeia78jFRs9xxQ_fmpUTXiokzIn2knrlu8SkahriYRSBXzTkpk9a01Rn2cY3raFdKruAQ3A/s1186/CassaDarkTwitter8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="1186" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TmRCj7GwSPDYXa_kBNEJWwEsQpkLrS-ke5fY2fEmeYYEdEUgl8d54ZwXmlt2w02uC-oJXi-wHAQr8Nj6ySTojBlj9rdMk42hfVY0oNGC8O5DrxivhLoUeia78jFRs9xxQ_fmpUTXiokzIn2knrlu8SkahriYRSBXzTkpk9a01Rn2cY3raFdKruAQ3A/w390-h198/CassaDarkTwitter8.jpg" width="390" /></a></div><p></p><p><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-size: 16px;"><b>Interview with Alex Cavanaugh</b>!</span></p><p><b>Kathy:</b> <span style="font-family: times;">Hi Alex! Great to have you here!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Alex:</b> Thanks for having me!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><b>K:</b> I've known you "virtually" for a long time and it was a thrill and a joy to read your latest adventure in the Cassa world! I'd love to hear more about what went into this newest journey through space. So let's just get started:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><b>K:</b> <span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228;">In your Cassa series most of the books follow Byron, what made you choose to tell Bassan's story this time?</span></span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>A:</b> By the time I got to <i>CassaStorm</i>, Byron was now in his early sixties. (Cassans live to be 120, so he wasn’t quite as old as it sounds.) But since I kept jumping ahead twenty years in between books, I knew the next jump would place Byron too old for action and adventure. (Like having Harrison Ford do Indiana Jones right now!) An idea for an adventure for Bassan (Byron’s son) hit me and I decided that was the next logical step in the stories—move on to the next generation. I only jumped ahead fifteen years for this one, though…</span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40);"><b>K:</b> I agree! I'm all for staying active late in life, but I don't really want to see an 80 year old Harrison Ford in an action movie! 😬😳 How much growth can an 80 year old </span></span><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40);">experience</span></span><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40);"> throughout a story arc any way? The growth and progression</span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228;"> of</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228;"> Bassan's character and how he learns to trust himself as well as those around him was one of the things I loved most about this book. Can you talk about how you crafted Bassan into a well-rounded character?</span></span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>A:</b> Sheer luck? Just kidding! Bassan was a bit shy as a child and always following his older friend’s lead, and I figured that carried over into adulthood. Add the fact that he feels his greatest achievement was saving the races when he was ten and it’s now fifteen years later. He’s aware that’s mostly what he’s known for. He doesn’t like change, but he wants his life to mean more. It fed into his insecurity. Dump on the concerns of choosing a life mate, of disappointing people, and fear of new things, and I think I gave him a lot of qualities many people deal with in real life.</span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40);"><b>K:</b> Yes, you did! And I think there are so many people who have early success in something whether it's school, sports, or music and then all of a sudden as they age, they struggle with the fact that maybe they have </span></span><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40);">already had their moment of greatness and wonder where to turn. I'm so glad Bassan learned to trust in the fact that his greatness was his courage to do the right thing and risk his own life to help others.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: times;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40);"> </span></span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: times;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40);"><b>K:</b> Let's talk a little bit about world building--the Cassa world is huge!! What is your process to keep all the details straight?</span></span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;">And how do you go about coming up with new species for your worlds? My favorite in this one was the xert!</span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>A:</b> I wish I could tell you I keep everything organized on a spreadsheet or something, but I really don’t. I do have the basics for each race and the planets encountered in the series written down, although when writing this, I had to refer to <i>CassaStorm</i>, the previous book, more than once. I guess I have lived with this world so long, it’s ingrained in me.</span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;">Glad you liked the xert! He was a last minute addition. I tend to focus so much on people that I forget critters. But on a planet with few people, those critters would be all over the place.</span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>K: </b>About how long does it take you to write a new book?</span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>A:</b> Depends on the book. This one took almost two years, because I’d taken a long, long break and was quite rusty once I began writing again. The first one was about a year. The next three took around two to four months, so that’s probably closer to my average. </span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>K:</b> Two to four months on average! That's awesome! I hope some day I can write that proficiently. What is coming next in the <i>CassaWorld</i>? Or are you planning something totally different?</span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>A:</b> I have no idea. I may have thrown everything at Byron’s family that I can. As for my standalone, outside of death, I can’t think of anything else to throw at that main character. Might have to come up with something new.</span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>K:</b> I can't wait to see what you conjure up! Which sci-fi books or movies have had the biggest influence on your writing?</span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>A: </b>I read a lot of Arthur C. Clarke, Alan Dean Foster, Robert L Heinlein, and Terry Brooks when I was younger. More recently, Timothy Zahn’s<i> Star Wars</i> books have been a big influence. (The man knows how to keep things brief and moving!) As for movies, of course <i>Battlestar Galactica</i> and <i>Star Wars</i> influenced me when I was younger, and the slew of new science fiction movies keep the ideas flowing.</span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228;">K:</b><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40);"> Those are the giants of sci-fi!</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: times;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40);">As the Ninja captain of IWSG, I know you're super busy! Do you do speaking engagements, book fairs, or writers conferences? What do you feel has been the best way to get your book in front of readers?</span></span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>A:</b> I’m not much for in-person events. Most of what I’ve done in the past has been through my connections online and blogging. Times have changed, so we’ll see how well that does for this book. Thankfully my publisher does a lot of marketing and comic con appearances to make up for what I lack.</span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>K:</b> Is there anything else you would like to share? </span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>A: </b>Buy the book!</span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;">Just kidding.</span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>CassaDark</i> may be the fourth in a series, but it can be read alone, especially as it follows a different character than the other three. </span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;">Thanks for letting me ramble, Kathy!</span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>K:</b> You're welcome! And yes, everyone go out and buy the book! It's a great read!</span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;">And here's a cool graphic of all of Alex's books, go read them all! 😀</span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBNegLZkpcvcI03TRYyrLKyDYIJtbwBEqUwW7SjIckTSjMDagBzaaxGQwtFSleacC3gjRfONwbdlINbmIkmJB-avVGzcjL9TiYu0PyEI_a4iECzY-S_FK7Bq9LzfGsH34xGCLNEzL6tXkAvU5A9yVkYqlbPR_nZYxaf470OUd7pEy8InoXHpMisuaQ7A=s1500" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1500" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBNegLZkpcvcI03TRYyrLKyDYIJtbwBEqUwW7SjIckTSjMDagBzaaxGQwtFSleacC3gjRfONwbdlINbmIkmJB-avVGzcjL9TiYu0PyEI_a4iECzY-S_FK7Bq9LzfGsH34xGCLNEzL6tXkAvU5A9yVkYqlbPR_nZYxaf470OUd7pEy8InoXHpMisuaQ7A=w615-h157" width="615" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><br /></span><p></p><p class="yiv6922740553MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "New serif";"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv6922740553gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">Alex J. Cavanaugh works in web design and graphics, and he plays guitar in a Christian band. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is known as Ninja Captain Alex and he’s the founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. <br /><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.com/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">http://alexjcavanaugh.com</a> </p><p class="yiv6922740553gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/</a><span class="yiv6922740553gmail-MsoHyperlink" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;"></span></p><p class="yiv6922740553gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh</a></p><p class="yiv6922740553gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"> </p><p class="yiv6922740553gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggKOE-iSjBZExgCVWMzJzrxjSvvIORcHWnFezULjU1ZeDqwtbGgsD_CcEiLHOx6by8Pk8lgT64wiItNPsSzePYs4QNXRlvbOK1sl6qpGldzXd-xqYzbDuaXIHH--4NODz4P6vIQZPUWv6xZgi6aiMINEw5Sb-YqXMAC1QVwydPO1MagyeU6poxEzVfaA=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="800" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggKOE-iSjBZExgCVWMzJzrxjSvvIORcHWnFezULjU1ZeDqwtbGgsD_CcEiLHOx6by8Pk8lgT64wiItNPsSzePYs4QNXRlvbOK1sl6qpGldzXd-xqYzbDuaXIHH--4NODz4P6vIQZPUWv6xZgi6aiMINEw5Sb-YqXMAC1QVwydPO1MagyeU6poxEzVfaA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="yiv6922740553gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv6922740553gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-size: medium;">When I first started blogging over 12 years ago, Alex was there to be a voice of encouragement and support. He brought so many of us together, sponsoring fun contests, bloghops and finally creating the Insecure Writer's Support Group, now a site recognized as one of the top Writer's sites by Writer's Digest. Without Alex, I most likely would have quit blogging a very long time ago. Thanks Alex for creating this wonderful writing family!!!</span></p><p class="yiv6922740553gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv6922740553gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv6922740553gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-size: medium;">And now for April's IWSG post!</span></p><p class="yiv6922740553gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv6922740553gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfNumhVpr1po2IOsXGToqvA7AaHzfXVdnMotVmM5Vs72jwvfWqEQfq1LoVmowgH_GPJ7xiWzzCtfoifoRQb0qMYYGGod50AlGsBb__XECfJnVpVjrlaNdILNex6qimaygod2Qw-79OVM/w196-h193/Insecure+Writers+Support+Group+Badge.jpg" width="196" /> </span></p><p class="yiv6922740553gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b style="text-align: center;">Purpose:</b><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!</span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Posting:</b> The first Wednesday of every month is officially <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank"><b>Insecure Writer’s Support Group</b> </a>day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!--from IWSG website</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Find us on Twitter at @TheIWSG #IWSG</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: times; font-size: large;">The awesome co-hosts for this month are:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span><b style="font-family: times;"><a _blank="" href="http://joylenebutler.com/blog%E2%80%9D%20target=" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;">Joylene Nowell Butler,</a> <a href="http://jemimapett.com/blog/" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Jemima Pett,</a> <a href="https://www.patriciajosephine.com/blog" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Patricia Josephine,</a> <a href="http://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Louise - Fundy Blue,</a> </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: times; font-size: large;">and</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span><b style="font-family: times;"><a href="http://kimlajevardi.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Kim Lajevardi!</a></b></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">Question of the Month: Have any of your books been made into audio books? If so, what is the main challenge in producing an audiobook? </span></b></span></div><span style="background-color: white;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I haven't made my book into an audio book yet, though I am thinking about doing that eventually. So I welcome any suggestions or ideas on this topic.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">My insecurity for this month is that I have a few library/bookstore talks coming up this spring and I'm a little nervous about them. I actually don't mind public speaking too much but in the past I have always spoken about my other career: the sport of figure skating. I've spent over thirty years teaching beginner to advanced skaters so I'm super comfortable speaking about it. Talking about my memoir, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Year-Broadway-Finding-Ourselves-ebook/dp/B09BZRTM2H/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1649091016&sr=8-1" target="_blank">One Year on Broadway</a></i> seems like a much more daunting task.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Are you excited to read CassaDark? What are your tips on audiobook creation or speaking events?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Have a lovely April! We're finally seeing a little bit of sun here in Ohio!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Love, </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Kathy :)</span></div></span><div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div>kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-44019986474272947732022-03-02T11:49:00.002-05:002022-03-02T11:49:42.262-05:00#IWSG Post<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbjZ7XPIheRbIh491O6Qw_yA_21h7a9rhLjJ69hAwnM_qaClZ5NTqGHMydIEpWBOWKOmYGB8036Fx9SOhMcMrkJ8T_wamzAHQv4z00gwkWXyCj8HIFm6KmOdJv6MpaLGyeBGvWmB1Dwc3qrLOylGUv6qL185nvuSyEoJQJZXdpC2S1752LNVA5sVCuew=s320" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbjZ7XPIheRbIh491O6Qw_yA_21h7a9rhLjJ69hAwnM_qaClZ5NTqGHMydIEpWBOWKOmYGB8036Fx9SOhMcMrkJ8T_wamzAHQv4z00gwkWXyCj8HIFm6KmOdJv6MpaLGyeBGvWmB1Dwc3qrLOylGUv6qL185nvuSyEoJQJZXdpC2S1752LNVA5sVCuew=w259-h255" width="259" /></a></div><p>Okay I don't know how March snuck up on me so quickly! February seemed to move like a snail and all of a sudden it's March 2nd and it's the first Wednesday of March which means it's time for another <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">Insecure Writer's Support Group</a> post! The IWSG was founded by <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com" target="_blank">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a> as a place where we can share our fears and successes with a supportive environment. The IWSG is a wonderful community to meet other authors, hear their struggles, give and receive encouragement and friendship and it has been named one of Writer's Digest top 101 sites for writers!!</p><p></p><p>Come join us! </p><p>Thank you to this month's co-hosts: <span style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a _blank="" href="https://janetalcorn.com/%E2%80%9Dtarget=" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;">Janet Alcorn,</a> <a href="http://www.patgarciaandeverythingmustchange.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Pat Garcia,</a><a href="http://www.literaryrambles.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Natalie Aguirre,</a></b><span style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> and </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thewarriormuse.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Shannon Lawrence!</a> </b><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Please go visit them!</span></span></p><p>The optional question for March is: <span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Have you ever been conflicted about writing a story or adding a scene to a story? How did you decide to write it or not?</b></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, I have. When writing my nonfiction/memoir book <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Year-Broadway-Finding-Ourselves/dp/1735610011/ref=sr_1_1?crid=25D0Q3VI7491S&keywords=one+year+on+broadway&qid=1646239707&sprefix=one+year+on+broadway%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-1" target="_blank">One Year on Broadway</a></i> which just released last August, I was conflicted about writing the chapter detailing my parents' anger and refusal to allow me to date my husband because he was half Japanese. There were some pretty horrible things said to both of us. One night in particular they threatened my husband with harm if he ever saw me again.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Of course my husband and I have been married now for over 27 years. My parents apologized before our wedding and deeply regretted their actions. They have been wonderful to us ever since. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Writing the first draft, I put everything in, all those pent up feelings that I thought I had let go a long time ago came out in a very vivid, emotional scene. But I knew that I couldn't publish that. Those shouted words that had been burned into my brain that night so long ago, now written on a page would have hurt my parents as much as they did us when they were first said. That was never my intention for writing our story. Their words spoken in fear and anger did not define who they really were.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I wanted our story to be more about the forgiveness and the capacity to love deeply even when hurt by someone. </div><div style="text-align: left;">So I rewrote the pivotal scene to be more like a series of sharp photographic flashbacks instead of full narrative. This way, I could get the point across of what occurred and still protect my aging parents. They had only been trying to protect me.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sadly, my father passed only a few months before it was published, but my mom read it and I'm happy to report that she loved it so much that she has recommended it to all her friends and our relatives!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Also don't forget to stop by April 6th for my interview with <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com" target="_blank">Alex J Cavanaugh</a> about his upcoming release CassaDark!!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgERTIh9mYDpmly_H-ucPQa8vPMiOqVny0v69f9U_mswj6jw9gBRMGBP2qCeMxHbaGgyELJ3krrGNe_rx1Cb1px--uCUvoxaWKqFb6u2ocKGBMeZc0lgIuv54daLu9aLYvVt8yzseU_eNUdnU4UfUl3bF0JDTitT2ua9eSMiF01yFadRDqo2mtqQiWExw=s1089" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgERTIh9mYDpmly_H-ucPQa8vPMiOqVny0v69f9U_mswj6jw9gBRMGBP2qCeMxHbaGgyELJ3krrGNe_rx1Cb1px--uCUvoxaWKqFb6u2ocKGBMeZc0lgIuv54daLu9aLYvVt8yzseU_eNUdnU4UfUl3bF0JDTitT2ua9eSMiF01yFadRDqo2mtqQiWExw=s320" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hurry and pre-order your copy to today and make sure to add to your Goodreads To Read shelf!!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Here are all the links!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">iTunes – </span><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id1574189874" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id1574189874</a><span class="yiv7453979149gmail-MsoHyperlink" style="color: blue; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Amazon – </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0982FL3SH" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0982FL3SH</a><span class="yiv7453979149gmail-MsoHyperlink" style="color: blue; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Barnes & Noble – </span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940164947033" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940164947033</a><span class="yiv7453979149gmail-MsoHyperlink" style="color: blue; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Kobo – </span><a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=9781939844859" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=9781939844859</a><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <br />Scribed – </span><a href="https://www.scribd.com/search?query=9781939844859&language=0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">https://www.scribd.com/search?query=9781939844859&language=0</a><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat repeat; color: black;">Goodreads - </span></span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58461762-cassadark" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58461762-cassadark</a><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hope you all have a wonderful March!!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Love,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Kathy</div>kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-79706113135269731602022-02-02T06:30:00.004-05:002022-02-02T06:30:00.230-05:00My Favorite Books as a Kid, IWSG, CassaDark Coming soon!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: times; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgloQ1CTQe76MowXYHqHG6mino6VqCME2YzXm0xHu8p4rlvKWh_quU9MIu3lRLahHEFNEt_foIoqMOu3no4o60PVkZzu68CkXruRGKkLenEsJTDiTOPe_MQWXyxQ5pRahILj8C1icbCwfQV_1Mon1RkMegJMhDWOQAyxcCUHqwO_ZofZpMJxWjzWUFSLQ=s320" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgloQ1CTQe76MowXYHqHG6mino6VqCME2YzXm0xHu8p4rlvKWh_quU9MIu3lRLahHEFNEt_foIoqMOu3no4o60PVkZzu68CkXruRGKkLenEsJTDiTOPe_MQWXyxQ5pRahILj8C1icbCwfQV_1Mon1RkMegJMhDWOQAyxcCUHqwO_ZofZpMJxWjzWUFSLQ=w180-h177" width="180" /></a></div>Purpose:</b><span style="font-family: times; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-family: times; text-align: center;">To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!</span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="text-align: center;"></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Posting:</b> The first Wednesday of every month is officially <b><a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a></b> day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!--from the <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">IWSG</a> home page, check us out!</div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br />Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br />Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.</span></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><p>Our awesome co-hosts for this month are:<span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"> </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a _blank="" href="https://joylenebutler.com/blog" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Joylene Nowell Butler</a>, <a href="https://worddreams.wordpress.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Jacqui Murray,</a> </b><a href="http://sandracox.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><b>Sandra Cox</b>,</a><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"> and</span><span style="background-color: #f4f2f8;"> </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://leelowery.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Lee Lowery!</a></b></p><p><br /></p><p><b>My Favorite Books as a Kid</b></p><p>In the middle of cleaning out the clutter in my house and boxing old books to donate to the library, I found some treasures. Hidden amongst Early Reader mermaid novellas that my daughter had loved, were some of the books that I had cherished as a child. These were the books that sparked my fascination with words and story-telling.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtNRGVmU4r6qk5wqI_vYHeZ6qyk5VaRncieFfPgbp6Vph6McqevyfUOLSIl7KwYjVS9CmnOwSUpkoF0J7LfAZG6jXCLQmA8Ib6hK26p_aGBMuEpTTbjbWNUYAta0yaZW7Dr2mwBIfMOrJgd1ghTmwFcNkScabDGr-DYm_hg3h0l5VTer8sJ_wv_03fOA=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtNRGVmU4r6qk5wqI_vYHeZ6qyk5VaRncieFfPgbp6Vph6McqevyfUOLSIl7KwYjVS9CmnOwSUpkoF0J7LfAZG6jXCLQmA8Ib6hK26p_aGBMuEpTTbjbWNUYAta0yaZW7Dr2mwBIfMOrJgd1ghTmwFcNkScabDGr-DYm_hg3h0l5VTer8sJ_wv_03fOA=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I asked my parents to read <i>Tweety</i> so much to me that my dad started reading the words backwards to make it more interesting for him! Then when I was about seven, I decided I was going to make my own copy of it (not sure why, I guess I was fascinated with book-making from a young age) so I wrote down every word from each page and tried to trace the pictures.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEha58cYs0s1DAR5Kxbe0CeAl_Vzn7mT3nfF--pu8pouU5T_cW_FgaJ0BfneT7puNMu4mnCSgcagqoWDGGu2MrArJVLN39_jBZ2lOAZRrtCcQjxZGzPq0qipofdVZtzsss-FJhcUEYahk2tqKg7QXY0g1uwyTlVzX2JfWxTB8wPahw3Kh0pjZi4wDw37iA=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEha58cYs0s1DAR5Kxbe0CeAl_Vzn7mT3nfF--pu8pouU5T_cW_FgaJ0BfneT7puNMu4mnCSgcagqoWDGGu2MrArJVLN39_jBZ2lOAZRrtCcQjxZGzPq0qipofdVZtzsss-FJhcUEYahk2tqKg7QXY0g1uwyTlVzX2JfWxTB8wPahw3Kh0pjZi4wDw37iA=w277-h208" width="277" /></a></div><p>These three were my other favorites. I loved the irony that Grover <b>was</b> the monster at the end of the book, it made me laugh every time. <i>Ho-Hum</i> was about a little boy who went to the zoo and saw all the animals yawning which put him to sleep. I think my mom read this one to me to put me to sleep too-yawns really are contagious! Here again I was drawn to the humor of the boy wanting so badly to visit the zoo and then falling asleep there. </p><p>The middle book was my favorite of all of them which is probably why it lost its cover. <i>Dinosaur Time </i>by Peggy Parish was my favorite because first of all it was about dinosaurs, my favorite animals, and it was the book that my grandpa most often read to me. Which brings me to the IWSG Question of the month:</p><p><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;">Is there someone who supported or influenced you that perhaps isn't around anymore? Anyone you miss?</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Other than my parents, my grandpa probably had the biggest influence on my young life. We had so much in common that he was easy to bond with. When I was very little he read to me. We shared a love of nature, animals, and gardening, and he helped inspire a fascination with travel and adventure in me. Almost every weekend in the summers we went fishing together. Usually, we didn't catch anything but we talked about everything and enjoyed watching the pink-orange sun slip beneath the horizon.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1KhwA_bcaqmFYcaOOJvq8PZ2yMk_OkvbcatUI5EJrj8KBrcho2RZlHoA1Bxx42WKhAz43MW-5crh6pJIV6vDxpO383R1UIftlPue2H2wdtNTPIUoO7AHAD6Y_zYcbhlbwl-eE3OEwpcXMKCpEj1VupoOre0wii49RSU3zGrrD6uwffNiwAD86R9BevA=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1KhwA_bcaqmFYcaOOJvq8PZ2yMk_OkvbcatUI5EJrj8KBrcho2RZlHoA1Bxx42WKhAz43MW-5crh6pJIV6vDxpO383R1UIftlPue2H2wdtNTPIUoO7AHAD6Y_zYcbhlbwl-eE3OEwpcXMKCpEj1VupoOre0wii49RSU3zGrrD6uwffNiwAD86R9BevA=w268-h201" width="268" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our favorite fishing spot</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBrPEB_clUUVyekUq-CE_d2MbTdL5JBy3-XUvE7CnEODxqnH5qvOe7lp3QAEbhn9eMV8-Qar6jC7Xwz3ho5O3weaCRVeaz86yML5ZhSXx5_b-ce6njx5NKn5Yk-6mCQ1Ug2ujaHdpvQyIAfGUccqQpxdhIbETNsoGs-VU1_b4SCvYgq-qYsqwW9YYRNQ=w222-h167" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="222" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gramps teaching my son to fish</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsaxc93-bQxp7Fi-YUXSCW-XCIL_hlgS8IXfviOi2IG2Xh7tpAxTriGaNkpaOAfzhM14b-jf-g3irmBQdhUDu5l8qMkXgeMSl1zw6t1TAv7khtpmAMDJsntHxOGgpvHxfaCr7VX4JpNhIYGpldUYdSU25KU_lC8iOcTtQaIYMU20SQEwvER_I5w7Nc3Q=s3648" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsaxc93-bQxp7Fi-YUXSCW-XCIL_hlgS8IXfviOi2IG2Xh7tpAxTriGaNkpaOAfzhM14b-jf-g3irmBQdhUDu5l8qMkXgeMSl1zw6t1TAv7khtpmAMDJsntHxOGgpvHxfaCr7VX4JpNhIYGpldUYdSU25KU_lC8iOcTtQaIYMU20SQEwvER_I5w7Nc3Q=w201-h268" width="201" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lucky day!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p style="text-align: left;">Throughout my life he has always been there. In my competitive skating days, he built me a backyard ice rink, so I could practice every day in the winter. When I was in college he supported me in my decision to marry my husband and later he helped me and my husband build a deck off our first house-he was 78!</p><p style="text-align: left;">Always active and trying new things, he took up singing lessons when he was 89. He always had a lesson to teach me and this was that age doesn't matter, if you want to go do something do it!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjl4-E2MeuoI-5r0F3D-dKpELXLAqEr2kLEgUzqrljpg6ZwCbI9VnXvHHEbdrV07cwyivUrdBDAOLtMwrZDEOH_yzmO3jOFgvyUEs_YeltfU9LJUxUSSdB3WJHm1QF5wW0VPd_TIgCded2LSw2VKlg8zhKjeInAIpF-W0KUyFSx9md0G1kZJfEFh2PX_w=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjl4-E2MeuoI-5r0F3D-dKpELXLAqEr2kLEgUzqrljpg6ZwCbI9VnXvHHEbdrV07cwyivUrdBDAOLtMwrZDEOH_yzmO3jOFgvyUEs_YeltfU9LJUxUSSdB3WJHm1QF5wW0VPd_TIgCded2LSw2VKlg8zhKjeInAIpF-W0KUyFSx9md0G1kZJfEFh2PX_w=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the last times fishing with him and my girls</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>We lost him in 2013 at the age of 91 and I miss him every day. His spirit inspires me to this day and I carry him in my heart where ever I go.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p></p></div><div><b>Jeremy Hawkins Tribute</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>On January 3, 2022 we lost one of our own IWSG members. I met Jeremy the first year I started my blog--way back in 2012 and he was always there to give a helpful comment. I never met him in person but his warm and caring personality came through in every blog/social media exchange that we ever had. Jeremy will be greatly missed. You can support his family by buying one of his <a href="https://www.neatoshop.com/artist/Jeremy-Hawkins" target="_blank">t-shirts</a> that he designed.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>CassaDark Releasing April 5!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNelgMHZxJGWuDOAIzyMpAaikoLN1QdbqwMPQ6thY9_PYlNOS7_jQ4vjLKZYWmqNEB8RVkyxQOdOs8n6DptnCfZTzzn3HUd8BV0ASeWe6HNZwcn2QJh54-ZjMcXo6RdELeizb9xanklNXrWQBC633vy8XdfeuWtPBV2pjg6TQ-HWLjjbZCJNf8vZRlLQ=s1089" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="720" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNelgMHZxJGWuDOAIzyMpAaikoLN1QdbqwMPQ6thY9_PYlNOS7_jQ4vjLKZYWmqNEB8RVkyxQOdOs8n6DptnCfZTzzn3HUd8BV0ASeWe6HNZwcn2QJh54-ZjMcXo6RdELeizb9xanklNXrWQBC633vy8XdfeuWtPBV2pjg6TQ-HWLjjbZCJNf8vZRlLQ=w147-h222" width="147" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com" target="_blank">Alex J. Cavanaugh </a>is releasing his latest book in the Cassa series CassaDark on April 5th!</div><div><br /></div><div>Come back on <b>April 6th</b> to read my interview with Alex where we talk all sorts of writing stuff and he gives us insight on how he chose to follow a new character line in his series!! </div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Hope everyone has a wonderful February! </div><div>Stay safe and healthy! 💕💕</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Kathy :)</div>kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-69847829204680342312022-01-05T07:03:00.004-05:002022-01-05T07:03:46.125-05:00Happy New Year! and #IWSG Post<p> <img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfNumhVpr1po2IOsXGToqvA7AaHzfXVdnMotVmM5Vs72jwvfWqEQfq1LoVmowgH_GPJ7xiWzzCtfoifoRQb0qMYYGGod50AlGsBb__XECfJnVpVjrlaNdILNex6qimaygod2Qw-79OVM/s320/Insecure+Writers+Support+Group+Badge.jpg" width="320" /></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><b style="text-align: center;">Purpose:</b><span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!--from <a href="http://IWSG.com">IWSG.com</a></span></span></p><div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: left;">Our awesome co-hosts this month are: <span style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"> </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><a _blank="" href="https://erikabeebe.com/%E2%80%9Dtarget=" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Erika Beebe,</a> <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/olgagodim.wordpress.com" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Olga Godim,</a> <a href="http://sandracox.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Sandra Cox,</a> </b><a href="http://thefauxfountainpen.blogspot.com" style="color: #3e62b4; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><b>Sarah Foster</b>,</a><span style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"> and </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://hogwartssabbatical.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3e62b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Chemist Ken!</a></b></div></span></span></div><p><b>January's question</b>: What's the one thing about your writing career that you regret the most? Were you able to overcome it?</p><p>I think my nephew said it best this NYE when he said, "I'm going to trust myself more."</p><p>My biggest regret of my "writing career" is that it took me a very long time to trust my own writing. I had some successes scattered throughout the years, getting a couple poems and an article into print but rejection after rejection of my longer works got to me. It wasn't really a career at all.</p><p>Especially when my girls were little, it seemed like I was wasting precious time on something that was fruitless. So, I gave up trying to be published and I simply wrote for myself by journaling, blogging, or collecting thoughts that appeared out of nowhere.</p><p>Finally, in 2021 I took the leap to get back into the publishing world and my first book, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Year-Broadway-Finding-Ourselves/dp/1735610011/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1OZK1AL7TGRQA&keywords=one+year+on+broadway&qid=1641384086&sprefix=One+Year+on+Bro%2Caps%2C346&sr=8-1" target="_blank">One Year on Broadway</a></i>, was published! It took me about twenty-five years to trust that my writing was good enough to persist. Now, I feel that I can say my writing career has truly begun and I trust myself and my writing more-though I need to keep working on that.</p><p><br /></p><p>So trust yourself and who knows what you will accomplish!</p><p>We've made it to 2022, which seems like a huge accomplishment after all that 2020/2021 threw at us!</p><p><br /></p><p>Happy New Year! </p><p>Love to all!</p><p><br /></p><p>Kathryn</p><p><br /></p><p> </p>kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-57757194229939344712021-11-03T06:00:00.002-04:002021-11-03T06:00:00.196-04:00Shattered Launch! And A Sprinkle of Magic--#IWSG Post<p>Happy November!! </p><p>Today I'm handing over the blog to fellow blogger and friend, C. Lee McKenzie, who is talking about her amazing new release <i>Shattered.</i> I can't wait to read it!</p><p><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLwUV9CL-PYIpcOlJGBsI4YY6vEVsFcsX6IddOV45xPKBG9mUuq3ZKB-ZqqpHwNbw7NRu1tjAEpsmHPhmV_0_DyrDBvRCdrf20XsefJP1i9ok_LUjFKzLyaCmD7EgAb-l7CRznadhwPPyYRzrHfLGr49X173CefDDw2Mep8b2hB7uchyTnIxRuzFj8AQ=s1300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1300" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLwUV9CL-PYIpcOlJGBsI4YY6vEVsFcsX6IddOV45xPKBG9mUuq3ZKB-ZqqpHwNbw7NRu1tjAEpsmHPhmV_0_DyrDBvRCdrf20XsefJP1i9ok_LUjFKzLyaCmD7EgAb-l7CRznadhwPPyYRzrHfLGr49X173CefDDw2Mep8b2hB7uchyTnIxRuzFj8AQ=w643-h214" width="643" /></a></div><span class="s1" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This story surprised me. That is, I didn't have any idea that I would write a book about paraplegia--something I knew very little about--until Libby's story began unfolding in my head. I'd started jotting down ideas when our library announced they were featuring a local author as their next speaker, and this speaker was also a businesswoman, a sportswoman, and... a paraplegic. </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm not one to get goosebumps when it seems fate has come into play, but I never ignore events that conspire to nudge me into a direction. I attended the event. I read the book this author had written, and I started more serious research into paraplegia. I knew I wanted to write the story that had been hovering at the edges of my mind for a while.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stars aligned when I found out one of my yoga instructors worked at a clinic for spinal cord injuries. She introduced me to a doctor on staff there and the doctor gave me an hour of her time. I came away with pages of notes, details I could use while trying to write a realistic account of my protagonist's experience. </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">That next month stars aligned even more. Someone I only knew as a fellow yogi, turned out to be a clinical specialist in spinal cord injuries. She was more than generous with her time and information. She even read an early draft and gave me feedback on the medical details as well as personal experiences from her patients. If I wasn't meant to write this book, nobody was. </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Writing this story has taught me so much and I'm grateful for the new awareness I have about people who experience devastating life changes, adapt, and thrive. </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So now Shattered's written. It's out to the world. I'll soon learn if these two years from idea to manuscript have been well spent and if I've managed to create a story that is accurate in its details and realistic in its delivery while enjoyable to read.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_3EKfHRHpbsrhif9zuQuGxrzNtyBZL2uLsrLzQNysgonjKCFHdT7AbBwsI_mqohsD3Y0AWFQf7xe7GxXQSevCwSkxO_vPoHaJF8OlhuzzVlZNLLBTF3AoqfuFETpl7sUZe1kAdS75ci2hGxyy-UAtGaPDjIdu8a3zOlJBLK_dWJEj334W799w9bIvgQ=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_3EKfHRHpbsrhif9zuQuGxrzNtyBZL2uLsrLzQNysgonjKCFHdT7AbBwsI_mqohsD3Y0AWFQf7xe7GxXQSevCwSkxO_vPoHaJF8OlhuzzVlZNLLBTF3AoqfuFETpl7sUZe1kAdS75ci2hGxyy-UAtGaPDjIdu8a3zOlJBLK_dWJEj334W799w9bIvgQ=w222-h336" width="222" /></a></div><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-size: 13px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <center>Available at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JYYJG7V/ref=sr_1_1" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #2271b1; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; outline: 0px; transition: none 0s ease 0s;">Amazon</a><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="color: #555555;"> . </span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shattered-c-lee-mckenzie/1140389252" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #2271b1; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; outline: 0px; transition: none 0s ease 0s;">B&N</a><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="color: #555555;"> . </span><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/shattered-262" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #2271b1; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; outline: 0px; transition: none 0s ease 0s;">Kobo</a><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="color: #555555;"> . </span><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1110901" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #2271b1; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; outline: 0px; transition: none 0s ease 0s;">Smashwords</a></center></span><p></p><center></center><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="68593c7622" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/68593c7622/" id="rcwidget_w3zwsqt0" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinxxKCx5F7gfPGgdH7Uz2n6WHLgptJ_JmNtHdLfxpzkH5LDLMv4SA1fWknuFWb9KT7LOrIV9W5iQWWXoUB-BEhvHySiMUYtza_xg5W51XE3sEaegaUs_fcxyle2Octcz7mQ8LQ7wgs2iP__G75dmqW05g-7e65nxgV-dwRQXLJFLJUJXYuuJoeSsUN2w=s315" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="210" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinxxKCx5F7gfPGgdH7Uz2n6WHLgptJ_JmNtHdLfxpzkH5LDLMv4SA1fWknuFWb9KT7LOrIV9W5iQWWXoUB-BEhvHySiMUYtza_xg5W51XE3sEaegaUs_fcxyle2Octcz7mQ8LQ7wgs2iP__G75dmqW05g-7e65nxgV-dwRQXLJFLJUJXYuuJoeSsUN2w" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/C.-Lee-McKenzie/e/B0042M1KYW%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #135e96; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: 0px; transition: none 0s ease 0s; white-space: pre-wrap;">More About the Author and Her Books</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a data-rich-text-format-boundary="true" href="https://cleemckenziebooks.com/" style="background-color: rgba(19, 94, 150, 0.2); border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #2271b1; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: 0px; transition: none 0s ease 0s; white-space: pre-wrap;">Website</a><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> . </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2809083.C_Lee_McKenzie" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #2271b1; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: 0px; transition: none 0s ease 0s; white-space: pre-wrap;">Goodreads</a><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> . </span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/profile/c-lee-mckenzie" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #2271b1; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: 0px; transition: none 0s ease 0s; white-space: pre-wrap;">BookBub</a><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> . </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/cleemckenzie/" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #2271b1; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: 0px; transition: none 0s ease 0s; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instagram</a><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> . </span><a href="https://twitter.com/cleemckenzie" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #2271b1; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: 0px; transition: none 0s ease 0s; white-space: pre-wrap;">Twitter</a><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> . </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/cleemckenzieauthor/" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #2271b1; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: 0px; transition: none 0s ease 0s; white-space: pre-wrap;">Facebook</a><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> . </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleemckenzie/" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #2271b1; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: 0px; transition: none 0s ease 0s; white-space: pre-wrap;">LinkedIn</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: arial; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm a native Californian who grew up in a lot of different places; then landed in the Santa Cruz Mountains. I write most of the time, hike and practice yoga a lot, and then travel whenever I can. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">In my young adult books, I take on modern issues that today's teens face in their daily lives. My Evernight Teen Publication, </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1e1e1e; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">Double Negative</em><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"> was voted as one of the best top ten Young Adult books, 2019. My other books, </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1e1e1e; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Princess of Las Pulgas, Sliding on the Edge, Sudden Secrets</em><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1e1e1e; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not Guilty</em><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are out to four and five-star reviews.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: times; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks so much C. Lee for telling us more about <i>Shattered. </i>It's incredible where the universe leads us sometimes<i>,</i> sounds like you were definitely meant to write this story!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: times; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now for this month's IWSG post!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfNumhVpr1po2IOsXGToqvA7AaHzfXVdnMotVmM5Vs72jwvfWqEQfq1LoVmowgH_GPJ7xiWzzCtfoifoRQb0qMYYGGod50AlGsBb__XECfJnVpVjrlaNdILNex6qimaygod2Qw-79OVM/w253-h249/Insecure+Writers+Support+Group+Badge.jpg" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; white-space: normal;" width="253" /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>"Purpose:</b> To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: times; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;">Posting:</b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"> </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;">The first Wednesday of every month is officially</span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"> </span><b style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a></b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"> </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;">day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!</span> "--from the IWSG website.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: times; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">This month's co-hosts are: </span></span><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://kimlajevardi.com" target="_blank">Kim Lajevardi</a>, <a href="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Victoria Marie Lees</a>, <a href="https://joylenebutler.com/blog" target="_blank">Joylene Nowell Butler</a>, <a href="https://erikabeebe.com" target="_blank">Erika Beebe</a>,</b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"> and </span><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://leelowery.com" target="_blank">Lee Lowery</a>!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: times; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: times; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">This month's optional question: <b>What's harder to do, coming up with your book title or writing the blurb?</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: times; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: times; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">For me, these were equally difficult!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had such a hard time coming up with both my book title and writing the blurb!</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I first started writing the book, I had about ten different titles that I sort of liked. I picked my favorite and thought that was that. Then one morning my husband and I were talking about it over breakfast and one thing led to another and he said, "What about, One Year on Broadway? It's short and simple and gets people's attention."</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times; white-space: pre-wrap;">My mouth hung wide open for a second, both thrilled that it finally had the right title and a tiny bit disappointed that I hadn't come up with it. "That's perfect!" I said.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e; font-family: arial;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735610011?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">One Year on Broadway: </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(30, 30, 30); white-space: pre-wrap;">Finding Ourselves Between the Sand and the Sea</span></a></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e; font-family: arial;"><i><span style="caret-color: rgb(30, 30, 30); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e; font-family: arial;"><i><span style="caret-color: rgb(30, 30, 30); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVbuy8R19lyjMO4q_uFupeLmoQ10LqatLGBQfeoWh7P5DoKT8L5Jp513fLkHlbufkwfU4VTMPDJBm4E-U8RsupyHZgZ8JLwU25UP5mtpmrtBh7AYp4jr8-AbVpKc_UFzi_UlMVXdWB8Fn/s1714/One+Year+On+Broadway+Mock-front+book+jacket+final.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1714" data-original-width="1289" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVbuy8R19lyjMO4q_uFupeLmoQ10LqatLGBQfeoWh7P5DoKT8L5Jp513fLkHlbufkwfU4VTMPDJBm4E-U8RsupyHZgZ8JLwU25UP5mtpmrtBh7AYp4jr8-AbVpKc_UFzi_UlMVXdWB8Fn/s320/One+Year+On+Broadway+Mock-front+book+jacket+final.png" width="241" /></a></div><br /> </span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e;"><span style="font-family: times; white-space: pre-wrap;">Similarly, I wrote the blurb but I wasn't completely happy with it. It wasn't quite right. But I didn't know how to make it better. So I let it simmer in my brain while I worked on other parts of the book. Every now and then I would look at it but nothing came to me. I changed a couple words here and there. It still wasn't perfect. Finally, the right combination of words popped into my head and it was done. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e;"><span style="font-family: times; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e;"><span style="font-family: times; white-space: pre-wrap;">The whole process of writing a book, creating a title, and a writing a blurb all required time and a little sprinkle of magic when fate or something otherworldly took over my brain and fingers and words just poured out onto the computer screen. I don't know where some of the ideas came from they just appeared in my head seemingly from nowhere.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e;"><span style="font-family: times; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e;"><span style="font-family: times; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hope you all have a wonderful week filled with a little sprinkle of magic!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e;"><span style="font-family: times; white-space: pre-wrap;">And good luck if you're doing NaNo this year!!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e;"><span style="font-family: times; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e;"><span style="font-family: times; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e;"><span style="font-family: times; white-space: pre-wrap;">Love Always, </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e;"><span style="font-family: times; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e;"><span style="font-family: times; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kathy McKendry</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e; font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1e1e; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div></div><p></p>kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-81095374464615631622021-10-06T12:31:00.006-04:002021-10-06T20:19:41.838-04:00Steamy Scenes and Expletives...Do You Use Them? IWSG DAY! <div class="separator"><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="932" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHKp_6rmbmSwox6namoWsW6mU_TDzg8JfM3ZhX2rdB_BjnM4vayNjNkMDDm6IRLIBRIzyfdZ9EN6P0s6ZDA222J0KERSc9vRr4nv8ADsnuCfSlUdsvD5p9ifVvQyeHb1A25tOjThDIYY/s320/Insecure+Writers+Support+Group+Badge.jpg" width="320" /> </p></div><p><br /></p><p>It's time for another <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">Insecure Writer's Support Group Post</a>! The IWSG was started by <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com" target="_blank">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a> as a way:<span style="background-color: white;"> <span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"> "To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!"--from the IWSG website.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">And congratulations to IWSG for again being named by <i>Writer's Digest</i> as one of the top sites for writers!! Way to go!!</span></span></span></p><p><span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;">This month's wonderful co-hosts are</span><span style="background-color: white;">: </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: times;"><a href="http://jemimapett.com/blog/" target="_blank"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #3e62b4;"><span style="text-align: center;">Jemima Pett,</span></span></a><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><a _blank="" href="https://jlennidorner.blogspot.com" style="color: #3e62b4; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">J Lenni Dorner,</a> <span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"></span><a href="http://cathrinaconstantine.blogspot.com" style="color: #3e62b4; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Cathrina Constantine,</a><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://www.ronelthemythmaker.com/blog/" style="color: #3e62b4; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Ronel Janse van Vuuren,</a><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="text-align: center;">and</span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://playoffthepage.com" style="color: #3e62b4; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Mary Aalgaard</a></span></p><p><br /></p><p><b>The optional question for October is: In your writing, where do you draw the line, with either topics or language?</b></p><p><br /></p><p>I'm not necessarily against using a well placed four letter word in my writing every now and then. I just don't often use them. Even in my own speech, I don't often utter them. </p><p>In fact when I have used them occasionally, my kids, who are now mostly grown adults, actually laugh and tell me, "Mom, you don't sound convincing."</p><p>So I guess I'm not good at using swear words even in my own life, not sure I could write them convincingly. Though, I think whatever character I am writing actually determines the language they use. I just haven't written many characters like Roy Kent from <i>Ted Lasso</i> that use expletives with every breath. Nothing against Roy Kent, I love him!</p><p>As far as sex scenes go, I guess I lean more toward the Disney "G" rated author. I'm very much a hopeless romantic and at least so far most of my fictional characters are too. There are plenty of books that I have read and enjoyed that are in the rated "R" spectrum but, again, I'm not sure I could write scenes in the steamier realm that flow convincingly. I haven't really tried though so maybe I'll delve into writing some hotter characters and see how it goes.</p><p><br /></p><p>I just want to thank again all the wonderful people that helped with my book launch last month! This is such an awesome group of supporters!</p><p><a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com" target="_blank">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a></p><p><a href="http://www.nickwilford.com" target="_blank">Nick Wilford</a></p><p><a href="http://cleemckenziebooks.com" target="_blank">C. Lee McKenzie</a></p><p><a href="http://www.literaryrambles.com" target="_blank">Natalie Aguirre</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Hope everyone has a wonderful week and a beautiful October filled with fall colors and yummy apple desserts! I can't wait to make an apple pie!</p><p><br /></p><p>Kathy :)</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-60619156899638347272021-09-06T12:14:00.006-04:002021-09-06T12:14:44.351-04:00Broadway is Back!<p>Broadway is Back! </p><p>We had the wonderful opportunity to go to the Invited Dress Rehearsal for the musical <i>Hadestown</i> on Wednesday. </p><p>Being in a Broadway theatre again after a year and a half was magical. Bursting with energy, the crowd gave an extended standing ovation as soon as the cast walked on stage. It was incredible to be there.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguZOXAKf8YZxGN0WLUwosBHgF5DaHTIzoEbWl7Q3cgppFrgX_l2HMnyYzW32JWtV2qC27pTPlweXVAuJGKbOc6wIqQwTx_Qcs6pxrr2XUHJwrDIpXF1s0ecFRzD05Rue5Rg3aOm_T_qTb/s2048/2jmohZeAS%252B%252BJWinCeQbd5A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="445" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguZOXAKf8YZxGN0WLUwosBHgF5DaHTIzoEbWl7Q3cgppFrgX_l2HMnyYzW32JWtV2qC27pTPlweXVAuJGKbOc6wIqQwTx_Qcs6pxrr2XUHJwrDIpXF1s0ecFRzD05Rue5Rg3aOm_T_qTb/w334-h445/2jmohZeAS%252B%252BJWinCeQbd5A.jpg" width="334" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Walter Kerr Theatre: Hadestown before the show</div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Today, I'm over at <a href="https://www.cleemckenziebooks.com/have-you-ever-been-so-touched-by-a-story-that-it-changed-your-life/#comment-57558" target="_blank">C. Lee McKenzie's blog</a>, talking about One Year on Broadway, so stop over and say "Hi"</p><p><br /></p><p>Have a wonderful Labor Day!</p><p><br /></p><p>Kathy :)</p>kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-29100498008590362142021-09-01T06:30:00.357-04:002021-09-01T06:30:00.301-04:00Success...How do you know if you have it? #IWSG<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfNumhVpr1po2IOsXGToqvA7AaHzfXVdnMotVmM5Vs72jwvfWqEQfq1LoVmowgH_GPJ7xiWzzCtfoifoRQb0qMYYGGod50AlGsBb__XECfJnVpVjrlaNdILNex6qimaygod2Qw-79OVM/s320/Insecure+Writers+Support+Group+Badge.jpg" width="320" /></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">It's September 1st and it's time for another <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">IWSG pos</a>t! The Insecure Writer's Support Group was created by <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com" target="_blank">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(who is giving my book a shout out today! Thanks Alex!)</span> as a way for all of us writers to share our fears, anxieties, and successes in a safe and non-judgmental space. Over the years, I have found this group to be one of the most supportive and welcoming places, boosting my confidence when needed and teaching me several great tips of the trade.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">This month our awesome hosts are: <a href="https://www.ninjalibrarian.com" target="_blank">Rebecca Douglass,</a> <a href="https://journalingwoman.blogspot.com" target="_blank">T. Powell Coltrin @Journaling Woman</a>, <a href="http://www.literaryrambles.com" target="_blank">Natalie Aguirre</a>, <a href="https://reprobatetypewriter.com/blog/" target="_blank">Karen Lynn</a>, <a href="https://www.cleemckenziebooks.com/blog/" target="_blank">C. Lee McKenzie</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And don't forget, today is the deadline to submit your Sweet Romance for the <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/the-2019-annual-iwsg-anthology-contest.html" target="_blank">IWSG Anthology contest</a>!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center;"><br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center;">September Question: </strong></div><p><strong style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center;">How do you define success as a writer? Is it holding your book in your hand? Having a short story published? Making a certain amount of income from your writing?</strong></p><p style="orphans: 2; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">There are certain accomplishments that pretty much everyone would agree are signs of being successful. Having a book on the "Best Sellers" list, winning an Olympic gold medal, or making lots of money. Most people never accomplish any of those things. If those top accolades were the only way to be successful, almost no one would be.</span></p><p style="orphans: 2; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">To be successful as an author, do you need to sell a million or more copies? Maybe some authors measure their success by books sold, but that seems too high a bar for most of us.</span></p><p style="orphans: 2; text-align: left;">According to Google, Amazon alone offers over 48 million books! Unless you're already a best selling author it's hard to stand out in a crowd that enormous, even if your work is as good as Stephen King's or Maya Angelou's. Hundreds of thousands of people might love your work, if only they knew it existed.</p><p style="orphans: 2; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I would LOVE for my book to become a best-seller. But I'm also realistic. Just like my figure skating students who dream of the Olympics, I know that there is only a minuscule chance that I make it to the top. And that's okay.</span></p><p style="orphans: 2; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Maybe my own definition of success as a writer will evolve over time.</span><span style="font-family: times;"> At this moment however, in the middle of releasing my debut book, </span><i style="font-family: times;">One Year on Broadway</i><span style="font-family: times;">, I feel like a success.</span></p><p style="orphans: 2; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I made it through the entire multi-year process of writing, re-writing, editing, arranging an outside editor, and finding a cover artist. Then I faced a roadblock, the kind that closes all six lanes of traffic, which threatened the entire project. I wondered if I should give up but I chose to forge ahead. Finally, I made it to release day. To me, that is success. Whether or not I sell fifty copies or a million, </span><span style="font-family: times;">I'm happy with the fact that I told the story I wanted to tell and now it is out in the world. I have a feeling, though that if Stephen King only sold fifty copies of his next book, he might consider that one a failure. </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I would love to hear how you define success as a writer, have you made it yet?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Did you send in an entry to the Anthology contest?</span></div><p style="orphans: 2; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="orphans: 2; text-align: left;">And lastly, in honor of the release of <i>One Year on Broadway</i> last week, I wanted to share with you a short clip of <i>Once on This Island</i> from Broadway so you can see for yourself just how special this musical was.</p><p style="orphans: 2; text-align: left;">Enjoy!</p><p style="orphans: 2; text-align: left;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UmjUW7UCKRk" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p style="orphans: 2; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="orphans: 2; text-align: left;">Have a wonderful rest of your week!</p><p style="orphans: 2; text-align: left;">Kathy :)</p>kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-33375098369867625562021-08-26T07:00:00.000-04:002021-08-26T07:00:00.237-04:00One Year on Broadway #NewReleaseDay!<p><br /></p>Today we're celebrating the release of <i>One Year on Broadway</i>!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Release Day!</span></b></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYynffzs5x-Oodgg4VdUqIxtPkXMykoltggMqy6oocNtUM2-3Al3SVIQTs3Xv98A58Fo4VanCFxsq0FIecwKKojvwwAWZgaKEVZfTOfcLbWdDP2MB-f58ZKurRExy8x_rfip03XPmxULK/s2048/One+Year+On+Broadway-V3+Final.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1356" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYynffzs5x-Oodgg4VdUqIxtPkXMykoltggMqy6oocNtUM2-3Al3SVIQTs3Xv98A58Fo4VanCFxsq0FIecwKKojvwwAWZgaKEVZfTOfcLbWdDP2MB-f58ZKurRExy8x_rfip03XPmxULK/w247-h373/One+Year+On+Broadway-V3+Final.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><p><i>One Year on Broadway: Finding Ourselves Between the Sand and the Sea</i> is releasing TODAY!!!</p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One Year on Broadway</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is the unlikely true story of how two musical theater fans whose lives were forever changed by seeing a touring production of</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Once on This Island</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in 1992. What they saw that night was a version of their own story played out on the stage and it gave them the courage to fight for their own forbidden love.</span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Twenty-five years later, by some strange twist of fate, they were led back to the Island where they ignored conventional wisdom, took a leap of faith, and became co-producers of the Tony Award winning Broadway Revival of </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once on This Island</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is their love letter to the musical that gave them more than they ever could have imagined. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;">Publisher: One Small Girl Publishing</p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/r.html?C=2EIU1YSKTC6SW&K=3H8DQ54QIFB0&M=urn:rtn:msg:202108231809384492016a60d84b2c9fc309fa30e0p0na&R=EBXXI36AZEFS&T=C&U=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2F1735610011%3Fref_%3Dpe_3052080_397514860&H=DAL2GNJ9DP0ZNXOUVAAFXYEWSEQA&ref_=pe_3052080_397514860" target="_blank">Amazon paperback</a> ISBN 9781735610016</p><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/r.html?C=2Z24ENUUAEWUK&K=3H8DQ54QIFB0&M=urn:rtn:msg:2021081620320823110af66657438d9e99d1bfaa60p0na&R=DOF6JKV3WTQ2&T=C&U=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB09BZRTM2H%3Fref_%3Dpe_3052080_276849420&H=FNPFIKWASKR0XFPXG7YL1VD28S8A&ref_=pe_3052080_276849420" target="_blank">Amazon Kindle</a> ISBN 9781735610009</p></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div>Thanks in advance to the wonderful people who are helping me spread the word!</div><div>Tomorrow, <b>August 27,</b> I'll be over at <a href="http://www.nickwilford.com" target="_blank">Nick Wilford's blog</a> talking a little bit more about the book and how we got involved in <i>Once on This Island</i>.</div><div><b>September 1</b> the Ninja Captain himself, <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com" target="_blank">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a> will be giving the book a shout out.<br /><b>September 8</b> <a href="https://www.cleemckenziebooks.com/blog/" target="_blank">C. Lee McKenzie</a> is hosting me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Please hop on over and give them some love.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: times;"> I'd love to hear the stories that have changed your life.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: times;">Kathy :)</span></div><div><br /></div>kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-55732772281630595032021-08-15T23:30:00.033-04:002021-08-16T11:22:28.492-04:00Looking For a Virtual Workout? #Virtualfitness<div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Core Rhythm Fitness: <a href="http://www.corerhythmfitness.net/crflive" target="_blank">CRF Live!</a> Best Virtual Group Workout!</span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>It's ten a.m. I rush to my living room and lay out my yoga mat. The weights are where they are easy to grab, my big water bottle is filled and ready. I open my computer and click on the Zoom link.</div><div><br /></div><div>The connection goes through and I hear that delightfully familiar scream, "Kathyyyy!" Rodrick stretches out my name like he's vocally hugging me. Then his smile brings a ray of light into my heart even in these anxiety-ridden times. Rodrick Covington, founder of Core Rhythm Fitness, (CRF) checks in with everyone as their faces pop up on screen. </div><div><br /></div><div>In today's class, there are fifteen of us. I'm glad to see so many familiar faces. I've never met any of these people in person, they live around the country and even in Mexico, but seeing them day-to-day struggling through the workout with me brings us together. We're a community, all here to sweat our stress away. </div><div>But it's not just the High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT class) that we're here for. We log in every morning because at least for this one hour of the day, we feel lifted, like we've just been to church. Rodrick's words ground us and bind us together as a family even while we're in our own spaces jumping off our mats.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is not just a workout, this is about mind, body, soul, and our collective human spirit.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Mary," Rodrick says and pins her screen so we can all see her, "what is this month's mantra?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"Surrender," she says, taking herself off mute. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Yesss! And what does surrender mean to you, Mary?"</div><div><br /></div><div>She thinks for a moment. "It means to let go of things I cannot control."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Yes! Letting go of those other things allows you to make room for the new!" </div><div><br /></div><div>We all take a moment to ponder what this means to us.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Okay, let's get started. First are there any injuries or issues I should know about?" He always gives modifications to every exercise so that anyone can do them. If your back or knees bother you, he will adjust the exercises. A couple of weeks ago, my seventy-nine year old mom joined in on the classes while I was visiting her and she did the whole workout with modifications.</div><div> </div><div>"Lie down on your mat, legs straight at a forty-five degree angle, heels together, toes apart, arms six inches off the mat and pulse." Rodrick leads us through the pilates warm-up.</div><div><br /></div><div>By the time we're done with the first five minutes, my abs are in a knot and on fire. I hope that means I'm pushing myself harder because even though I've been doing this six times a week for over a year, it never seems to get easier!</div><div><br /></div><div>Only forty-five minutes left to go.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next exercise is side lunges into a squat, thankfully no weights today. Only sixty seconds of each exercise, but thirty seconds in and my legs already feel heavy. I feel like I might not make it today. I suck in a deep breath. Twenty-five seconds left.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rodrick senses my waining stamina through the screen and calls out, "C'mon Kathy, just a few more!"</div><div><br /></div><div>I dig deeper. I breathe and keep pushing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Somehow I make it through to the end of class. And then Rodrick says the word I've been waiting for. "Rest."</div><div><br /></div><div>I lay on my mat in a pool of sweat, my muscles still vibrating from the exertion. I listen as he guides us through the stretching cool down. </div><div><br /></div><div>To end the class he says, "Share in the chat what surrender means to you."</div><div><br /></div><div>Today, I'm not sure what to type, so I read everyone else's responses. Jesse types, "To live in the moment and let go of everything else." Living in the moment is exactly what the CRF classes force me to do. We all say goodbye and I lay back down on my mat. </div><div><br /></div><div>My body is tired, but I feel strong and spiritually uplifted, though I know I will be sore as hell tomorrow. </div><div><br /></div><div>For more information or to join in on the <a href="http://www.corerhythmfitness.net/crflive" target="_blank">CRF Live</a> fun, click the link. Core Rhythm Fitness is located in New York City and is rated #1 on ClassPass! In addition to their virtual group classes, they also offer virtual personal training as well as a virtual nutrition program.<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CSkiKsfJ5jE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13" style="background-color: white; background: #FFF; border-bottom-left-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-radius: 3px; border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CSkiKsfJ5jE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background-color: white; background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; 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font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-bottom-left-radius: 50%; border-bottom-right-radius: 50%; border-radius: 50%; border-top-left-radius: 50%; border-top-right-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-bottom-left-radius: 50%; border-bottom-right-radius: 50%; border-radius: 50%; border-top-left-radius: 50%; border-top-right-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-bottom-left-radius: 50%; border-bottom-right-radius: 50%; border-radius: 50%; border-top-left-radius: 50%; border-top-right-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left-color: rgb(244, 244, 244); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 6px; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 2px; border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 8px; border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top-color: rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 8px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 8px; border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top-color: rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 8px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CSkiKsfJ5jE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Core Rhythm Fitness NYC (@corerhythmfitness)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div> </div><div>Other News:</div><div>TEN days until <b>August 26th,</b> the official launch of <i>One Year On Broadway: Finding Ourselves Between the Sand and the Sea</i>! It is the unlikely story of how my husband and I took a leap and became co-producers of our favorite Broadway musical. Click the link to pre-order the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/r.html?C=2Z24ENUUAEWUK&K=3H8DQ54QIFB0&M=urn:rtn:msg:20210812114703607376734b3c4f2091ca64ad3810p0na&R=OINSMIIXZUIM&T=C&U=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB09BZRTM2H%3Fref_%3Dpe_3052080_276849420&H=CNSIVTZDWYNVXCQXVYHMJKKJRSIA&ref_=pe_3052080_276849420" target="_blank">Kindle version</a>. </div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSSgJDG8QzcYTwl-d9QPZSh6tr1VYPkzMGEiep_LeOPCH8H1F3HoM8WBLQSeLtSbqbgrn1xxLjurH9VkkKzBX9IomvylgqK91CSO_EDKEk1CRG9s3PyXkLvPkckCU3JOcymeij__K0ijh/s1714/One+Year+On+Broadway+Mock-front+book+jacket+final.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1714" data-original-width="1289" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSSgJDG8QzcYTwl-d9QPZSh6tr1VYPkzMGEiep_LeOPCH8H1F3HoM8WBLQSeLtSbqbgrn1xxLjurH9VkkKzBX9IomvylgqK91CSO_EDKEk1CRG9s3PyXkLvPkckCU3JOcymeij__K0ijh/w109-h144/One+Year+On+Broadway+Mock-front+book+jacket+final.png" width="109" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Also, Natalie Aguirre over at <a href="http://www.literaryrambles.com" target="_blank">Literary Rambles</a> is highlighting <i>One Year On Broadway</i> in her Follower News, so head on over there and give her some love! Thanks Natalie for mentioning my new book! </div><div><br /></div><div>I also want to give a big shout out to J.L Woodson over at <a href="https://woodsoncreativestudio.com/book-covers" target="_blank">Woodson Creative Studios</a> for designing a cover that I love!</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Hope to see you soon at the virtual CRF gym! </div><div><br /></div><div>Kathy :)</div>kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-22226872213889781322021-08-06T18:38:00.001-04:002021-08-08T22:14:56.682-04:00One Year On Broadway #Pre-Order!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm thrilled to announce that my debut non-fiction book, <i>One Year On Broadway</i>, is available for pre-order in the e-book format TODAY!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The official release date is August 26 for both the paperback and e-book formats.</div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfF_fCb-G_jNdQG3HMvUnxNIIkm8p6fIvSHkAoKKBKvWGP3dGzI3mJayiz4r1gMYCWBgmA0oHyJ2So4FQ1sQKz07GvV4v4qao2RpQY8MUyRYqjw-9DNKJnpmaLJ_kmXZ6bz4jSfFuv_wQn/s2048/One+Year+On+Broadway-V3+Final.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1356" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfF_fCb-G_jNdQG3HMvUnxNIIkm8p6fIvSHkAoKKBKvWGP3dGzI3mJayiz4r1gMYCWBgmA0oHyJ2So4FQ1sQKz07GvV4v4qao2RpQY8MUyRYqjw-9DNKJnpmaLJ_kmXZ6bz4jSfFuv_wQn/w232-h350/One+Year+On+Broadway-V3+Final.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>One Year On Broadway: </i><br /><i>Finding Ourselves Between the Sand and the Sea</i><br />By Kathryn McKendry</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>How do you know when it’s time to close one chapter of your life and begin a new one? To let go of the past, open your heart, and trust in a new beginning?</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">At first we said, “no.” We knew it was ridiculous. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">And yet something in our hearts led us back to the Island.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Having no idea where it would lead us, my husband and I took a leap of faith and became co-producers of the Broadway Revival of </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once On This Island,</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the musical that had given us so much. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">Even if it failed, we would have a great story to tell. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">We ended up with so much more.</span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">****</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>One Year On Broadway, </i>is a true story of forbidden love, adventure, and letting go. </span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">Weaving together a fan girl's tribute to her all-time favorite musical and a memoir, One Year on Broadway is a closeup view into the production of a Broadway musical and a testament to the power of the stories that become a part of us forever.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BZRTM2H?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420" target="_blank">Amazon link</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58710105-one-year-on-broadway-finding-ourselves-between-the-sand-and-the-sea" target="_blank">GoodReads link</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">Kathy :)</span></span></div></div>kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-46937862319381017182021-08-04T08:15:00.001-04:002021-08-04T09:28:00.919-04:00Writing From the Heart #IWSG<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GiiFSiLq7t8iqgMCdUDUZABVMZypLX5ji_yMXibRPX6toDg3m7xQWPKaSp0r82hIcy9Jl9GCrr4sksH86hgT0fFEZ4FqcHfhFjJdalHKB2P-uSD0mikzhTWM9q-iK984_32PgSET2_Ms/s320/Insecure+Writers+Support+Group+Badge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GiiFSiLq7t8iqgMCdUDUZABVMZypLX5ji_yMXibRPX6toDg3m7xQWPKaSp0r82hIcy9Jl9GCrr4sksH86hgT0fFEZ4FqcHfhFjJdalHKB2P-uSD0mikzhTWM9q-iK984_32PgSET2_Ms/w241-h237/Insecure+Writers+Support+Group+Badge.jpg" width="241" /> </a></div><p>The first Wednesday of every month is the <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com" target="_blank">Insecure Writer's Support Group</a> (IWSG) Day! The IWSG is an amazing community of writers brought together by <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com" target="_blank">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a>. It is a place where we can share our fears, successes, thoughts, and expert tips about writing in a safe space without the fear of feeling foolish. Sign up <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">here</a> to join!</p><p>Today our fabulous hosts are <a href="http://www.pkhrezo.com/blog”target=">PK Hrezo,</a> <a href="http://cathrinaconstantine.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Cathrina Constantine,</a> <a href="http://www.pjcolando.com/">PJ Colando,</a> <a href="http://kimlajevardi.com/">Kim Lejevardi,</a> and <a href="http://sandracox.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sandra Cox</a>. Please stop by to tell them thanks for hosting!</p><p>This month's optional question is:</p><p><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;">What is your favorite writing craft book? </b><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;">Think of a book that every time you read it you learn something or you are inspired to write or try the new technique. And why?</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I started writing my first stories in elementary school. Our teacher assigned us a story a week using as many spelling words as possible. Even though it was assignment, I wrote for me, crafting the silliest, craziest stories that made me laugh. I had no idea about any of the actual techniques of writing other than basic English grammar that we had learned up to that point. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">They probably weren't good stories, but every week I got my paper back with a big red "A" on it and that made me want to write as much as I had time for. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">As soon as I could I signed up for creative writing courses in high school. I was lucky enough to have a mother who was also interested in writing stories so we both attended several writing conferences together to learn all we could.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Most of the books I read about writing were during that time, pre-Goodreads. Either they weren't very good books or I have a terrible memory because I can't think of a single title.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I'm not sure why I didn't take creative writing in college. Probably because my parents kept encouraging me to major in something I would make money in and for some reason, though I was a passionate writer, I didn't think of it as a profession. I changed majors five times trying to find what I wanted to study that could be a career. I started with engineering but there's so much math!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">As a professional figure skating coach, I haven't used my degree in linguistics once. Oh well.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Finally, I came back to writing and started reading about the techniques of writing and that's when I found,</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft </i>by Stephen King</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><img alt="On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft" height="169" id="coverImage" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1436735207l/10569._SY475_.jpg" width="105" /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">It has everything. He gives us an up close and personal master class filled with tips on writing a better story and things to watch out for as well as when to not worry about all the rules, and advice to trust yourself. Every time I read it, I want to grab my notebook or computer and write for hours. My biggest take away from it brings me back to my elementary classroom--write what you want to write and write it from the heart.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">It also made me start reading his other books, which, because I'm not really a fan of scary things, I had never read. I'm still not a fan of scary things but I do love his writing. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;">What is your favorite book on writing?</p><p style="text-align: left;">*****</p><p style="text-align: left;">In other news, I will have a release date for my debut non-fiction book, <i>One Year On Broadway: Finding Ourselves Between the Sand and the Sea,</i> very soon! Stay tuned! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSSgJDG8QzcYTwl-d9QPZSh6tr1VYPkzMGEiep_LeOPCH8H1F3HoM8WBLQSeLtSbqbgrn1xxLjurH9VkkKzBX9IomvylgqK91CSO_EDKEk1CRG9s3PyXkLvPkckCU3JOcymeij__K0ijh/s1714/One+Year+On+Broadway+Mock-front+book+jacket+final.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1714" data-original-width="1289" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSSgJDG8QzcYTwl-d9QPZSh6tr1VYPkzMGEiep_LeOPCH8H1F3HoM8WBLQSeLtSbqbgrn1xxLjurH9VkkKzBX9IomvylgqK91CSO_EDKEk1CRG9s3PyXkLvPkckCU3JOcymeij__K0ijh/w177-h235/One+Year+On+Broadway+Mock-front+book+jacket+final.png" width="177" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><i>A true story of forbidden love, adventure, and letting go</i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">How do you know when it’s time to close one chapter of your life and begin a new one? To let go of the past, open your heart, and trust in a new beginning?</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">At first we said, “no.” We knew it was ridiculous.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">And yet something in our hearts led us back to the Island.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Having no idea where it would lead, my husband and I took a leap of faith and became co-producers of the Broadway Revival of <i>Once On This Island,</i> the musical that had given us so much. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Even if it failed, we would have a great story to tell.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">We ended up with so much more.</span></p><div><br /></div></div><p style="text-align: left;">I'm still looking for a few more people who would be willing to help with the launch! Anything you can do helps: a blog post, a review, a social media shout-out, anything that fits your schedule!</p><p style="text-align: left;">Thank you to all the wonderful people who have already contacted me about helping!</p><p style="text-align: left;">Hope you all have a wonderful August! </p><p style="text-align: left;">Kathy :)</p><p><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></b></p>kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-54555857684693887622021-07-07T07:26:00.004-04:002021-07-15T12:04:35.192-04:00Writing Is My Sanctuary--#IWSG post<div class="separator"><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GiiFSiLq7t8iqgMCdUDUZABVMZypLX5ji_yMXibRPX6toDg3m7xQWPKaSp0r82hIcy9Jl9GCrr4sksH86hgT0fFEZ4FqcHfhFjJdalHKB2P-uSD0mikzhTWM9q-iK984_32PgSET2_Ms/s320/Insecure+Writers+Support+Group+Badge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GiiFSiLq7t8iqgMCdUDUZABVMZypLX5ji_yMXibRPX6toDg3m7xQWPKaSp0r82hIcy9Jl9GCrr4sksH86hgT0fFEZ4FqcHfhFjJdalHKB2P-uSD0mikzhTWM9q-iK984_32PgSET2_Ms/w241-h237/Insecure+Writers+Support+Group+Badge.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /> <p></p></div><p>We have made it through half of 2021 already which seems impossible, but here we are and now it is the first Wednesday in July!</p><p>The first Wednesday of every month is the <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com" target="_blank">Insecure Writer's Support Group</a> (IWSG) Day! The IWSG is an amazing community of writers brought together by <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com" target="_blank">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a>. It is a place where we can share our fears, successes, thoughts, and expert tips about writing in a safe space without the fear of feeling foolish. Sign up <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">here</a> to join!</p><p>Our awesome co-hosts for this month are: <a href="http://www.patgarciaandeverythingmustchange.com/”target=" target="_blank">Pat Garcia</a>, <a href="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Victoria Mare Lees</a>, <a href="http://hogwartssabbatical.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Chemist Ken</a>, and <a href="http://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Louise–Fundy Blue</a></p><p>Every month an optional question is asked. July's question is: </p><p><b>What would make you quit writing?</b></p><p>Writing is my sanctuary, my release, my meditation. Every since my hand could physically hold a pencil I wrote. There was magic in putting a mark on a blank paper that other people could understand. Before I understood how to form my own sentences on paper, I would copy down every word of my favorite books. </p><p>In fifth grade, I couldn't wait until Thursday--the day our teacher instructed us to use our spelling words to create a story.</p><p>I have never stopped writing. It's not always stories, sometimes it's poems, sometimes it's detailed journaling to remember trips, special occasions, or the daily simple details of life. Sometimes it's just putting thoughts down as a way to figure out this crazy journey of life.</p><p>Writing is always there for me.</p><p>There are only two things that could make me stop writing: </p><p>1. Advanced dementia to the point that I can't form sentences--which is an actual possibility for me since my dad recently passed from Parkinson's with severe dementia</p><p>2. Death</p><p>Until either of those occur, I will always turn to writing in some form. I still believe their is magic in words. After all, where else can we travel through time and experience the past except in reading the words of Shakespeare, Cervantes, or Alexander Dumas; or begin to understand what others around us in our own times have experienced without reading Audre Lorde, James Baldwin, Lorraine Hansberry or countless others.</p><p>Whether or not anyone else reads my words, for me, writing is as integral to my being as breath.</p><p>Is there anything that would make you stop writing? Has it been a part of you for a long time or did you recently discover the magic of writing? </p><p><br /></p><p>*On a side note, I'm still looking for anyone who would like to help out with my upcoming book launch. If you're interested in giving it a review or being a part of my blog hop team email me at kjmckendry@yahoo.com </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUv_GXyAy59MhgHcO892Xk5nJS3kX2MTLBv9TIJ2q6n3PkKfDvGMIwqsrFvKmSfiQIQds_q1pQWKdq0bG-eLtsYoTJ1BlB3yNxN2TpzqonoCuQvvj65VpV9sZEq12s2GF0Fo22RUNwvvr/s1714/One+Year+On+Broadway+Mock-front+book+jacket+final.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1714" data-original-width="1289" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUv_GXyAy59MhgHcO892Xk5nJS3kX2MTLBv9TIJ2q6n3PkKfDvGMIwqsrFvKmSfiQIQds_q1pQWKdq0bG-eLtsYoTJ1BlB3yNxN2TpzqonoCuQvvj65VpV9sZEq12s2GF0Fo22RUNwvvr/s320/One+Year+On+Broadway+Mock-front+book+jacket+final.png" /></a></div><br /><p><b style="font-style: italic;">One Year On Broadway: Finding Ourselves Between the Sand and the Sea </b>by Kathryn McKendry</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i>A true story of forbidden love, adventure, and letting go</i></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">How do you know when it’s time to close one chapter of your life and begin a new one? To let go of the past, open your heart, and trust in a new beginning?</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">At first we said, “no.” We knew it was ridiculous.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">And yet something in our hearts led us back to the Island.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Having no idea where it would lead, my husband and I took a leap of faith and became co-producers of the Broadway Revival of <i>Once On This Island,</i> the musical that had given us so much. </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Even if it failed, we would have a great story to tell.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">We ended up with so much more.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Hope you all have a wonderful week!</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Kathy</p><div><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-3688587213334494522021-06-07T05:00:00.006-04:002021-06-07T05:00:00.224-04:00Cover Release!<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41Wk10l-7IXU-fRNih6ti9tx1T0MBIkrw5iPUmKBLri4t0D-oKFDBOE9LS_r9X-pVygJF6SJEobgxqJqIUcms15m7P-ympAoiRztS6X74MKZwAhG5J8y80M1ZtvIVMehAELuRsPICuIAy/s2048/One+Year+On+Broadway-V3+Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1356" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41Wk10l-7IXU-fRNih6ti9tx1T0MBIkrw5iPUmKBLri4t0D-oKFDBOE9LS_r9X-pVygJF6SJEobgxqJqIUcms15m7P-ympAoiRztS6X74MKZwAhG5J8y80M1ZtvIVMehAELuRsPICuIAy/w300-h454/One+Year+On+Broadway-V3+Final.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><b><i>One Year On Broadway: Finding Ourselves Between the Sand and the Sea</i></b></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i> </i></b></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">by Kathryn McKendry</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i>A true story of forbidden love, adventure, and letting go</i></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">How do you know when it’s time to close one chapter of your life and begin a new one? To let go of the past, open your heart, and trust in a new beginning?</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">At first we said, “no.” We knew it was ridiculous.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">And yet something in our hearts led us back to the Island.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Having no idea where it would lead, my husband and I took a leap of faith and became co-producers of the Broadway Revival of <i>Once On This Island,</i> the musical that had given us so much. </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Even if it failed, we would have a great story to tell.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">We ended up with so much more.</span></p><div><br /></div><p>*****</p><p>Thank you so much to J.L. Woodson at <a href="https://woodsoncreativestudio.com" target="_blank">Woodson Creative Studio</a> for this gorgeous design! As soon as I opened the email, tears came to my eyes. </p><p>I still don't have an official release date set in stone, but stay tuned! Now I'm one step closer to getting it out into the world.</p><p>I'm also looking for anyone who would like to review it or help out with a book launch blog hop. Please email me at kjmckendry@yahoo.com if you're interested. </p><p>Thanks so much! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!</p><p><br /></p><p>Kathy</p><p><br /></p>kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-31349018547033193702021-06-02T04:30:00.030-04:002021-06-02T09:56:57.870-04:00Releasing a Book is Like Buying a House #IWSG<div class="separator"></div><p></p><p><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="932" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6q6CMtYynI8QXTDyF3MC_abnFxHuW2wJtrjETHMvZBcIOrxNCqJR2DeUDpjHOurG92qAACSoJox0WMfPrgplpZpY-41boM2c8QohG1MJbnXZxyAvvhhLbxkV9mLAQ7opJBaEJJnXepQ/w200-h197/Insecure+Writers+Support+Group+Badge.jpg" width="200" /> </p><p>The<a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank"> Insecure Writer's Support Group</a> posts the first Wednesday of every month. The purpose of this group is to express your doubts and fears as a writer without feeling foolish. It's a place where we writers can come together to offer support and advice to one another and share our triumphs.</p><p>Thank you to our fearless leader <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com" target="_blank">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a> for creating the IWSG and to all of this month's co-hosts! <a href="https://jlennidorner.blogspot.com/”target=" target="_blank">J Lenni Dorner</a>, <a href="http://thefauxfountainpen.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Sarah Foster</a>, <a href="http://www.literaryrambles.com" target="_blank">Natalie Aguirre</a>, <a href="https://leelowery.com" target="_blank">Lee Lowry</a>, and <a href="http://rachnachhabria.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Rachna Chhabria</a>.</p><p>Every month, IWSG gives an optional prompt question. For June the question is: How long do you shelve a manuscript before editing it. Does experience writing make a difference in the time you take?</p><p>I have only completed two book-length manuscripts. The first one I put away for several years and I've never really finished editing it. </p><p>My most recent I put away for about a week after completing the first draft. What about you? How long do you wait between drafting and editing? </p><p> </p><p>I have several insecurities this month. </p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNvdoBO3YVbp4J16S9IjT4gDPTos25yrEmG7dmja-LziuNxMj_QeQFlLh8s1Gp3m5LP0izskvIIUQMNOyNaJW2ShUBaM2DOhxMEBowNDGslivHCDzxKtEVUZNi4NUxHaKFY9S8g0z40y9/s1836/One+Year+On+Broadway-V2-Draft2-5+copy+cropped.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1416" data-original-width="1836" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNvdoBO3YVbp4J16S9IjT4gDPTos25yrEmG7dmja-LziuNxMj_QeQFlLh8s1Gp3m5LP0izskvIIUQMNOyNaJW2ShUBaM2DOhxMEBowNDGslivHCDzxKtEVUZNi4NUxHaKFY9S8g0z40y9/w224-h173/One+Year+On+Broadway-V2-Draft2-5+copy+cropped.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">One Year On Broadway: <br />Finding Ourselves<br />Between the Sand and the Sea<br />My Debut Book!</span></td></tr></tbody></table>I'm both thrilled and sort of terrified that my debut non-fiction book, <i>One Year On Broadway: Finding Ourselves Between the Sand and the Sea</i>, is set to come out this summer!<p></p><p> It is a story of forbidden love, adventure, and letting go.</p><p>I'm a bit overwhelmed with everything I still have to do before launch day. But I also want to enjoy this whole crazy process. After all you only release your first book once in your life!</p><p>All the anxiety around releasing a book feels a bit like buying a house. There are so many pieces that have to fall into place and deadlines that need to be met and sometimes they just don't work out. What's most frustrating is that often they are out of your control, like when the house inspector finds radon gas and black mold in your dream house or the book cover designer needs to start over on your cover because his computer crashed and totally stopped working. </p><p>Once the cover was completed I had a licensing issue with the subtitle (my fault), I had to come up with a new title and then we had to go back for another cover re-design. I still don't have the final cover.</p><p>Each time it happens, I'm disappointed, realizing I have to change the book's release date yet again. Though after missing my first two dates, I let it go. The only thing that really matters is that my story eventually makes it out into the world. </p><p>So I'm tentatively saying my book will release this summer, though I keep wondering if some other unforeseen issue will pop up and delay it further.</p><p>I'm also insecure about the fact that I haven't blogged regularly in a few years and all my old bloggie buddies probably think I dropped off the planet. I've let my platform that I worked for several years to build up, slide into obscurity. It has taken me quite a while to even relearn how to use Blogger, it seems it has changed a bit since I last used it and I kind of feel like the old lady who needs help from a kid to figure it all out again! </p><p>And because I've been absent from the blogosphere for so long, I'm insecure about asking for help getting the word out about my book once the release date is set in stone.</p><p>But I am here now and ready to again be an active part of supporting everyone in this community. I can't wait to see what you have all been up to. Thank you all for being part of this amazing group!</p><p>I'd love to hear your book release stories.</p><p>What kinds of things do you do to prepare for your book launches? Do you hold physical launch parties and if so where? or do you just do virtual launches, blog hops and tours etc? What have been the most effective things you've done to get your book into the world on schedule? and what things have gone wrong?</p><p><br /></p><p>Kathy</p>kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-10639936787306727922020-12-19T18:30:00.002-05:002021-05-26T00:26:57.815-04:00One Year On Broadway<p>How do you know when it’s time to close one chapter of your life and begin a new one? To let go of the past, open your heart, and trust in a new beginning. To take a leap.</p><p>At first we said, “no.” We knew it was ridiculous.</p><p>And yet something in our hearts led us back to the island.</p><p>Having no idea where it would lead, Jesse and I took a leap of faith and became co-producers of the Broadway Revival of <i>Once On This Island</i>, the story that had given us so much. </p><p>Even if it failed, we would have a great story to tell. </p><p>We ended up with so much more.</p><p><br /></p><p>Here is an excerpt from my first book, <i>One Year On Broadway: Ridiculous! Interesting! More Amusing Than Mangoes! </i></p><div>Coming out soon!</div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="280" src="https://embed.wattpad.com/story/251887620" width="500"></iframe>kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-36418154476420862632020-07-24T12:51:00.000-04:002020-07-24T12:56:38.099-04:00What is Love?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-72676068812372203412017-12-06T12:46:00.001-05:002017-12-06T13:24:29.705-05:00Once on This Island! and IWSG<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I love Broadway musicals! Luckily, so does my husband and our three kids. In fact you could say we're fanatics for Broadway. We love the big classics like <i>Les Miserables</i>, <i>Phantom of the Opera,</i> and <i>Miss Saigon</i>; the newer ones like <i>Hamilton</i>, <i>Dear Evan Hansen,</i> and <i>Waitress</i>, but one show stands out for us above all the rest. <br />
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It is <i><b>Once on This Island</b></i> by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. <br />
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Why? I'll tell you our story.<br />
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Over 25 years ago, my husband and I were just two college kids who had just started dating. He was working a part time college job as an usher at our university's performing arts theater. <i>Once on This Island</i> was touring and came to our school. He saw it and immediately bought tickets for us to see it the next night. <br />
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It was our very first show together.<br />
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The Romeo and Juliet-esque tale of a poor peasant girl, Ti Moune, falling for Daniel, the wealthy son of an aristocrat, touched our hearts especially deep because my parents didn't approve of our relationship.<br />
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But I chose love.<br />
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And when we were married two years later, we brought the soundtrack of <i>Once on This Island</i> along on our honeymoon and listened and sang to it wherever we went. <br />
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Fast forward 23 years of happy marriage to last Sunday December 3, 2017. <i>Once on This Island</i> reopened for the first time on Broadway and we were lucky enough to be there to see it! I started crying the moment the first notes were sung. It was 90 minutes of pure heartfelt emotion.<br />
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Even if you've never seen or heard the original musical, if you like musicals at all, you should find a way to New York to see this! It is an experience like you've never had before. Everything about this musical is phenomenal! The staging, casting, and choreography, immerses you into the story of the storm ravaged island and its characters. <br />
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The <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/03/theater/review-once-on-this-island-revived-and-ravishing.html?_r=0" target="_blank">New York Times review</a> said it was a "Ravishing Revival" and it surely is!<br />
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Watch the Official trailer!<br />
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<b>IWSG</b><br />
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This is the last post of the year for the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">IWSG</a> (Insecure Writer's Support Group) started by <a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/" target="_blank">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a>. It is a place where we as writers release our fears, hopes, and dreams into the world and give encouragement to one another! We post on the first Wednesday of the month! If you'd like to join us, click the IWSG link and sign up!<br />
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This month's optional question is: As you look back on 2017, with all its successes/failures, if you could backtrack, what would you do differently?<br />
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That's a tough question to answer! 2017 has been pretty great for me, but not because of anything I've really done. It has just been fabulous to see the opportunities that my three children have been presented with and to watch them shine in what they love doing. So I wouldn't want anything to change. And I guess I've realized that while writing is a passion for me that comes just after my love of figure skating, more than anything I want to spend the last few moments I have with my kids before they are all totally gone. I'm okay that writing has taken a back seat. <br />
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But with that in mind, going forward to 2018, the quiet times when my kids aren't around, will be dedicated to writing!<br />
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Love, is why we tell our story!<br />
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Kathy<br />
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kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-24798393791435083362017-10-13T14:00:00.002-04:002017-10-13T14:00:10.687-04:00Fake ID, Proving Age Does Matter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Fake ID is a new band rockin' the Cleveland area. They just performed their first two shows this last weekend and received rave reviews from anyone who saw them. <br />
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But what makes this cover band with two guitarists, a singer, a bassist, and a drummer so special?<br />
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Their ages. <br />
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Three of them are <b>13</b> and two are only <b>11</b> but these kids can really rock! They aren't old enough to have spent decades learning their instruments, unless they started in the womb but somehow time doesn't seem to matter because they can <b>play!</b><br />
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Of course I do have to admit I'm a bit biased as my son is one of the guitarists.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son is the one in the red! :)</td></tr>
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Another thing that makes them special is that this whole thing has all been on them. They got together as a band, decided on a band name, set up their own rehearsal times, made up their set list and learned all the songs by themselves. They decided they wanted to perform and not just goof around in the garage. They contacted some venues, met with them and set everything up. All that we parents did was drive them, hope everything would work out (leaving planning to 13 and 11 year olds is scary!) and then beam with pride as we watched them perform!<br />
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But as they say on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FakeIDofficialband/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>, "Judge us by our music, not our ages" so I will let you judge for yourselves. Here is a video of them performing Muse's Stockholm Syndrome at the Hiram House Pumpkin Festival in Chagrin Falls, Ohio this last Sunday! <br />
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Kathy :)<br />
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kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218083438284138876.post-57688306646281752582017-10-05T11:23:00.002-04:002017-10-05T11:23:49.992-04:00IWSG and Answers to LIES Bloghop!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Today is the first Thursday of the month, which means I missed Wednesday, the day of the IWSG where we writers share our insecurities, hopes and dreams with the world and give support to our fellow IWSGers! Click on <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">The Insecure Writer's Support Group</a> to join us.<br />
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This month's theme is <b>Show Your Writer Insecurity Contest</b>. I was so insecure about it that I'm posting a whole day late. But here it is, a picture of me with the IWSG logo:<br />
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This picture brings my two loves together, writing and skating and they are both similar in that you do most of your work alone, refining and perfecting and then you have to be brave and show off what you've created to the world. The picture of me skating was taken 3 years ago at an adult competition. :)<br />
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<b>2 LIES and a Truth Bloghop!</b> </div>
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Last time I participated in my daughter, <a href="http://writeskatedream-jmckendry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jess McKendry's</a> bloghop called LIES to celebrate the release of her second novel <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Inferiors-Ashes-Book-2-ebook/dp/B075Q4KFS9/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1507216176&sr=8-1&keywords=the+inferiors" target="_blank">The Inferiors</a>. Head over to her blog and check it out, in the next couple days she'll be announcing the lucky winner of her book.</div>
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I gave you two lies about myself and one truth and you had to pick the truth. </div>
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1. I've lived in Ohio all my life.</div>
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2. I don't like heavy metal or rap music.</div>
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3. I have an irrational fear of sharks even in fresh water. </div>
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Here's the answers:</div>
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1. LIE, I've moved around over 12 times and lived in eight different states! Ohio is our home now though.</div>
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2. LIE, While rap and heavy metal may not be my absolute favorite genres of music...give me Pantera's Cowboys From Hell or Drake's One Dance and I'll be head banging or rapping right along with everyone else! </div>
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3. TRUTH!!! :) I'm absolutely terrified of sharks! Even when I'm in deep, fresh water all that runs through my mind are the scenes from JAWS where the shark comes up behind the person and chomps them in half while skiing or swimming! I know it's totally irrational but I can't help it. Despite my fear my husband convinced me to go jet skiing in the Gulf of Mexico and kayaking in Monterrey Bay. Both times, I couldn't wait to get back on shore and later we found out that a great white shark had been spotted the very next week in Monterrey Bay! </div>
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Do you have any irrational fears?</div>
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Hope you all are having a great week despite everything in the news. Give everyone in your life a little extra attention and love. Even in darkness there is beauty all around us. These dahlias are blooming in my garden right now and they make me smile.</div>
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Kathy :)</div>
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kjmckendryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534751311630921447noreply@blogger.com15