Tracey Cramer-Kelly's Blog, page 30

Get to Know the Characters: Holly Rossiter, Prosthetist and Widowed Mom

Do you ever wish you could meet the characters in a book? Well, here's your chance to get to know Holly Rossiter, "star" of True Surrender … a prosthetist and widow with a 4-year-old son … and the woman who challenges officer Aaron Bricewick to rethink his black-and-white world…

So we understand there was some history between you and Aaron?

Aaron and I were college sweethearts. I was crazy about him, but he broke my heart.

What did you think when you saw him after all these years?

He was in pretty bad shape, and he lost his leg shortly thereafter. I couldn't help feeling something for him – but I was determined to be just friends. I figured I would just help him through a tough time.

But that changed?

Aaron is a very proud person. Respect from others is of paramount importance to him. He doesn't like to ask for help, and he does not want to be perceived as weak. But what happened to him … it's very humanizing.

Can you elaborate on that?

The more Aaron tried to keep it together, the harder it got. Yet he wouldn't admit that to himself or others. It was hard to watch him unravel, you know? Then there's the night he finally cracked … it was bad … and it was good.

When did you finally give in to his romantic overtures?

When he told me what happened to him in Afghanistan … when he let himself be himself instead of the straight-laced, black-and-white Army officer … I couldn't resist anymore.

But it wasn't happily-ever-after?

No, it wasn't. It was only two-thirds of the way through the book! He got orders to report to Washington. I was hurt and I lashed out at him.

We understand you eventually reunited.

It took three months and this recurring nightmare for me to realize I hadn't given our relationship the chance it deserved – to admit I loved him but I was scared. When I found him, he was in even worse shape. I had abandoned him at the worst time. There was still so much he had to work through … and more trials we couldn't have foreseen.

Can you give us some idea of these trials?

Nope. You'll have to get the book.

So how does it end?

I would say that, where we were at the end of the book is a place that neither of us expected to find ourselves.

Get to Know the Characters: Interview with Aaron Bricewick, Army Officer

Do you ever wish you could meet the characters in a book? Well, here's your chance to get to know Army officer Aaron Bricewick, "star" of True Surrender… a young, tough veteran who returns from a nightmare in Afghanistan only to find the battle for his body, heart and mind persists…

Can you tell us what happened to you in Afghanistan?

If you've read the book blurb, you know I was abducted and held by terrorists. The details aren't for polite conversation. It took me a long time to tell even Holly (around page 154, I think); I'm still not comfortable telling the whole world.

But they broke your legs?

That's true. The doctors were not able to save the left, so I have a below-the-knee amputation.

I understand that was the start of some problems for you.

I prefer to call them challenges.

Can you elaborate?

Let's just say that I experienced some physical setbacks as well as some significant doubt and…you know…there was a lot of emotional stuff going on. And my career was very important to me, and suddenly that was in question.

What was the hardest part of your recovery?

I think the hardest part was being in a situation – for the first time in my life – where I really had no control. And I'll admit: I hated it. There were times I didn't handle that very well. Like the way I treated Holly after my amputation…

How would you say your career plans have changed?

I had planned on working my way up as far as I could go. Serving my country. I had no intention of trying to be a husband or father. But after everything that happened, I found a new calling.

Can you talk about the friends you've lost?

[deep breath] That's a difficult topic…there were two deaths in particular that had a profound impact on me. And when you are betrayed by your best friend (as I was), it's a sort of death as well.

When did you realize you were in love with Holly?

I would have to say that it was the morning after I got into that bar fight. She turned me down then. And it wasn't until I was sicker than a dog, trying to kick my pain pills, that I realized why.

Why?

Ah, you'll have to read the book to find that out. But I will say this: she did change her mind. A few times!

What is the significance of Surrender?

This concept of Surrender came up repeatedly in my journey. At first it was a whisper. Then it was modeled by the people in my life. I still didn't get it because I was trying so hard to keep control that it made me sick. And when I finally let go and handed it over … it freed me.

Book Review: Night Road (or, what happens when a Bad Decision collides with Bad Luck)

First, I have to say Night Road by Kristin Hannah was an excellent book (the best I've read in some time). I cried, I cheered, I lost hope … and I got it back again.

The story revolves around four characters: high school twins Mia and Zach; their mother Judy; and a former foster child, Lexi (who is first Mia's best friend and then Zach's girlfriend and lover). One night the three teenagers drink and drive. There's a crash, and Mia is thrown from the car and killed. Lexi (who was driving) pleads guilty to killing Mia and goes to jail.

Jail? That seems extreme, doesn't it? Drinking and driving is a "Bad Decision" that literally thousands of people make every weekend, but obviously they don't all crash and die. (That's the "Bad Luck" part.)

Granted, this is fiction, but strangely enough, I was just finishing this book when I heard a story that was a true-life example (albeit not quite as dramatic).

As a young adult living in Colorado, this friend had been pulled over by the cops (for speeding) and when asked if she'd been drinking, she answered truthfully (she'd had a few). She was charged with "Driving While Ability Impaired" (DWAI), which is "less" than a DUI (defined as "a person need only be affected to the slightest degree so that he or she is less able to drive than he or she ordinarily would have been").

Her license suspended. Mandatory alcohol-awareness classes. Court dates. Attorney fees. Worrying about losing her job. Difficulties getting to school without a driver's license.

And her story didn't end there, unfortunately. The very night before she was to get her license back, she made one of those "Bad Decisions" to accompany a group of friends out bar-hopping. To make a long story short, she was in the wrong place at the wrong time ("Bad Luck"), and though she'd had only 2-3 drinks over the entire evening, she got another DWAI – and this time they took her to the hospital for a blood test, a very scary experience, and held her overnight in a jail cell. The whole cycle started over.

This friend talked about the shame and embarrassment that followed her around for YEARS. There was one month she was required to wear an ankle bracelet (she didn't go anywhere for that month). She couldn't leave the state to start her career. She couldn't be fully honest with certain people in her life.

So, back to Night Road… Lexi gives birth to a girl and gives her up to Zach, believing that will ensure the girl has a happy life. Five years later, she finds that isn't true, and her intentions to stay out of her daughter's life evaporate. Lexi is a fighter, a true spirit, and I don't want to give away the ending, but hope does come back.

I think of my friend like the character in the book. Her entire life plans derailed when a Bad Decision collided with Bad Luck. And a system that doesn't seem to have the capacity to recognize THAT versus intentional crime.

But hope does come back.

New Title out Nov 5

Just received first advance printing of my new book in Military Romance genre, True Surrender. It's been fun to write, drawing from my experience as an Army Reserve paramedic. It was thrilling work - and seeing the experiences we all went through has just called to me as a theme for this new book. It's written from a male vet's perspective, yet the story involves his conflicted relationship with his rehab professional - who happens to be a woman he was crazy about - and dated in the past. They bump into one another again, in every sense of the word!

Creativity Overload

I spent every spare minute last week poring over the video footage for the True Surrender music video. I was so involved I had trouble sleeping. I haven't given this much concentrated time to a creative endeavor since … well, I can't remember when. I'm on creativity overload. I'm exhausted and exhilarated at the same time.

When I first thought about doing this project, it was with a curiosity: how would my passion for singing, writing and the power of the visual come together?

I can see it now in the rough draft of the music video. And I'm in awe. I'm in awe of the process – how the different aspects have dovetailed and intertwined; how dormant creativity has been sparked (in large part by being around other creative people – I love the collaborative nature of this project). I'm surprised by myself. And I'm in awe of how the right people came into my life and into the project. People who bring me new awareness, teach me something new, share their story, or spark yet another creative idea.

AND I'm humbled by the realization that the right someone or something is brought into my path just when I need it. This is not the first time I've experienced that. Already I am wondering what experience is next … as long as I am open to it.

Favorite photos from True Surrender Video / Book Trailer Shoot

Although I have yet to view all the footage from our True Surrender video shoot, I have to say that my first foray in fusing words with visuals has been a really fulfilling experience. I put several photos from the video shoot on my home page as well as my Facebook page (see albums).

If you want to know what True Surrender is all about, these photos will give you a sneak peek! Special thanks to Emily (the photographer)!

The Making of a Music Video

I am humbled. I am exhilarated. I am … tired.

Saturday was a 12-hour day. We shot scenes from True Surrender at a Physical Therapy Department and a cemetery – and we took over a friend's condo. (There were clothes everywhere and six of us tripping over them; when we packed up and left it looked like we'd had one hell of a pajama party.)

And it was a party…sort of…for me, at least.  Because few writers get to see their work come to life the way I got to yesterday. And that is a pretty emotional thing.

Today we spent another three hours shooting footage of us singing along the banks of the Rum River…bringing my passion for singing together with my writing.

In the quiet after the chaos, I find myself strangely retrospective, almost sorry it's over (though it's not really – lots of editing to be done now). Part is of me amazed that we pulled it off – that the right people were brought into my life to make this happen.

Nick (production manager), who not only put it all together, but created an environment where everyone participated and made suggestions for the scenes. I have no doubt the entire video will be the better for it.

And the actors. What I can say about Zac and Jennifer? I am completely bowled over. In a short amount of time (ten scenes), they captured the characters' sense of loss…guilt…internal struggle…desire…love. Anything we threw at them. And all without dialogue. They are a class act, and I have nothing but respect for their performance.

Thank you, thank you, thank you…

A Secret Project (no wonder I've had no time to write)

Wow…for not a lot happening (writing-wise) for a long time, the last few weeks have really been a whirlwind. True Surrender is finally coming!

In fact, I'm planning a little celebration when it's ready for prime time – probably early October (stay tuned for details in a couple weeks).

True Surrender is the story of Major Aaron Bricewick, who was held hostage by Afghan terrorists. When he's rescued, he thinks the worst is over…but his personal journey is just beginning. Want to know more? Check out the True Surrender page.

A 'secret' project…

It's time to let the secret out. Back in April, my husband and I recorded our first song, The Rose (Surrender version). Now I can share that we are turning that song into a full-length music video – complete with scenes from True Surrender!

Auditions. Writing a script. Hiring actors. Renting a military uniform. Finding props. Securing shoot locations. Coordinating schedules. No wonder I've had no time to write!

I had no idea this kind of thing was so much work (and I'm not even doing the hard stuff, like camera and editing)! But I'm excited to see something written (a book) become something visual – and it's especially gratifying to bring my two creative pursuits (writing and music) together.

I hope you'll come out to my book launch, where we hope to show the video.

Speaking of music…

There are several new song 'samples' on my site. These are Mark Cameron originals from his new album, "Built to Bust" (on which I sang back-ups).

Oh, and let's not forget taiko drumming! The recital in July was excellent as usual (I can only take a little credit for that). We managed to get some video that I hope to edit and post soon.