K.L. Hallam's Blog, page 15

How Does Anger Serve Us?

Anger, sizzling frustration, burning coals of unmet desire. How do we tame it? In my novella, THE UNMOVING SKY, there’s anger, guilt, frustration, and regret. How does it serve us?  Anger has its useful side. When something burns you up, ask yourself why? Are you angry with yourself, or another? Releasing control might help some situations, freeing your heart of this imprisoning temperament. But instead, get a microscope. Look closely at what is causing the initial frustration, before it leads you down a destructive path. 

I’ve had to deal with other people’s anger much of my life. But really, who hasn’t? I’ve been on the other side of the belt, bullying, or jealousy. Anger comes in many forms. Insecurity made be part of its seed. Often it’s a build up of several factors. Everyone has stress but how do you deal with yours? This is fundamental.
Our world has been led into some scary scenario’s being played out. This anger is very difficult to scratch: the collective anger. Many of us are frustrated with this election season, the state of the world, our dwindling resources, and those in power doing NOTHING to help our country or the rest of OUR suffering World. Though we protest, we have little control. So much anger everywhere. Once again, I bring us back to managing this anger and deep frustration. A few ideas:  Communication. This is top for me. I know much frustration, anger, and disappointment can be headed off by communicating, talking about the situation. Learning to understand others. Put yourself in their shoes. See the good first. 
I'm speaking from life experience, but for further discussion you can find help here:·   From the experts at American Psychological Association, to help you understand your anger.
Prevent Child Abuse America offers information to parents who need help controlling their anger.The Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women offers intervention and support to victims of anger and domestic violence.The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence offers abundant information on anger resolution, creating a family safety plan, and identity protection for victims of anger and abuse. A website listing of state hotline numbers for anger management services and domestic violence resources.

My Book News!

You guys!!! My Young Adult Thriller is making some moves!  And I'm so excited. 







***** Now Available for ‪#‎PreOrder‬ *****The Unmoving Sky by K. L. Hallam - a chilling ‪#‎YA‬ ‪#‎Thriller‬ from Leap Books: SHINE.There is nothing darker than the woods until you meet your worst fear.Jackson Bower has a lot on his mind lately. His younger brother hasn’t been the same since his mother’s death. His father’s drinking is out of control. Then there’s Jackson’s girlfriend and the grief that ties them together even as it threatens to drive them apart.He distances himself, hoping for a little perspective at the family lodge. But when their father gets drunk and dangerous, he and his brother escape into the woods.Night creeps in, and the rains come fast. Artie slips down a ravine. He’s wounded and the brothers seek shelter in a cave, only to find someone else already taking refuge there.A desperate man with plans to destroy their town.Jackson must get him and his wounded brother out of the cave and over the mountain to warn everyone in time. Without getting them both killed first.
Pre-Order on Amazon!     At the fancy price of $1.99  

Review: I Woke Up Dead at the Mall

I Woke Up Dead at the Mall by Judy Sheehan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I needed a book to review and quick and remembered the title, I WOKE UP DEAD AT THE MALL, a title that startles you with a laugh. I opened up the sample chapters—and that first page took hold of me. Judy Sheehan’s voice is immediate and so funny!

Sixteen-year-old, Sarah, wakes up dead at the Mall of America. It’s in Minnesota! Still wearing the mango chiffon bridesmaid gown and murdered with no idea how or who would have killed her. It’s not as if she had a trail of enemy’s. She kept to herself and didn’t make too many waves. It’s been this way since her mother died years ago. Things haven’t been the same. Now it’s just her dad and his new girlfriend, Karen, a godsend, she’s helped Sarah and her dad reconnect.

But now, Sarah walks among the living, busy doing living people things. Mixed among the living are the walking dead. The walking dead move silently through the crowds unseen because they haven’t moved on. They’re still attached to the world. Sarah will be too if she can’t let go. Dissolve into ash, and never, ever return to Earth.

While at the mall, which is a sort of wait station, Sarah meets a couple other teens that were murdered and also last lived in New York City. We meet Bertha, the team organizer. Head honcho. She shows the teens the ropes. Each has quite a story of how they came to be there. There’s Sassy Lacey, Ancient Alice, Happy Harry (once cancer-stricken), and Nick, whose mind was “so different and intriguing”—and cute! They have some fun running around the mall (reminding me of Dawn of the Dead).

Before they move on, the teens must return to Earth and watch their funerals. This is supposed to help them let go of this world. Sarah uses her funeral to figure out who killed her. But Earth life still haunts Sarah. Her long-dead mother is visiting her dreams (the dead don’t dream) and neither knows why. She has unfinished business back on Earth. Will her new friends help?

Such a fun read. That last chapter made me gasp! I had chills and tears. I think teens (12-17) are going to gobble this up. The author has had theater training and you can feel this throughout the book. Very entertaining. Bravo!


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The Unmoving Sky Release Tour

... It's coming!

The Unmoving Sky will release in the world on May 16th, 2016 and I'm so excited--and nervous--and really excited ... but super going-out-of-my-mind and trying not to think too much. Because that what writers do. We think. Some, maybe too much, including me. As a soothsayer came into the space where I was writing to tell me. I told him, "But I'm a writer! Of course, I think too much."
I know enough to pull back, no matter how hard sometimes and have faith. Faith is something writers need in gallons. I think we wouldn't be writing and trying to become published if we weren't taking a leap of faith.
Driven by some mad passion ... Who said that?

My young adult novella launches with Leap Books, Shine imprint in FIVE WEEKS!!!
... paper bag, please.   If you, or any blogger, author, or friends would like to share in my Book Birthday Celebration you can sign up on this easy-peasy  form link.    <<<

Note from my publisher: The Unmoving Sky by K.L. Hallam, Leap Books Shine newest YA Thriller, releases on May 16th. We'd love to have you participate in our release week tour running May 16th through May 20th. We will have guest posts, interviews, and spotlight posts available. We will also be offering a $10.00 Amazon GC to one lucky winner.




#YA #Thriller #Brothers #domesticterrorism #Family 

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Bower Boys Survival Tips: Pine (Nut) Trees.

In The Unmoving Sky, Jackson Bower while lost in the woods, looks around for what he and his brother might eat nearby. He sees many pine trees, but it’s April and they're no pine nuts in the cones this time of year.



However, the pine bristle is high in Vitamin C. Which the boys could grind, or chew and add to a bottle of water for nourishment. You can make a tea with the bristles. Chop and boil for a couple of minutes. The water should turn light yellow. Add honey.

But Jackson and Artie are without a bottle of water. There’s water running everywhere. There’s a torrential, constant downpour, and streams flowing underfoot. Jackson’s primary focus is shelter, and the mighty pine tree shelters them, but in the morning … a stranger finds them. He takes the brothers back to his cave.  

Here’s a great resource for learning more about eating pine trees! 
 How to Eat a Pine Tree.  
Apparently, you can also eat the bark.  Enjoy!


The Unmoving Sky    Coming Soon!  pub's May 16, 2016.  

A Short Story from "Rooms with a Chill"

The Boat 


The winds were strong. Mom and Dad kept urging me ahead. They didn’t seem to remember how much I dislike boats. But this would be different. Different they said because the boat was a ship: an Ocean Liner. I thought that was ridiculous. It’s bigger therefore it sinks faster. “Come on, Desi,” Mom said. “Don’t you want to see the room?”Oh, great. Yes, I really want to spend time in a room with fishbowl windows, and being lashed from side-to-side. My stomach already sour, queasiness had settled there.  This was going to be a nightmare. “I bet there’ll be a few cute boys,” she said. Oh, God. She’s trying that one, again. I’m most attractive in the hue of blue and green. I rolled my eyes and pray to be close to a railing where I can jump off.  I mean, throw up.I drop my bag on the bed. I have my own room. I mean I should, I am traveling with my parents. It’s times like these I wish I had a sibling.  Now they’re going to expect me to go out there and make new friends. Why bother? It’s not likely I’ll see any of these people again.  When we take family vacations, I might meet a few people, and collect a couple numbers, but we never call each other and make plans. Usually, they’re from a hundred miles away. Sure, we friend each other on social media. But then one of us drops the mic and forgets about ever chatting again. Who cares?  After the weekend, I’ll be back home where my real friends are.  A knock. “Hi, Mom.”“Isn’t this fun, we have joining rooms if you want to use it?” “I like having a front door.” I fold my arms and sit on the very thin mattress. Great, I’ll get to feel every wave we rock over. “Want to come with us for the meet and greet?”I give her the infamous Desiree eye.“Okay, but that’s where we’ll be. Make yourself comfortable. Maybe stroll along the promenade.” She turns back before closing the door. “You all right?”I nod and unfold my arms, and if I want to get rid of her I better say, “I’ll take a walk, soon as I unpack.”She smiles, and reassures me, once again, where she and Dad will be hanging out.I sigh, heavily. Look at my watch. I better not start that. If I watch every minute till this is over it’ll feel like an eternity. I begin unpacking, and hang the black dress, of which mom thought was too serious for boat trip and for summer, inside the tiny closet. I turn for my bag and notice something on the floor in the closet.  A string? I bend over and tug on it, but the string won’t budge. I pull harder, and nothing happens.  I drop to the floor, trying to see where the string ends. This closet is larger than it looks. “AHH!” “Ahh!” Something screams back. I jump up and bang my head. “What are you doing in my room?” I ask. Some boy is sitting there, his sweater unraveling and I’m holding the end of the unravel. “Hi, nice to meet you, I’m Guy.” “Gee?”“French pronunciation. You’re American, right?” he said, with his French accent. I nod. “My parents aren’t going to like you being in my room. Why are you in the closet? You hiding from someone?”“Actually, yes I was.” His eyes look around. “The last person in this room was Dutch, very nice boy. He kept me company.”“You’re a stowaway, I get it. But you must have missed your departure. We’re leaving NYC.”“Yes, that’s what the Dutch boy told me.”“Where’d you want to go?”“I don’t know actually. I’m waiting for someone to find me. We were playing hide and seek, and I hid in here . . . and?”“Why won’t you come out of the closet, are you hungry?”“No.” “Did your parents get off already? You should come out quick before we actually depart—come on.” I try and pull him out, but my hand slips through his wrist. I try again, and again.“You’re a ghost!” “Yeah, I think I am. That’s what the Dutch boy said, too.”“Cool.” I collapse next to him. “But you aren’t one of those dangerous, and scary ghosts, right?” “Don’t think so?” “How come your sweater isn’t, um, transparent like the rest of you?”’“Some girl, from years back gave it to me. Said it helped her to see where I was.” “Oh? Can you leave the closet?”“Sure, but only in the room. I think. But once I leave the closet, you won’t see me either.”“I bet it’s the same throughout the ship.” “We could hang out. There’s never anyone to talk to on these boring trips my parents drag me on.”“Understood.” “Well, if your going to be my escort maybe we should take the sweater off, completely. Wouldn’t want to draw too much attention.”I open the closet door, and wait. He floats out, wearing the sweater and slowly disappears in the light. The sweater may have been a hundred years old from the looks of it. He takes it off and fades. “We’re going to have so much fun.” I imagine the tricks we are going to play, first on my parents and then the staff. Mom calls my cell.  “I’m heading up now, meet you there.”I turn to Guy. “Ready for some fun?” “Anything’s better than that closet.”“Good.” I’m dressed for dinner in my black dress and ready for adventure. Maybe this trip will be some kind of fun after all.

Kidlit Book Review: My Diary From the Edge of the World.

My Diary from the Edge of the World by Jodi Lynn Anderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You enter into a world of the familiar, and wham—it’s not familiar but so close. A place where encroaching forests nurture sasquatches, elves, and ghosts, who enter this Earth from deep underground caves. A place where a dark drifting cloud waits to snatch up the dying. Somewhere in Cliffden, Maine.

Twelve-year-old, Gracie Lockwood, decides to write in the diary her mother gave her, after two bad omens, both a sign that someone is about to die, and she’s going to document it. “I want to be able to prove that I knew it first.”

Our MC, Gracie, is a funny young writer. A “Tasmanian-she-devil” her father says. In the beginning, Gracie tells us she has to set the scene, which she does. And what a scene it is! Dragons fly overhead, in from the north to hibernate in South America. A time when all the townspeople take cover or use tunnels to get from place to place. The dragons have burned down the TJMAxx, and Applebees among other familiar places in this fantastical world. I love that the dragons drop scales here and there that people use for decoration. There are tales of mermaids rising from the seas to hunt. And there’s the Dark Cloud.

“Dark Clouds come for people when they die.” Waiting outside their homes. Hanging around. Gracie’s eight-year-old brother is ill. Surely it’s waiting to take him. What does the Lockwood family do?

Gracie’s family escapes. Her meteorologist, absent-minded father, her cheerful mother, who always raises the family’s spirits, an older sister, she doesn’t always see eye-to-eye with, and her beloved little brother, Sam, she calls mouse, who’s a little small for his age, and always has a cold.

The family escapes to about as far away as they can from the Dark Cloud—to the Extraordinary World! A place everyone says does not exist. On their way, Oliver, a child Gracie’s age, who has lost his family at the hands of sasquatches, is invited along for the ride in the Winnebago.

Adventure ensues! Gracie keeps us updated on all that’s happening through the writings in her diary. I enjoyed the diary aspect, very much. As a kid who kept several, I could relate. Especially the parts where she’s worried who will read it. Three cheers, to the coolest grandmother ever. When Gracie’s family and Oliver, swing by to visit, she points them in the direction of the Extraordinary World. Confirming the suspicion of Gracie’s father, while no one in the family believed him. Lost in equations, and the scientific process, the Extraordinary World could just be another hypothesis. The Lockwood family set out to find it, hoping to leave the Dark Cloud behind. After much hijinks and scary near misses, this story wraps into to a delightful and surprising discovery. Await the chill bumps!


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March Came in like a Lion.

 . . . and I'm buzzing from all of the energy!



Feels so good to be producing and being acknowledged for hard work. After years of toiling away uncertain. Uncertain if anyone will see the stories I'd spent years writing. Continuing to trust my voice even in unfamiliar, guarded territory, and learning to raise it as I step forward.


Ahhhh. I'm refreshed, but still at it. Working to create something from my imagination and mind and heart, others can share. Maybe find something of themselves the work. Otherwise, why?


I've written poetry only for myself. I needed it. Books of poetry. Handpainted and bound. My fiction became my longest commitment to paper. Growing up, I didn't believe becoming an author was a possibility. Even while I created book covers with my name on them in my tweens, or read my diary to the first-grade class. Writing a sprint of poetry after nursing a child in the twenty minutes the napped. I pursued dreams I thought I could manage, like music or illustration. If I want to keep writing in secret I can do that. Write in isolation.

Dug this up yesterday. My handmade poetry book circa 1989. View more on my Instagram account. 

But I want to live outside -- with everyone, creating conversations. Building communities and bringing people together. Communication. I love living in New York City, a large city with small communities. I talk to most everyone I meet and find myself fortunate when I hear their stories. So many STORIES. It's intoxicating! Sharing stories is part of our humanity.


So, March came in like a lion, and I've been immersed in revisions for two separate books since last summer. GITCH, my MG "Tech" Fantasy releases in 2017 with  Georgia McBride for Tantrum books. THE UNMOVING SKY is my young adult, contemporary, suspense. Launching with Leap Books this May 16, 2016!!  I'm so very excited--and nervous of course. But I'm buzzing with so much energy. The gratitude swallows the terror of WT-heck am I doing? Especially as far as all the non-writerly parts go, such as marketing and growing a business. But that's okay.

As Rick James would say . . . "Give it to me baby".     How about you? What are you excited about? Does March energy reflect your environment?   Tell me a story.

BookHounds Interviewed Me on their Blog This Week!

Do you obsessively plot out each point or just go with the flow? 

I go with the flow for the most part. When I get stuck, or the tension slows, I break and make an outline of possible worst case scenarios and head down that path, until I get stuck again and repeat the process.


Read more.     

Tacho and Coco came with me. 

Bower Boys Survival Tips: Rose Hips.

The Bower Boys from my YA novella, THE UNMOVING SKY, publishes with Leap Books, is about two brothers, 17 and 15, lost in the woods, who are found by a stranger with destructive plans. The "Bower Boys Survival Tips" are some of what they might find in the woods and could consume for energy (food), and, or medicine.    They'd find the red berries in the late autumn, and the petals during June, which can be eaten too. 



I'm updating this post from a couple years ago, and you'll have plenty of time for preparations. I bet you can find a few dried red berry still on the vine. 


After they bloom, do not deadhead your roses and you'll have rose-hips for teas, jellies, and tarts come  fall and winter.

Wild roses are abundant here in the northeast. In June, plumes of intoxicating fragrance linger throughout my yard. Their heady fragrance overflows the parkway, intoxicating my drive North from NYC.

If you don't pick the flowers, (their kind of small) and allow them to seed, you'll have delicious, nutritious rose hip tea any time of the year. The rose hip has more vitamin C than citrus.

After the first frost they turn orangey-red (see above photo) Pick and dry out, either in sun or a dehydrator.  That's it, use as you please.
Remember, of course, never pick where you suspect any pesticide runoff. 






 After you dry the rose hip completely, you can seal in an air tight jar and save for the long winter months, though this collection won't last very long.
I'll be making high in vitamin C, and bioflavonoid, tea for a few weeks with these lovelies.You can make jams. Or anything your heart desires.
ENJOY.