Kelly R. Michaels's Blog, page 2
January 1, 2018
Kindness isn't dead
Happy New Year, everyone! I could take this opportunity to document my personal experiences from 2017, but I won't. Instead, I will share a small anecdote about an experience I had that I hope embodies the spirit of what's to come for 2018.
As you may or may not know, I like to play video games. Specifically, my favorites are a few works of Bethesda--Fallout 4, Skyrim, Fallout 3, Fallout New Vegas, Oblivion, to name a few. I like other video games, of course, but RPGs (role playing games) particularly interest me. I've never been much into MMOs or MMORPGs, whereas you play online with a vast number of other players. My fiancee is really into World of Warcraft (and also Overwatch). As a result, I did make a starter account for WoW to play with him online. The controls and lore confuse me a bit, as I'm not as immersive with this as I am with the Elder Scrolls series.
Solution? Of course. Elder Scrolls Online. I played this very BRIEFLY on Beta many moons ago, when you had to wait for a ticket and play during specific Beta allotted times. So I decided to try it for reals. I purchased ESO with the Morrowind DLC. So did fiancee so we could play together.
The tutorial is much shorter than I recall, for the Coldharbour quest that is. The Morrowind DLC starts you off differently. I've made a Bosmer Nightblade who specializes in archery and dual wielding (currently level 9). Then I made a Breton Warden who also specializes in dual wielding and archery. My Breton is a level 21 right now. Fiancee enlightened me of several concepts--tanks, healers, DPS. Things I had not been aware of previously unless he talked about Overwatch or WoW.
It was a journey that was quite overwhelming at first. The world is very massive, even sites familiar from the games. Crafting, oh my god, crafting. I still don't understand crafting.
For a brief moment, I attempted the Battlegrounds--the PvP aspect. Let me start off by saying that I HATE, LOATHE, DESPISE PvP, chiefly because it clarifies how much of a terrible gamer I am. I chose the below level 50 battlegrounds, because of course, I am below level 50. This was back when I was a level 15 (see, I haven't tried it since). Everyone else on my team and the other teams were level 39, 44, 45. I had no idea what I was doing and, unsurprisingly, I died a lot.
Then they show the rankings after each game. For my very first Battleground, I didn't do so bad. I was ranked 2nd out of 4. Every time after that, I was last. It took me WAY too long that my high "D" count was not my "defensive" points that I won for our team. It was the number of times I died. I had zero kills, but I always had the highest amount of deaths. And I SWEAR to you, there was always that ONE player that always seemed to target me, probably knowing I was an easy kill.
So after that shocking and discouraging experience, I avoided player interactions altogether. So now you're probably wondering what this has to do with my blog title--Kindness isn't dead.
Well, you see, I was in Glenumbra talking to an NPC, Mighty Mordra, who directed me towards an Undaunted Quest called Spindleclutch. I arrive to the location. Only to discover that you can't enter the location unless you have a group. This was a dungeon.
A group?! At this point, I think fiancee lost interest in ESO, especially since I was playing without him on my Breton character (my Bosmer character is to play with his Khajiit). But, I needed a group. I was discouraged, again.
For those of you that don't know, there's a small chatbox in the lefthand corner of the screen that people use to talk to each other. Most of the time, it's flooded with nonsense or guild advertisements. Sometimes there's game discussions, offers to trade or sell equipment, and political rants. People socialize. Me, being the awkward butterfly that I am, avoided this chatbox like the plague. Sometimes I'd feel the urge to troll but, wisely, I'd ignore it. Fiancee teased me about my unwillingness to participate in the chat. Sometimes I'd seen fellow noobs trying to understand the complexities of the game ask for help. I'm sure they were *whispered* some helpful responses, but the public response was usually sarcasm.
I was even less inclined to interact with other players when I accidentally reset one of the boss camps. The other two players I happened to be with were rather irate. Understandably so, though.
It took about two days, but I braved the world of the chatbox. "has anyone done Spindleclutch? Apparently you need a group to do it, but I have no friends :("
See? I was trying to appeal to people's sense of pity. Because that was the only thing that was going to help me. I did receive several zone comments about how I should just join a guild or get friends.
But then something happened. I made a friend. It didn't happen instantly.
Someone *whispered* to me offering to do the dungeon with me. For those of you that don't know, a *whisper* is sort of like a private message, only you can see it (and it doesn't save to an inbox like a private message). The player in question was rather friendly and offered to meet me there. S/he added me to a group so I could travel to the player's location at the dungeon. S/he had another player/friend with them, a templar/healer character. The initial S/he player was a tank. They asked me what role I was. I tried to explain that I wasn't sure but I thought I was a dps and explained my currently skill lines. Both were very friendly and welcoming overall.
Also, both tank and healer were over level 40 something with their current characters. I'm sure they've already pushed past the level 50 cap on their normal characters. I was like an ant among gods.
So we did the dungeon! I only died once. Healer even let me know when I was about to miss a chest of loot. Healer also, at the end, traded me a level 38 something bow while I gave them a rather pathetic set of prayer boots from my level. Healer was all like, "I know you can't use it now, but maybe later?" and I was like, "Heck yeah!"
THEN they invited me to another dungeon! I accepted and we split up to drop off our inventory. We met back up in a main marketplace a few minutes later. They were doing player duels. Healer invited me to a duel, I accepted, warning Healer I was going to die. Healer brushed it off, saying it was okay, and it was still fun. And it was. We dueled twice and I died both times. But it was still a good experience.
Then we did the second dungeon. I got some more loot and experience. I didn't die at all. At the end, Tank and Healer told me to ask them any questions if I was confused about anything. So helpful! I talked about Fallout a little bit. They were friendly. We added each other as friends. Then Tank had to leave.
I haven't spoken to either of them since this dungeon encounter. I doubt I will reach out to them in the future, given my anxiety. But still. It was fun and I was excitedly telling fiancee about their kindness. As an MMO veteran, he got a chuckle out of my excitement and agreed that you can find people like that sometimes in the sea of douchebags.
So, my way to be just as inspiring, I have my character play the lute or dance in busy player areas. Most of the time, other players ignore me. I get a few, though, that join me in dancing or playing an instrument. I always think it's cool to see that.
I know that this blog post has had NOTHING to do with writing, but it was nice to type my experience.
As you may or may not know, I like to play video games. Specifically, my favorites are a few works of Bethesda--Fallout 4, Skyrim, Fallout 3, Fallout New Vegas, Oblivion, to name a few. I like other video games, of course, but RPGs (role playing games) particularly interest me. I've never been much into MMOs or MMORPGs, whereas you play online with a vast number of other players. My fiancee is really into World of Warcraft (and also Overwatch). As a result, I did make a starter account for WoW to play with him online. The controls and lore confuse me a bit, as I'm not as immersive with this as I am with the Elder Scrolls series.
Solution? Of course. Elder Scrolls Online. I played this very BRIEFLY on Beta many moons ago, when you had to wait for a ticket and play during specific Beta allotted times. So I decided to try it for reals. I purchased ESO with the Morrowind DLC. So did fiancee so we could play together.
The tutorial is much shorter than I recall, for the Coldharbour quest that is. The Morrowind DLC starts you off differently. I've made a Bosmer Nightblade who specializes in archery and dual wielding (currently level 9). Then I made a Breton Warden who also specializes in dual wielding and archery. My Breton is a level 21 right now. Fiancee enlightened me of several concepts--tanks, healers, DPS. Things I had not been aware of previously unless he talked about Overwatch or WoW.
It was a journey that was quite overwhelming at first. The world is very massive, even sites familiar from the games. Crafting, oh my god, crafting. I still don't understand crafting.
For a brief moment, I attempted the Battlegrounds--the PvP aspect. Let me start off by saying that I HATE, LOATHE, DESPISE PvP, chiefly because it clarifies how much of a terrible gamer I am. I chose the below level 50 battlegrounds, because of course, I am below level 50. This was back when I was a level 15 (see, I haven't tried it since). Everyone else on my team and the other teams were level 39, 44, 45. I had no idea what I was doing and, unsurprisingly, I died a lot.
Then they show the rankings after each game. For my very first Battleground, I didn't do so bad. I was ranked 2nd out of 4. Every time after that, I was last. It took me WAY too long that my high "D" count was not my "defensive" points that I won for our team. It was the number of times I died. I had zero kills, but I always had the highest amount of deaths. And I SWEAR to you, there was always that ONE player that always seemed to target me, probably knowing I was an easy kill.
So after that shocking and discouraging experience, I avoided player interactions altogether. So now you're probably wondering what this has to do with my blog title--Kindness isn't dead.
Well, you see, I was in Glenumbra talking to an NPC, Mighty Mordra, who directed me towards an Undaunted Quest called Spindleclutch. I arrive to the location. Only to discover that you can't enter the location unless you have a group. This was a dungeon.
A group?! At this point, I think fiancee lost interest in ESO, especially since I was playing without him on my Breton character (my Bosmer character is to play with his Khajiit). But, I needed a group. I was discouraged, again.
For those of you that don't know, there's a small chatbox in the lefthand corner of the screen that people use to talk to each other. Most of the time, it's flooded with nonsense or guild advertisements. Sometimes there's game discussions, offers to trade or sell equipment, and political rants. People socialize. Me, being the awkward butterfly that I am, avoided this chatbox like the plague. Sometimes I'd feel the urge to troll but, wisely, I'd ignore it. Fiancee teased me about my unwillingness to participate in the chat. Sometimes I'd seen fellow noobs trying to understand the complexities of the game ask for help. I'm sure they were *whispered* some helpful responses, but the public response was usually sarcasm.
I was even less inclined to interact with other players when I accidentally reset one of the boss camps. The other two players I happened to be with were rather irate. Understandably so, though.
It took about two days, but I braved the world of the chatbox. "has anyone done Spindleclutch? Apparently you need a group to do it, but I have no friends :("
See? I was trying to appeal to people's sense of pity. Because that was the only thing that was going to help me. I did receive several zone comments about how I should just join a guild or get friends.
But then something happened. I made a friend. It didn't happen instantly.
Someone *whispered* to me offering to do the dungeon with me. For those of you that don't know, a *whisper* is sort of like a private message, only you can see it (and it doesn't save to an inbox like a private message). The player in question was rather friendly and offered to meet me there. S/he added me to a group so I could travel to the player's location at the dungeon. S/he had another player/friend with them, a templar/healer character. The initial S/he player was a tank. They asked me what role I was. I tried to explain that I wasn't sure but I thought I was a dps and explained my currently skill lines. Both were very friendly and welcoming overall.
Also, both tank and healer were over level 40 something with their current characters. I'm sure they've already pushed past the level 50 cap on their normal characters. I was like an ant among gods.
So we did the dungeon! I only died once. Healer even let me know when I was about to miss a chest of loot. Healer also, at the end, traded me a level 38 something bow while I gave them a rather pathetic set of prayer boots from my level. Healer was all like, "I know you can't use it now, but maybe later?" and I was like, "Heck yeah!"
THEN they invited me to another dungeon! I accepted and we split up to drop off our inventory. We met back up in a main marketplace a few minutes later. They were doing player duels. Healer invited me to a duel, I accepted, warning Healer I was going to die. Healer brushed it off, saying it was okay, and it was still fun. And it was. We dueled twice and I died both times. But it was still a good experience.
Then we did the second dungeon. I got some more loot and experience. I didn't die at all. At the end, Tank and Healer told me to ask them any questions if I was confused about anything. So helpful! I talked about Fallout a little bit. They were friendly. We added each other as friends. Then Tank had to leave.
I haven't spoken to either of them since this dungeon encounter. I doubt I will reach out to them in the future, given my anxiety. But still. It was fun and I was excitedly telling fiancee about their kindness. As an MMO veteran, he got a chuckle out of my excitement and agreed that you can find people like that sometimes in the sea of douchebags.
So, my way to be just as inspiring, I have my character play the lute or dance in busy player areas. Most of the time, other players ignore me. I get a few, though, that join me in dancing or playing an instrument. I always think it's cool to see that.
I know that this blog post has had NOTHING to do with writing, but it was nice to type my experience.
December 10, 2017
What gives?
"Yo, Kelly. It's been two years since you've released a book. What gives?"
Or, 'the big question', as my lovely editor has so eloquently phrased it.I described in depth the personal issues regarding this question on my Dreamwidth blog. But I doubt many of you have access to such. So, here's the shortened version:
A lot.
Wow, that's super vague. Let me explain. In the past year alone, my life has undergone new changes. A new career. New schedule. New relationship. Engagement. Several different living arrangements. It's been an adjustment period, to say the least.
I'll spare you of the super personal details that comprised my life during the year 2016. Back to books--
That's not to say that there has been no progress made. Because there has. It just hasn't been significant. And I'm sorry for that.
There are two projects I attempted to work on simultaneously. The Midwinter Fairytale and Queen of the Pyre. My plan was to finish the former first. And, I did. In a sense. It was been much evolved since it's original conception. I wanted to work on something different from The Silver Crown series, start new projects. For some reason, I felt as though Midwinter was the answer.
Much time has passed since that frame of mind, and I am disinclined to agree with my former self. Putting it simply, it's been difficult editing, and I think that stems from my own detachment and the new style I tried for this book. And I am not so sure that I achieved the effect I initially desired. I know that I haven't.
Meanwhile, Queen has sat in its lonely folder at about 18k words, as I worked on it off and on again. Then when Midwinter became *mostly* completed, it seemed to demand my attention. Then I felt guilty for not completing Midwinter, and then I felt guilty for not completing anything.
The editing process began, and instead of completing the final touches of Midwinter, I worked on Queen. And then I worked on it some. And then I worked on it some more. And then when I would read through Midwinter's draft for edits, I found just how much I had grown apart from it.
So I had conversation with my editor. It was hard for me to give up on something. But I haven't *given up* on this. I've placed it on hold for the moment so I can focus my energy on Queen. Because if I wasn't feeling it for Midwinter, how could I expect anyone--my editor, my readers, to feel it? It wouldn't be a fair expectation. I know I can make it better. I didn't settle on Archer's first draft and rightly so. I thought that maybe with the new style I had attempted for Midwinter I could get a product out faster. But a quicker product is no substitute for the BEST product.
So, I'm going to be moving forward with Queen. I've teased it enough. I want to get it out as soon as possible. And I will update when I have news on that. Thank you all for your patience with my endeavors!
-krm
Or, 'the big question', as my lovely editor has so eloquently phrased it.I described in depth the personal issues regarding this question on my Dreamwidth blog. But I doubt many of you have access to such. So, here's the shortened version:
A lot.
Wow, that's super vague. Let me explain. In the past year alone, my life has undergone new changes. A new career. New schedule. New relationship. Engagement. Several different living arrangements. It's been an adjustment period, to say the least.
I'll spare you of the super personal details that comprised my life during the year 2016. Back to books--
That's not to say that there has been no progress made. Because there has. It just hasn't been significant. And I'm sorry for that.
There are two projects I attempted to work on simultaneously. The Midwinter Fairytale and Queen of the Pyre. My plan was to finish the former first. And, I did. In a sense. It was been much evolved since it's original conception. I wanted to work on something different from The Silver Crown series, start new projects. For some reason, I felt as though Midwinter was the answer.
Much time has passed since that frame of mind, and I am disinclined to agree with my former self. Putting it simply, it's been difficult editing, and I think that stems from my own detachment and the new style I tried for this book. And I am not so sure that I achieved the effect I initially desired. I know that I haven't.
Meanwhile, Queen has sat in its lonely folder at about 18k words, as I worked on it off and on again. Then when Midwinter became *mostly* completed, it seemed to demand my attention. Then I felt guilty for not completing Midwinter, and then I felt guilty for not completing anything.
The editing process began, and instead of completing the final touches of Midwinter, I worked on Queen. And then I worked on it some. And then I worked on it some more. And then when I would read through Midwinter's draft for edits, I found just how much I had grown apart from it.
So I had conversation with my editor. It was hard for me to give up on something. But I haven't *given up* on this. I've placed it on hold for the moment so I can focus my energy on Queen. Because if I wasn't feeling it for Midwinter, how could I expect anyone--my editor, my readers, to feel it? It wouldn't be a fair expectation. I know I can make it better. I didn't settle on Archer's first draft and rightly so. I thought that maybe with the new style I had attempted for Midwinter I could get a product out faster. But a quicker product is no substitute for the BEST product.
So, I'm going to be moving forward with Queen. I've teased it enough. I want to get it out as soon as possible. And I will update when I have news on that. Thank you all for your patience with my endeavors!
-krm
October 11, 2017
Queen Teaser
Hello everyone! I know everyone has been patient since I released Queen's cover art, I've also recently added the book listing to Goodreads! And, more good news! I have a small teaser for you! I'm adding it as a document to this blog post and a link to the teaser on Wattpad which allows you to read for free.
Click here to read Queen of the Pyre's teaser chapter on Wattpad.
Click here to read Queen of the Pyre's teaser chapter on Wattpad.
June 6, 2017
A Voice for Science
This was a post I wrote two years ago on Facebook. I re-shared it a year ago on the Facebook because I felt it was applicable. And I shared it again this year, while simultaneously deciding to share this on my blog for archival purposes. It deals with a discussion on accepting science & truth, tolerating vs. acceptance, and compassion and empathy. Take a moment, if you will, to peruse these thoughts.
Excuse me while I step on my soap box here.
"Where suspicion fills the air and holds scholars in line for fear of their jobs, there can be no exercise of the free intellect. . . . A problem can no longer be pursued with impunity to its edges. Fear stalks the classroom. The teacher is no longer a stimulant to adventurous thinking; (s)he becomes instead a pipe line for safe and sound information. A deadening dogma takes the place of free inquiry. Instruction tends to become sterile; pursuit of knowledge is discouraged; discussion often leaves off where it should begin."
Justice William O. Douglas,
United States Supreme Court:
Adler v. Board of Education, 1951.
Censorship was a discussion in my Young Adult Literature class today, but I believe this line of thinking can be similarly applied to a lot of current issues swirling through *current*, current events and especially science.
I find myself struggling with how I approach and respond to differing opinions. Especially since that, typically, expressing a countering opinion will not result in fully enlightened individuals. It usually elicits reactions of cruel temper. You can hold your own opinion while maintaining respect.
But I question a blatant refusal to even consider other perspectives, other sources of information. It's a difficult consideration of approach, it's considered "bigoted" to name this way of thinking as obtuse, but a narrow-minded scope is nothing but sectarian and therefore inflammatory. The parameters of those refusing to consider these other perspectives inherently describe something that is invidious.
If you accept one law of truth, how can you dismiss something of the same strain? ESPECIALLY on the basis of a text that is antiquated and has been countlessly altered over the course of history to fit the needs of various churches, monarch, and linguistic specifications over the necessity of accuracy.
Do you deny the existence of hermaphrodites? Are you aware of the shockingly high number of individuals born with both or ambiguous genitalia? Because they are out there.
Did you know that homosexuality is biologically linked to brain development in the womb? There are direct links to amygdala size and fetal hormone exposure. Gender identity is no different, especially since the whole concept of gender is a socially manufactured one to deepen the divisive rifts among humanity.
To dismiss their existence because of the will of some higher cosmic force is not only a narrow-minded approach but a willfully ignorant one. Plus, it is ultimately deprecating and destructive.
Is the earth not round? Does gravity not keep us tethered to its surface? Science is not a choice; it's not an alternative to church or religion. It's an active and ever-adapting pursuit of truth. It ignores the irrelevant social barriers and divisive roles humanity seems so fond of and strives to explain—everything.
So you may not be homosexual, bisexual, transgender, or queer of any sort and thus believe that these individuals are wrong. But you may not invalidate their existence on the basis of your creed, because it does not withstand any line of logical thinking. You cannot disclaim it, because, simply, it is.
You may not agree with me; but you don't have to. There is essentially nothing to agree or disagree with, because it is. But there is a what is and what isn't beyond my grasp and science's and that is the treatment of these people.
Agreeing, tolerating, and accepting hold totally different definitions. In your frame of mind, you may think you don't agree with these individuals. There's nothing I or anyone else can do to penetrate that, unless something inspires you to take a step forward and seek Truth itself. I am complacent in this, because changing the foundation of someone's way of thinking is beyond my capabilities.
So you may not "agree."
Most people diffidently proclaim their "tolerance" of such people and nothing more. Tolerance isn't enough. Tolerance is an implication that you are taking great measures to put up with them; that acknowledging their existence is something that they don't deserve.
Your fellow human doesn't deserve the basic decency of being accepted AS A HUMAN? Acceptance should be the forefront of anyone's priority. Compassion and acceptance.
I'm leaving this off by linking an article by Amanda Palmer about empathy, which I believe nicely and summarily ties in with the message I am trying to convey.
http://www.newstatesman.com/2015/05/playing-hitler-card
"Playing the Hitler Card" by Amanda Fucking Palmer
"We live in an age of endless, foaming outrage. The only answer is to try to feel empathy for other people, no matter who they are."
If you've read this far, thank you for taking the time to validate my opinion enough by simply reading it.
-krm
Excuse me while I step on my soap box here.
"Where suspicion fills the air and holds scholars in line for fear of their jobs, there can be no exercise of the free intellect. . . . A problem can no longer be pursued with impunity to its edges. Fear stalks the classroom. The teacher is no longer a stimulant to adventurous thinking; (s)he becomes instead a pipe line for safe and sound information. A deadening dogma takes the place of free inquiry. Instruction tends to become sterile; pursuit of knowledge is discouraged; discussion often leaves off where it should begin."
Justice William O. Douglas,
United States Supreme Court:
Adler v. Board of Education, 1951.
Censorship was a discussion in my Young Adult Literature class today, but I believe this line of thinking can be similarly applied to a lot of current issues swirling through *current*, current events and especially science.
I find myself struggling with how I approach and respond to differing opinions. Especially since that, typically, expressing a countering opinion will not result in fully enlightened individuals. It usually elicits reactions of cruel temper. You can hold your own opinion while maintaining respect.
But I question a blatant refusal to even consider other perspectives, other sources of information. It's a difficult consideration of approach, it's considered "bigoted" to name this way of thinking as obtuse, but a narrow-minded scope is nothing but sectarian and therefore inflammatory. The parameters of those refusing to consider these other perspectives inherently describe something that is invidious.
If you accept one law of truth, how can you dismiss something of the same strain? ESPECIALLY on the basis of a text that is antiquated and has been countlessly altered over the course of history to fit the needs of various churches, monarch, and linguistic specifications over the necessity of accuracy.
Do you deny the existence of hermaphrodites? Are you aware of the shockingly high number of individuals born with both or ambiguous genitalia? Because they are out there.
Did you know that homosexuality is biologically linked to brain development in the womb? There are direct links to amygdala size and fetal hormone exposure. Gender identity is no different, especially since the whole concept of gender is a socially manufactured one to deepen the divisive rifts among humanity.
To dismiss their existence because of the will of some higher cosmic force is not only a narrow-minded approach but a willfully ignorant one. Plus, it is ultimately deprecating and destructive.
Is the earth not round? Does gravity not keep us tethered to its surface? Science is not a choice; it's not an alternative to church or religion. It's an active and ever-adapting pursuit of truth. It ignores the irrelevant social barriers and divisive roles humanity seems so fond of and strives to explain—everything.
So you may not be homosexual, bisexual, transgender, or queer of any sort and thus believe that these individuals are wrong. But you may not invalidate their existence on the basis of your creed, because it does not withstand any line of logical thinking. You cannot disclaim it, because, simply, it is.
You may not agree with me; but you don't have to. There is essentially nothing to agree or disagree with, because it is. But there is a what is and what isn't beyond my grasp and science's and that is the treatment of these people.
Agreeing, tolerating, and accepting hold totally different definitions. In your frame of mind, you may think you don't agree with these individuals. There's nothing I or anyone else can do to penetrate that, unless something inspires you to take a step forward and seek Truth itself. I am complacent in this, because changing the foundation of someone's way of thinking is beyond my capabilities.
So you may not "agree."
Most people diffidently proclaim their "tolerance" of such people and nothing more. Tolerance isn't enough. Tolerance is an implication that you are taking great measures to put up with them; that acknowledging their existence is something that they don't deserve.
Your fellow human doesn't deserve the basic decency of being accepted AS A HUMAN? Acceptance should be the forefront of anyone's priority. Compassion and acceptance.
I'm leaving this off by linking an article by Amanda Palmer about empathy, which I believe nicely and summarily ties in with the message I am trying to convey.
http://www.newstatesman.com/2015/05/playing-hitler-card
"Playing the Hitler Card" by Amanda Fucking Palmer
"We live in an age of endless, foaming outrage. The only answer is to try to feel empathy for other people, no matter who they are."
If you've read this far, thank you for taking the time to validate my opinion enough by simply reading it.
-krm
May 30, 2017
Summer Lovin'
So, within the hour, I shall be leaving to take the Miller Analogies Test (or MAT). What is this test, you may ask? It's an alternative exam to the GRE for Graduate Admissions. That's right, I'm applying fro Grad School. I'm trying to get my Masters.
I've been emailing the Director of English a few times. If accepted, I would start in 2018. My transcripts have already been ordered and I've filled out the application. All that's left is to take this test. It helps to have mi amor supporting me and these foolish ideas that fill my head.
Then! Thursday is moving day! I sign the lease agreement with mi amor and then we can start living in our apartment together. So exciting. Today we've been together four months. And two days we start living with each other. It feels as though it's been so much longer than that.
In other news, my summer is going to be filled with (hopefully) relaxing days at the beach with mi amor and then family, preparing myself for next school year, and then working away furiously on my books (as I've already teased)
I've been emailing the Director of English a few times. If accepted, I would start in 2018. My transcripts have already been ordered and I've filled out the application. All that's left is to take this test. It helps to have mi amor supporting me and these foolish ideas that fill my head.
Then! Thursday is moving day! I sign the lease agreement with mi amor and then we can start living in our apartment together. So exciting. Today we've been together four months. And two days we start living with each other. It feels as though it's been so much longer than that.
In other news, my summer is going to be filled with (hopefully) relaxing days at the beach with mi amor and then family, preparing myself for next school year, and then working away furiously on my books (as I've already teased)
May 27, 2017
New Cover Reveal
How to announce a new book:1. Post cover art
2. Say nothing
...
Answer absolutely no questions
...
Avoid and deflect every question
May 6, 2017
May 1, 2017
Some minor progress, but upcoming news?
Hello, everyone! I know it's been a while since I made an official update here on the blog. Where I last left you, I had just graduated college and I was stressing about finding a job. I am happy to report that I very quickly found a teaching job to kick off my teach career! I'm teaching ninth grade English, and this week and the past several weeks we've actually been in the dreary midst of state testing. Teaching, believe it or not, has left little time for writing. But I have actually made some progress on The Midwinter Fairytale!
It's been a slower process than I would like, but some progress has been made. It makes me hopeful for having this completed sooner than I thought (because if we're talking about JUST the drafting progress for Midwinter, it has sat alone, in a dark room for quite a while. We're not going to even MENTION it's planning). I know that there are several articles out there (Stephen King comes to mind) about how you shouldn't continue a project after so long because you won't be as inspired for it any more. But I'm working, and I don't feel any less uninspired. Just overwhelmed and busy in other ares of my life that takes time away from writing. But I get summers off now so, good?
Also, I got some very exciting news today. I got approved for an apartment that I applied for, which is exciting. So now I have a place to live!
So, I'm going to leave a brief excerpt from Midwinter to tease and to assure work is being done on it. Good night everyone!
"She is dancing
with fire in her cheeks,
fire in her eyes,
her face aglow with wondrous delight.
Her partner is the brightest star itself,
the brilliant, glorious sun.
He is radiant.
He is noble.
And, breathless, she can't make sense
of how
and why
he doesn't burn her up
in his ever-reaching light.
But the light, she realizes,
is more than sheer heat.
It is life
and it is love."
-krm
It's been a slower process than I would like, but some progress has been made. It makes me hopeful for having this completed sooner than I thought (because if we're talking about JUST the drafting progress for Midwinter, it has sat alone, in a dark room for quite a while. We're not going to even MENTION it's planning). I know that there are several articles out there (Stephen King comes to mind) about how you shouldn't continue a project after so long because you won't be as inspired for it any more. But I'm working, and I don't feel any less uninspired. Just overwhelmed and busy in other ares of my life that takes time away from writing. But I get summers off now so, good?
Also, I got some very exciting news today. I got approved for an apartment that I applied for, which is exciting. So now I have a place to live!
So, I'm going to leave a brief excerpt from Midwinter to tease and to assure work is being done on it. Good night everyone!
"She is dancing
with fire in her cheeks,
fire in her eyes,
her face aglow with wondrous delight.
Her partner is the brightest star itself,
the brilliant, glorious sun.
He is radiant.
He is noble.
And, breathless, she can't make sense
of how
and why
he doesn't burn her up
in his ever-reaching light.
But the light, she realizes,
is more than sheer heat.
It is life
and it is love."
-krm
December 12, 2016
December Happenstances
The author poses post-commencement with her maternal grandmother. December 10th, 2016. Hello, everyone! I know it's been a while since my last blog. Allow me to take a moment ot detail some of the happenings of my life.December 11th, 2014 - The author's mother passes away.
December 11th, 2015 - The author publishes her second novel Prince of the Vale.
December 10th, 2016 - The author graduates college with her second undergrad degree.
It's not coincidence that I placed Prince's publication date on the year after my mom passed. When she died in 2014 I was mostly finished with its draft. She hadn't read it, but I had shared some key details and inner workings of the plot I was developing. I won't go into detail about Prince, as I've done that before for Mother's Day, reminiscing on my mother's influence over my second book.
But my mother still holds a great influence over my life. Prince was ready for release a month before the December date I had set. But one of the major reasons I chose that date, is because, first, obviously, it was the year mark since my mother had died. More significantly, if I were to associate a significant accomplishment on this sacred day rather than the overwhelming sense of loss. I dedicated the book to her; and I'd like to imagine that she would be proud of me. I know she would.
This past Saturday, the 10th, I graduated college, finally! The ceremony was quick and the day was fantastic. I loved seeing so many of my friends and family there to support me. I can't articulate just how amazing it was to be surrounded by so many people you love and who love you in return. The fact that my graduation ceremony was one day before the two year mark of my mother's passing was wholly coincidence and unplanned. But, like with the release of my book, I hope to associate yet another accomplishment with this time of year/month that I know she would be proud of.
So, this signals the end of my undergrad career. Plans to pursue grad school are being entertained for the however distant future. Current employment opportunities are being considered with, rest assured, the utmost of scrutiny, anxiety, and agony, despite what everyone might believe about me being a calm, dismissive individual over the subject. I don't like discussing it because then the stress sends me whirling into an anxiety attack. And I've finished, for now. Let me enjoy my moment.
But, one thing is certain. I will continue writing. Now that I've completed my internship (pending tomorrow) and collegiate work, I shall--hopefully--have more time to spend for this endeavor.
Cheers,
krm
August 1, 2016
Midwinter Inspiration
I don't like revealing a lot on a book that I haven't released yet. But I wanted to answer one of Goodread's author question to decompress about the school and work stress lately by focusing on my writing. So here is some inspiration behind The Midwinter Fairytale.
It's QUITE evolved from its original conception.
When I first wrote ARCHER OF THE LAKE, I had a dream that inspired a new story (much like how a dream inspired ARCHER). This original story was centered around a missing queen, medieval-type setting complete with monasteries, forbidden love, knights. That story was called "The Runewell Fairytale."
During the editing process for ARCHER, I became too busy to continue work on "Runewell." And the first six chapters sat abandoned for a while. When ARCHER's rewrite was finished (what most resembles the book now), my attention shifted to its untitled sequel (now PRINCE OF THE VALE). During the off and on phases of writing PRINCE, I would dabble on "Runewell" and other projects that never came to fruition. I restarted "Runewell" a few times. Decided to make it a 'lyrical' project, where its written in poetic (freestyle) format rather than prose. However, by then, the story grew stale on me, I wasn't as inspired by it.
That was over the course of the three years afters after I had initially finished ARCHER's first draft. I never made a concerted enough effort that had devoted enough time writing it to make a worthwhile project. Meanwhile, I wrote PRINCE OF THE VALE, edited it, and finished it. I was also attending college, and at some point, I took a required English class over medieval literature. My professor went over some medieval pieces that involved supernatural elements. And I became inexplicably inspired.
I didn't have a specific story in mind while taking this class. But I was inspired by texts such as "Thomas the Rhymer," "Troilus and Crisede," and "Land of Cockaigne." At the time, I was also experiencing some deep soul-searching concerning my spirituality. I won't go into too much detail about that, since it's all personal, but it also had effect on things.
At some point during this period of inspiration (I drew a LOT of inspiration from my college classes), I revisited the drafts for "Runewell." And suddenly, story elements changed. The missing queen became a princess and shifted away from being the sole protagonist of the story. I added a lot of medieval references--Thomas the Rhymer is a character, Cocaigne is actually a kingdom, Constanius is a reference to Holy Roman Emperor Constantine, Elf Land exists. Not only that, but I created a lot of Biblical and classical references and allusions--Cain is the name of the troubled hero, Lilith has a role, King Oberon, Maeve.
Then I realized that the name "Runewell" didn't have a place as the title. "Runewell" was a realm that didn't exist in this new story. Really, the only elements salvaged from Runewell were a few names (chiefly, Myria), the medieval setting, and the theme of a missing queen/princess. A new title was needed. "The Runewell Fairytale" never sat well with me anyway. The original story didn't feel like a fairytale. I switched between a few options and variations of "The King of Elf Land," but I thought that was too close to "The King of Elfland's Daughter," and I didn't want to ride off of un-originality.
So then, once I decided upon having "Oberon" and "Maeve" as characters (more in name than in appearance), I went to Shakespeare. And THE MIDWINTER FAIRYTALE was born, inspired from "The Midsummer Night's Dream."
It's still written in lyrical format. Also hailing back to Shakespeare, I decided to format the story into acts and scenes. Of course, now it's getting much larger than I had originally planned.
It's QUITE evolved from its original conception.
When I first wrote ARCHER OF THE LAKE, I had a dream that inspired a new story (much like how a dream inspired ARCHER). This original story was centered around a missing queen, medieval-type setting complete with monasteries, forbidden love, knights. That story was called "The Runewell Fairytale."
During the editing process for ARCHER, I became too busy to continue work on "Runewell." And the first six chapters sat abandoned for a while. When ARCHER's rewrite was finished (what most resembles the book now), my attention shifted to its untitled sequel (now PRINCE OF THE VALE). During the off and on phases of writing PRINCE, I would dabble on "Runewell" and other projects that never came to fruition. I restarted "Runewell" a few times. Decided to make it a 'lyrical' project, where its written in poetic (freestyle) format rather than prose. However, by then, the story grew stale on me, I wasn't as inspired by it.
That was over the course of the three years afters after I had initially finished ARCHER's first draft. I never made a concerted enough effort that had devoted enough time writing it to make a worthwhile project. Meanwhile, I wrote PRINCE OF THE VALE, edited it, and finished it. I was also attending college, and at some point, I took a required English class over medieval literature. My professor went over some medieval pieces that involved supernatural elements. And I became inexplicably inspired.
I didn't have a specific story in mind while taking this class. But I was inspired by texts such as "Thomas the Rhymer," "Troilus and Crisede," and "Land of Cockaigne." At the time, I was also experiencing some deep soul-searching concerning my spirituality. I won't go into too much detail about that, since it's all personal, but it also had effect on things.
At some point during this period of inspiration (I drew a LOT of inspiration from my college classes), I revisited the drafts for "Runewell." And suddenly, story elements changed. The missing queen became a princess and shifted away from being the sole protagonist of the story. I added a lot of medieval references--Thomas the Rhymer is a character, Cocaigne is actually a kingdom, Constanius is a reference to Holy Roman Emperor Constantine, Elf Land exists. Not only that, but I created a lot of Biblical and classical references and allusions--Cain is the name of the troubled hero, Lilith has a role, King Oberon, Maeve.
Then I realized that the name "Runewell" didn't have a place as the title. "Runewell" was a realm that didn't exist in this new story. Really, the only elements salvaged from Runewell were a few names (chiefly, Myria), the medieval setting, and the theme of a missing queen/princess. A new title was needed. "The Runewell Fairytale" never sat well with me anyway. The original story didn't feel like a fairytale. I switched between a few options and variations of "The King of Elf Land," but I thought that was too close to "The King of Elfland's Daughter," and I didn't want to ride off of un-originality.
So then, once I decided upon having "Oberon" and "Maeve" as characters (more in name than in appearance), I went to Shakespeare. And THE MIDWINTER FAIRYTALE was born, inspired from "The Midsummer Night's Dream."
It's still written in lyrical format. Also hailing back to Shakespeare, I decided to format the story into acts and scenes. Of course, now it's getting much larger than I had originally planned.
