Kern Carter's Blog, page 188

Progress

I remember my first book reading earlier this year. Only four kids showed up, all sitting in the front row attentively listening and asking questions for over an hour. I enjoyed every moment of it, and gave them all a copy of my novel before I left.

Fast forward to my book reading this past week at Father Bressani. Three full classes with chairs set up inside of the school library. It wasn’t the largest overall group I’ve read to, but definitely the largest group of students. For me it was amazing, just seeing all those eyes and ears focused on my message; young people curious about the themes of my book, how I got to the point of actually writing a book, and just asking questions about life.

For me it represents progress, it confirms that I’m taking the right steps and more and more people are seeing value in my novel and its themes. I also took part in the Branded Conference in Toronto as a Consultant. The best part of that day for me was meeting all the other consultants and being inspired by what they’ve done and the path they’re heading down. It was also fun guiding all the eager entrepreneurs and sharing my knowledge and experiences to help them find their own path.

All in all, this was a good week. Met a lot of incredible people and continued to do what I set out to do since the first day I started writing this book and that’s touch people with my words.

Till next time…

 

Progress

I remember my first book reading earlier this year. Only four kids showed up, all sitting in the front row attentively listening and asking questions for over an hour. I enjoyed every moment of it, and gave them all a copy of my novel before I left.

Fast forward to my book reading this past week at Father Bressani. Three full classes with chairs set up inside of the school library. It wasn’t the largest overall group I’ve read to, but definitely the largest group of students. For me it was amazing, just seeing all those eyes and ears focused on my message; young people curious about the themes of my book, how I got to the point of actually writing a book, and just asking questions about life.

For me it represents progress, it confirms that I’m taking the right steps and more and more people are seeing value in my novel and its themes. I also took part in the Branded Conference in Toronto as a Consultant. The best part of that day for me was meeting all the other consultants and being inspired by what they’ve done and the path they’re heading down. It was also fun guiding all the eager entrepreneurs and sharing my knowledge and experiences to help them find their own path.

All in all, this was a good week. Met a lot of incredible people and continued to do what I set out to do since the first day I started writing this book and that’s touch people with my words.

Till next time…

 

Words of Encouragement

Moment by moment…day by day…everything is coming together.  

I’ve really been focusing on all the amazing events that have happened or are happening rather than looking ahead to all the things I still want to happen. Doing this has allowed me to be much more thankful and to actually recognize how amazing this journey has been.

If you haven’t had a chance, check out the “Words of Encouragement” tab on my site. I put three emails I received from readers of “Thoughts of a Fractured Soul” (minus their names). Although I had plenty to choose from, these three meant the most to me for different reasons, whether it was who it came from or what they actually said. One of the emails is from a young student who actually had a life changing moment after I did a reading at their school! I can’t tell you how amazing that feels to know my words have touched someone to that extent.

All of their words have been incredibly inspiring and one of the many reasons I continue to push forward on the journey with this novel. The “Words of Encouragement” tab also has a link to other public reviews and The “Media” tab has a positive review from Writers Digest.

Great things happen everyday, we just have to appreciate it.

Till next time….

Words of Encouragement

Moment by moment…day by day…everything is coming together.  

I’ve really been focusing on all the amazing events that have happened or are happening rather than looking ahead to all the things I still want to happen. Doing this has allowed me to be do much more thankful and to actually recognize how amazing this journey has been.

If you haven’t had a chance, check out the “Words of Encouragement” tab on my site. I put three emails I received from readers of “Thoughts of a Fractured Soul” (minus their names). Although I had plenty to choose from, these three meant the most to me for different reasons, whether it was who it came from or what they actually said. One of the emails is from a young student who actually had a life changing moment after I did a reading at their school! I can’t tell you how amazing that feels to know my words have touched someone to that extent.

All of their words have been incredibly inspiring and one of the many reasons I continue to push forward on the journey with this novel. The “Words of Encouragement” tab also has a link to other public reviews and The “Media” tab has a positive review from Writers Digest.

Great things happen everyday, we just have to appreciate it.

Till next time….

 

Boys Will be Boys: My Talk at Westview Collegiate

What a great experience! Just last week I visited Westview Collegiate for the first time, a public high school in the Jane and Finch area here in Toronto. Less than a week later I was in front of an all boys grade 9 class who are part of a specialized program studying goal setting and the dealing with the transition period both socially and professionally.

A lot of people wrongly have the concern that young people are inattentive and not particularly interested in anything that doesn’t involve or benefit them. But since I’ve started making appearances at high schools in and around Toronto to discuss my novel and the themes surrounding it, my experience has been the exact opposite. All of the students at all of the schools I have spoken at have been completely engaged and have asked questions both during and after my presentation. I’ve even had students email me days and weeks after my being there to talk about the impact of my novel and my message.

Yesterday was no different, and the boys had questions that were personal and challenged me to be completely open and honest with who I was and what I’ve been through, but they also asked questions about following their passion, about choosing careers, and of course about making money.

It was a great feeling to actually be a source of reliable information. I hope to see these guys two or three years down the line and learn where they’ve ended up. Potential is in all of us, but it’s like you can actually see and feel it with young people. I saw tons of it yesterday as they expressed their ambitions of being brain doctors, photographers, NBA players, military men and so much more. They believe anything is possible, and they should.

Huge thank you to the staff at Westview. I’ll be back their again soon to speak to students from the English department in detail about the form and themes of Thoughts of a Fractured Soul. Till then…..

Boys Will be Boys: My Talk at Westview Collegiate

What a great experience! Just last week I visited Westview Collegiate for the first time, a public high school in the Jane and Finch area here in Toronto. Less than a week later I was in front of an all boys grade 9 class who are part of a specialized program studying goal setting and the dealing with the transition period both socially and professionally.

A lot of people wrongly have the concern that young people are inattentive and not particularly interested in anything that doesn’t involve or benefit them. But since I’ve started making appearances at high schools in and around Toronto to discuss my novel and the themes surrounding it, my experience has been the exact opposite. All of the students at all of the schools I have spoken at have been completely engaged and have asked questions both during and after my presentation. I’ve even had students email me days and weeks after my being there to talk about the impact of my novel and my message.

Yesterday was no different, and the boys had questions that were personal and challenged me to be completely open and honest with who I was and what I’ve been through, but they also asked questions about following their passion, about choosing careers, and of course about making money.

It was a great feeling to actually be a source of reliable information. I hope to see these guys two or three years down the line and learn where they’ve ended up. Potential is in all of us, but it’s like you can actually see and feel it with young people. I saw tons of it yesterday as they expressed their ambitions of being brain doctors, photographers, NBA players, military men and so much more. They believe anything is possible, and they should.

Huge thank you to the staff at Westview. I’ll be back their again soon to speak to students from the English department in detail about the form and themes of Thoughts of a Fractured Soul. Till then…..

 

Treats Only

I wish I could just pause time and capture these moments in some kind of memory jar that can be open at my request. Halloween is an odd time for my daughter. Living with me she’s an only child and would get anxiety at the thought of going door to door on her own asking for tricks or treats. We’d usually only make it to four or five houses before she would call it quits and we’d head back to our own home to give away candy to other young halloweeners.

But this year was different. She’s twelve and now I wasn’t her only companion on these door to door excursions. Her best friend from school came by and together they laughed, ran, danced, and sang their way across the streets knocking on each door for what seemed like only a moment but was actually about an hour.

I was only a spectator this time, watching my previously withdrawn daughter nearing flamboyancy. What an incredible feeling to see just how much she’s grown in

one short year. She’s become her own person and being a young father myself who knows what it’s like trying to find myself, she has made me more proud than she can ever imagine.

We ended the evening in classic fashion with hot chocolate and scary movies. It’s one of those moments I wish never ended. My personal Halloween treat.

Treats Only

I wish I could just pause time and capture these moments in some kind of memory jar that can be open at my request. Halloween is an odd time for my daughter. Living with me she’s an only child and would get anxiety at the thought of going door to door on her own asking for tricks or treats. We’d usually only make it to four or five houses before she would call it quits and we’d head back to our own home to give away candy to other young halloweeners.

But this year was different. She’s twelve and now I wasn’t her only companion on these door to door excursions. Her best friend from school came by and together they laughed, ran, danced, and sang their way across the streets knocking on each door for what seemed like only a moment but was actually about an hour.

I was only a spectator this time, watching my previously withdrawn daughter nearing flamboyancy. What an incredible feeling to see just how much she’s grown in

one short year. She’s become her own person and being a young father myself who knows what it’s like trying to find myself, she has made me more proud than she can ever imagine.

We ended the evening in classic fashion with hot chocolate and scary movies. It’s one of those moments I wish never ended. My personal Halloween treat.

Living My Life

I realized my last two posts have been somewhat gloomy. I’m actually not that sad of a person, but everyone has their moments I guess. The last few weeks have been so much more exciting and has helped me realize how blessed I truly am.

My goal since I first started writing “Thoughts of a Fractured Soul” was to touch as many people as possible and inspire readers with my gift as a writer. It’s been just under six months since my novel has been out and the journey has already been unbelievable. Most recently I’ve been working with members of the school board – TDSB, TCDSB, and YRDSB  teachers, department heads, curriculum leaders, principals – all who have been incredibly enthusiastic about bringing my novel, it’s themes and my personal story to students within their districts. It’s emotional for me to see how open they have been about not only welcoming my proposals, but going out of their way to encourage even further connections among their peers.

I was also interviewed by a student at York University as an “interesting person” for their Professional Writing class. What I thought would be a casual interview forced me to think about my entire journey as a writer, start to end, from the first days of struggling to find my voice, to the very first edit (which was terrible), to finding and selecting the right publisher, to finally seeing the book in print and having people actually purchase it.

The next 6 months are shaping up to be special and I’m itching for the moment to walk into a classroom and see every student holding a copy of “Thoughts of a Fractured Soul.” My own soul is full as I reflect on the benefit of being able to live my dream every single day. I only wish that everyone can experience the joy of having their dreams fulfilled.

Till next time…

Living My Life

I realized my last two posts have been somewhat gloomy. I’m actually not that sad of a person, but everyone has their moments I guess. The last few weeks have been so much more exciting and has helped me realize how blessed I truly am.

My goal since I first started writing “Thoughts of a Fractured Soul” was to touch as many people as possible and inspire readers with my gift as a writer. It’s been just under six months since my novel has been out and the journey has already been unbelievable. Most recently I’ve been working with members of the school board – TDSB, TCDSB, and YRDSB  teachers, department heads, curriculum leaders, principals – all who have been incredibly enthusiastic about bringing my novel, it’s themes and my personal story to students within their districts. It’s emotional for me to see how open they have been about not only welcoming my proposals, but going out of their way to encourage even further connections among their peers.

I was also interviewed by a student at York University as an “interesting person” for their Professional Writing class. What I thought would be a casual interview forced me to think about my entire journey as a writer, start to end, from the first days of struggling to find my voice, to the very first edit (which was terrible), to finding and selecting the right publisher, to finally seeing the book in print and having people actually purchase it.

The next 6 months are shaping up to be special and I’m itching for the moment to walk into a classroom and see every student holding a copy of “Thoughts of a Fractured Soul.” My own soul is full as I reflect on the benefit of being able to live my dream every single day. I only wish that everyone can experience the joy of having their dreams fulfilled.

Till next time…