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Saturday, August 31, 2013
5 WAYS TO LAUGH AT OURSELVES
- Don't take yourself so seriously. LAUGH
- Watch this:
- Make funny faces in the mirror...
- Don't send ICBMs to my house
- Don't shoot me to small pieces. Play HALO instead.
Now for a QUESTION.
- What would really offend you to the point where you stopped reading my blog?
Rugby in Russia
'Rugby' in Russian is 'regbi', while rowing is 'grebli'. Some confusion there! Rugby isn't understood by many Russians because until recently it was banned in that country.Rugby was banned in the Stalin era because it was considered bourgeois and decadent in Soviet states. Football is far more popular.
Rugby has made a comeback in Russia, though.
The Independent reports that "That is starting to change, however, as the national side made an appearance at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, and Moscow hosts the World Cup Sevens next weekend, at Luzhniki Stadium, the main venue for the 1980 Olympics, and the stadium that hosted the 2008 Champions League final..."
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Rock from Space
Did a blast from space like Tunguska shape the solar system and our primeval Earth? This infographic courtesy of Karl Tate and SPACE.com, as well as the Russian Emergency Ministry photos, gives us fascinating information on the meteor explosion in Russia in February 2013, which injured more than 1,000 people and shattered glass and buildings in populated areas.
The "rock from space" that exploded in Siberia in 1908 was the largest meteor blast recorded.
Was it something like this that wiped out the dinosaurs and changed the course of the Earth before man appeared? CREDIT: YouTube
Is there an infographic you'd like to see? Please let me know and I'll put something together or find one for you, with my comments.
Please understand my comments are simply my opinion, unless backed up by irrefutable fact. Yours are just as valid and just as important to me. Please feel free to comment on any post.
Thank you to my Russian readers for your generosity of spirit and your readership over the past few months. That is important to me.
The "rock from space" that exploded in Siberia in 1908 was the largest meteor blast recorded.
Was it something like this that wiped out the dinosaurs and changed the course of the Earth before man appeared? CREDIT: YouTube
Is there an infographic you'd like to see? Please let me know and I'll put something together or find one for you, with my comments.
 | |
| Kenna thinking |
Please understand my comments are simply my opinion, unless backed up by irrefutable fact. Yours are just as valid and just as important to me. Please feel free to comment on any post.
Thank you to my Russian readers for your generosity of spirit and your readership over the past few months. That is important to me.
Monday, August 26, 2013
ALISON BRUCE INTERVIEW WITH A CON
SPACEHIVE eBook 99 cents till the end of the week, including Aug. 31. Get it here.Excerpt from interview on Alison Bruce's blog:
Kenna, you are a fascinating woman. You are open about your schizophrenia and reach out to help other people dealing with this mental health issue. What impact has this had on your writing career and the stories you choose to tell?
It' s had very little impact other than I suspect the illness has given me a scope of living experience and glimpses of creativity and imagination that made me who I am today, and thus the writer I am. I think I'm more tolerant as a result and hate to see racism or bigotry in any form, as I've been the victim of it too often in the past, and others like me have also been victims of discrimination and ignorance.
You must realize, Alison, that I'm almost 69 years old and have been ill for almost 40 years, part of that unmedicated and misdiagnosed. I haven't always been as open about the schizophrenia nor as well as I am today. However, I've always had a great thirst for learning and new experiences, and this has served me well in carving out a path of recovery, often without a great deal of assistance. That being said, the proper medication is essential, and adhering to a medication schedule and developing a therapeutic relationship with an excellent psychiatrist. This has not always been the case, and only recently have medications and the medical community been more open to admitting the hope and growth that's possible with mental illness.
I've written my story with the assistance of a friend, Austin Mardon, PhD, CM (Order of Canada), who also has schizophrenia. It's a book called The Insanity Machine and is available on Amazon and select bookstores. The book includes the latest research at the time of writing (2012) and anecdotes from our lives including somewhat chilling renderings of manifestations of the illness, reactions from family, friends, and medical personnel, and advice to caregivers. Note I have never had a caregiver nor a great deal of support until now, after I committed in 2009 a criminal act and received help from the legal system to address the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, delusions, and obsessive ruminating.
Any comments, gentle readers? Those of you in another time zone, another country, another culture, what is your reaction to a senior Canadian author who has struggled with a mental illness for the better part of her adult life, and has to show for it a successful life? (Well, almost)...I'd love to hear your comments and any kudos or slams as a result of my honesty.
Monday, August 19, 2013
INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR KAT FLANNERY
INTRODUCING CANADIAN AUTHOR EXTRAORDINAIRE -- KAT FLANNERY
Interview with this fascinating young Albertan author, who is part of Imajin Books' Summer Sizzle Sale from Aug. 15-31.
 |
| Kat Flannery |
Kenna: Hello, Kat. Please tell
us something about yourself, where you’re based, and how you came to be a
writer.
Kat: I live near Edmonton, Canada. I’ve
always loved to write. I used to jot down lyrics, poems and the odd short story
when I was younger. As I grew older the need to write intensified and I
couldn’t stop. I wrote while I was pregnant with my sons and I’m still writing,
only now I am published.
Kenna: What genre do you generally
write and what have you had published to date?
Kat: I write Western Historical
Romance. However my recent book had a touch of paranormal and I really enjoyed
exploring that side of the genre realm. My next book will have paranormal in
it. I’ve written two full-length novels, CHASING CLOVERS, and LAKOTA HONOR and
a novella HAZARDOUS UNIONS have all been published with Imajin Books.
Kenna: What do you think of eBooks?
Kat: I will always love the smell of a
new book, but I do feel eBook is the wave of the future. I love the
accessibility of being able to download a book anywhere and read it.
Kenna: Have you self-published?
Kat: No, I have not.
Kenna: Do you have a favorite of your stories
or characters?
Kat: My favorite book is LAKOTA HONOR
and Otakatay is my favorite character thus far.
 | |
| Lakota Honor book cover |
Kenna: If any of your books were made
into films, who would you have as the leading actor/s?
Kat: I get asked this all the time. In
LAKOTA HONOR I’d have Jason Momoa and Emily Blunt play the main characters.
Kenna: Which authors did you read when
you were younger and did they shape you as a writer?
Kat: I read Linda Lael Miller, Steven
King and Jane Austin. But it wasn’t until I was older that I read for pure
pleasure.
Kenna: Do you manage to write every day,
and do you plot your stories or just get an idea and run with it?
Kat: I do write every day when I’m into
a story. I have to. I do a little of both, some plotting and some by the seat
of my pants.
Kenna: Do you do a lot of editing or
research?
Kat: I do a ton of research, more so
than I need. As for editing I do a bit as I go but nothing as extensive as when
I’m done. I also use an editor.
Kenna: What point of view do you find
most to your liking: first person or third person? Have you ever tried second person?
Kat: I’m a third person gal. I have a
difficult time reading first person and therefore I don’t write it. No, I’ve
never tried second person.
Kenna: What’s your favourite / least
favourite aspect of your writing life? Has anything surprised you?
Kat: My favourite aspect is getting to
do what I love for a living and the least favourite is the long hours and brain
overload while doing it.
Kenna: If you could invite three people
from any era to dinner, who would you choose and what would you cook (or hide
the takeaway containers)?
Kat: I’d choose Jane Austin, JFK and
Dean Martin and I'd cook Lasagne.
Kenna: Are you involved in anything
else writing-related other than actual writing or marketing of your writing?
Kat: I freelance and write marketing
material for other companies.
Kenna: What are you working on at the
moment / next?
Kat: I’m getting ready for the release
of HAZARDOUS UNIONS, two Civil War tales, one written by myself and the other
by fellow author Alison Bruce, September 7th.
Kenna: Where can we find out about you
and your writing?
Kenna: Is there anything else you’d
like to mention?
Kat: I love to hear from my readers, so
please drop me a line on my Facebook page or via my website.
Kenna: Is there anything you’d like to
ask me?
Kat: Yes, Coffee or Tea and if you
could go anywhere in the world where would it be?
Kenna: I'm a real tea granny and drink
black hot tea frequently during the day. If I could go anywhere in the world
I'd go to the Greek islands and take a classical tour.
Kat: Thank you, Kenna, for having me on
your blog. I wish you and your readers a wonderful day!!
Thank
you again for taking part in this blog interview, Kat. I’m very grateful for
you taking time out from your writing to answer these questions and wish you all
the best with your future projects.
NOW FOR SOMETHING MORE ABOUT KAT AND HER NOVELS:
Bestselling Western Romance author, Kat Flannery takes you on a new
journey with her new Historical Paranormal Romance, Lakota Honor.
Fate has brought them together, but will a promise
tear them apart?
In the small
town of Willow Creek, Colorado, Nora Rushton spends most of her days locked up
in her home with a father who resents her and fighting off unwanted marriage
proposals from the wealthy Elwood Calhoun. Marked as a witch, Nora must hide
her healing powers from those who wish to destroy all the witkowin—crazy women. What she doesn't know is
that a bounty hunter is hot on her trail.
Lakota native
Otakatay has an obligation to fulfill. He has been hired to kill the witkowin.
In a time when race and difference are a threat and innocence holds no ground,
courage, love and honor will bring Nora and Otakatay together as they fight for
their freedom. Will the desire to fulfill his promise drive Otakatay to kill
Nora? Or will the kindness he sees in her blue eyes push him to be the man he
once was?
Reviews:
"Transport
back to the old west with this paranormal historical, and its alpha hero, and a
heroine hiding her secret talents."
—Shannon
Donnelly, author of the Mackenzie Solomon Urban Fantasy series
"Ms. Flannery doesn’t shy away from
writing gritty scenes or about unpleasant topics…That’s what good writing is
all about—bringing out strong emotions in a reader."
—Peggy L. Henderson, bestselling author of the
Yellowstone Romance Series
"Those who relish the conflict of a
heroic half-breed trapped between the white man's world and the Indian will
fall in love with LAKOTA HONOR."
—Cindy Nord, award-winning author of No Greater Glory
"LAKOTA
HONOR weaves a fast paced and beautiful prose that lures you through every
chapter and leaves you wanting more."
—Erika Knudsen, paranormal author of Monarchy of Blood
Excerpt
PROLOGUE
Colorado Mountains, 1880
The blade slicing his throat
made no sound, but the dead body hitting the ground did. With no time to stop,
he hurried through the dark tunnel until he reached the ladder leading out of
the shaft.
He’d been two hundred feet below ground for
ten days, with no food and little water. Weak and woozy, he stared up the
ladder. He’d have to climb it and it wasn’t going to be easy. He wiped the
bloody blade on his torn pants and placed it between his teeth. Scraped
knuckles and unwashed hands gripped the wooden rung.
The earth swayed. He closed
his eyes and forced the spinning in his head to cease. One thin bronzed leg
lifted and came down wobbly. He waited until his leg stopped shaking before he
climbed another rung. Each step caused pain, but was paired with determination.
He made it to the top faster than he’d thought he would. The sky was black and
the air was cool, but fresh. Thank goodness it was fresh.
He took two long breaths before he emerged
from the hole. The smell from below ground still lingered in his nostrils;
unwashed bodies, feces and mangy rats. His stomach pitched. He tugged at the
rope around his hands. There had been no time to chew the thick bands around
his wrists when he’d planned his escape. It was better to run than crawl, and
he chewed through the strips that bound his feet instead. There would be time
to free his wrists later.
He pressed his body against
the mountain and inched toward the shack. He frowned. A guard stood at the
entrance to where they were. The blade from the knife pinched his lip, cutting
the thin skin and he tasted blood. He needed to get in there. He needed to say
goodbye. He needed to make a promise.
The tower bell rang mercilessly. There was no
time left. He pushed away from the rocky wall, dropped the knife from his mouth
into his bound hands, aimed and threw it. The dagger dug into the man’s chest.
He ran over, pulled the blade from the guard and quickly slid it across his
throat. The guard bled out in seconds.
He tapped the barred window
on the north side of the dilapidated shack. The time seemed to stretch. He
glanced at the large house not fifty yards from where he stood. He would come
back, and he would kill the bastard inside.
He tapped again, harder this
time, and heard the weak steps of those like him shuffling from inside. The
window slid open, and a small hand slipped out.
“Toksha ake—I shall see you
again,” he whispered in Lakota.
The hand squeezed his once,
twice and on the third time held tight before it let go and disappeared inside
the room.
A tear slipped from his dark
eyes, and his hand, still on the window sill, balled into a fist. He swallowed
past the sob and felt the burn in his throat. His chest ached for what he was
leaving behind. He would survive, and he would return.
Men shouted to his right, and
he crouched down low. He took one last look around and fled into the cover of
the forest.
BIO
Kat
Flannery has loved writing ever since she
was a girl. She is often seen jotting her ideas down in a little black book.
When not writing, or researching, Kat enjoys snuggling on her couch with a hot
chocolate and a great book.
Her
first novel, CHASING CLOVERS became an Amazon’s bestseller in Historical and
Western romance. This is Kat’s second book, and she is currently hard at work
on the third.
When not
focusing on her creative passions, Kat is busy with her three boys and doting
husband.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Russia may be right
PS Further to my Putin Rainbow themes, I've been rereading the Russian position (no pun intended).The law is passed for the protection of MINORS.
I agree with that.
We have no business in the politics of other countries, either. And boycotting the Olympics would harm only the athletes from all countries and the broadcasters and sponsors. People from all over the world work at the Olympics to make it as seamless and beautiful an event as possible.
Wake up and fly right.
What is your opinion, gentle reader?
Friday, August 16, 2013
Putin Rainbow Themes
Putin Rainbow themes. Sign the petition.
This is disgraceful in an otherwise enlightened society.
Create your own rainbow theme here, and I give credit to this site for the lovely image above. I'm a friend of Dorothy.
This is disgraceful in an otherwise enlightened society.
Create your own rainbow theme here, and I give credit to this site for the lovely image above. I'm a friend of Dorothy.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
SCHUBERT'S SERENADE AND A SALE
My eBook YA science fiction/fantasy debut novel, SPACEHIVE, is on sale from August 15-31 for $0.99.I'm not going to show you my trailer. Instead, I'm going to treat you to something more beautiful than my little book.
Sit back, sip on a cool beer (or a coffee) and enjoy this video.
My beautiful Finland. And a lovely piece of music, lovely photography, and a lovely country.
I attended a symphony on an evening last year. One of the pieces was by a Finnish composer who wrote a score that featured recordings of real birds, recorded by him on a winter day in northern Finland.
Regrettably, I forget the name of the composer or the sonata. Can anyone help me?
RUSSIAN FIREBALL REVISITED
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
POEM ON LINKY BLOG
Hey look everybody… I responded to one of the Linky Blog tips and
Brent put my poem and link right on the tip for every reader to see. He
told me he has done that on several tips for people who have responded
with a good suggestion or addition to the
tip.
Brent said: "Write a poem. Don't immediately dismiss this idea.
Poems might sound a little cheesy to most folks but there are such a wide variety of them you should not immediately dismiss the idea. You can write a poem or find one that already exists.
Poems can be beautiful and inspiring, gut wrenching and tear-jerking, or hilarious. You can often find poems related to just about any topic that are just silly and fun.
Harness the power of Google and see if you can find a poem, limerick, or rhyme that would give your readers a smile or something to think about.Here's a poem by Kenna McKinnon she wrote in response to this tip (visit Brent's blog here):Faeries whispered in my earMy fingers flew on a brand new postWhat fun to write a rhyme, they saidTo read and laugh and love and toast."
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
GEEK WEEK: Star Wars Filibuster
Monday, August 12, 2013
RESULTS WITH TRIBERR
I joined Triberr and am very happy with the couple of members so far who've answered me. It looks great. I found this blog on one of the tribes and took the liberty of sharing it with my readers.
Detroit and Education, can they be saved? You'll recall Detroit declared bankruptcy recently, and education in North America is certainly subject to budget cuts across the board, here in Alberta being no exception.
I also pinned another blog from Cabin Goddess to Pinterest.
I'm going to be posting some infographics soon.
Maybe shake it up and twist it up, eh? Would my readers like that?
What would you like to see? What topics can I glean for you from this rich harvest I've found?
Detroit and Education, can they be saved? You'll recall Detroit declared bankruptcy recently, and education in North America is certainly subject to budget cuts across the board, here in Alberta being no exception.
I also pinned another blog from Cabin Goddess to Pinterest.
I'm going to be posting some infographics soon.
Maybe shake it up and twist it up, eh? Would my readers like that?
What would you like to see? What topics can I glean for you from this rich harvest I've found?
Saturday, August 10, 2013
SUMMER SIZZLES WITH IMAJIN BOOKS
Great things come in threes this August!
- 'Share the Imajin Books Buzz' contest- share our events on Twitter and Facebook, and share your pics of our books on your ereaders or you holding one, and receive entries into a draw for a KINDLE FIRE HD with wi-fi! Open to US, Canada and UK residents. Other prizes include three $20 Amazon or Kobo Books gift cards (winner’s choice). Void where prohibited. Draw will take place the first week of September. To enter, use the Rafflecopter form on our home page from August 1-31.
- Imajin Books eBook Sale – www.imajinbooks.com – all ebooks will be priced at $0.99 or $1.99 from August 15-31st.
- Twitter Party - for two days, August 9/10, we'll be holding a Twitter Party online and giving away prizes (ebooks and gift cards from Amazon and Kobo.) Join us by searching for #ImajinAuthors. Leave us a question or comment by including #ImajinAuthors in your tweet. The party begins each day at 2:00 PM EST and goes until 8:00 PM EST. Our authors will drop by when they can. Follow us at http://www.twitter.com/imajinbooks
GET SPACEHIVE FOR 99 CENTS ON AMAZON AUGUST 15-31!!!!!
LOOK FOR IT THERE. KNOW A MG/YA TEEN WHO LOVES TO READ? FANTASY/SCI FI, GREAT READ FOR 99 CENTS.
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