A to Z II - K is for Karma

It's another day, which means it's time for another letter in my personal A to Z challenge. Today, we shall explore the letter k, which I will attribute to the word karma.

Karma is an interesting choice of words considering what Joe does for a job. It makes you wonder what kind of karma he has or deserves.

Does he deserves what he gets from Michael? Is that his karma, his payback from having shot and killed people in the past? Or is it completely unrelated/irrelevant?

What about Michael? Does he get his karma?

Even moreso, what about Pete? Does he really deserve what comes to him? Is that his karma from something? Is it justified?

Karma is something that we talk about quite a bit in our society today. We talk about people getting what they deserve. People getting what's coming to them. In a story like Trajectory, we see people who have a lot of karma coming to them. As we read the story and see what happens, we have to wonder, is this what they deserve? Is this truly their karma?

Tell me after you read it if you think it is

A to Z Challenge - K is for Kooky

http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

It's time for another A to Z Challenge! This year, I want to tell you about a story that is currently a WIP (work in progress). It's the story I'm writing in honor of my baby lovebird, Robert. It's a fantasy story, but it's really a story about emotional healing. So let's examine it by going through the alphabet!

K, today's letter, is for kooky.

You can't have a story about a pirate bird and not have it be kooky.

The story is kooky. The characters are kooky. The setting is kooky. For as much as there is a lesson in this book, it is also meant to entertain. I have done my best to come up with characters who have interesting quirks or interests. I have made the setting something so unusual, kooky is really the best description possible. I made the plot fun, and silly, while also being positive, and healing.

Kooky is fun. Kooky characters are fun. Kooky environments are fun. Kooky story lines are fun. Kooky books are awesome!

Tomorrow, we venture into the world of the letter l. Don't miss it!

2015 A to Z Challenge: Pianissimo - Day 11 (K)

For the third consecutive year, I am participating in the A to Z blog challenge.
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

This year, we're going to go through my latest full-length novel, Pianissimo.

Eleven days means eleven numbers which means the letter K. K is for kindness.

Kindness was not something that Agnes and Margaret received regularly. Margaret's parents are kind to them, oblivious to the true nature of their relationship. Aside from the Begums, though, there is only one other person who shows the couple any kindness: Raymond Wilson.

In a time where homosexuality wasn't even heard of, let alone accepted, kindness was very scarce for Agnes and Margaret. Most people were perplexed by the nature of their relationship and how they lived their lives. The only person who truly followed "live and let live" was Raymond Wilson. He did not understand their way of life, but he respected the people that they were. He saw past the social stereotypes and misunderstanding. He focused on their personalities, humanity, and talents. He reminded everyone else that first and foremost, they were people.

Kindness may have been scant, but it wasn't completely depleted for Agnes and Margaret. Their story reminds us all to be kind to each other.

http://www.amazon.com/Pianissimo-Lauren-Shiro-ebook/dp/B00OEOTZMC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420832795&sr=8-2&keywords=lauren+shiro

A to Z '14 - Kindness

For this year's A to Z Challenge, I am honoring my grandfather who passed away on April 3, 2013.


K is for Kindness.


My grandfather was a very kind soul. He was strong, but very gentle. He was forgiving, understanding, supportive, and generous.


He would give you anything you needed, and then some.


He was a listening ear, a shoulder on which to cry.


He was not judgmental towards anyone.


He emanated kindness.


As far as kindness and compassion goes, he was the perfect role model.


I aspire to be like him. I may not ever be as great as he, but if we are all a little kinder, the world will be a much better place!


K is for Kindness.

K: Kites

One of my favorite childhood memories was an art contest my father's company held when I was a kid. The contest gave us blank kites to draw and color on.



As I recall, I drew on a couple of them. I knew my skills would not win me the contest, but I didn't care. I just remember being so thrilled with the blank kites - the endless opportunities that awaited me on those diamond shaped objects.



I remember walking through my father's office once - it must have been on a weekend as no one was working, all the lights were off, but we were in the office with my father for whatever reason. As we walked around the dark office, I remember seeing all of the childrens' kites hanging on the walls. I knew mine weren't the best, but I remember being SO proud and excited seeing my drawings up there. Looking back on that memory, it really brings a smile to my face and even still makes my heart skip a beat.


Today, that is my wish for you. Yours does not have to be the absolute best in any art form. But go create. Create with excitement and reckless abandon! Look at the blank page, canvas, kit and see the infinite possibilities before you. Be proud of your work, even if you don't win the contest. Just enjoy the creative process. Enjoy the kites.


That is my wish for you today: kites. :)