ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS EITHER FROM THE AUTHOR OR THE PUBLISHER.
About Katalin Kennedy:
Thank you so much for agreeing to host my new novel “Reconnecting” on your web site.
Katalin (András) Kennedy escaped
from Hungary with her parents on Christmas Eve 1956. She married Duncan
Scott Kennedy in 1972 and graduated from Ottawa’s Carleton University.
In the latter part of her career, she managed major national projects with Health Canada’s Family Violence Prevention Programs, until her retirement. Her beloved soul mate, the Rev. D. S. Kennedy passed away in 2006.
She now resides in Cornwall, Ontario and continues her involvement in various organizations: Canadian Federation of University Women, Probus Club of Cornwall and Area, Encore Seniors’ Education Program and the Cornwall and Regional Writers’ Society.
For ten years she was a columnist for Seaway News. In 2012, Kennedy launched her first novel “The Women Gather” and in June 2015 “Reconnecting” was also released by Baico Publishing.
About Ms. Kennedy's writing:
How author’s get ideas/inspiration? How much time is spent writing daily?
How Ideas and Inspiration come:
I consider this to be an individual and subjective consideration, likely unique to each writer. From my perspective, ideas are a bi-product of curiosity. I can’t think of a time when I wasn’t curious.
In my later years, the Encyclopedia Britannica attests to that; the volumes are well-worn. Once the world wide web became a search source for me, more than thirty years ago, my small world opened into all manner of areas. I continue to be hungry for knowledge.
My interests include, humanitarian, cultural, religious, spiritual, literary, historic, scientific and even political issues; and this is likely not the full gamut. I don’t think a single day goes by without me searching for some bit of new knowledge; a quest idea which pops into my brain and which I must follow-up. I am also one who accumulates insights from everything around me including books, news clippings, films, theatre and sight experiences: the look of surprise on a child’s face upon seeing a rabbit hop away; the grateful gaze of a homeless man when paper money is placed into his tin cup; the anxiety of peoples migrating in great masses through war torn countries. All these create lasting images in my mind which may re-emerge in thoughts and words, at some point.
In truth, my curiosity leads me to experience too many ideas. I’m not alone. A friend maintains an ‘ideas book’ in which she scribbles the thought, and the inspiration from where that came. Perhaps I should do that. Up to now, I’ve relied on my instinct and memory as to what has resonated most clearly, or most repeatedly. It is that idea I tend to pursue. The other point I need to articulate is that the idea might be the tiniest concept or a most colossal notion. Expanding or distilling these becomes the challenge. Once a particular idea is accepted, the need for further inspiration and exploration are required. Both are critical when reflecting about the creative process.
Writing for me is not a simple free flow of words. I carry out ongoing research from the conceptual phase, right through to the end. And in between, as the storyline evolves my ‘pondering’ never ceases. At the very best, it takes over my waking and dreaming times. That’s when the magic of creativity is most fulfilling: a tiny idea takes on a new form, from the wonderment of one’s own mind. And from that, one transposes it into tangible written words.
The idea for my first novel “The Women Gather” came to me as a Utopian concept, wanting to demonstrate that the world could evolve into a positive future of hope for humanity. With my new novel “Reconnecting” the outcome of my idea was less lofty and more immediate: a story of four women, Marlie, Kendra, Vanessa and Iris whose lives connect as they live together in the same Condo Complex in 2012 Ottawa. My initial idea was inspired by the thought of photo albums, and what images they might contain. Read my novel to see how this idea developed further.
Time Spent Writing:
Again this is an individualistic undertaking. I know of writers who consider themselves ‘disciplined’ and write daily for specific periods of time, or until a specific number of words is achieved. I used to think, as early as last year, that this was a desirable approach and one which I needed to emulate. I’ve come to the conclusion that this process is not for me.
When I was writing my monthly column for Cornwall’s Seaway News, over ten years, I was obliged to employ a routine: first because I had a deadline and second because it suited my need to accomplish a required task in a timely period. I would decide upon a number of topics about which I would writer, over several months. Then two weeks before the monthly deadline, I would conduct necessary research and begin writing a draft article. A week before the deadline, I would review and edit the draft and send it off the same day. That process worked for me for that particular exercise. On looking back to that process, however, I have come to conclude, it was like doing ‘homework’ ‒ which to this day gives me a feeling of heebie-jeebies.
I realize that there are folk who enjoy the discipline of such time management. Others may need to do that, given their various life responsibilities. Someone I know writes when her children are safely tucked into bed. Another friend admits she writes whenever she can grasp a few stolen hours from her professional work life. The luxury of retirement means I don’t have to be ‘on a clock’. I used to consider my best period for writing to be in the morning; it no longer applies as a commitment. I can write anytime when I am moved by inspiration to sit at the keyboard.
I came to this insight a short while ago, as I remembered the reason I took up writing: It is a passion that fulfills my need. I do not want that passion to be an outcome of an obligation; it needs to be a desire from within that I cannot help but pursue instinctively. When my father retired from his book binding business, he began to paint because he was driven by the joy it gave him. And that is the way I need to feel about my writing. So my previous thoughts about wanting to be more ‘disciplined’ as to when and how long I write, no longer seem relevant. What drives me is the joy of writing itself.
I can’t sit down at the computer and force myself to create. I need the screen with the last pages of the storyline to draw me in and let my fingers fly on the keyboard as fast as the thoughts flow. If that feeling is not there, then there is no point. And I’m not one to decide how many words I will produce on a given day. As I said earlier, I do a lot of in-between thinking and pondering. When I’m ready to convey the next stream of thoughts to emerge on the screen, I do so. Sometimes the creativity will take over and carry me further. I stop when my mind has emptied, generally to the point of being drained emotionally. This may take only a couple of hours. At other times, I may lose all sense of myself and the hours I spent writing. And that is one of the rewards of writing.
When I need to review and edit, I do place a time-line on the exercise, because that is a tedious process and one needs to be alert.
In all honesty, the most difficult period in the writing process is the beginning of a piece of work. Marlie, the main character in “Reconnecting” is a writer. She discusses various aspects of writing, throughout the novel. Here are a couple of excerpts to give a flavor of how she feels about writing, as well as a tweak into the storyline itself.
*******
“Reconnecting” page 114
Enough about daydreaming! It was September now, and Marlie acknowledged that she had hardly written anything. She couldn’t quite grasp why it was so difficult for her to keep going. She had always written. She remembered writing from the time she was at least ten. She had written poems in grade school and throughout her life, in fact. There was one about a garden which she had recited in grade six; she remembered her teacher saying she liked it and asked what poet had written it. To Miss Taylor’s surprise, Marlie had nonchalantly replied, “Oh, I did.” All through high school and university she had written poems. Then, everything had been easy. She had switched to short message stories during the first few years of her marriage. They had become part of an annual tradition and printed in a newsletter. She had compiled a dozen of these and sent them off to a publisher. The rejection letter wasn’t a bad one, but enough of a deterrent. She didn’t try again for some time. She also remembered that a long ago manager had asked her, “and have you been published?” to which of course she had to say “No!” She had interpreted the question as an underhanded put down, meant to impair her. Is that what had happened? Would she ever be able to communicate her creative inner perceptions to the visible state?
Why these negative memories now? Hadn’t she got past all that years ago? Well, there was always the fear, just out there lurking, scheming, persuading that one was never quite good enough or worse still that the words would never come again.
******
“Reconnecting”, Pages 204-205:
Marlie was astonished by her ability to write in this new setting (on a boat cruise). Perhaps it had something to do with the comfort she felt with Sam. She hadn’t been with anyone, full time, since Owen died. She had expected that in itself would require an adjustment. But it hadn’t. The gentle flow of the river, the fresh air, the lovely scenery and their long talks all contributed to her creative senses coming to the foreground; when she took the time to write, the words were there. She did miss not having Wi-Fi. Her storyline required periodic research to ensure accuracy about the subjects and situations she discussed. Internet not being an option, she decided to work on the individual attributes of her main characters.
Marlie wanted them to be distinctive but at the same time, she had no plans to turn any of them into caricatures. While she appreciated the intended portrayal of certain well known creations, like Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot or Miss Jane Marple for example, Marlie needed her characters to be real people. She didn’t want their idiosyncrasies to be so blatant that these over shadowed and thus took away from her overall storyline. Her friends were unique in their own way, with their own turn of phrases and mannerisms; but as real people their traits were negligible. How to weave an authentic person, who was recognizable with qualities that were subtle but distinguishable, was something she needed to work on. And while she was speculating about her characters, it occurred to Marlie that she hadn’t thought about her friends at the condo, this entire week. What is that all about? She wondered. Am I so superficial that I merely replace one set with another? Marlie decided against that perception. She had not been presented with the opportunity to escape into a temporary world for far too long. Might as well revel in it.
*******
Thank you again for hosting my novel “Reconnecting”, published again by Baico Publishing, Ottawa, Ontario.
Both my novels “The Women Gather” and “Reconnecting” are available at “Chapters”:
https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/contributor/author/katalin-kennedy/
and at
“Baico Publishing”: http://www.baico.ca/index.php/baicobookstore
As well, I have a web site which contains some of my poetry and writings:
http://katalinkennedy.com
About Reconnecting:
In the latter part of her career, she managed major national projects with Health Canada’s Family Violence Prevention Programs, until her retirement. Her beloved soul mate, the Rev. D. S. Kennedy passed away in 2006.
She now resides in Cornwall, Ontario and continues her involvement in various organizations: Canadian Federation of University Women, Probus Club of Cornwall and Area, Encore Seniors’ Education Program and the Cornwall and Regional Writers’ Society.
For ten years she was a columnist for Seaway News. In 2012, Kennedy launched her first novel “The Women Gather” and in June 2015 “Reconnecting” was also released by Baico Publishing.
About Ms. Kennedy's writing:
How author’s get ideas/inspiration? How much time is spent writing daily?
How Ideas and Inspiration come:
I consider this to be an individual and subjective consideration, likely unique to each writer. From my perspective, ideas are a bi-product of curiosity. I can’t think of a time when I wasn’t curious.
In my later years, the Encyclopedia Britannica attests to that; the volumes are well-worn. Once the world wide web became a search source for me, more than thirty years ago, my small world opened into all manner of areas. I continue to be hungry for knowledge.
My interests include, humanitarian, cultural, religious, spiritual, literary, historic, scientific and even political issues; and this is likely not the full gamut. I don’t think a single day goes by without me searching for some bit of new knowledge; a quest idea which pops into my brain and which I must follow-up. I am also one who accumulates insights from everything around me including books, news clippings, films, theatre and sight experiences: the look of surprise on a child’s face upon seeing a rabbit hop away; the grateful gaze of a homeless man when paper money is placed into his tin cup; the anxiety of peoples migrating in great masses through war torn countries. All these create lasting images in my mind which may re-emerge in thoughts and words, at some point.
In truth, my curiosity leads me to experience too many ideas. I’m not alone. A friend maintains an ‘ideas book’ in which she scribbles the thought, and the inspiration from where that came. Perhaps I should do that. Up to now, I’ve relied on my instinct and memory as to what has resonated most clearly, or most repeatedly. It is that idea I tend to pursue. The other point I need to articulate is that the idea might be the tiniest concept or a most colossal notion. Expanding or distilling these becomes the challenge. Once a particular idea is accepted, the need for further inspiration and exploration are required. Both are critical when reflecting about the creative process.
Writing for me is not a simple free flow of words. I carry out ongoing research from the conceptual phase, right through to the end. And in between, as the storyline evolves my ‘pondering’ never ceases. At the very best, it takes over my waking and dreaming times. That’s when the magic of creativity is most fulfilling: a tiny idea takes on a new form, from the wonderment of one’s own mind. And from that, one transposes it into tangible written words.
The idea for my first novel “The Women Gather” came to me as a Utopian concept, wanting to demonstrate that the world could evolve into a positive future of hope for humanity. With my new novel “Reconnecting” the outcome of my idea was less lofty and more immediate: a story of four women, Marlie, Kendra, Vanessa and Iris whose lives connect as they live together in the same Condo Complex in 2012 Ottawa. My initial idea was inspired by the thought of photo albums, and what images they might contain. Read my novel to see how this idea developed further.
Time Spent Writing:
Again this is an individualistic undertaking. I know of writers who consider themselves ‘disciplined’ and write daily for specific periods of time, or until a specific number of words is achieved. I used to think, as early as last year, that this was a desirable approach and one which I needed to emulate. I’ve come to the conclusion that this process is not for me.
When I was writing my monthly column for Cornwall’s Seaway News, over ten years, I was obliged to employ a routine: first because I had a deadline and second because it suited my need to accomplish a required task in a timely period. I would decide upon a number of topics about which I would writer, over several months. Then two weeks before the monthly deadline, I would conduct necessary research and begin writing a draft article. A week before the deadline, I would review and edit the draft and send it off the same day. That process worked for me for that particular exercise. On looking back to that process, however, I have come to conclude, it was like doing ‘homework’ ‒ which to this day gives me a feeling of heebie-jeebies.
I realize that there are folk who enjoy the discipline of such time management. Others may need to do that, given their various life responsibilities. Someone I know writes when her children are safely tucked into bed. Another friend admits she writes whenever she can grasp a few stolen hours from her professional work life. The luxury of retirement means I don’t have to be ‘on a clock’. I used to consider my best period for writing to be in the morning; it no longer applies as a commitment. I can write anytime when I am moved by inspiration to sit at the keyboard.
I came to this insight a short while ago, as I remembered the reason I took up writing: It is a passion that fulfills my need. I do not want that passion to be an outcome of an obligation; it needs to be a desire from within that I cannot help but pursue instinctively. When my father retired from his book binding business, he began to paint because he was driven by the joy it gave him. And that is the way I need to feel about my writing. So my previous thoughts about wanting to be more ‘disciplined’ as to when and how long I write, no longer seem relevant. What drives me is the joy of writing itself.
I can’t sit down at the computer and force myself to create. I need the screen with the last pages of the storyline to draw me in and let my fingers fly on the keyboard as fast as the thoughts flow. If that feeling is not there, then there is no point. And I’m not one to decide how many words I will produce on a given day. As I said earlier, I do a lot of in-between thinking and pondering. When I’m ready to convey the next stream of thoughts to emerge on the screen, I do so. Sometimes the creativity will take over and carry me further. I stop when my mind has emptied, generally to the point of being drained emotionally. This may take only a couple of hours. At other times, I may lose all sense of myself and the hours I spent writing. And that is one of the rewards of writing.
When I need to review and edit, I do place a time-line on the exercise, because that is a tedious process and one needs to be alert.
In all honesty, the most difficult period in the writing process is the beginning of a piece of work. Marlie, the main character in “Reconnecting” is a writer. She discusses various aspects of writing, throughout the novel. Here are a couple of excerpts to give a flavor of how she feels about writing, as well as a tweak into the storyline itself.
*******
“Reconnecting” page 114
Enough about daydreaming! It was September now, and Marlie acknowledged that she had hardly written anything. She couldn’t quite grasp why it was so difficult for her to keep going. She had always written. She remembered writing from the time she was at least ten. She had written poems in grade school and throughout her life, in fact. There was one about a garden which she had recited in grade six; she remembered her teacher saying she liked it and asked what poet had written it. To Miss Taylor’s surprise, Marlie had nonchalantly replied, “Oh, I did.” All through high school and university she had written poems. Then, everything had been easy. She had switched to short message stories during the first few years of her marriage. They had become part of an annual tradition and printed in a newsletter. She had compiled a dozen of these and sent them off to a publisher. The rejection letter wasn’t a bad one, but enough of a deterrent. She didn’t try again for some time. She also remembered that a long ago manager had asked her, “and have you been published?” to which of course she had to say “No!” She had interpreted the question as an underhanded put down, meant to impair her. Is that what had happened? Would she ever be able to communicate her creative inner perceptions to the visible state?
Why these negative memories now? Hadn’t she got past all that years ago? Well, there was always the fear, just out there lurking, scheming, persuading that one was never quite good enough or worse still that the words would never come again.
******
“Reconnecting”, Pages 204-205:
Marlie was astonished by her ability to write in this new setting (on a boat cruise). Perhaps it had something to do with the comfort she felt with Sam. She hadn’t been with anyone, full time, since Owen died. She had expected that in itself would require an adjustment. But it hadn’t. The gentle flow of the river, the fresh air, the lovely scenery and their long talks all contributed to her creative senses coming to the foreground; when she took the time to write, the words were there. She did miss not having Wi-Fi. Her storyline required periodic research to ensure accuracy about the subjects and situations she discussed. Internet not being an option, she decided to work on the individual attributes of her main characters.
Marlie wanted them to be distinctive but at the same time, she had no plans to turn any of them into caricatures. While she appreciated the intended portrayal of certain well known creations, like Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot or Miss Jane Marple for example, Marlie needed her characters to be real people. She didn’t want their idiosyncrasies to be so blatant that these over shadowed and thus took away from her overall storyline. Her friends were unique in their own way, with their own turn of phrases and mannerisms; but as real people their traits were negligible. How to weave an authentic person, who was recognizable with qualities that were subtle but distinguishable, was something she needed to work on. And while she was speculating about her characters, it occurred to Marlie that she hadn’t thought about her friends at the condo, this entire week. What is that all about? She wondered. Am I so superficial that I merely replace one set with another? Marlie decided against that perception. She had not been presented with the opportunity to escape into a temporary world for far too long. Might as well revel in it.
*******
Thank you again for hosting my novel “Reconnecting”, published again by Baico Publishing, Ottawa, Ontario.
Both my novels “The Women Gather” and “Reconnecting” are available at “Chapters”:
https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/contributor/author/katalin-kennedy/
and at
“Baico Publishing”: http://www.baico.ca/index.php/baicobookstore
As well, I have a web site which contains some of my poetry and writings:
http://katalinkennedy.com
About Reconnecting:
RECONNECTING
is an essential novel for our times. Katalin Kennedy expertly weaves a
captivating story about how the bonds that women experience guide their
choices -- and ultimately destiny -- through relationships that can be
as messy and wondrous as life itself.
As we get to know Marlie and her enquiring mind, her pondering of crucial issues and ensuing flashes of insight reveal how love and friendship, with a good dose of providence, can guide our lives and lead to wisdom.
This book is as heart-warming and comforting as a good feast for the soul. We are left wanting to share more time with Marlie and her distinctive friends.
Social Links:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/
Where to Purchase:
Chapters Indigo:
https://www.chapters.indigo.
or short link: http://bit.ly/1FX8ccp
Baico Publishing Inc:
http://www.baico.ca/index.php/
or short link: http://bit.ly/1FTtl7x
Author: Katalin Kennedy:
http://katalinkennedy.com/
Email: emesesdream@hotmail.com
Giveaway:
Click on the link below to enter:
First prize: $25 Amazon gift certificate and autographed copy of Reconnecting
Second and third prize: Autographed Copy of Reconnecting
Contest winners will be chosen by the publisher.
Contest winners will be chosen by the publisher.
**********
Really enjoyed reading this and getting a glimpse into a writer's way of thinking & what she said about ' ideas are a bi-product of curiosity.'
ReplyDeleteIt is a very interesting piece and thought.
DeleteI like that about curiosity.
Thanks for stopping, Carol.
Thank you Carol. I'm sure we all have our various approaches. Marlie, my main character in "Reconnecting" has hers, some of which is likely universal. Mine are similar but less obsessive;o) All the best, Katalin
DeleteHello Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteOn behalf of Katalin Kennedy and Book Marketing Services, I would like to thank you for hosting and interviewing Katalin today on Silver’s Reviews. If anyone has any questions and/or comments they would like to share, Katalin will be by later in the day to respond.
Katalin is having a giveaway during her tour. 1st prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card and an autographed copy of Reconnecting; 2nd Prize: autographed copy of Reconnecting; 3rd Prize: autographed copy of Reconnecting. Click here to enter: http://gvwy.io/j9884y3
Please join Katalin tomorrow, Thursday, November 5th for her guest blog on Lori’s Reading Corner http://www.lorisreadingcorner.com/ where you can read about why she chose the setting, genre, style, characters, content of their discussions and the story line for Reconnecting.
Check where Katalin is each day on her tour by clicking here: https://www.facebook.com/EmesesDreamProduction or on her website: www.katalinkennedy.com
Best regards, Della
Thanks for stopping, Della, and for this additional information.
DeleteIt was challenging to write about 'inspiration'. Really made me reflect! Thank you so much Elizabeth for featuring me on your site. A privilege indeed. All the best, Katalin
ReplyDeleteI am sure it was.
DeleteThank you for your great contribution.
Thanks for taking the time to stop.
Sounds nice. Every now and again, I prefer Womens Fiction over Mystery, believe it or not. :)
ReplyDelete@dino0726 from
FictionZeal - Impartial, Straightforward Fiction Book Reviews
I like women's fiction, and I like mystery.
DeleteThanks for stopping, Diane.
Hello Diane,
DeleteThank you for your note! I enjoy the weaving in of 'mystery' but not necessarily as the main aspect. Follow my earlier tours on http://katalinkennedy.com 'Calendar' tab and find out more about "Reconnecting". Katalin
These "glimpses" into the head of a writer are always interesting...thank you!
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteA very interesting article.
Thanks for stopping, Patty.