Authors, Kai Strand & LA Dragoni

When an author writes a novel, they make up the characters and the story, but the character, setting, story arc doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. There is usually a story behind the story. Often several little stories, which an author tweaks and cobbles together to mold into the main character or the supporting characters. Sometimes they will set their story in a real place. Other times they will create a fictional place that has aspects of places they’ve visited or lived. In my series, The Story Behind the Story , I will share some of the stories behind my stories. Though I have never outright written a person I know into a book, I have definitely been influenced by those who have crossed my path, as well as places I’ve visited or even simply passed through throughout the many years I’ve been on this earth. Feel free to ask questions or leave comments. I love, love, love to talk books or hear moments of your own life it might remind you of. I Want More – Th...

Though I haven't published any new books this year, I have been busy boosting my library of audiobooks. Here is what I have available on Audible, Amazon, iTunes under both my pseudonyms: The Weaver Tales series by Kai Strand The Weaver Finalist in the 2012 EPIC Ebook Awards and the 2012 Global Ebook Awards In a town of word weavers, Mary suffers through her third year of Novice Word Weaving. Mary thinks her troubles are over when she meets a gnome-elf who grants her a wish. But instead of weaving a better story, she's weaving strange yarn charms to accompany her still pathetic tales. The Wishing Well Molly Minstrel is treated worse than Cinderella by her mom and sisters. When Molly meets the magical creature, Unwanted, she wishes her problems away. However, you must first understand what you need before knowing what to ask for. Molly will have to look within for the solution to her troubles.  The Lumpy Duckling Lumpy may be hefty with a misshap...

Distraction – Noun the act of distracting. the state of being distracted. mental distress or derangement: That child will drive me to distraction. that which distracts, divides the attention, or prevents concentration: The distractions of the city interfere with my studies. I had an unfortunate week. My step mom died. I got a head cold. I gave a presentation. And I had a new audiobook release. Needless to say I’ve had difficulty concentrating. I was so distracted, I completely forgot about this post. I’m sure readers would be clamoring for my wise words if I didn’t post anything (cough, cough) so I’m throwing this up on the blog as a place setter and to illustrate that even when you work to keep yourself focused on your goals, life – and death – happens. We’ll miss you GrandMad. But we’ve missed you for awhile. I’m so happy to know you are whole again. And on the opposite end of the spectrum (because, seriously, isn’t that typical of life?) here...

So I’ve had this mind itch for a while now. I’ll be listening to a book and maybe I’m completely immersed in it, wishing I could just shut off life until I’ve listened to each and every word – or I’m huffing and puffing in frustration over…something. Anything. And in both cases it’ll cross my mind, Would I like (or dislike) this book so much if I were reading it inside my head? Narrators can make all the difference in the world. I’ve fallen in crush with narrators (not always the character). The two that come to mind are Steven Kaplan ; Legend/Prodigy/Champion by Marie Lu, The Future of Us by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler and Sunil Malhotra ; Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. I’ve absolutely loved listening to KateSimses  in Matched and Crossed by Ally Condie. I think her voice really fit the character. However, there seems to be that other side of the coin thing. ReneeRaudman , narrator for I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d have to Kill You by Ally Carter ju...