State of Flux

Some of my readers may wonder what's going on with my books right now ... well I am re-working the storyline.  That means tedious re-writes increasing the backstory on all my characters.  It also means that I've pulled many of my print versions off line until I'm happy with the story.  And they'll come out with wonderful new covers. I'm trying to perfect the storyline ~ that takes time and my little journey is out here for the world to see.   

Happy Writing

A Look at Reading & Writing / An Essay by My Son

This essay was written by my wonderful 18 year old son.  I thought it was interesting and insightful, so I decided to post it. 

Reading and Writing: Are they really that exciting?

By: Kevin McCartney  

CHARGE!!!!! And Earth’s last stand had begun.  Have you ever read something that has transported you to another world, a different time, or in the midst of battle?  Great authors can make you feel the rush, the excitement, and the adrenaline.  A good book can ignite your imagination.  It’s for this very reason that I enjoy reading.  I love reading books that have the power to send my mind off on an adventure into an alternate dimension.   

When I was in the first grade I wasn’t a very good reader and my teacher made sure I knew it.  I felt so inadequate.  Reading was as terrible as getting my teeth drilled.  As a result, my mom had me repeat the first grade.  When I went in on the first day of school, I was prepared for round two with this most horrible teacher.  I even had the same classroom.  But to my surprise, I had a new teacher.  She was encouraging, inspiring, and just plain wonderful.  She was actually on TV for the Reading Rainbow.  Her name was Ms. Harriet Smith.  Yes, I still remember this wonderful lady.

Reading became my life and I loved every second of it.  As I went through school, the books got bigger, the plots more intriguing, and the adventures awe inspiring.  I remember earning the golden library card in the fifth grade which enabled me to check out three books at a time.  What an accomplishment that was!  I felt like Charlie from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.  In the seventh grade, I was finally able to finish reading the Harry Potter series.   

As much as I love reading, writing is a whole different story.  I have to write an essay? AHHHH!!!!!  It’s like the bubonic plague.  Having to write to me is a fate worse than death.  My disdain toward writing started when I was in the third grade when I had to write a letter to my pen pal in a foreign country.   

When I got the assignment I thought, this is so cool.  How many people can really say they get to write to someone in another country?  Really, how many?  I went home and was beaming with excitement.  I finished my letter that very night and turned it in the next day.  Half-way through the day, my teacher came over to me and to my astonishment she told me I had to re-write the letter!  I thought no big deal I can re-write it and turn it in, again, the very next day.  Just like before, my teacher came to me and I had to re-write it, again!  I couldn’t believe what was going on.  I had to write that stupid letter ten times!!!  I was in utter disbelief. 

I know that teachers must teach and a part of that is helping their students critic their work.  But as a kid, it feels like they are sucking the life out of my brain.