Kyle Kerr

Where I’ve Been

06/15/10 | General, Movies, My Writings, Reviews | 0 Comments

Yes, I’ve been gone for a while, but I have my reasons.  The biggest thing to happen recently is that I (finally!) moved back to the Boston area.  I’m in an area called Somerville, literally just across the city border from Cambridge.  Just a T ride away from my favorite city in the world!

Moving is a real pain in the arse.  I’ve moved almost once a year for the past 7 years, which is kind of ridiculous if you ask me.  I’m ready to settle down for a while, and I think this living arrangement is going to be both positive and productive (I’m living with two other writers).  No distractions, no more excuses.

The only thing that I regret about moving is that I won’t be able to attend ThrillerFest like I’d hoped.  There’s no way I can afford it after the move, so I’ll have to wait until next year!  And, since the Maui/Hawaii Writers Conference & Retreat is now officially defunct, it looks like it’s going to be the only party worth going to.  Good thing I’m writing a thriller now.

Speaking of which, it got put on the back burner for a few weeks while I’ve been in transition.  No time to write amidst packing, moving, and unpacking.  But now that I’m (mostly) settled into my new place, I hope to increase my output exponentially!  I’ve actually joined a local group of writers that get together once a week for the sole purpose of… writing!  We literally gather and spend two hours in silence.  Sounds dull, but it’s surprisingly helpful.  In fact, I’m writing this Journal Entry at said meeting right now!  I also used it to finish a chapter I’d been languishing over for a couple weeks, which brought me into a new one that I’m currently working on… 18,000 words down!

With 15 chapters, that’s about 1,200 words per chapter.  My first book averaged just under 4,800 words per chapter.  Yeah, it’s a big book (134,000 words within 28 chapters—which you can BET is going to be cut significantly for publication)!  The way this book is going, there’s probably going to be 80-90,000 words and 70ish chapters.  Writing a thriller is a much different experience and I’m enjoying the challenge.  It’s also undeniably adult – there’s sex, torture, murder, and lots of yummy, juicy stuff to write.  There’s all that stuff in my other book too, but not in the same way.  You’ll have to read them to see!

I’ve come to realize that I need to do a bit more plotting of the sub chapters.  I have all of the big events that need to happen and the sub plots that will make it a decidedly non-linear story, but need to fill in a little of the… filler.  How am I going to get from the big event I’m wrapping up to the next one?  I don’t know yet, and that’s one of the things that’s making my productivity lag.  I’m trying to write this as chronologically as I can (as an experiment… the last book was written on a per chapter, hodgepodge-like basis and I didn’t stick to any particular pattern) to see if it helps the flow of the book.  Obviously there are some bumps I need to work out, but it seems to be working fairly well.

In the time since my last post, I’ve seen a number of movies… Iron Man 2 (8/10), Date Night (7/10), Clash of the Titans (6/10), Sex and the City 2 (8/10), Letters to Juliet (7/10), Shrek Forever After (9/10), Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (8/10).  Upcoming movies I’m looking forward to are Toy Story 3, Knight & Day, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, The Last Airbender, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Inception, Salt, Charlie St. Cloud, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.  Those are the summer releases, but of course I can’t NOT mention Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 in November and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader in December!

Honestly haven’t read any books worth noting.  Sad, but true.  Though I’ve recently acquired The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Kathy Griffin’s memoir, Official Book Club Selection… both of which I have high hopes for.

I need to start planning out some of my other bajillion projects, but want to get seriously back into the flow of writing this one first.  I’m hoping that by writing more than one project at a time I’ll be able to be more productive, because if I lose interest in one I’ll have another to go to, which should hopefully eliminate much of the down-time in my writing.  I.  Freaking.  Hope.

That should be it for now, but I’ll be writing more entries now that I’m not going crazy.  Let me know how you’ve all been either in the comments or by sending me an email!

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr

Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010!

02/2/10 | General, My Writings | 0 Comments

Last December I did a recap of 2008.  This year, I’m just ready to say goodbye to 2009, no rumination required.

Through all the hardships, I can honestly say I have high hopes for 2010.  Things have been steadily happening, little signs that the unbearable will soon metamorphosize into the endurable, that we’ll all finally be able to take that deep breath of relief.

I finished my book in an epic journey that spanned the better part of eight years.  I’m happy with it (for the most part), and finally feel like it’s TIME to move on.  I’ve started my second book, which is an incredible departure from the literary style I’ve been immersed in for so long.  It’s still literary in its own right (I don’t think I’ll ever be able to turn the literary switch OFF), but it’s a literary thriller, and the new voice excites me.  I just need to work on giving myself more time to write, because I like what I’ve written so far.

It’s also has a BIG concept, which is something my literary novel is missing, and is therefore much more marketable.  And then there’s my YA urban fantasy series I want to start.  As well as a few other projects waiting in the wings (including an adaptation for one of my all-time favorite books as a spec script that I hope to present to the producers… if I ever get around to writing it!).

So again, high hopes.  But it all rests on me to make it happen.

In other news, I’m planning a return to Boston.  I came back to Pennsylvania after graduating college in May of 2008, wanting to be closer to my family and my friends from grade/high school.  But the job opportunities have been nil, and I didn’t realize just how much I’d miss the city until I was gone (isn’t that the way it always works?).  So, I’ve formulated a plan that should get me up there by May, June at the latest.  Pay off as much of my immediate debt as possible (I’m working enough overtime to double my paychecks right now), start putting away as much into savings as I can, and then make the move.  My closest Boston friend, Nikki, has already agreed to get an apartment with my, and my most recent roommate Jordan might come along as well if the move is worth his while.  So, that’s what’s keeping me going right now, knowing that I’ll soon be back in the place I was happiest.

In the meantime, I’m going to work, and hopefully I’m going to write.  My productivity is suffering in the wake of my lacking motivation, so I just need to get back into the habit of being creative.  I’ve got a lot of ideas in my head, and they’re never going to come to life if I don’t take the initiative.

Just send some motivation my way… if you’ve got any to spare!

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr

I Have A Secret…

11/18/09 | General | 5 Comments

Remember this post I made a while ago?  How I fervently decreed that Kindles (and all ebook readers alike) should be used as kindling and burned?  Yeah, well, I kind of, maybe, more than quite possibly… erm, want… one.

I KNOW.

Okay, here’s my reasoning.  I like to travel, and when I travel I like to bring 5-6 books with me (you never know when you’re going to have a chance to read, how much TIME you’ll have to read, and what you’ll be in the MOOD to read when/if you actually have time to, so you need to bring a variety!), and a Kindle will greatly reduce on my additional baggage fees—or weight overages, however I choose to pack for that particular trip.  Also, if you go to the Kindle store, they give away a LOT of free books.  And not just the classics.  They’re giving away books as promotions from the likes of James Patterson and Steve Berry.  And… it just looks to damn COOL.

Granted, the last one isn’t the best argument I have for wanting one, but any technophile will understand.  I’ve looked at the Sony Reader and am not impressed with its interface OR its lack of wireless connectivity.  Why would I want to connect it to my computer to download books when this is a free wireless service with Kindle?  Barnes & Noble’s Nook has also been announced, but I have a problem with that one too.  I don’t like the second color screen on the reader.  It seems like a very clunky way to browse for books.  And does my normal hardcover or paperback have something like that?  No.  And I’m looking for a book ALTERNATIVE.  I don’t want to be distracted by anything while I’m reading.

Also, to be honest, I’ve been slacking in the reading department lately.  I haven’t been allotting myself enough time to read books in a reasonable amount of time, so it’s been taking me a lot longer than usual.  I think that this’ll help with my reading levels (hopefully).

What ultimately changed my mind?  I don’t really know.  When I first started looking at digital book readers, it was in the early stages of their development.  Screen quality was terrible, prices ridiculous, and they (surprisingly) didn’t have much storage.  My faith in them was minimal (or should I say nonexistent?), so I brushed them off.  But now… liquid paper displays, 3G wireless connectivity, holds up to 1500 books, and weighs only 10.2 ounces!  Think of all the money I’ll save in baggage fees!!!

It’s not going to replace my paper books if I get it, not by a long shot.  Most likely I’ll own the paper AND e-versions of the books, because I’m crazy like that.  But you never know, either.  I swore up and down when MP3s first came onto the market that I would NEVER buy one.  I wanted the physical CD!  But now, a few years later, I exclusively buy MP3s.  But there’s a big difference between music and books, and I don’t think I’m ever going to stop buying physical books the way I’ve stopped buying CDs.  I like the way they look against my wall, and I love the feel of them in my hands.  My ears can’t tell the difference, but my hands and eyes sure can.  My Kindle would only be an accessory.

What does everyone else think about the craze?  Just a fad or the future of publishing?

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr

Two Thousand And Eight

12/24/08 | General, On Writing | 6 Comments

Okay.  So, I know I suck.  I have been a very, very naughty blogger this year.  That sounds dirty, but I was talking about naughty in the Santa Clause sense, not in the Mistress Paulie sense.  Right.

It’s December 24th, almost 2009, and I’ve been thinking about the past year a lot lately.  What have I accomplished?  Personally, I feel like nothing… but that’s not really true, is it?  I mean, I did manage to graduate college with respectable marks.  Not summa cum laude or anything, but with a B average (slightly over a 3.0), which is nothing to shake a stick at.  It was always hard for me to commit fully to classes in which the subject or the professor were less than desirable, so all of the really good grades I got were equaled out by some, erm, really bad ones.  Ah well, hakuna matata.

I also went to two writers conferences: ThrillerFest in NYC in July, and the Maui Writers Conference and Retreat in Honolulu in August/September.  In Maui, I even managed to get some really great compliments from a huge bestselling author about my work.  Again, not too shabby.

Other than that?  The year’s basically been a dud.  Yeah, I graduated, but then I was unemployed for a few months, got a job that I was forced to quit after 5 weeks, unemployed for a few MORE months (racking up some nice credit card bills in the process… eating is EXPENSIVE, ya’ll!), and then finally landed my current, low paying job in October.  I owe almost everybody under the sun some money, and it doesn’t look like it is going to get better anytime soon.

On top of all of that, I’ve hardly written anything this year.  I wrote one short story back in March, two chapters of my novel since I’ve been back from Hawaii, and I’ve recently started a new short story.  That’s pretty much it.  I haven’t had the urge to write and, despite my proclamation of a few months ago to say fuck-all to inspiration, you still need a little.  It feels like I’ve got some form of writer’s mono.  Like, I know that there’s this thing I want to do, need to do, but I just can’t seem to get myself to do it.  Oh yes, it does come in spurts, which is why I’ve managed to write what I have, but they usually don’t last for very long.

I’m being oddly frank here, internet.  But I figure, why lie?  Why paint a rosy picture on what I have been feeling?  Surely some of you have felt the same at some point or another.  I feel pressured to write for some reason, like I SHOULD be doing it, and that thought is very paralyzing.  I’ve tended to do relaxing things as of late, to keep my mind off of bills and writing… which means avoiding the blog, other writers’ blogs, email, and often the internet/computer altogether.  Honestly, if I didn’t use iTunes on a nightly basis, I probably wouldn’t have used my computer these past couple of months.

It would be all well and good to make some kind of New Year’s resolution, to stand up, pump my fist in the air, and say I WILL WRITE THIS YEAR!  I WILL FINISH MY NOVEL AND SUBMIT IT TO AGENTS!  I WILL NOT LET MY DEPRESSION GET THE BETTER OF MY WRITING!  (It’s not really depression… glumness?  Is that a word?  It is now.) But what good would it do?  I can’t lie to myself, so why make the resolution if I can’t make myself do it?

At this point, all I can really hope is that my finances level out, that I can start paying back all of the money I owe to creditors and my friends/family, and that some of the stresses of my life lift so that I may once again concentrate on my love, my writing.

The passion is still there, the love I so fondly speak about… I can feel it in me.  I keep getting ideas for novels and series’ and movies and stories.  My mind is always working through plot holes and other points, creating dialogue and scenes and conflict.  But how to get it out?

That, my friends, is the question of the year.

I hope everyone has a brilliant Christmas and that the New Year brings joy and success for us all.

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr

Life After Graduation

04/3/08 | General | 0 Comments

Now that I know I’m not going to Emerson, I have post-graduation life to think about.  What do I want to do with my life?  Well, obviously I want to be able to write full time, but it’s not something I can count on happening anytime soon.  Many writers aren’t able to do that EVER, so I’ve got to have another plan.

I love books, which is probably the biggest duh statement ever, but it’s true.  If I weren’t able to read, I’d probably go insane.  So, what does that mean?  I’m going to look for jobs in the publishing industry.  What else does that mean?  A potential migration to New York City.

Now, I love Boston, so the idea of leaving is not one I particularly enjoy.  If only there were some of the big NYC publishers up here!  If I do end up getting offered a job in NYC, I’ll go there until I’m able to write full time, then come back to Boston (unless I really enjoy the job I get and the life I build, and then I’d have some decisions to make!).  I just have to go where the money is right now, and if I stay in Boston, I’d have to get some sort of marketing job that I won’t particularly like.  Yeah, it’s money, but I don’t know how long it’s going to take for me to get published, and I’d rather ensure I was moderately happy during that time.  And I’ll be damned if I’m going to work retail or something as equally suicide inducing.

Plus, it would be nice to be closer to my family down in Pennsylvania.

I’ve found a number of jobs in publishing that nicely incorporate my skills as a marketer and a writer, so I’m preparing my resume and cover letters to send to those companies.  I’m interested to see if any of them respond! 

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr

Michael Cunningham

03/27/08 | Awesome, General | 0 Comments

I had one of the most amazing nights of my life last night.  For about two hours, I was in the presence of one of the most critically acclaimed authors in the country: Michael Cunningham.

Michael has written some truly amazing books, two of which I have read, including The Hours, which was made into an Academy Award-winning movie starring Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep, Specimen Days, Flesh and Blood, and At Home at the End of the World, which was also made into a movie, this one starring Colin Farrell.

We started planning for this event about six months ago, originally intending to bring in either Alice Sebold (The Lovely Bones, The Almost Moon) or Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club), but both of them had to decline because of conflicts with their touring… which actually turned out to be a blessing.

How is one supposed to act around someone like that?  I mean, here I am, 22, working on finishing my first novel, pretty much trying to stay sane in my last few weeks of college, and I’m supposed to interview a PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING NOVELIST?!  How cruel is fate?  But he was more than generous, and it was an immense pleasure to even be in his presence.  He was kind, he was surprisingly humble, and he was an all around nice person.  Never before have I seen an author take so much time to talk to his fans during a signing.

Probably the most amazing part of the night was when, right after Michael and I had left the stage, he asked me how my novel was going.  Like, he was genuinely interested!  And there’s me, and the first word out of my mouth sounded something like, flablneble.  What could I POSSIBLY have said to him?!  It was all I could do to, you know, not pass out.

Definitely something I will remember for the rest of my life.

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr

How Far Is Too Far?

01/28/08 | General, Idiot Mode, The Industry, TV Shows | 5 Comments

(This post is a prime example of why “Rambling” is in my Journal’s title… so be prepared for a little rant!)

I just read this article.  It talks about the FCC fining ABC $1.43 MILLION for airing a “woman’s naked backside.” Oh, did I mention that this was from an episode of NYPD Blue… from 2003?

The episode in question depicts “a nude woman [who] is surprised by a young boy as she prepares to shower.”

FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate had this to say about the fine:

“Our action today should serve as a reminder to all broadcasters that Congress and American families continue to be concerned about protecting children from harmful material and that the FCC will enforce the laws of the land vigilantly.”

The “indecent” video is below:
(If ABC can get sued for this, I’m guessing you shouldn’t watch it at work… just saying!)

I don’t know about you, but there is nothing sexual in nature about this clip.  It’s an embarrassing situation that happens all the time, and they were just using it for comedic effect.  Besides, NYPD Blue had been on the air for ten years prior to this episode airing, and the show was known for its racy scenes… scenes that depicted naked people (women AND men) either having sex or in some sort of erotic scenario.  This was tame compared to other scenes they’ve aired.

Am I the only one who thinks this is completely ridiculous?  What’s with the “save the children” routine?  Why do we even care if our kids see a little skin now and again?  The kid didn’t walk in on two people having sex (which, I can assure you, happens all the time, too).  Go to France and you see naked billboards and soap commercials.  It’s not harmful for children to see these things, but the media and ultra-conservative parents make is seem that way.

Has the American culture become overly sexualized?

(I felt like Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City as I wrote that line just now.)

How have we somehow become more prudish?  I just watched the original 1963 adaptation of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, and couldn’t help thinking that the same movie would never be made the same way today.  Not only are there scenes depicting the usually angelic creatures that are little boys as pure demons, but they run around naked for half of the movie as well (and you see everything). 

(I hope this picture doesn’t offend anyone… I was just posting it to prove a point! Me having to add this disclaimer is sort of a point maker on its own, if you think about it...)

Back then, the boys being naked would have been out of innocence and a need to free themselves in a world where adults couldn’t rule over their existance.  The saying “Boys will be boys” didn’t come from nowhere, you know.  Today, this would be seen as gay or indecent… but you tell me of a little boy who likes having his clothes on.  I know I didn’t when I was younger, and I have seen more little boys pull down their pants in front of a crowd than I can count (and little girls pulling up their skirts, for that matter).  It’s what kids do.

The 1963 rating of this movie was:

Now, it wouldn’t get anything less than PG-13, or even R, for extreme violence and nudity.  The boys kill animals, they kill two of the boys (one in a way that still gives me shivers as an adult), they chant and dance in a ritualistic fashion (as shown in the first image above), they are volitile, they are dangerous, and they have a taste for blood.  What parent would take their child to see such a movie today?

In the first season of the ABC Family hit Kyle XY, Kyle gets an erection at the public swimming pool and doesn’t understand what it is, or how to get rid of it.  He later talks to Josh, the younger child in the family (who I’d put at 15-years-old during that season), who explains masturbation to Kyle and even proffers a porno magazine for Kyle to use.  Why wasn’t the FCC all over that?  Was it because they only talk about sex and didn’t show it, or is it because you never actually saw any skin?

I really don’t know, but I think some people are taking this a little too far.  Seeing a couple seconds of a naked woman is not going to scar America’s children for life.  They know what nudity is, they have seen people naked before.  As long as you’re not exposing them to actual sex, I think they’ll be just fine.

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr

Heath Ledger: 1979 – 2008

01/24/08 | General, Movies | 6 Comments

As I’m sure you have all heard, actor Heath Ledger was found dead this past Tuesday at the age of 28.

Instead of going through the motions of saying how brilliant of an actor he was (which is true), or saying how shocked I am that he’s really dead (which I am), I’m going to talk a little about why people are reacting so passionately about the whole situation.

There was a comment to a blog post talking about Heath’s death that read something like this:

“I tried to kill myself and nobody noticed.  Why does anyone care about him?”

You’d think it was about America’s obsession with celebrity, to think that there was a bump in their picture perfect lives.  But you know what?  I don’t agree at all.

I could really care less about what they write about in gossip magazines/websites.  Don’t get me wrong, I love to read about it, but I don’t take it to heart where that person’s work is involved.  Tom Cruise is a brilliant actor, and Britney Spears is an amazing entertainer (yes, don’t lie… you, too, sing along to her in your car).

When you think about it, we spend a lot of time with our favorite artists—be them actors, musicians or writers—and invest so much of our emotions in them, that sometimes we feel that we know them on a personal level.  No, you’re not the only one; it happens to all of us.  When something like this happens, this kind of tragic death, we can’t help but feel personally connected to the person, and so we feel like we’ve lost someone close to us.

One of my friends was really happy to find out that The Dark Knight was still going to come out, but immediately felt guilty for thinking that in the wake of Heath’s death.  I have to admit that that was one of my first thoughts as well.

But I don’t feel sorry for thinking it.

I actually think it’s a tribute to his memory and his legacy as an actor for us to have those kinds of thoughts.  Keep thinking them.  Is it so wrong that we want just that last little piece of our favorite artists?

Think of the singer Selena, comedian Mitch Hedberg, and actress Marilyn Monroe… wouldn’t you have liked just one more song, one more joke, or one more movie?  As much as we would like these people to live forever, that’s just a wild dream… everyone dies, but we always hope it’s when they’re old and have had full use of their careers and their lives.  Yet, when someone dies even before their prime, that’s when it hurts the most.

So, yes, people are upset that Heath Ledger died, and they have every right to be.  It really is a tragic loss, and we’d be equally as emotional were it any of our other favorite artists.

I know I said I wouldn’t talk about how amazing an actor Heath was, but I really am truly saddened by his death.  He hadn’t even scratched the surface of his potential, and Hollywood has been struck a serious blow to their talent pool… It’s rare that you find someone with genuine talent without all of the modern day superficiality attached to them.

My well wishes go out to his family, especially Michelle Williams and their 2-year-old daughter Matilda, who will never get to know her father.

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr

Kindle: Read It, Or Set It On Fire?

01/18/08 | Books, General | 4 Comments

I’m a pretty technologically appreciative person; I couldn’t live without my laptop, my BlackBerry, or my iPod, not to mention my new digital camera, and all of the cool new entertainment products out there (flat panel HDTVs, Blu-Ray players and DVDs, and new 7.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound, none of which I have but hope to at some point soon).  I have been buying music online ever since I got an iPod three years ago, when iTunes was just starting to get big, and I have also purchased just shy of 70 TV shows and 4 movies online (haven’t gotten into movie downloads too much yet… I still prefer DVDs).

But, taking all of that into consideration, there is one thing that I have yet to purchase.  Something that has been around for a while, but has been making a little bigger splash now that technology is catching up to the concept: eBooks.

Up to this point, you would have to download a PDF of the book to read on your computer, or some sort of PDA version (which, I would think, would be a real pain in the patookus to read).  Reading a book on your computer is the equivalent of watching TEN movies on your computer in a row (considering a good sized book is about 20 hours on an audiobook, and an average movie is about 2 hours).  I have never wanted to be restricted to my computer for that length of time.  In fact, that’s one of the main reasons why I haven’t downloaded more movies on my computer.  Two hours is long enough to lie in bed, or sit at a table to watch a movie, so I could never imagine sitting there for the inexorable amount of time it would take to read a novel.  I even have a tendency to print out longer websites, because I prefer paper to screen.

But, like I said, technology has caught up with the concept of the eBook.  Not only has Sony come out with their E-reader, but Amazon.com has recently released the Kindle, a wireless version of the E-reader (meaning, you can connect to WiFi and download new eBooks without connecting to your computer).

I have to admit that the second I first saw the E-reader… I HATED it!  I hated the very idea of that little device of the devil.  Who would ever want to replace a book, something that has been around for millennia, with a black and white screen?  You could never replicate the feel of a book in your hands, nor the smell of a fresh book from the store—or an old one off your bookshelf, for that matter!—not unless they put a little scent emitter into the machines (which I wouldn’t put past them).  And they just look so damn good lining my walls.  If you know me, you know that I live in the smallest apartment known to man, yet half of my wall-space is devoted to shelf-space.  In fact, I have recently run out of room, and have an ever increasing stack of books piling up on my desk!  And, as a writer, the thought of an eBook, or Kindle for that matter, appalls me.

Yet, Uncle Stevie (Stephen King, people, keep up with me!) recently reviewed the Kindle in his monthly Entertainment Weekly column.  Shockingly, he likes it.  He argues that “the story means more than the delivery systems involved.” He’s also referencing audiobooks in that statement (which I don’t have a problem with, because stories were spoken even before they were being written down).

I’d honestly like to see one of these machines in action, to see if they really live up to the hype.  Is it at least easier to read than I think it is?  How does it feel in my hand?  Would I instinctively want to chuck it across the room?

But, I think I can safely say that they will never replace books (certainly not with me), at least not in my lifetime.  It saddens me to think that physical books may one day be obsolete, but they will always hold a special place in my heart, and they will always add some color to my white walls.  And, who knows, if all my worldly dreams come true, I may very well get the Beauty and the Beast library I’ve wanted since I was a kid.

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr

You Talkin’ To Me?!

01/14/08 | Awesome, General | 2 Comments

I’m really excited to announce that the comments have been enabled for all of my Journal entries!  Finally, you can tell me what you think about the topics I post...!  And I would LOVE to hear what you have to say about them…

All you have to do is click on the title, or the word “Comments” in the post heading, scroll down to the bottom and fill out the form!  For those of you who read my posts through an RSS feed, just click on the title of the post and you will be brought to the appropriate page… Simple!

Anyone and everyone is welcome to comment…!  According to FeedBurner, my RSS service provider, there are at least 216 people who subscribe to this Journal, so I hope to hear from some of you!!!  Use this post to introduce yourselves!  And be sure to check back often for updates (I make several a week)!

I am working with my web developer to implement a more convenient way of posting, but how it is now will work for the interim.

Just remember, if you do comment, this is something that agents and editors may see, so be professional (ie. try to stay on topic, no cursing, etc…)!

I hope you are all doing well and that I see some comments from you soon!

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr

Did I Really Just…

01/6/08 | General, Genius Mode, My Writings | 0 Comments

…apply to Grad School?  Yes.  Yes I did.

As of midnight on Saturday, January 5th, 2008, I am officially an applicant for the Master of Fine Arts Degree in Creative Writing at Emerson College here in Boston.

Whew.

Aaahhh!!!

Okay, now that I got that out… I can say that I’m really excited.  It has been really difficult finishing my degree in Business Administration, knowing that my life if going to be devoted to writing.  If I get in, I’ll be around people like me for a change.  You have no idea how utterly boring it is to be in a room full of people who have nothing but business on the brain.  It’s a miracle I’ve been able to last as long as I have.  Seriously, I’m going to need some serious detox come May.

So, because I had to go through the process of writing it, I’m going to include my admissions essay in this post.  Also, if you’d like to read my writing sample, click here.

Enjoy!

The essay question asks us to talk about our short- and long-term goals.  Well, you can’t really talk about the future without first mentioning the past.

I am also very open to trying new things.  New mediums and experimental genres excite me to no end, and I have even dabbled in a few of them already.  Flash fiction, column writing, screenplays, novels, novellas, memoirs, stage plays, and short stories; to all these I bring my enthusiasm and my willingness to experiment and learn.  Writing has become my life—it is my life, will always be my life—and it would be forever enhanced with an Emerson education.

Thank you for considering my application for admission.

Wish me luck…!  I’ll let everyone know the outcome as soon as I do!!!

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr

Happy Christmas!

12/25/07 | General | 0 Comments

I just wanted to take a moment out of the hectic Christmas season to wish you all a Happy Holiday and a Healthy New Year!  May 2008 be the year of the novel (okay, I’m making that wish more for myself than for you--unless you, too, are writing a book… then by all means, wish away)...!

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr

Wow!

10/16/07 | General, Genius Mode, My Writings | 0 Comments

This is just a short one, but I wanted to give you guys an update on something exciting…!

No, I don’t have an agent and my book isn’t finished (though I’m working on it!)… My website has only been open for a little over TWO months and I’ve already had over 1000 VISITORS!  Combined page hits (for every page on my site) is well over 12,000!  Thank you guys so much!  It’s nice to know that this website is getting some good use…

On a side note, my revisions have been going slow, but extremely well.  I’m getting to the point where I can read through entire chapters and hardly want to make any changes!  That means that things are finally coming together.  The structure reformatting is proving to be 100% the correct choice, and now I’m going through and making corrections based on that.  I’ve also got some new ideas about certain plot elements in the novel, which I think will add a whole new level to the reading.

Keep me in your prayers that I get this all done sometime soon!

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr

Where’d My Mojo Go?

09/26/07 | General, My Writings | 0 Comments

My university has all 4-credit classes, and we usually take four at a time, for a total of 16 credits a semester.  This semester I’m overloading and taking 20 credits so that I can graduate on time (my credits got screwed up because I transferred here after going to school for a year in PA).  And, besides the additional class, there seems to be an unusual amount of work due for each class every week, much more than normal.  I’ve been working.  I’ve also been having money issues, where I was owed money from three different sources and none were paying up, to the point where I was almost in the red for most of the month, sometimes not eating or eating very little to get by.  I also haven’t had a weekend to myself or a day off for about three weeks.

Why am I telling you this?  To try and give some sort of background to my next statement:  I haven’t written anything in about three weeks.

Well, that’s not exactly true.  I’ve written, but for classes, or for this Journal (which I guess is better than nothing).  But I haven’t written any short stories, and I certainly haven’t written anything for my novel.

What the hell is wrong with me?  I love to write, it should be a time I covet for myself.  I have an agent who is interested in seeing my book when it’s done!  All I have to do is finish the second draft and send it out to her, and hopefully I’ll get a good response back.  I have a new support system from a number of my fellow Maui writers, who keep asking me how my writing is going, and making me feel guilty when I have to be honest and say, “Nothing new to report” (which they should continue to do!).

I don’t know, I’ve been in some sort of funk.  I get into them every once and a while, where I can’t dredge up the will to write.  It’s not writer’s block; I have plenty of stuff to write about, and I know exactly how to do it.  There’s just no push for some reason.

Sometimes I impress myself and write a 10,000 word story in one week, averaging about 2,000 words a day.  I’ve had 5,000 word days before.  I like those days.

Hopefully it has just been the things on my mind keeping me from writing.  It’s definitely not a lack of passion.  I just need to reinvigorate my mojo.

I have made a conscious decision to take more time for myself.  Usually I read 3 books a month, and I haven’t even finished one in the month I’ve been back from Maui.  In the past couple of days, I’ve read about 200 pages of that James Rollins novel I mentioned in a previous post.  I watched the first season of Grey’s Anatomy last night (it was only nine episodes, but I couldn’t stop for anything!).  So, hopefully, writing will come next.

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr

Some Great Resources For Writers

09/20/07 | Books, General, Genius Mode, Maui, On Writing | 0 Comments

Throughout the years I have looked for help in many different places: books, magazines, websites, from authors, workshops, the list goes on and on.  I’m going to list a few of the things that really help(ed) me.

BOOKS

On Writing by Stephen King

Half autobiography, half book on style, Stephen mixes up one of the best books on writing available today.  Why is there a section where he talks about himself?  Because you need to know where he’s coming from in order to know why he does what he does best.  The story of his life, his vices, and the success of his first book, Carrie, are inspirational (something all of us novice writers need!), and the man knows what he’s talking about when it comes to writing.  Read through the book, do the samples, and watch your talent soar.

Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss

Okay, who the hell would ever read a book on punctuation, let along write one?  You guys, this is an amazing book.  I don’t claim to be the end all of punctuation knowledge (in fact, I tell everyone who will listen that most of my knowledge is actually instinct based… which usually works, but not always).  You couldn’t find a more boring topic, but Lynne handles it with grace and—dare I say it?—a little wit as well.  (Also, if you’re in the mood to laugh, check out her book on rudeness, Talk to the Hand).

MAGAZINES

There are two magazines that I swear by, and because they cover the same information, I’m going to lump them both together here:  Writer’s Digest and The Writer.

Both are monthly magazines, and both cover a wide array of writerly topics: from how to get an agent, to writing better emotion, to lessons on column writing, and so on.  Also included in many of the issues are current markets out there searching for new material, information about contests and competitions (including some of their own), as well as first-time novelists’ success stories (which are always great to read).

AUTHORS

Tess Gerritsen

I have had the privilege of meeting and talking to Tess on two occasions, but more importantly I am able to connect with her on a much more regular basis through the blog on her website.  She actually reads every comment, and personally responds to them when necessary.  Not only is she an immensely gracious author by taking the time to connect with her readers in such a way, but her blog is actually a very useful tool to novice writers like myself.  Tess gives us the inside scoop on the publishing industry, both the ups AND the downs.  Most importantly, she brings herself down to our level, reassuring us that we all have doubts and worries, and even she, after 20+ books and a level of über-success most of us only dream of, still gets nervous whenever she begins a new project or when her books go on sale.  And, as shown by this entry, she really cares about us beginners.

WEBSITES

YouWriteOn

This is a peer-to-peer critiquing site.  Basically, in order to have someone critique your work, you need to do the same for someone else.  Once you read and review one story (you write up an actual review for the author, as well as scoring the piece on several categories, including plot, theme, characters, language, etc.), then you are able to put your own piece up for review.  This is a great tool for anyone who gets nervous presenting their work to groups, and it works out fairly well.  The only problem I really have with this is that you can’t regulate who reads your story.  It could be sent to someone who doesn’t like your genre/theme, and your rating and review will reflect that.  Also, you lose a little when you’re not able to actually talk to the person about what they thought.  All you get is a little snippet.  Still very enlightening and useful.

CONFERENCES

Maui Writers Conference and Retreat

Okay, I know I’ve talked about this a little in previous posts (considering I was just there!), but it doesn’t hurt to reiterate all of this.  The conference is nice because you get to go to seminars and hear from some of the best authors in the world, including NYT and internationally bestselling and Pulitzer winning authors.  They tell you their stories and insights about what has worked for them, including some tips and tricks they’ve picked up along the way.

BUT, the best thing about the whole experience is if you go to the week long retreat before the conference.  This is where you are able to learn, this is where you are able to delve into the depths of your writing and uncover what lies beneath.  I can honestly say that the retreat changed my life—and my novel—forever and for the better.  You learn about your weaknesses and try to improve upon them.  You learn about your strengths and try to broaden them.  You learn by doing, by writing, and rewriting, and rewriting again, because there’s no better way to learn than by doing.

EVERY BOOK I’VE EVER READ

This is something I can’t stress enough.  Every time you read a book you are learning how to write; plot, structure, interesting and realistic characters, dialogue, theme, everything you would ever need to know about writing has been laid out for you for centuries, all you have to do is pick one up and read it.  I am flabbergasted when wannabe writers tell me that they do not have time to read—they’re too busy!  Well, how are you supposed to know how to tell a story if you never read one?  Don’t know what to read?  Go to the library, go to Barnes & Noble and browse, or even email me if you need some suggestions; I’ve read hundreds of great books.

Hopefully some of this information will help you can write one (and me, too!).

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr

Jump Back To Reality

09/11/07 | General, Maui, My Writings | 0 Comments

I’ll admit that it’s been hard these past seven days without my ‘Ohana of writers.  I think it’s hard for anyone who hasn’t gone through a similar experience to understand the depth of the relationships that were formed over our week-and-a-half in Maui.  At the beginning of the Retreat, the organizers spoke of this bond that grows amongst the groups and I remember scoffing at the idea.  Boy do I sure have a big foot, let me tell you.

Over the eleven days that I was there, I got a lot of encouragement and praise from the group, almost to the point of embarrassment.  The writer in me still doesn’t know how to take compliments, and they were being thrown at me left and right.  Oh, it wasn’t all praise, you know.  My group absolutely hated the ending of my book, as well as a few other crucial scenes (I was going for a modern day tragedy, and they want something a little more satisfying!), and I’m not even going to mention the title…!  But it’s the compliments that I remember, because they were unexpected.

Don’t get me wrong, I have great faith in my work and my ability as a writer.  As you may remember, though, I wasn’t feeling all too happy about my novel when I went into Maui.  Yeah, I had decided on a restructure, but there was still something nagging at me.  The group definitely showed me what was lacking in the plot, but they considerably boosted my feelings for the project by recognizing the work I put into creating a truly genuine voice for the main character.  They really got what I was going for, and that thrilled me to no end.  In part, mission accomplished.

Now on to the rest of the edits.  There are a number of chapters that need to get completely rewritten, but I’m not scared of them anymore.  I know that I have a solid foundation to build on and a strong support system in my fellow writers (who will make sure I never lose sight of my vision… As one of them put it, talking about the theme, “This is a huge book!”).  I’m not scared anymore.

I’d like to thank all of my fellow group members, who I really do consider my ‘Ohana.  (I’m going to go around the table so I don’t miss anyone!) So, to Dawn, Ginny, Carol M., Carol C., Jon, Roland (and Kathleen!), Rocky, Millie and Charles, thank you for all of your support and encouragement.  You are all talented and brilliant, and I can’t wait to see your books alongside mine in Barnes & Noble someday.  And a special Mahalo to Gary, our leader and mentor, and wish him all of the success he deserves and a thousand times over.  We wouldn’t be where we are without you.

Back to writing...!

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr

One More Day In Paradise

09/5/07 | General, Idiot Mode, Maui | 0 Comments

This was my Monday:

Woke up around 7AM Maui-time, took a shower, and packed up my hotel room.  This included going through a weeks’ worth of retreat papers (copies of my chapters and synopsis with notes on them), and attempting to stuff all of my clothes into the suitcase without it dying.  Then I met a few friends who were doing last minute agent/editor consultations to show some moral support (what can I say, I’m a good guy that way!)… From 11-12 we attend the closing ceremonies for the Maui Writers Conference, where my friend Dawn won third place in the Rupert Hughes Writing Competition (which is a big deal, because it is judged by some very big name authors, agents and editors, not to mention the $500 prize money [add another 0 to that for first place!]).

Noon rolls around and it’s time to check out of the hotel.  I’m supposed to get a 1:45PM shuttle to the airport for a 4:30PM flight.

As I’m checking out, the girl behind the counter says, “Are you sure you’re checking out today?  We have you scheduled until tomorrow.”

To which I reply, “Of course I’m leaving today.  I have a 4:30 flight!”

She nods to placate me, though was surely inwardly scoffing (it’s all in the eyes!)… She checks me out anyway, being sure to radio someone to say something about an “unexpected departure.”

I go to lunch with my friends Dawn, Jamie and Rocky, where we end up inviting big wig St. Martin’s Press editor Charles Spicer to eat with us, since he was going to eat alone.  The conversation was really great (I wasn’t nervous to be around him because he doesn’t represent my genre… I didn’t have to worry about impressing him), and the food was good (though expensive!  $18 for a cheeseburger, fries and can of Coke!).

Finally, we realize it’s 1:30 and almost time for me to leave.  No one’s really talking because we’re so sad that we’re not going to be together anymore.

The shuttle comes at 1:45 on the dot, but the driver says he doesn’t have my name on his list.  “What do you mean, you don’t have my name on your list?!” I say.  “I have the voucher right here… It’s already paid for!”

He calls his dispatcher, asking about my reservation.  I hear her voice come over the cell’s speakerphone.

“Pick-up for Kerr is scheduled for the 4th.”

“Today’s the 4th,” I exclaim.

“They’re saying it’s the 4th,” the guy says into the phone.

I really hope you’re laughing, because I still wasn’t getting it at that point.

Thinking quick, I look at my phone.  It’s September 3rd.  Guys, I checked out of my hotel a day early!  I packed up my room, defied the girl behind the counter, and was close to yelling at the driver for losing my reservation.  Can anyone say dumbass…?

As I shuffled back up to the front counter with my best impression of a puppy dog grin on my face, I could see the I-told-you-so smile the girl behind the counter was wearing.  I try and laugh it off, and in the process learn that I am the first person to EVER do that at the Wailea Marriot Resort in Maui.  Go me.  Oy vey.

(For those who care, Wailea is pronounced Why-Uh-Lay-Uh.)

This is what I make of the situation, though: Had I not been a complete moron, then we would never have had such a great lunch with über-editor Charlie.  So, I’m not that miffed about it.  (Who am I kidding?  I was mortified when it happened!  Charles is just the nice spin I like to put on the situation to make me feel better.)

Oh, and here’s a taste of what I saw in Maui…

     

And, yes, I did take them myself!

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr

Professional Procrastinator At Work

08/21/07 | Books, General, Movies, Procrastination | 0 Comments

I’ve been procrastinating again.  All of my ‘worry’ voices keep telling me to get more work done on editing my novel, but I can’t even seem to force myself to do it the past week or so.  I actually got through a nice chunk yesterday, but a whole helluvalot of procrastination happened before that.  What have I been doing instead?  Why don’t I tell you…?

READ:

The Black Tattoo by Sam Enthoven

It was actually an interesting read.  It’s about a demon from Hell who takes over this boy’s body, hell-bent on, well, destroying the universe.  It is Sam’s first novel, and is written for the young adult crowd (which is fine, because I think there’s a bit too much violence for the children’s crowd!).  Bit dark, but a lot of humor is brought in with the character of Jack.

Mysterious Skin by Scott Heim

This story begins during the summer of ’81, when two boys from a Little League are molested by their coach.  One of them likes it, believing it to be love, and goes on to be a hustler when he gets older.  The other blacks out the experience and, later in life, is convinced that those five hours are missing from his life because he was abducted by aliens.  He’s not too far off, actually.  Stunningly written, though I would extend a word of caution if you don’t have the stomach for a bit of violence.

REWATCHED:

Children of Men

Director Alfonso Cuarón impresses again.  I’m not shy about my love of all things Harry Potter, and I was first introduced to his work with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (the most visually stunning of all five HP movies so far, I think).  Here, he does it again, and with seeming ease.  If you haven’t seen the movie, you should definitely check it out.  But, if you HAVE seen it, you should take a second look, and pay attention to the three or four scenes in the movie that are actually ONE CUT.  The opening scene with the coffee shop, the scene where they are attacked in the car, as well as the final battle scene are ALL done in one shot.  Amazing.  Alfonso is one of the top directors I would choose for my screenplay Bethanine if I were able to pick the director myself.

Million Dollar Baby

I get more and more amazed by this movie with each viewing.  Everything is so subtle.  Nothing is thrown into your face.  From Clint Eastwood’s quiet struggles, to Hilary Swank’s determination (even at the end) to go out a champ, and rounded off nicely with Morgan Freeman’s soft narration, you get sucked in and just nestled in the flow of the movie.  Throw in Paul Haggis’s superb writing, and it’s no wonder this movie won the Best Picture Oscar.  Paul Haggis is another person who intrigues me… To have written TWO Best Pictures in a row (MDB and Crash), as well as being versatile enough to take on projects like the recent Casino Royale, he’s the kind of screenwriter I want to be.  (Oh, and try HUNDRED MILLION Dollar Baby… That’s right, this little movie brought in BIG bank!)

WANT TO SEE:

Since it came out almost 10 years ago, Elizabeth has been one of my favorite movies.  Cate Blanchett is one of my favorite actresses.  So, you can imagine my joy when I learned they were making a sequel!  I first heard about Elizabeth: The Golden Age about a year and a half ago, and have been eagerly awaiting its arrival since.  Now, the trailer has finally been released, stating an October release date (!!!).  So, if you have a moment, why don’t you bask in the gloriousness that is Elizabeth: The Golden Age…

A line that gives me the chills every time I hear it?

Queen Elizabeth I: Tell your king I fear neither him nor his armies.
Spanish Minister: There is a wind coming that will sweep away your pride.
Queen Elizabeth I: I too can command the wind, sir! I have a hurricane in me that will strip Spain bare if you dare to try me!

What was that line of Jim Carrey’s?  Joygasm?

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr

Up And (Hopefully) Running!

08/9/07 | General | 0 Comments

So, as my first Journal entry, I thought I should talk a little about what the purpose of this feature is.

Many writers will stick to just that, talking about writing.  I, on the other hand, will extend that to talk about all things creative.  My writing will definitely take the foreground, but I will also talk about books I’m reading/have read, movies I’ve seen, art exhibits I’ve perused, etc.  Anything and everything creative (and maybe a couple ramblings as well… I can’t promise I’ll always stick to topic!).

Hopefully, by the time you read this, my website will be completely up and running (and updated!).  It has been an interesting ride with Reese and Jason, but I couldn’t be more thrilled with the home they have created for me.  (And I do consider it a home.  This is the place where my most precious possessions are housed and displayed for the world to see, and a sense of welcome and warmth was paramount.) There were times when I thought Jason would strangle me, if only his hands could do so through email, but he always stayed calm, even as I became more anal.  Simply saying ‘thank you’ seems hardly adequate, but I think they’ll appreciate it all the same!

I hope that you enjoy the writing samples sprinkled throughout the site, as well the ramblings you’ll undoubtedly read in this Journal.  If you want to get in contact with me, do so through my contact page!

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr