tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53745807231842478242024-03-14T01:50:12.790-05:00Keena Kincaid Random musings on life and work by a sleep-deprived writerKeena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-34729693227155446002017-01-25T10:05:00.001-06:002017-01-25T10:05:48.536-06:00Word!
It's been a few years since I wrote Art of Love, which is set in the 12th century abbey schools that eventually became the University of Paris. But the recent debate on "facts" brought this passage to mind.
“The Pharisees did not write the Gospels, so we do not really know what they thought, only what they did.” Alain rose as he spoke. If he had drawn a sword he could not have Keena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-2037614504366079032017-01-16T16:05:00.000-06:002017-01-16T16:07:53.700-06:00Silver-lining Monday: Wallpaper nightmare
When I bought the house, I knew it needed a new roof. I also was more than unimpressed with the interior paint.
Everything had been painted a dirty beige, and I mean everything--walls, trim, baseboards, doors. Clearly the paint had been on sale that day.
What I didn't know was that all that dirty beige hid a desperate secret: the former owners had painted over wallpaper.
I discovered this Keena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-92029810260169740322016-12-15T12:08:00.001-06:002016-12-15T12:08:07.581-06:00Oops…that’s not what I sat down to write
I’ve been asked dozens of times if I’m a plotter or a pantser
(which means I write by the seat of my pants). I’ve often described myself as a
plotzer. I try to plot but end up winging the words.
The truth is, my muse is just out-and-out insane, and I’m at his
mercy. Sometimes he tells me what’s coming. Other times he prefers to surprise
me. A couple of months ago, Mr. Muse shocked me by tellingKeena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-79305079037836282932016-10-15T20:07:00.001-05:002016-10-15T20:08:04.045-05:00Nothing new under the sun
Someone recently
commented that chaos would follow this election, regardless of who win.
As an historian,
I have to confess: the chaos has started.
For the most
part, everyone likes history, but I think the one thing you get from studying
history versus just reading history is the long-view of life on earth. You
learn how to take an event and follow the ripples through the centuries and
Keena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-58833233215826831912016-08-19T09:53:00.000-05:002016-08-25T17:23:15.618-05:00Do you have a Dirty Little Secret?
To celebrate the release of my new workbook, The Dirty Little Secrets of Character Development, I'm hosting a special Dirty Little Secrets (DLS) online workshop.
The workshop will be an interactive, online course that leads participants through fun, inventive exercises that will help them root out their characters' deep, dark secrets and how to use these secrets to further plot, conflict and (Keena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-31386553920218089992016-08-16T13:18:00.000-05:002016-08-16T13:18:00.271-05:00The Luxury of Equality
Over the
weekend, my family had a lively discussion about the whiplash of women’s status
through the ages, comparing gender equality in ancient Egypt and the modern
Western world vs. women’s status in ancient Greece and some modern Middle
Eastern countries.
Why would women
let that happen? One nephew asked.
But the thing
is, women didn’t let it happen. When
a civilization collapsesKeena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-32030444843889941452016-08-11T08:39:00.000-05:002016-08-11T08:39:31.922-05:00From Acorn to Oak
The journey from idea to finished book is a strange one.
Each book that I've written has a different origin--one came out of a dream and another from too much sugar and caffeine at a small tea shop in northern England.
My non-fiction book may have the oddest origin of them all, though.
Once upon a time, I was
the writer in a group of four friends who would hang out all the time to talk
work,Keena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-75623543146208785272016-07-27T19:51:00.001-05:002016-07-27T19:51:06.328-05:00To Tell the Truth
On July 25,
the New Yorker published a story by Donald Trump's ghostwriter, Tony Schwartz, with the subhead: “The Art of the Deal” made
America see Trump as a charmer with an unfailing knack for business. Tony
Schwartz helped create that myth—and regrets it.
Like a best-selling
medieval apology, Schwartz’s Confession offers justification, conviction, and
catastrophic consequences.
The Keena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-55179528791395705362016-07-11T17:27:00.000-05:002016-07-12T08:36:43.787-05:00The stove or the store?As I was cleaning my stovetop this morning, I started wondering what my current medieval heroine would think of kitchen.
This is a question I ask with each book I write because, well...it says a lot about the heroine (or hero) and gives me an idea of what they like least about their daily life.
Tess (from TIES THAT BIND) was endlessly fascinated by the idea of a shower.
Liza (ANAM CARA) Keena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-35045954061289016652016-07-04T11:42:00.002-05:002016-07-04T11:42:54.937-05:00Have I got a story for you!
A very fanciful news item made the rounds a few years ago: the discovery of the first gay caveman. When I saw the item, I figured the headline writers were just being salacious, as such writers are. However, the gay caveman was the conclusion of the lead archeologist.
A former newspaper editor of mine used to say, “Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.” He was being Keena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-3349735798855339192016-05-12T08:18:00.004-05:002016-05-12T08:25:33.232-05:00The Medieval Man and the Post-Truth Elections
As the election cycle gets crazier, I’ve been
thinking a lot about Simon de Montford.
Simon de Montford memorial at Haymarket Clock Tower, Leicester
Hasn’t everyone?
Simon, Earl of Leicester (yes, the
English city that recently won the UK Premier League championship), was a charismatic
malcontent who almost became king—and who inspired Alain, my romantic hero/spy
from Art of Love
Keena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-80540837813140062212016-04-28T10:38:00.001-05:002016-04-28T10:38:22.626-05:00Paris at any time
Paris doesn’t sell.
I’ve heard that statement quoted with the fervor of the newly
converted and the weariness of the ancient cynic since I first decided I wanted
to write. So me being me, I set my one of my favorite books, ART OF LOVE, in Paris.
But from my perspective from
a small coffee shop on the rue Voltaire,
there was no reason Paris shouldn’t sell. It’s a fabulous city Keena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-75745902051558523802015-12-15T08:04:00.001-06:002015-12-22T13:42:38.948-06:00
I’m often asked what medieval Christmases were like, which is a hard question to answer. Just as Christmas celebrations in 1815 were very different than our present-day festivities, the holidays in 953 vs. 1153 vs. 1353 were just different from each other. Early Christmas celebrations were marked by piety, prayer, and religious services. By the 10th century, Dec. 25th had become known Keena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-18234188504162878112015-11-23T11:14:00.002-06:002015-11-23T11:15:57.821-06:00
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Keena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-61415405140693430892013-03-02T15:09:00.000-06:002013-03-02T15:09:37.347-06:00Got a secret?
Secrets... we all have them, and our characters are no exception.
The trick is to bring to light the things our characters would rather keep hidden and make a good story a great one.
“The Dirty Little Secrets of Character Development” is an interactive workshop that leads participants through fun, inventive exercises that will help them root out their characters’ deep, darkKeena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-52644492115197203812013-02-15T09:21:00.000-06:002013-02-15T09:21:08.571-06:00Want Something More?
Something More is still free today at Amazon.
It's one of five books five authors from the Class of '85 series is giving away.
To review all the books, click here.Keena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-46594430628400132022013-02-13T20:25:00.000-06:002013-02-13T20:25:06.400-06:00Audio books: an unique kind of hell
Mom and the niece under a banyan tree.
Last week I took a road trip with my mom and niece to visit cousins in Florida. Yes, all that warmth and sunshine was a hardship.
But the trip wasn't without its trials.
En route, we stopped at Cracker Barrel and borrowed an audio book. I don't normally listen to books, but it's a nice way to pass the time during a 14-hour drive. Plus, it was by a Keena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-83506522970954054212013-02-02T09:51:00.000-06:002013-02-02T09:52:29.229-06:00Giving Away Free Books With A Little Help From My Friends<!--[if !mso]>
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Keena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-52434752648214399732013-01-16T09:06:00.001-06:002013-01-16T19:41:08.268-06:00Camino de Santiago
I promised this a while ago, but I've been having trouble with my website for the past month. Forgive the delay. I hope the wait was worth it.
Here's a link to my Pinterest page where I've posted photos of my walk through Spain.
All I can say is it's a life-changing walk. No, I don't look different and I didn't lose any bad habits, except one. I seem incapable of worrying.
Keena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-72977609299031261602012-11-10T08:20:00.000-06:002012-11-10T08:24:17.764-06:00Hermit Week 2012I've not posted this week because I've been holed up on the Isle of Palms for my annual Hermit Week writing vacation. I love it.
I brought my puppy with me this week because she's a bit young to leave at the pet hotel for the full week, and Abbey decided she wants to be a beach dog. Forever. I fully expect her to run away from home in a few months and make her way back down here.
Keena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-81382229409699414282012-10-23T09:20:00.003-05:002012-10-23T18:46:51.343-05:00Abbey says....Next time my human walks through Spain, she better take me with her.
I also like this photo. I bark at it every time it comes up on the TV's screen saver. I don't know why the bull doesn't run from me, but it doesn't.
I am Abbey, an opinionated Westie (is there another kind?) I will offer my opinion on books, photos, etc., whenever I get a Keena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-25574659858079757542012-10-20T20:05:00.004-05:002012-10-23T18:46:18.897-05:00Con pan y vino tinto
I just returned from walking the Camino de Santiago. It's funny. You'd think with hours and hours to do nothing but think, I'd have all kinds of blogs ready to post.
Alas, my thoughts were vaporous, revealing, concealing and oddly insubstantial. I'll post later, but for now I'm just going to share some photos.
The picture on the right was taken by my new friend, Chris. The photo below is Keena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-90871582908672115652012-05-18T07:18:00.000-05:002012-05-18T08:17:53.481-05:00Memoirs of love, loss and lifeMadeline Sharples is today's guest on Friday Five… Three... One. She's here to talk about her memoir, Leaving the Hall Light On: A Mother's Memoir of Living with her Son's Bipolar Disorder and Surviving His Suicide, was released by Lucky Press last year.
FIVE FUN FACTS:
Favorite beverage: Red zinfandel wine from Amador County, CA
One habit you just can’t break: Eating peanut Keena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-4695812541632640252012-05-11T08:10:00.002-05:002012-05-11T08:37:46.723-05:00Today's guest hopped The Pond to be here
Paula Martin had some early publishing success
with short stories and four contemporary romance novels in the 60’s and 70’s,
but then had a break from writing while she brought up a young family and also
pursued her career as a history teacher for 25 years.
Now's she's back to writing fiction. Her latest book from Whiskey Creek Press, Fragrance of Violets, is set in the Lake Keena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374580723184247824.post-8059333230419057532012-04-27T19:24:00.000-05:002012-04-27T19:25:01.528-05:00Friday Five: A habit she just can't breakHappy Friday! I'm at Chicago North's Spring Fling where I'll be speaking tomorrow. I scheduled the post to automatically be live at 6 a.m.--so let's hope it worked!
Today's guest is Eternal Press author Carrie Lynn Barker, whose books are named after books of the bible, but not necessary in the right order.
Carrie, take it away…
FIVE FUN FACTS:
Favorite beverage: Brandy sidecars.Keena Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.com5