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Showing posts with label Interviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Interviews. Show all posts
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Monday, March 30, 2015
Slaying Isidore's Dragons Book Tour! Amanda C. Stone Asks the Evil Question: Will There Be A Sequel?
Now available in
print and ebook at
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Slaying Isidore's Dragons Book Tour Kickoff - Timmy Interviews Isidore!
Welcome to Slaying Isidore’s Dragons' Book Tour Kickoff! Beginning today through April 25th, follow along for Fun Facts, never-before-seen Excerpts, Interviews, Character Interviews, interesting Blog Posts, and chances to win each of my books!
I have the great pleasure of having Timmy on my blog again and to help me kick off the book tour he interviews Isidore! This is his first character interview and he worked incredibly hard to develop questions and, as always, his questions are thoughtful and thought provoking. Isidore brought Declan along with him today and we also have the pleasure of meeting Ashley, Timmy’s sister and best friend! For those of you who have not read the blurb on Slaying Isidore's Dragons (below), Isidore is French and Declan is Irish. In this interview, Declan refers to Isidore as mo chroí which is Gaelic for 'my heart' and is pronounced me cree.
Let’s hear it for Timmy and his guests! Take it away, Timmy!
Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah the crowd goes wild!
Timmy: Thanks for joining me today, Isidore. It’s great to have you here.
Isidore: Thank you for inviting me, Timmy.
Timmy: You brought Declan with you, so I thought I’d bring my best friend, Ashley—
Ashley: Aloha!
Timmy: —Thank you for joining us, Declan.
Declan: *pauses and blushes*
Isidore: Is something wrong?
Declan: No, no. Just never done this before. It’s a little intimidating.
Isidore: Why are you intimidated? He is interviewing me.
Ashley: *cracks up*
Declan: *chuckles* Right. Thanks for having me, Timmy. I’m glad to be here.
Timmy: *smiles* Okay, let’s get started. Isidore, I know how it feels to be under the microscope and I, for one, do not like answering questions of any kind, so I appreciate your willingness to be here and the pressure I’m sure you are feeling.
Isidore: *nods appreciatively* Thank you.
::applause::
Timmy: Our mutual friend Cody says, ‘abuse doesn’t define you,’ but I have a hard time believing this. I believe in many ways my abuse not only defines me, but also made me who I am today. What are your thoughts on this?
Ashley: Wow. Start off with hard question, why don’t you.
Timmy: *glares at Ashley*
Ashley: *shrugs* Sorry.
Isidore: It is certain that what my brothers did to me is a part of me, but not all of me, nor who I wish to become. *looks at Declan* Nor is the right word?
Declan: Or, nor, doesn’t matter. They know what you mean.
Timmy: Thank you.
Isidore: Pardon. I wish to answer more.
Timmy: Go for it.
Isidore: At this time, I only begin to feel a little bit me. With Declan’s help, and my new home and mother, Sorcha, I begin to learn a little about me, who I am. I see things differently now and I see new things I have never seen before. I think it will take the little time for me to learn me. What has happened will always be a part of me, and some days are very hard for me, but I do not wish it to define all of me.
Timmy: Good answer, Isidore.
::applause::
Timmy: I have many questions I would like answered by my parents. I know I will never get those answers, but that doesn’t stop me from wondering. If you could ask your mother anything, what would it be?
Ashley: Dude, these are hard questions!
Timmy: Stop.
Declan: *laughs softly*
Isidore: *smiling* She likes to interrupt, oui?
Timmy: She wouldn’t be my Ash if she wasn’t outspoken.
Isidore: This is good. I like this. Okay. I think the questions I would like to ask my mother, she would not be able to answer. I think she found herself in a place, in a life that she did not imagine for herself or want for us, and she did not plan. She knew what was happening but could not stop it. So, like this, if she did try to answer something, it would be that she is sorry that she did not do better for me.
Timmy: I had a friend who was very important to me when I was young. She was the only friend that didn’t hurt me and was always there for me. She died in a car accident and I struggled with her death a lot. What do you do to get through the loss of your mother?
Isidore: *sadness fills face* I miss her. I am still processing this loss. To me the pain is so great that it is hard for me. I try to focus on the good things with her and I try to keep her alive in my drawings.
Timmy: Thank you, I know that was a very hard question and I miss my friend a lot too. I have two people in my life who have helped me very much, one of whom gave me the courage to leave my past life. Do you think you would have left if it hadn’t been for Declan?
Isidore: Never. I am afraid.... No, this is not the right word. I am terrified all of the time. For me, my life is only waiting for the next pain, the next degrade of my person, the next insult, the next humiliation. I have troubles with my mind. I forget things. Sometimes I cannot know what I am to do or say. It is a constant state of...of...what is the word? Tormente?
Declan: Turmoil? Chaos?
Isidore: Ah, this is the perfect word. Chaos. This is the word in French too.
Declan: *smiles* Ill.
Isidore: *smiles* Ill, this means good.
Ashley: See? Isidore’s cool.
Timmy: *side-eyes at Ashley* Go on, Isidore.
Isidore: *looks at Declan* This cool is good?
Declan: *chuckles* Yeah, babe. It’s ill.
Isidore: Ah, okay. Thank you, Ashley. I do not believe I have ever been cool to anyone.
Ashley: You are.
Declan: You’re the coolest, mo chroí.
Isidore: *smiles* Okay, so, like this, I have no strength and, to me, I do not have the worth of a... of an... ant. I try to be a good person and I wish to be loved, but I cannot find the way to do this without Declan. I do not have the strength without him. With him, I can see a little bit of me through his eyes, the way he talks to me, the way he is always sure I am safe. I hold this close in my heart and mind, and I make the courage for me. One day, I would like to be the Isidore in his eyes.
Declan: *squeezes Isidore’s hand* You are the Isidore in my eyes, you just don’t see it yet. But you will. Give it time.
Ashley: *looks at Timmy* Declan’s good for Isidore.
Timmy: She wouldn’t be my Ash if she wasn’t outspoken.
Isidore: This is good. I like this. Okay. I think the questions I would like to ask my mother, she would not be able to answer. I think she found herself in a place, in a life that she did not imagine for herself or want for us, and she did not plan. She knew what was happening but could not stop it. So, like this, if she did try to answer something, it would be that she is sorry that she did not do better for me.
::applause::
Timmy: I had a friend who was very important to me when I was young. She was the only friend that didn’t hurt me and was always there for me. She died in a car accident and I struggled with her death a lot. What do you do to get through the loss of your mother?
Isidore: *sadness fills face* I miss her. I am still processing this loss. To me the pain is so great that it is hard for me. I try to focus on the good things with her and I try to keep her alive in my drawings.
Timmy: Thank you, I know that was a very hard question and I miss my friend a lot too. I have two people in my life who have helped me very much, one of whom gave me the courage to leave my past life. Do you think you would have left if it hadn’t been for Declan?
Isidore: Never. I am afraid.... No, this is not the right word. I am terrified all of the time. For me, my life is only waiting for the next pain, the next degrade of my person, the next insult, the next humiliation. I have troubles with my mind. I forget things. Sometimes I cannot know what I am to do or say. It is a constant state of...of...what is the word? Tormente?
Declan: Turmoil? Chaos?
Isidore: Ah, this is the perfect word. Chaos. This is the word in French too.
Declan: *smiles* Ill.
Isidore: *smiles* Ill, this means good.
Ashley: See? Isidore’s cool.
Timmy: *side-eyes at Ashley* Go on, Isidore.
Isidore: *looks at Declan* This cool is good?
Declan: *chuckles* Yeah, babe. It’s ill.
Isidore: Ah, okay. Thank you, Ashley. I do not believe I have ever been cool to anyone.
Ashley: You are.
Declan: You’re the coolest, mo chroí.
Isidore: *smiles* Okay, so, like this, I have no strength and, to me, I do not have the worth of a... of an... ant. I try to be a good person and I wish to be loved, but I cannot find the way to do this without Declan. I do not have the strength without him. With him, I can see a little bit of me through his eyes, the way he talks to me, the way he is always sure I am safe. I hold this close in my heart and mind, and I make the courage for me. One day, I would like to be the Isidore in his eyes.
Declan: *squeezes Isidore’s hand* You are the Isidore in my eyes, you just don’t see it yet. But you will. Give it time.
::applause::
Ashley: *looks at Timmy* Declan’s good for Isidore.
Timmy: *smiles* Yeah, he is. Isidore, I often felt like I didn’t deserve my new life and struggled with wanting to go back, not because I wasn’t happy, but because it’s what I thought I deserved. Do you ever feel this way?
Isidore: I believe the question is when do I not feel this way. It is only Declan that keeps my mind turning from this. I fall to it, he turns the thoughts back. I fall to it, he turns the thoughts back again. It is a constant work for him, I am a constant work for him.
Declan: No, you’re not. All I’m doing is showing you who you really are.
Isidore: *blushes* I wish to believe this one day.
Timmy: Me too, Isidore.
Ashley: *one-arm hugs Timmy* You will. Promise.
Timmy: *blushes* Okay, Isidore, next question. I don’t think I will ever completely heal from everything that was done to me. It’s a part of me I can’t completely leave behind. Do you think in time you will heal?
Isidore: I believe the question is when do I not feel this way. It is only Declan that keeps my mind turning from this. I fall to it, he turns the thoughts back. I fall to it, he turns the thoughts back again. It is a constant work for him, I am a constant work for him.
Declan: No, you’re not. All I’m doing is showing you who you really are.
Isidore: *blushes* I wish to believe this one day.
::applause::
Ashley: *one-arm hugs Timmy* You will. Promise.
Timmy: *blushes* Okay, Isidore, next question. I don’t think I will ever completely heal from everything that was done to me. It’s a part of me I can’t completely leave behind. Do you think in time you will heal?
Isidore: *sadness fills face* I wish to. I am working hard for this. I believe one day it will happen that I am better. *shifts in seat* But, like this, some holes in the heart and some small darkness in the mind will remain.
Timmy: I agree. We get better and heal, but there are things that never go away.
Timmy: I find it is easier for me, day-to-day, if I look at the bigger picture. I like to make goals and plan my future. What do you plan for your future? What do you want to be?
Isidore: *thoughtful* I do not see my future yet. I have a plan to stay with Declan and in my new home with Sorcha. This is the only plan I can believe for me now.
Timmy: I felt the same way when I first left. Then, slowly, I could plan a day and then two days. They sorta build when you aren’t looking.
Isidore: It is like this. Like the sun rising or the flower blooming. It is happening but we do not see it.
Timmy: *smiles* Yep, just like that. Okay, when I’m having a bad day or a hard time, one of my favorite things is when Cody or Ashley make me laugh or smile. It may be with random silliness or something real that they make a joke about. Do you feel the same way and, if so, how does Declan make you laugh?
Isidore: Oh, oui. I like to laugh. Like this, it is the good medicine. I like when Declan and Sorcha make the fun at the people who hurt me. I like when Declan asks me to do something I can do like to speak French to him though he does not understand it. I find this very funny. I ask you, would you like someone to speak a language you do not understand? This does not make sense to me.
Timmy: *laughs* Cody sucked the M off his laptop keyboard with a vacuum cleaner. It didn’t make sense to me either, but it was funnier than hell.
Cody: *cracks up* Thanks, Timmy. Tell everyone about it, why don’t you.
Isidore: *still laughing* See? This is good. Laughter is good.
Timmy: Okay, another question. I have a much larger group of friends now than I ever had in the past. I have made many good friends thanks to social media. Along with all my new friends come new pressures. I always want to be what people are looking for, and yet I need to be me. How do you deal with all the pressure, especially now that there is a book about you and people will know who Isidore is?
Isidore: This is a good question. I feel the book puts the microscope over me and it is uncomfortable. I do not wish to be noticed. It is safer if I am not noticed. Like this, no one can hurt me. I wish to find more courage so I am not afraid, but I think the loneliness is the hardest. Loneliness is very painful. I wish to be better with people, and would like to feel that I am part of the things around me, and that I contribute to the people. So, like this, I do not have the answer except to say that I am uncomfortable with people and I wish to be better.
Declan: *one-arm hugs Isidore* You’re doing great, mo chroi. And you’re great at taking care of Caleb.
Ashley: Who’s Caleb?
Isidore: Oh. He is a friend. He is living with us now because his parents did not like that he is gay. I take care of him so he does not feel bad and have the nightmare.
Timmy: I hate nightmares.
Isidore: I do too. They are horrible. I must relive the past and I wake in pain as if they have hurt me again. It is difficult to explain, but the dreams are real to me and the pain is real to me when I wake and I cannot get the memories or the pain to go for many hours.
Timmy: I know that feeling. It takes my whole day away from me.
Isidore: It is this exactly. It is as if they continue to steal life from me. I do not like this.
Timmy: Yep. It’s really unfair that they can still hurt us after they’re gone.
Isidore: Exactly. I become very angry, then I cry, and then I am angry with me for the tears.
Timmy: Yep. It’s like a waking nightmare after that.
Isidore: Exactly. This is a very good explanation.
Timmy: Thanks, Isidore. Okay, my friend, Mel, has a question for you. She would like to know if you will tell Declan’s Alexander and Hephaestion stories to your children.
Isidore: *bursts into laughter*
Declan: *snorts* Hey, I do the best I can with what I got.
Ashley: Who are they?
Isidore: Alexander the Great and his general, Hephaestion. They were in love and Declan tells me stories when I cannot sleep. He tells me Hephaestion liked women’s clothing, including stockings and heels, but his favorite were pasties.
Ashley: *gapes at Declan* You are cray cray.
Declan: *smiles* Hey, we do what we gotta do to keep ‘em happy, right?
Ashley: *fist bumps Declan* You know it.
Isidore: Did you know, Ashley, they have this thing called a food fight? They throw food at each other.
Ashley: Oh, yeah. We have those with jello.
Timmy: *snorts and rolls eyes* The best ones are sock fights, especially when I get them wet and throw them at you! I win!
Timmy: Thank you, Isidore, for joining me today on Cody’s blog. Declan, thanks for coming, man. And Ash, thanks for being my BFF and sister.
Isidore: Thank you, Timmy.
Timmy: Thanks for your honesty, Isidore.
Declan: Thanks for being good to him, Timmy.
Timmy: Wouldn't have it any other way and he's welcome back any time.
Ashley: Peace out.
::audience awwwww::
Timmy: I agree. We get better and heal, but there are things that never go away.
::applause::
Timmy: I find it is easier for me, day-to-day, if I look at the bigger picture. I like to make goals and plan my future. What do you plan for your future? What do you want to be?
Isidore: *thoughtful* I do not see my future yet. I have a plan to stay with Declan and in my new home with Sorcha. This is the only plan I can believe for me now.
Timmy: I felt the same way when I first left. Then, slowly, I could plan a day and then two days. They sorta build when you aren’t looking.
Isidore: It is like this. Like the sun rising or the flower blooming. It is happening but we do not see it.
Timmy: *smiles* Yep, just like that. Okay, when I’m having a bad day or a hard time, one of my favorite things is when Cody or Ashley make me laugh or smile. It may be with random silliness or something real that they make a joke about. Do you feel the same way and, if so, how does Declan make you laugh?
Isidore: Oh, oui. I like to laugh. Like this, it is the good medicine. I like when Declan and Sorcha make the fun at the people who hurt me. I like when Declan asks me to do something I can do like to speak French to him though he does not understand it. I find this very funny. I ask you, would you like someone to speak a language you do not understand? This does not make sense to me.
Timmy: *laughs* Cody sucked the M off his laptop keyboard with a vacuum cleaner. It didn’t make sense to me either, but it was funnier than hell.
::everyone laughs::
Cody: *cracks up* Thanks, Timmy. Tell everyone about it, why don’t you.
Isidore: *still laughing* See? This is good. Laughter is good.
Timmy: Okay, another question. I have a much larger group of friends now than I ever had in the past. I have made many good friends thanks to social media. Along with all my new friends come new pressures. I always want to be what people are looking for, and yet I need to be me. How do you deal with all the pressure, especially now that there is a book about you and people will know who Isidore is?
Isidore: This is a good question. I feel the book puts the microscope over me and it is uncomfortable. I do not wish to be noticed. It is safer if I am not noticed. Like this, no one can hurt me. I wish to find more courage so I am not afraid, but I think the loneliness is the hardest. Loneliness is very painful. I wish to be better with people, and would like to feel that I am part of the things around me, and that I contribute to the people. So, like this, I do not have the answer except to say that I am uncomfortable with people and I wish to be better.
Declan: *one-arm hugs Isidore* You’re doing great, mo chroi. And you’re great at taking care of Caleb.
Ashley: Who’s Caleb?
Isidore: Oh. He is a friend. He is living with us now because his parents did not like that he is gay. I take care of him so he does not feel bad and have the nightmare.
Timmy: I hate nightmares.
Isidore: I do too. They are horrible. I must relive the past and I wake in pain as if they have hurt me again. It is difficult to explain, but the dreams are real to me and the pain is real to me when I wake and I cannot get the memories or the pain to go for many hours.
Timmy: I know that feeling. It takes my whole day away from me.
Isidore: It is this exactly. It is as if they continue to steal life from me. I do not like this.
Timmy: Yep. It’s really unfair that they can still hurt us after they’re gone.
Isidore: Exactly. I become very angry, then I cry, and then I am angry with me for the tears.
Timmy: Yep. It’s like a waking nightmare after that.
Isidore: Exactly. This is a very good explanation.
Timmy: Thanks, Isidore. Okay, my friend, Mel, has a question for you. She would like to know if you will tell Declan’s Alexander and Hephaestion stories to your children.
Isidore: *bursts into laughter*
Declan: *snorts* Hey, I do the best I can with what I got.
Ashley: Who are they?
Isidore: Alexander the Great and his general, Hephaestion. They were in love and Declan tells me stories when I cannot sleep. He tells me Hephaestion liked women’s clothing, including stockings and heels, but his favorite were pasties.
::everyone laughs::
Ashley: *gapes at Declan* You are cray cray.
Declan: *smiles* Hey, we do what we gotta do to keep ‘em happy, right?
Ashley: *fist bumps Declan* You know it.
Isidore: Did you know, Ashley, they have this thing called a food fight? They throw food at each other.
Ashley: Oh, yeah. We have those with jello.
Timmy: *snorts and rolls eyes* The best ones are sock fights, especially when I get them wet and throw them at you! I win!
::audience laughs::
Timmy: Thank you, Isidore, for joining me today on Cody’s blog. Declan, thanks for coming, man. And Ash, thanks for being my BFF and sister.
Isidore: Thank you, Timmy.
Timmy: Thanks for your honesty, Isidore.
Declan: Thanks for being good to him, Timmy.
Timmy: Wouldn't have it any other way and he's welcome back any time.
Ashley: Peace out.
::applause and standing ovation::
About Slaying Isidore's Dragons
Follow the burgeoning love of two teens during the worst year of their lives. Irish-born Declan David de Quirke II is the son of two ambassadors, one Irish and one American. He is ‘out’ to his parents but to no one else. French-born Jean Isidore de Sauveterre is also the son of two ambassadors, one Catalan and one Parisian. His four half brothers have been told to cure him of his homosexuality. Both teens have lost a parent in a London car bombing.
Declan and Isidore meet at the beginning of their senior year at a private academy in the United States. Declan is immediately smitten with Isidore and becomes his knight in shining armor. Isidore wants to keep what is left of his sanity and needs Declan’s love to do it. One is beaten, one is drugged, one is nearly raped, one has been raped. They are harassed by professors and police, and have fights at school, but none of it compares to running for their lives. When the headmaster’s popular son attempts suicide and someone tries to assassinate Declan’s mother, they are thrown headlong into chaos, betrayal, conspiracy, allegations of sexual coercion, even murder. And one of them carries a secret that may get them killed.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Author Spotlight & Author Chat at Bike Book Reviews 3 o'clock p.m. PST SUNDAY!
Read the Bike Book Reviews Interview!
Read nearly 60 questions and answers in the
Author Chat
Read three never-before-seen excerpts from
Slaying Isidore's Dragons and Tharros!
Author Chat
Read three never-before-seen excerpts from
Slaying Isidore's Dragons and Tharros!
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Timmy Interviews Cody! Part One of a Three-part Interview!
Getting to know My Koti
I have met some really cool people on Facebook and I love to soak up all the information I can about them. I like to feel I really know them. I know Cody very well, and respect him a lot. As I read interviews of him, I find that people ask him a lot of the same questions and those are mostly about his work as an author, and the work he does helping abused kids.
I wish people knew My Koti; the one who has helped me through so much of the difficult time in my life. There is so much people don’t know about him. So, on that note, I asked if I could interview him and he said yes! I had so many questions that I decided to make it a three-part interview! And he still said yes! Yay! I’m super excited!
This first interview is all about My Koti where I asked never before asked questions about him. Enjoy!
I have heard that writers do different things when starting a new book. Are there any rituals you go through when starting to write a new book?
Because I’m an organization freak, the first thing I do is ensure that all of my filing is complete. This may sound simple, but for me it isn’t. I detest filing with a passion. I create piles and am happy with my piling system...until I can’t find something. Then a bunch of keening and wailing occurs. I digress.
Because I view starting a new project as an exciting privilege and I practice “get the worst over as quickly as you can,” I force myself to FILE. This involves a lot of self-talk. If you hadn’t let it go for so long, you’d have this done in ten minutes. But, no. You had to let it go for a month. It’s your own fault. Speed it up.
If you are sleeping and suddenly wake up with a new story or character on your mind, what is the first thing you do?
Tell myself to go back to sleep, the idea will still be there tomorrow. True story.
There are some who say writer’s block is not real. What are your feelings on writer's block?
Writer’s block is defined as “the condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing.” Setting aside for a moment that authorship is a profession and, as such, one does not have the luxury of being unable to write, I don’t have this problem. I was blessed with a wild imagination and, rather, I have the problem of having too many directions to go with a story. I’m oft burdened with figuring out how I can fit all the imagined options into a story. Realistically, this isn’t possible and I must choose what to keep and what to lose. I have a number of incredible talents, but the art of choosing is not one of them. Please see: keening and wailing, above.
I have heard it said that if you do something a million times you become an expert at it. Translated to writing, if you have written over a million words would that make a writer an expert? Are you an expert?
No and no. Writing does take practice and many of us have written well over a million words, but unless we hone our skills as we go and press ourselves to be ever better as we write, we won’t improve. I have been writing for nearly half a century and am nowhere near being as good as I hope to one day be. I’ll add another thought. I will never be an expert at anything. Being an expert infers that there is little or nothing more to learn about a particular subject and I won’t limit myself in that respect. Our worlds are not static. They’re ever-changing and ever-evolving things and there is and always will be more to learn about everything.
Is this the part where I say I don’t date? Gawwww. What a question! A walk on the beach, good conversation, and dinner on the pier as we watch the sunset. Life is hard and I suggest that spending as much time as we can making our lives peaceful and easy, the healthier we’ll be. I like peaceful and easy.
I love reading about different time periods, whether in the future or the past. I always wonder what my life might be if I was born in another time. If you could live an any time period, what would it be and why?
I would choose to live in the future. I want to be able to fly without the aid of large machinery, to travel instantaneously, and to live in world peace. While things may get worse before they get better, I’m certain we’ll achieve world peace in the future.
I think of the future often. I hope that one day everyone will see me as normal as they see themselves. Until then, we depend on our government to keep LGBTQIAP people safe and to force people to treat us equally. In your opinion, what is the most important law that can be or has been put into place to help the LGBT community?
Certainly, marriage equality has changed not only our country, but also the world. Nonetheless, rights are not yet equal or equitable. The disparity in both instances stems from discrimination and I believe more severe pecuniary measures should be in place not only for discrimination, but for concealing, fostering, and/or being a passive party to it.
I have always wanted a pet but, other then my fish, I have not had one. Tell me about the pets you have had in your life. Are they your friends? Are they your children? Do they make you laugh? Are they there when you are upset?
I have had every conceivable domesticated animal as a pet, each with his or her own distinctly different personality. I had a fawn Great Dane when I grew up. Psyche was the sweetest dog ever and took up more of my twin bed than I did. Pyewacket, my beautiful chocolate Siamese cat, was very fickle and aloof, but also slept on my bed at night. Her purring is indelibly imprinted in my mind. As an adult, I had a black and tan hound named Dixie for thirteen years. Her disposition was as sweet as Psyche’s was. I miss all of them dearly. Now, I have a horse and three parrots. My horse, Majic, is fun but he is spoiled and can be a jerk. Having three parrots is like having three four-year-olds. They’re a ton of work and time-consuming, but so worth it. And yes, they know instinctively when I’m upset or angry. Two of them will immediately ask “Are you okay?” This goes on repeatedly until the third chimes in with “I love you.” It’s uncanny. #BestFriendsEver
Yes! They are stockings!
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes it’s hard to sit back and look at what your weaknesses are. My strength is caring. I care about people and things, and I believe that makes me a better person. My biggest weakness is self-bullying. If I could learn to be nicer to myself, I could save myself a lot of drama. What is your best strength and your biggest weakness?
I don’t know. I try to look at the positive side of things and think that's my best quality. It seems each trait we carry has two sides to it. I’m fun, caring, and try to be kind. Because I strive to be patient in all things, I often allow others to take advantage of me. #Note2Self #Area4Improvement I wish I was not as gullible as I am and wish I had a quick wit. I’m lousy with wit. I’d say my greatest weakness is my temper if I feel someone is being unjustly treated or, worse yet, mistreated. It’s a whoa gig for me. I force myself to walk away. A friend of mine bought me a stuffed animal as a birthday gift once. It’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I still have it. Begs the question: Why do I still have it? :/
People say it doesn’t matter what others think about me. I say that’s a bunch of crap! It’s hard not to care when people look down on me. I know what your advice to me would be, but how do you deal with negative people in your life?
I ignore them. One of the benefits of age is that you care less about what others think of you. In caring less, you are more naturally yourself and the ease with which you function puts others at ease. As a result, less strife occurs around you. That said, when I was your age, I felt very differently. My grandfather kept having my hair cut short when I was young and I finally convinced him to let me grow it...and grow it...and grow it...and have had long hair ever since...because I can hide behind it when I’m feeling unsure of myself. That’s a secret. Please don’t tell anyone.
When I review books, I try to be careful not to hurt authors’ feelings because I know they put a lot of time and effort into their books. I understand that two of your books hit close to home for you. I can’t imagine what it took for you to write about such painful memories. How do you deal with criticism on these stories? How do you deal with what must be heartbreak when they say they are not realistic?
First, I swallow hard and stifle sadness. Second, I shake my head and decry the human race for believing that we are incapable of treating our youth so badly. Third, I smirk. Particularly at those who claim to be “in a profession” related to what I have not only written, but lived. Finally, I smile to myself and think there is nothing wrong with people disagreeing with or not liking what I write. Far be it from me to “tell” anyone anything. It isn’t my place. In the end, I try to be philosophical about it. The aforementioned said, Pollyanna is not my middle name and I welcome constructive debate when it comes to the treatment and care of abused children.
I find that though being gay does not define me, many things about my appearance might indicate that I’m gay. What parts of your appearance are unique to your sexuality?
Being Intersex, it’s difficult to tell whether I’m male or female. From a distance, I appear female, but as one comes closer, they realize I shave, etc. What follows is a lot of staring. We’re deeply conditioned, sociopathically so, to sense gender first and above all things, and it’s tough for people to adjust to. Unfortunately, staring is also one of the few things that irritates me. I want to stare back and say: JUST ASK!
Thanks, My Koti! This is great! The second interview will be about Intersex people and what is means to be intersex. The third interview will be about how being intersex has affected him and the challenges he has met with. Stay tuned!
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Author Chat! Meet me at Rainbow Gold Reviews Facebook Page tonight 7:30 p.m. PST!
Come on over to Rainbow Gold Reviews' Facebook Page for an author chat! We'll be talking about PRIDE and writing high-action stories! Comment there and on Rainbow Gold's blog for a chance to win an ebook copy of my novella, Safe! Come check it out!Sunday, September 22, 2013
Tony Edmondson, Fan Extraordinaire, interviews Cody about Omorphi
Tony interviews Cody
Tony Edmondson is a loyal fan and friend and he was kind enough to pose a few questions to me for Omorphi's blog tour. HARD questions, Tony!
Sometimes the reminders are good. I have two scars, one on each shin, from a sailing accident. I used to race catamarans. Once, I was hiked out on a shroud and we were on a beam reach (sailing nearly perpendicular to the wind - more friction in the sails, more speed) and the pontoon began to lift.
Tony: Do you truly believe in a happily ever after for everyone?
Tony Edmondson is a loyal fan and friend and he was kind enough to pose a few questions to me for Omorphi's blog tour. HARD questions, Tony!
Tony: Omorphi is a story about a young man’s self-resurrection after suffering years of abuse and how love can help guide the healing process. I enjoyed it very much. You wrote a remarkable book.
Cody: Thank you, Tony! And thanks for interviewing me on my blog!
Tony: I understand that you volunteer to work with traumatized youths. How do you feel about scars and why? Do you think they add to or detract from a person’s appeal?
Cody: In my mind, scars are no different from any other physical characteristic, except in one respect. They are permanent reminders to the person who wears them.
Sometimes the reminders are good. I have two scars, one on each shin, from a sailing accident. I used to race catamarans. Once, I was hiked out on a shroud and we were on a beam reach (sailing nearly perpendicular to the wind - more friction in the sails, more speed) and the pontoon began to lift.
I didn’t weigh enough to keep the pontoon reasonably off the water and the boat pitched suddenly, the mast buckled (it’s supposed to be flexible), the shroud snapped, and I was airborne! What goes up must come down. When the mast straightened and the shroud was taut once more, Cody came down. Hard. Having no idea where I would land, I curled into a ball. My shins hit the dolphin strikes and they sliced through my wetsuit and into my shins. Nonetheless, we won the race - 1st place!!! One of the guys we raced against was an ER doctor. Stitches on the beach. Definitely a first for me. I like those scars. They tell a great story.
Sometimes the reminders are not-so-good. Some of the scars I have tell another story, and I don’t like those. And I don’t like them even more when people stare. That’s very hard for me, so I’m pretty mummified in clothing when leave my home.
Tony: That’s a great sailing story, Cody. I hope you focus more on the scars from sailing than the others. What advice would you give someone who suffers abuse, and has asked for help, and not received it?
Cody: DON’T GIVE UP! There is hope and there is help. Tell someone else, someone you can trust. If you don’t have anyone in your life that you can trust, call one of these numbers:
RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
The Trevor Project 1-866-488-7366
If you are not in crisis, and need help finding people who can help and support you, go to ReachOut.com.
Tony: This is another two-part question. When writing stories about abused youths, do you feel your abused character’s emotional pain, and does feeling his or her pain cause you to feel emotional pain?
Cody: As an author, I don’t believe that you can’t write a story about an abused person and not feel your character’s low sense of worth, shame, humiliation, guilt, isolation, loss, anger, betrayal, and fear. I remind myself that I’m writing and that it isn’t me in the picture. Yet, sometimes it becomes difficult and I must remind myself that abuse does not define me and not to judge myself by what others have done to me.
Tony: Do you base the abused characters in your stories on real people or are they purely fictional?
Cody: I have to preface this answer by saying that I write fiction! That said, in the case of Omorphi, Christy is made up of a good portion of me.
Tony: Do you truly believe in a happily ever after for everyone?
Cody: Yes. I’m a firm believer in life is what we make it. Sometimes it isn’t fair and sometimes it can be downright cruel but it’s up to us to change life for the better, not only for ourselves, but also for others. Kindness is powerful. And that means being kind to yourself too. I also believe that everyone will find true love. Somewhere out there, there is someone looking for exactly what you have to offer. Dare to imagine. Dare to believe.
Tony: Do you have a schedule for writing or do you write when the mood strikes?
Cody: I’m a rebel. I refuse to write on any particular schedule. I simply know that I must write daily. When I don’t, my dreams become nightmares and depression sets in.
Tony: As you know, I like to end my interviews of you with a silly question. What are your three favorite foods?
Cody: Three? I must choose only three? That’s so hard, Tony! 1. Bittersweet chocolate 2. Garlic bread 3. Beef prime rib.
Thanks for your time, Cody. It’s always great to interview you. Omorphi is a touching and epic novel, and I have no doubt that it will fly off the shelves. Your friend always, Tony.
~*~
A little about Tony: Tony hails from North Carolina where he and his partner share a home with a number of pets. Tony is an incredible cook and keeps their home immaculate! Tony “friended” me on Facebook, is a loyal fan, and has become an invaluable beta reader. Tony is, without question, the epitome of what every author dreams of having in a fan. I am fortunate to count you among my friends as well as fans, Tony. You're one seriously awesome guy!
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Cody is Author of the Week!
John asks tough questions and Cody gives honest answers about Omorphi, hope, the sensitive and crucial subject of abuse, the business of writing, and more!
Harmony Ink Press brings Omorphi to you this fall! Be sure to sign up for Inklings Newsletter to receive announcements about new releases, free reads, and more!
Όμορφη
~*~
Όμορφη. Ómorphi. Greek. Meaning pretty
Pretty. adj. /pritē/ Pleasing by delicacy or grace
Pretty. adj. /pritē/ Pleasing by delicacy or grace
~*~
Michael led a charmed life. He had great parents who were cool with him being gay, a straight best friend who was like a brother to him, and plans to attend Oxford University on an athletic scholarship. The only thing missing from his life was a boyfriend. A pretty one. That’s exactly what he found the morning he bumped into Christy. But nothing, not even Michael’s wildest dreams, could have prepared him for what came with Christy.
Christy knew he was broken. He needed to heal and knew he needed help to do it. So, he made a plan. A plan to go where no one knew who he was, or what had been done to him. And it almost worked. Read an excerpt of Omorphi.
Friday, April 12, 2013
It's Here! Safe Turns One Today!
Saturday, join Cody on his blog for the first anniversary celebration of Safe's release! Awesome authors Shira Anthony, Will Parkinson, Wade Kelly, John H. Ames, and Jayson James pose tough questions to Cody. Cody discusses Safe, what it's like to be an author, and also answers a few personal questions. Cody will also answer your questions on these awesome authors' blogs! Check 'em out!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
The Next Big Thing #2
Here it is! Cody answers ten questions about upcoming novel, Omorphi!
In a stunning turn of events, authors Jamie Deacon and Will Parkinson were ruthless kind enough to seek revenge on me and tag me in the Next Big Thing blog hop again! This is my second opportunity in this serial victimization blog hop to answer ten questions about my next big thing (O.o) and prey upon tag other ill-fated authors to perpetuate this chain letter blog hop under the threat of certain demise. It's a way of getting a chance to stalk find out about what attention seeking^your ^favorite authors who you have never heard of are up to while being introduced to authors who might be new to you. So, here goes...
What is the working title of your book?
The working title of the novel that I would like to share with you today was Pretty. As the novel is now complete, its title is Omorphi ©2012.
Όμορφη. Ómorphi. Greek. Meaning pretty
Pretty. adj. /pritē/ Pleasing by delicacy or grace
I wanted to write a story about the love and acceptance of a gay boy who likes to wear pretty things. In developing the story, I came across a picture that, to the best of my knowledge, is entitled Stairway to Heaven and defined the very beauty of what I had in mind.
I do not own the rights to this picture.
It is a professional photograph
and I have been unable to locate its owner.
What is the genre of the book?
Gay Young Adult, Contemporary, Action-Romance
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
For the role of Michael Sattler, it would be Nico Tortorella, and for the role of Christophoros Castle, it would be supermodel, Andrej Pejic.
Nico Tortorella Andrej Pejic
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Pretty Christy has traveled several thousand miles to escape his abusive captors and has landed in Michael’s arms; and Michael will do almost anything to keep Christy from being dragged back to a life of hell.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency/publisher?
I am not certain yet.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
There is no story that I can truly compare it to.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
We often disregard the undefined shades that exist between each of the bright hues of the QUILTBAG rainbow and I wanted to write a story that focused on one of the many shades in between each color of the rainbow.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
What extremes, peril, or devastating sadness, would you go to save the life of the one you love?
Look for The Next Big Thing blog posts from these awesome authors on or before February 13th!
Surviving Elite High’s author, John H. Ames
By the Creek’s author, Geoff Laughton
Happy Reading!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
The Next Big Thing!
Fellow author Jenn Roseton was kind enough to tag me in the Next Big Thing blog hop. The Next Big Thing Blog Hop gives writers a chance to answer ten questions about one of their favorite things - work in process - and then to tag other authors to perpetuate the hop. It's a way of getting a chance to find out what your favorite authors are up to and a chance to learn about authors who might be new to you. So, here goes.
What is the working title of your book?
Slaying Isidore’s Dragons ©2010.
Where did the idea for the book come from?
I was casually strolling down an unlit sidewalk in my mind late one night, minding my own business, when imagination, past world travel, and memories of rare moments at diplomatic functions came out of nowhere and mugged me. I’m pleased to report that I fought the gang of three and lived to write this novel.
What is the genre of the book?
Gay young adult, contemporary, action-adventure romance.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
For the role of Declan de Quirke (pronounced de Kirk), it would be a young Jared Leto and for the role of Isidore, it would be a young Avan Jorgia with green eyes.
Jared Leto Avan Jorgia
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0
5 Best friends - 4 Vicious brothers - 3 STD tests - 2 Guys in love - 1 Car bombing
&
Nowhere to run
5 Best friends - 4 Vicious brothers - 3 STD tests - 2 Guys in love - 1 Car bombing
&
Nowhere to run
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency/publisher?
I am not certain yet.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
I am not certain yet.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Three months.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
This is a tough question. I would say that it is a teen The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum meets a gay themed Target by Kathleen Jeffrie Johnson with a little Sinner's Gin by Rhys Ford and a splash of Finding Zach by Rowan Speedwell.
Who, or what, inspired you to write this book?
I wanted to write an action-oriented romance that gave abused gay male youths hope and, at the same time, brought other parts of the world to readers. Slaying Isidore’s Dragons is about ridding Isidore of his abusers, learning to be unafraid, and finding unexpected love – all while running for your life – around the world – while abiding law, yet sticking up for yourself. It’s a high-action story with unexpected twists and turns. And a love story. Honest.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
It’s a nearly unimaginable wild ride. Besides, who wouldn’t want to vanquish enemies with the power of love?
Look for The Next Big Thing blog posts from these hot new authors on or before January 30th!
Jamie Deacon
Will Parkinson
Jamie Deacon
Will Parkinson
Slaying Isidore's Dragons
5 Best friends
4 Vicious brothers
3 STD tests
2 Guys in love
1 Car bombing
&
Nowhere to run
Slaying Isidore’s Dragons follows the burgeoning love of two high school seniors during the worst year of their lives.
Irish born Declan David de Quirke II is the son of two Ambassadors, one Irish and one American. He’s come out to his parents but to no one else.
French born Jean-Isidore de Sauvéterre is the son of two Ambassadors, one Catalan and one Parisian. His four half-brothers have been told to cure him of his homosexuality.
Declan and Isidore meet at the beginning of their senior year at a private academy in the United States
5 Weeks of hell
4 Attempts on their lives
3 Law enforcement agencies
2 Dead high school seniors
1 Jealous friend
&
A love that won’t be denied
One is beaten, one is drugged, one is nearly raped, one has been raped, they are harassed by professors and police, and have fights at school, but none of it compares to running for their lives. When the Headmaster’s popular son attempts suicide and someone attempts to assassinate Declan’s mother, they are thrown headlong into chaos, betrayal, conspiracy, allegations of sexual coercion, pornography, even murder. And one of them carries a secret that may get them killed.
5 New family members
4 BFF’s
3 Countries
2 Extraordinary Psychologists
1 Courageous Mother
&
A new beginning for two young men in love
Read the never before released Chapter Two of Slaying Isidore's Dragons here.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
A Q&A with Cody Kennedy about Safe!
O.o Boys on the Brink poses a hard question to Cody!
This is billed as being for young adults and some might say the content is perhaps a little too sexually explicit for the intended audience. How would you respond?
Monday, December 24, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
An interview with Cody!
During the first week in January, Boys on the Brink will feature an interview with Cody. Cody will answer this question:
"[Your novella Safe] is billed as being for young adults, and some might say the
content is perhaps a little too sexually explicit for the intended audience. How
would you respond?"
Check back for announcements about the interview!
During the first week in January, Boys on the Brink will feature an interview with Cody. Cody will answer this question:
"[Your novella Safe] is billed as being for young adults, and some might say the
content is perhaps a little too sexually explicit for the intended audience. How
would you respond?"
Check back for announcements about the interview!
Boys on the Brink
Sharing the best in gay YA fiction — book reviews, giveaways, author interviews, and more...
Saturday, December 1, 2012
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