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Csr Discussion Day: Shepherd's Crook By K.c.


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For March's CSR book selection we had K.C.'s Shepherd's Crook. If you haven't read it yet, go take a look. The interview could have some spoilers, though, so don't read on if you don't want to ruin the surprise. I hope everyone who has read the story will share their thoughts with K.C. today. Also... He's coming back between 8:00 and 10:00 PM, EST for a live chat!!You can ask him your questions about him, his writing, Shepherd's Crook, his current work or future work. If you can't make it then, feel free to leave your questions here before.

 


A Little Bit About K.C.

 

When did you first consider yourself a writer? When I was 8 years old. I wrote a story about my Uncle stealing all of my Grandmother’s peaches from the greenhouse. My Grandmother glued the pages of my story onto construction paper and made it into my first real book. I was so excited, I ran around showing it to everyone.

 

Do you eat your vegetables? Yes! I absolutely love every kind of vegetable.

 

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? Can I pick 2?? When I first joined GA, Andrew Q Gordon was amazing to me. He showed me the ropes and taught me a bunch of stuff I was doing wrong and made my writing even better. Andy rocks! Even though Rustle hasn’t written lots of stories, what he has written is very impressive, but his knowledge about everything else is what makes him a great mentor/beta/editor/friend. The dude is a walking encyclopedia! I can go to him with anything and he knows the answer. Also, he’s not afraid to call bullshit on me when I’m being an ass! LOL

 

What’s your favorite story/eBook/book of all time? ‘The Stand’ by Stephen King
M-O-O-N …. That spells Promising Author!

 

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Finding a unique character voice for each story is a real challenge. I’m always worried that the protagonist will be too similar to something else I’ve done before (…or worse… like what someone else has done). Also, I still have issues with head-hopping. I’ve gotten a lot better over the last few years with my character’s POV, but I still struggle with head-hopping in my stories.

 

When was the last time you made your bed? Last night, before going to bed, LOL. I washed all the sheets/blankets and there’s some kind of law that requires you to make the bed when the sheets are fresh and clean…so you can dirty them up again! Please don’t send the bed police to my house!

 

Do your characters try to make like bunnies and create ever more convoluted plots for you? Or do you have to coax them out of your characters? Haha! They have plots and plans of their own and usually, I’m the last to know. I try to keep my characters in line, but they have a sneaky way of turning the tables on me so I have to beat them back into line!

 

Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate! Great, now I want a cookie. (I’m very easily distracted)

 

A Little About Shepherd’s Crook

 

 

 


***Wipe cookie crumbs off face***

 

So how did you come up with your idea for Shepherd’s Crook? It was a story that I’ve kicked around since I was in college. It’s changed some over the years, but the plot always focused on Gibby and Tanner. It was always going to be a ghost story, which could never have a happy ending. I wanted to show the heartache and pain without obliterating the characters. I hope I pulled it off.

 

Was it hard writing a story filled with such dramatic elements? Yes! My mom was still alive when I first wrote Shepherd’s Crook. She was so mad at me for killing beloved characters. Mom begged me to change it! Unfortunately, sometimes in real life, the good guys die and the bad guys win. It totally sucks, but it happens! If every story was promised a happy-ever-after, I would give up writing. LOL

 

Do you have a favorite part of the story? Why? I love the relationship between Gibby and his dad, Jonathan. I never had a dad and I wanted their relationship to feel real and not like some picture perfect Stepford Family story where everything is perfect. Gibby and Jonathan are flawed and damaged people, but they are not broken. They find their strength in each other.

 

What was the best feedback you received for this story from readers? Wow, there were so many fabulous reviews on this story, I don’t know where to start. I couldn’t believe how much the readers got into the story. They cheered for Gibby and cried when things went wrong. The readers were amazing and that encouraged me to deliver the best story I could.

 

Is there anything you’d do differently, if you were writing this again? Yes! I always have ideas after the fact and would have loved to worked them in. I’m always like ‘Why didn’t I think of that a month ago?’ LOL This entire story is actually a re-write. It was originally a screenplay I wrote years ago. It did very well in a national screenwriting competition. It didn’t win, but got an honorable mention, so I was really proud. I did make changes as I re-wrote it as a novel. I’m sure the biggest question readers have is…..

 

 

 

 

 

**Spoiler Alert***



Could I have written it without killing Tanner? The answer is No! This is a ghost story. Tanner had to die, but he is still such an important part of the story.


 

Extra Info We All Need To Know

 

I know you have your ongoing story, Pour Me Another, but do you have any other projects in the works readers don’t know about? Yep! I have several story ideas that I’m kicking around, but nothing that’s gotten further than the plotlines, yet. I’m not sure if I’m going to jump outside the box with a story about a young male prostitute or do another supernatural story. I really love myth/fantasy creatures. It will be a hard decision.

 

Okay, most important question ever! Tom or Jerry? Huge Tom fan! I always cheer for him to outsmart that pesky mouse.

 

Don't forget to come back between 8:00 and 10:00 PM, EST for a live chat with K.C.!

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You can ask him your questions about him,

K.C - isn't it time that you reveal what K.C stands for ?? :lol:  Just kidding.. I will be asleep when the live chat is but I just wanted to tell you how much I love this story. Some chapters was very emotional and I cried like a baby but when I read the epilogue I had a happy evil grin on my face :huh::lol:

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K.C. - I agree with Slytherin; the story was very emotional and I was really hoping you'd wave a magic wand or something and Gibby would be able to be with Tanner forever.

 

This story happens to be one of my favorites on GA. You're a terrific writer, K.C. =)

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I think that Shepherd's Crook discussion would be incomplete without bringing up the reader's complete shock about Tanner's death. I was like Nooooooo! I loved Tanner! :( I kept hoping for a happy ending even though I knew that it was almost impossible. But like KC said, it was an integral part of the story.

 

 

Shepherd's Crook is among the first I have read of KC's and that was probably when I become a fan. It's an amazing story. I love love love the epilogue with the final justice. Gibby went on with his life, as he should. Great story and of course, great writer! ;)

 

Cheers

Ieshwar

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Shepherd's Crook is a strong well written piece with a lot of honest, engaging moments throughout, including the intimate scenes. KC, did you have any difficulty sharing the sex scenes with your mom when she read your work? I think it's absolutely wonderful that your mom was so intwined and supportive of your work. I'm not sure I want my mom to have that kind of insight into me. LOL

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Shepherd's Crook definitely stands out.  I loved it, the emotions making the story.  Dealing with the death of characters just seemed to add more substance to the story.  All can't always be rainbows and unicorns. :)

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I read K.C.'s story in one setting at the beginning of Aug. last year and again today. After the first chapter, I realized I'd already read it but continued anyway because it's such a good read. I was totally surprised by my five paragraph story review at the end of the epilogue; I hadn't remembered doing that until confronted with my own words. I still agree with them, though my depth of reaction was a tad more subdued as compared to the first time around.

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I remember waiting for this story to be posted in its entirety before starting it (just like I'm waiting for Pour Me Another now.)  It's a well crafted story with characters of depth.  I like stories where the characters grow.  You could see Gibby go from being a kid in chapter one to a young man of character at the end.

 

This story had a lot going on in it and K.C. brought all the elements together well.  If you glance at the reviews, you might get the sense it's a dark tale.  It's not at all but it is a story with some intense scenes.

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K.C - isn't it time that you reveal what K.C stands for ?? :lol:  Just kidding.. I will be asleep when the live chat is but I just wanted to tell you how much I love this story. Some chapters was very emotional and I cried like a baby but when I read the epilogue I had a happy evil grin on my face :huh::lol:

 

:P Wouldn't you be disappointed if the mystery was gone??  What if it turned out to stand for something boring like Karl Carl :P

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Thanks Lisa and Ishwar! I'm glad you liked it. :D

 

Mann, my Mom loved to read.  It was a special bond between the 2 of us.  I had found my first erotic novel stashed under her bed when I was a kid.  She was an amazing editor. (she wouldn't let me slide just cause I'm the baby of the family) :P 

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Hi, K.C.  I mention in my review of the story that I got up and walked around the room trying to decide if I wanted to continue reading when Tanner was killed. The second time, reading it today, did not garner the same response, but it was nonetheless moving, and incredibly sad. When Tanner called out as Ethan and Amanda walked away, it was amazingly poignant even the second time around. How difficult was that scene to write in your original screenplay? And was it tough to revisit again when you turned it into a story? And, one more - How much worry did it cost you when you posted that chapter? I seem to remember there was mention of hiding under the bed after the chapter was posted.

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I always love to understand the thought process of other creative people and their motivations. Gibby had such a tragic history coming into the story. What inspired you to assemble the events that injured him and prompted the move to Shepherd's Crook?

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Ron, I've re-read some stories and even though I know the ending they are still pack a punch.  There were several parts that I was so emotionally drained after writing them.  It was hard writing it as a screenplay, with having to picture it in my mind.  I've had a few comments about my writing being very visual and I think that comes from screenplay writing.

 

I thought that some people would be so upset over killing Tanner that they would abandon the story.  I got lots of PM and emails from readers that weren't GA members.  I was overwhelming.  I couldn't believe that something I wrote touched people so deeply.  I hid under the bed for a day or two but after talking to a bunch of readers who encouraged me to continue I pressed on :)

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Mann, When I'm coming up with a storyline I play 'what-if'.  (most the time it's while I'm making my 40 minute commute to work).  I try to picture a character and build on their story.  I've know a lot of people with some really severe scars and trauma.  I wanted to show this great character that was badly hurt but he is not broken.  

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You mention that you might have another supernatural story in you, and that idea wouldn't be amiss, I think. Would that be another ghost story or would you take it in an entirely different direction? If another direction, which way might you be leaning?

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Thanks JoAnn, I'm glad to see readers like stories that aren't all sugar-coated with the promise of a happy ending.  I want my stories to reflect real life, to have struggles and trials that make them grow as a person.  I know some readers were very very upset with the dark nature of this story but I felt that the heartache and sorrows that Gibby endured made him a deeper character. 

 

Percy, I promise that Pour Me Another will continue.  I've written 4 more chapters that are just finishing with edits and only 2 more to go.  I hope to start posting again by Mid-April.  It was such an emotional story I'm glad to see that it connected with readers as much as it did.

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Ron, one of the stories I'm working on has vampires, werewolves, zombies, and wizards. Sorry, No ghosts in this one, but some sexy guys will make an appearance. :)  It has lots of supernatural and magic (which I love).  I hope to start on a new project this summer and have something new to post by this fall.

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