Blog Posts for Kristy Kiernan

On Finishing Your Novel and Abusing Your Muse

Kristy Kiernan — Sun, 24 May 2009 10:21:05 -0700

I often get e-mail from writers I don't know asking for advice. If the e-mail seems sincere I try to answer it sincerely. I do sometimes get angry missives on how unfair and/or archaic the publishing industry is, and I admit that I don't always answer those. They seem to be more of a way to let off steam, and, well, it seems their mission was complete when they hit send, so...Anyway, once in a ...

And Now For Something Completely Different

Kristy Kiernan — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 08:28:25 -0800

My friends want me to write a funny book. They read my blog posts and they read my e-mails, and they write back and ask When are you going to write a funny book? Well, chances are slim that I'll write a purely funny book. Different forms bring out different strengths for most writers. For example, I find it impossible to write a decent short story. That is a talent and an art unto itself, and I ...

The Crazy Squirrel Corn Lady

Kristy Kiernan — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:27:22 -0800

I made a vow to try to start blogging regularly again, so here we go: I was going to write about what a lousy December we had. Or, more accurately, I was going to write a beautiful ode to Niko, also known as The Troll, also known as Our Dog. Because she’s gone. And we are devastated. But I started the post and, frankly, it was just entirely too depressing. So, I’ll say this about Niko, and ...

Friendship and Creativity

Kristy Kiernan — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:16:52 -0700

One of the best things that has come from my writing is the opportunity to meet and make friends with amazing and talented people. You might have read some of my posts about how I met the book club that I now belong to, and while the book club itself is virtually brimming with amazing and talented women, this post is about just one of them. Pat Kumicich, one of the women responsible for me ...

Answering Questions About Matters of Faith

Kristy Kiernan — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:10:09 -0700

Matters of Faith has been out for two weeks now, long enough that I am beginning to steadily get the questions I knew would come once readers had time to finish the book. Some are the usual questions ("Where do you get your ideas?" "Is this set in Everglades City/Chokoloskee/Goodland etc.?" And my personal favorite: "Have you been spying on my family?"), but one that ...

At The Writers' Chatroom Tonight!

Kristy Kiernan — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 11:32:03 -0700

Kristy Kiernan: The Writer's Chatroom Celebrity Sunday Start: 08/17/2008 - 7:00pm End: 08/17/2008 - 9:00pm Come webchat with me at The Writer's Chatroom Celebrity Sunday. The two hour long chat will be moderated by the divine Audrey Schaffer, who promises to keep that one guy in check. Web Link: The Writer's Chatroom City: Wherever you are Would love to "see" you there! ...

The Only Test I Ever REALLY Loved

Kristy Kiernan — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 18:44:06 -0700

I was always good at tests. After all, I moved around a lot, and the first thing they did in every school was to TEST me. Where does she fit in? How smart is she? Is she gifted? Average? Behind? Where shall we put her? What do we do with her? Is she worth extra time? Can we just ignore her? So I got good at tests. If I was particularly bored in my new town I made an effort on the tests, knowing ...

Book Bloggers and Food Allergies?

Kristy Kiernan — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:45:12 -0700

The number of people who blog about books is astounding and on the rise, just like the number of children who have food allergies. And sometimes those two segments of society intersect. Bonnie of Redlady's Reading Room fame read about Matters of Faith on A Year of Books and Booking Mama and contacted me to let me know that she, too, had a child with severe food allergies and wanted a peek at the ...

GalleyCat Is Going To The Dogs!

Kristy Kiernan — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:55:50 -0700

Make your vote count! I know we're all hearing that a lot this year, but this time it's an easy, fun decision. GalleyCat, finest publishing blog in the land, is doing their annual Cat and Dog Show. The cats were a couple of weeks ago, and this week it's all about the dogs, posed, or not in my case, in some sort of literary way.Anyone who's read my blog stylings for any length of time knows how I ...

I Do Love Me Some Backstory!

Kristy Kiernan — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:56:38 -0700

I'm delighted to be able to invite you all over to "Backstory," where authors share what their process in writing their new book was like, what real life events might have contributed, what agonies and ecstasies they went through in writing it. Brought you you by M.J. Rose and the ever delightful Jessica Keener. Stop by and read about what inspired me to write Matters of Faith!