WHO IS KESS?

A Story of Stories

I read somewhere once that 3 books, early in your reading life, formed your opinion on stories. Since then it has lodged itself in my mind, like an ingrained philosophy that will not let go. Therefore, I believe I will introduce you to mine. Then we can get to know each other better, yes?

(1) Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher; Bruce Coville.

For a period of time, anything Coville wrote, I read. “My Teacher is an Alien” wasn’t my favorite series, but a magical shop that knew what you needed, and sold you the most unreal items? That’s where I wanted to go. For me, in the early 90s, it was my Hogwarts. Somewhere in the stacks of things I won’t throw away, I still have an old, narrow-ruled stack of papers which contains a handwritten story about a girl who found a mystical shop and ended up with a magic flute. Painters go through a period where they’re asked to recreate certain works by the greats to learn technique by mimicry. No one expects them to sell a replica of a famous painting as their own, but to use it to master finesse and craft, molding their own style. The young girl with her magic flute was my attempt at painting a bowl of fruit.

(2) Number the Stars; Lois Lowry.

My sister and I grew up knowing that if we asked Dad a history question before bed, he’d tell us everything he knew and read. The real goal was to delay the inevitable bedtime, but instead we loved hearing about the stories of battles past. So reading about Nazi occupied Denmark, and the everyday heroes in this book, sunk deep roots. My first story submitted to a competition came around the same time where I wrote my own, first person voice, “The Diary of Anne Frank” and “Number the Stars” mash-up. I didn’t place very high, and I let it discourage me from thinking I could ever write well. I kept my writing personal and hid it for years as nothing more than a fun hobby when I had to focus on college, and a job with income, and a career.

(3) Animorphs; K. A. Applegate {yes, I’m cheating - they are my rules}.

I cannot tell you the age I was, unless I look it up, when I saw my first Animorphs cover in a bookstore - I think it was even a Walden’s Books. Seeing a person transform into an animal, any animal? Sign me up. Roughly from 1996 through 2001 (yes, I wiki’d it now), I followed every release, add on, compendium, and TV show. Save yourself, new reader, if you don’t know what I’m talking about. Read the books only. :) I grew up with them. If the Magic Store was my Hogwarts, then these six characters were my Harry, Ron and Hermione. I triumphed, I cried, and I matured as they did.

Now, you know me a little bit better. From these three on and on, there are thousands of references, influencers, and stories. I read the Kushiel series and dreamt of political intrigue. I read The Others, by Anne Bishop, and knew what kind of Urban Fantasy I wanted to write. Dresden, Deborah Chester, Writing Excuses, and more. They are all up here, swirling around to bounce against each other and create moments. I encourage you to try the same trick.

Can you name the stories which impacted you?

And if we ever have the great chance to meet, feel free to tell me your choices. You can also tell me who you think Nathan, Kenna, Macy, or Valencia remind you of. You might be absolutely spot on.