There is clearly a divide in our country today between the left and the right. It has touched us in every facet of our lives…our families, friends, work, the places we go, the shows we watch and the music we listen to. And now for me, the books I read. Recently a friend of mine said that she held her breath reading my latest novel, hoping she would not come across politics, knowing how I stand and feel strongly for what and who I believe in. I laughed but I understand what she was thinking/feeling.
I watch a movie or a show that I used to love and then bam! The beliefs and politics of the other side slip in and I can’t watch anymore. The last two books I’ve read were both written by liberal authors, women who stand on the left. I’m okay with that. Many writers, authors, friends and family that I love are liberal. So I like to think I’m okay with it, but when the author puts down what I hold dear, like our American Flag or the lead female character can’t get involved with anyone who supports the flag or God forbid is a conservative…then that feels personal, like a personal attack against me. So I cross her books off my list.
I’m not sure what the answer is, if the question is how will we unite in our differences. It used to be don’t talk about politics or religion so that everyone can get along, but today it’s hard to separate and keep the talk out of us, since it is us.
Recently I have had two people, one family, one friend, send me things to read from the ‘other’ side. I listened and read both, because I want to remain open. The one, we were able to find a place of agreement and that felt good. The other felt the need to put down and convince me of their rightness. That did not feel good.
I know I can’t watch the news of what’s happening today without wanting to throw something at the tv or yell or scream…so basically if I want to feel good, I need to turn off the tv, but at the same time I want to stay informed on what’s happening in our world.
When I write my stories, my intention is for them to be feel good and for many to enjoy them. But I realize that just by being who I am, even without directly ‘talking politics’ my beliefs will shine through and that will turn some off. But what I hope to do is to put my work out in a non-threatening way. That way, even if we stand on different sides of the fence, maybe just maybe you won’t want to throw my book against the wall. 🙂
Really, it never gets old to see my book in the bookstore. Kind of makes it all real, you know. My book right on the shelf next to other authors’ books whose last name begins with an A. Seeing it there… the photo, the title and my name. How cool is that? It’s almost as exciting as the day when I receive the first copy of my novel in the mail. All that time spent writing, editing, creating and then to hold it in my hands…well there are no 
words that can satisfactorily describe the joy I feel in that moment, other than yay! and wow! and a huge smile on my face and in my heart.
My latest novel is out and now for an unlimited time only, you can get my book for this amazing price. Check it out. And while you are doing so, be sure to check out my other novels as well.
By the way today is my grandmother’s birthday. If she were alive, she would be 116 years old. She was a great storyteller. As kids, my brother, sister and I used to love to listen to her talk about the adventures of her life. She kept saying that one day she would write a book and tell all of her secrets. Well that book never got written, but I’m sure that I have inherited my love of telling stories from her. I write my stories, sharing secrets that are real and those that live in only my imagination, but I’ll never tell which ones are true and which ones are not. 🙂
Until the next time…I hope that you enjoy reading my latest novel, Catherine’s Story. You can also sign up with your email to get my latest blog and or any events that may be coming out in the near future. Looking forward to hearing from you! Kathy
And now I have five book babies… yay!
Catherine’s Story is here! 
My cousin is reading my latest novel, Catherine’s Story. She’s excited to see the familiar names of our family used in the story. She says, it’s like a family reunion. She asks me if I knew that Mary Catherine, one of the lead characters in the story, was her mother’s (my great aunt) full name. I told her I did not, but now thinking about it, I do remember. I’m glad, because I like using the names of people who have touched my life in my stories. It’s neat for me to know that they live on, even if their characters and lives are totally different than the book, after all I am making it up as I go along.
But again it is cool to see their names in print in my books. Like Chip, the grandfather in Catherine’s Story, comes from when I was a kid and he was the man who lived next door to us. His wife’s name was Joy and his kids were Sandy, Candy, Tandy and Randy. Who knows maybe one day I will use their names. I have a close friend who pointed out to me that I used both her and her husband’s names as not so nice people. Ha! Did not mean to do that… Next time I will remember to choose names of people I don’t know for those characters…:)
I enjoy taking some of our history and infusing it into the story. Like Aunt Helen, in Catherine’s Story. I did have an aunt named Helen who did live in Europe, who was beautiful and creative. But unlike the real Aunt Helen and the Aunt Helen in my story, their lives were very different.
Sometimes I choose unusual names for my characters, like the names of my current pets…Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. In my first novel, Sunny’s first baby was named Crescent Blue and later her twins boys were named River and Ocean.
Who knows what I will come up with next… 🙂
And I’ve got a brand new book that just came out called, Catherine’s Story. It’s a mystery with history, revolving around two women, connected by blood- one from this century, one from the last who hook up with the wrong man, some would say, liken to the devil. Only time will tell how it all turns out as the search goes on for the treasure…Oh, did I forget to mention there was a treasure?
Check it out…And if you’re interested, you can buy it on line, through book stores or if you’d like a signed copy you can leave me a message here, through my email- kathysbeachn@gmail.com or on FB, https://www.facebook.com/sunnysstory2.
Not only can you order my books on this website, bookstores and on line… you can also get an autographed copy from me! And for the best deal! Email me at kathysbeachn@gmail.com or message me on FB for more information! Looking forward to hearing from you!
