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Where the heck have I been this time?

4/1/2025

I'll skip congratulating myself on the fact that it hasn't been a full year since my last post. It's been an embarrassingly long time.

So I've been doing little writing lately. Some editing, but more theater, and music, and supervising an active teenager in addition to all of my other responsibilities. My daughter is involved in a lot this year. Her show choir travels throughout the state, and even out of state for one competition this year. She's in the musical again this spring, playing multiple roles. And she's finally decided that it's okay to get less than an A+. Yes, mini me did get the perfectionist streak. But I shouldn't call her that anymore, because she's taller than I am.

The main reason I haven't been blogging is because I haven't thought I had anything to say that anyone would be interested in reading. Maybe I'm not a good judge of that though.

Maybe you want to hear about garden plans, and how one of the dogs outsmarted me, and my longings to get back out in the country.

Maybe you want to hear that I wrote two new songs this...(checks clock and it's after midnight)...last month.

Maybe you want to know that I managed to get one whole chapter and a third of the second chapter of the Viking saga recorded before I got involved in a play and everything else kind of stopped.

Maybe you even want to know about the fanfic I went looking for and found out that 90% of what I wrote has disappeared out of the files. Curse you, MS Word! There was some really good stuff in there and I don't know if I can rewrite it.

Anyway, I'm still here. The last two viruses didn't take me down. I'd still prefer not to ever get a cold, or norovirus (which I got at a show choir competition) again, but they haven't defeated me yet.

Kate

1 Comment

WeWriWa - June 16, 2024

6/15/2024

4 Comments

Happy Father's Day to all who are celebrating or remembering the fathers in our lives. My Dad has been gone for two years now. My father-in-law died last year. It will be a bittersweet day at our house, but hopefully more on the sweet side.

And welcome to another word-filled weekend with Weekend Writing Warriors: the bloghop of 8-10 sentence excerpts (with extra sometimes, but clearly marked as such, per the rules). Please visit all of the blogs participating. We writers do like to get feedback from others. Just click on the button below to be whisked to the list.

I thought about skipping far enough ahead in The Christmas Carrolls to show you Sir Nicholas with his children, but I decided it would be dangerous to start searching for the right 8-10 sentences of that. I might end up rereading everything I've written in the draft so far!

Instead we'll skip ahead a little, to where Mary comes in and finds a stranger in her kitchen.

“Beth, come and help me with…oh! Who are you?”
     Nicholas stood, ignoring the strange and sudden warmth in his chest. This was Mary Shawley. It should be her examining him, a stranger in her kitchen, but he could not help a quick assessment of her. Small, pretty in a quiet sort of way, with dark hair and eyes, and a basket full of parcels in her arms. Her spencer was dark blue, her gloves worn but clean, and her bonnet made of straw. Nicholas moved to take the basket from her, and she must have seen her son.
     “Henry! What happened?”
Henry smiled as much as he was able without pain and said “You should see the other fellow.”

That's ten sentences. Here's a little more to lead up to next week...

Remembering Beth’s words about fighting, Nicholas had a moment of regret. Perhaps teaching the boy that saying had not been the best idea. He laid the basket down on the table. “Mrs. Shawley?”
Before he could get another word out Beth rose from her place at the table. “Look mother, it’s the chestnut man!”
Mary looked from her daughter to the stranger standing across the table from her. “Bixby is the chestnut man.”
     “Sir Nicholas Carroll,” Henry said as if he had been waiting for just this moment to make introductions. “He bought my broken pencils, mother, and I brought him home.”
     The woman looked up at her uninvited, well not entirely uninvited, guest. “What on earth is going on?”
     Nicholas took control. “Forgive me, madam but if you will allow me to explain?” He gestured toward her parlor with a nod to the children, “Henry, Beth, will you see to the parcels?”

I missed posting last weekend, but I did go and read everyone's posts. Thank you for coming to read mine.

Kate

4 Comments

WeWriWa June 2, 2024

6/1/2024

10 Comments

This weekend I am back posting for Weekend Writing Warriors, a blog hop wherein writers post 8-10 sentences of their work.

I left off last time in Chapter 2 of The Christmas Carrolls. Sir Nicholas had brought Edmund home after he was attacked by some other boys who broke his pencils and gave him a black eye. Mary is at the market, and Henry insisted that his new friend meet his sister Beth.

Here are this week's ten...

Beth sighed and sat, propping her elbows on the table and her chin in her hands. “We used to live in the country.”
     “You miss it?” Nicholas asked, checking on Henry’s black eye.
     “Yes, and so does mother,” Beth told him. “Town isn’t fun like everyone said. We don’t go the theaters or parties or even to supper with fine ladies.” The girl was taken by another coughing spasm. “And I am ill in town.”
     Ill in town, but well in the country. Some maladies could appear as one got older, but this was a puzzle to Nicholas, and it was one he could not solve yet.

And a bit more for good measure...

“Hmm. And do you miss the country as well, Henry?”
     The boy nodded. “I miss the animals, and the trees, and the meadows, and the birds. I like pigeons, but there are more birds in Kent. It’s quieter there too.”
     Nicholas could well understand their missing the way things were back at their childhood homes. Town was useful, and good for a change, but it was not where he wanted to spend all of his time either. He wondered how much the children understood the need for their living in London. “Is there anything you like about town at all?”
     “I like peppermints.” Beth perked up. “And pretty things in shop windows, and seeing the lovely gowns and things mother brings home to work on, she makes them even prettier than they were before.”
     “I like seeing all the horses that go by in the streets.” Henry said, and then grinned and added, “And hot chestnuts.”

Please join me again next weekend for more with Sir Nicholas, Henry, and Beth.

Kate

10 Comments

Where Have I Been?

5/31/2024

0 Comments

   Even I'm surprised that it's been 365 days (thanks, leap year) since I last posted.
   Some of you (that's assuming anyone still checks this blog) know that my father died suddenly and unexpectedly two years ago. That sent the entire family reeling. Well last summer my father-in-law died suddenly and unexpectedly. This spring my last remaining grandparent died, though neither suddenly nor unexpectedly.
   There have been some good things. I got back into theater, doing two shows last year, and will be in one this summer. My daughter has found her feet and is starting to really find herself in high school, doing musicals and show choir, and next year maybe academic decathlon, while keeping her grades up and staying out of trouble. My sons are doing okay, making progress at their own paces.
   I have done some work on North Pole Confidential, but no, it's not finished. My plans to build a small, portable recording studio kind of thing stalled out, so I've made no audiobook progress. I had begun working on a Christmas-themed Regency story, which is also--you guessed it--unfinished.
   Not much else to report really. But I will be participating in Weekend Writing Warriors this weekend, and hopefully doing that at least semi-regularly again.

Thank you for reading,

Kate

0 Comments

Why don't I blog more often?

6/1/2023

2 Comments

Because I don't think anyone wants to read this update repeatedly:

Current WIP still IP. Viking novels still in first-round edits. Humor novel still marinating. That's pretty much it writing-wise.

And since that's the only writing news I've got, I'll fill in some more personal stuff. Skip if you like.

This summer we've got a graduation party to hold, a daughter in show choir (if you're in the Midwest, you might know what that means, and all it entails), and three out of six family members participating in a local musical. That's in addition to driving lessons for the one turning 16 in the fall. Plenty to keep us busy. I will be working on the four books mentioned above as well.

My return to the stage (I started performing as a toddler) will also be my middle son's debut--unless you count the classroom production of The Three Little Pigs that he was in during elementary school. My daughter has the most recent acting credits in the family, but it's like riding a bike, right? It all comes back? Hmm. Maybe I should buy elbow pads and a helmet. ;)

It'll be a busy summer for us. You can catch me on Twitter, so long as the site hasn't crashed and burned any worse than it already has this year, but don't know if I'll be able to participate in WeWriWa or have any news worth blogging about.

See you all in the fall, if not sooner.

Kate

2 Comments

WeWriWa - April 8, 2023

4/8/2023

13 Comments

Hello everyone. You may have noticed that I haven't been posting for a while. I found as it got closer to the anniversary of my Dad's death, I was feeling very down. Then I had an infected wisdom tooth (getting rid of that sucker this coming week). And overall there's just been a lot going on. I have missed the Weekend Writing Warriors while I was taking a break.

For those unfamiliar with WeWriWa, just click on the image below to be taken to the blog for an explanation of the rules, and a links to all the blogs participating in the hop each week.

Last time I posted we left Sir Nicholas Carroll asking Henry to show him to the kitchen of the Shawley home. Here's this weekend's ten sentences:

Nicholas found no meat of any kind, in fact he found little of anything in the cupboards. But he did locate a cloth and a pail of cold water. That would have to do. Beth had said her mother was at the market. It certainly seemed needful.
     “Here, Henry,” he wrung out the cloth. “Hold this against your eye.”
     “Does…does it look bad?”
     “Shocking,” Nicholas nodded. “You’ll have quite an impressive stinker for a while, my boy.”

Posting more below for those who would like to read on a little. I'm working on The Christmas Carrols for Camp NaNoWriMo and overall, it's been going well. Can't wait to read everyone's excerpts!

Thanks for stopping by.

Kate

“Really?” The idea seemed to please Henry. “I’ve never been impressive before.”
     Nicholas couldn’t help a smile and a bit of fun. “And when anyone sees you and asks you what happened you can reply with ‘you should see the other fellow!”
     Henry seemed to understand the joke and smiled a bit. “I’ll say it to Edmund.”
     Beth drifted back to the kitchen. “Sir Nicholas?”
     “Yes, Miss Beth?”
     “Are you a knight?”
     Nicholas smiled. “No, only a baronet.”
     “Do you live in town?”
     “I live in the country. I come to town for business when I must, and I have some friends in London as well.”

13 Comments

WeWriWa - Feb 25, 2023

2/25/2023

11 Comments

Hello everyone, and welcome to another Weekend Writing Warriors post. For details on the blog hop, and to visit more participating blogs, please click the image above to visit the WeWriWa site.

Last week Sir Nicholas came to Henry's rescue, after Henry was attacked by some of the area troublemakers. This week Sir Nicholas meets poor little Beth, Henry's little sister.

Nicholas was about to insist on going when he heard a commotion on the stairs along with a cough and a little girl with black hair and large green eyes stepped into the room.
     “Henry, you’re home early. Mother’s not back from the market yet.” The girl began coughing again.
     Her brother guided her to a chair well away from the fire and put a blanket over her lap. He patted her arm and said “There now, Bethie. I have brought someone to meet you. This is Sir Nicholas.”
     ‘Bethie’ looked up at her brother. “Who?”

That's the snippet, but I'll add a little bit below. Thanks for visiting.

Kate

“The one who bought the chestnuts for us.” Henry said with a smile of mixed adoration and exasperation. He clearly loved his little sister, but just as clearly thought her the smallest bit stupid.
     “Oh!” the girl’s face lit up. “Thank you, sir!” After a moment she burst out “Henry, what happened to your eye? Mother won’t like it if you’ve been fighting.”
     Henry’s face fell.
     “Henry has not been fighting.” Nicholas said firmly.
     “Well, someone has,” Beth argued, “unless he ran into a lamp post.” She started coughing again.
Between the growing bruise on the boy, and the unsettling cough from the girl, Nicholas was wondering what to do. He knew nothing about respiratory ills, but he did have some experience with blackened eyes. “Henry, would you show me to the kitchen?”

11 Comments

WeWriWa - Feb 18, 2023

2/18/2023

11 Comments

Welcome back for another fun weekend of blog hopping to read excerpts of fiction from various authors--perhaps your future favorite is among them. Click the image below to visit the Weekend Writing Warriors blog and get the full list, as well as guidelines for participation.

Last week Nicholas found Henry scrambling in the snow after being attacked by three neighborhood boys.

Kneeling, Nicholas helped the boy to pick up the pieces of his wares. The remains of six pencils, worth so little to most, but he suspected that the three pennies they represented meant the world to Henry. His brother was strong and intelligent and able to take care of himself. What else but the pencil selling could this poor boy do to feel of some use to his family?
     “I don’t understand.” Henry said as Nicholas helped him up. “I never did anything to them. Three whole pennies.” He said sorrowfully.
     It was more than Nicholas could stand to see the poor boy so defeated.

There is a bit more below, if you'd care to read on. Looking forward to reading everyone's snippets.

Kate

“Henry, I was hoping to buy some pencils from you. Would you let me have these? I’ll give you the full three pennies.”
     He could see the boy’s mind working, and confusion on his features. That bruise was beginning to look bad.
     “That doesn’t seem right, sir. They’re broken.”
“I know, but, I think I have a use for broken pencils.” That wasn’t strictly true, but he was certain he could find something to do with them. And he very much wanted to make Henry feel a little better.
     “If you can use them…” Henry was thinking so hard, it was almost painful to watch him. “Alright. You can have them for three pennies.”
     “Thank you.” He took the pencil pieces and put them in his pocket, giving Henry his pennies in exchange. Now to get the boy safely off the streets. “With your wares all sold, I suppose you’ll be heading home. Do you live nearby?”
     Henry nodded, counting his pennies and then putting them in his pocket. “One block that way.” He pointed. “Mother doesn’t like me to go too far from home, in case she needs me.”

11 Comments

WeWriWa - 02/11/23

2/11/2023

16 Comments

Welcome back to KateWarrenLand for another exciting adventure in the sharing of snippets that is Weekend Writing Warriors! For more information and participation guidelines, please click the linked image below.

Last week, Nicholas learned some of the rumored Shawley family history from Bixby the chestnut man. He also asked where he might find Henry selling his pencils. This week I'm skipping a few sentences to make for a more cohesive 10.

...Three boys came running and nearly knocked into [Nicholas]. One, a sturdy red-haired lad with a broad face and an uncanny number of freckles across it paused and looked at him for a moment before continuing to streak away.
     When he turned to see where the boys had been running from he saw a pathetic sight. He had found Henry Shawley, and the boy was scrabbling in the snow for something as tears poured down his reddened cheeks.
     “Might I be of some help?”
     Henry lifted his face. There was a bruise already starting near his left eye. “He hit me, sir. And they broke my pencils—the last ones I had.” His voice cracked and he wiped at his face, wincing as his hand brushed over the spreading bruise.

Poor Henry. This is the kind of thing his mother was afraid could happen. But unlike Mary, Nicholas is in a position to do something about it. He'll have to wait to run into those boys again, but there will be a reckoning of sorts.

Nothing extra this week except this picture of Nicholas.

Sir Nicholas Carroll

Yes, part of his head is missing, but he'll be losing his head over Mary anyway, so it's fine. See you around the blogosphere, and thanks for visiting!

Kate

16 Comments

WeWriWa - Feb 5, 2023

2/5/2023

11 Comments

It's another weekend, and another post of 8-10 sentences from my current WIP The Christmas Carrolls. For more information about how to participate in the Weekend Writing Warriors blog hop, please click the image below.

Last week we met Mary Shawley, mother of Edmund, Henry, and Beth. This week Sir Nicholas has decided to seek out Bixby the chestnut man for more information about the boys.

“Bixby, there you are!”
    “Did you miss me, Sir?” the chestnut seller grinned.
     Nichols could not help grinning back. “Not a bit of it, but I wondered if I might ask you about those boys who were minding the stall for you yesterday.”
     “The Shawley boys?” Bixby asked, his expression tinged with wariness. “Did they do something wrong? They’re good lads, but that Henry…well he’s a sweet boy but he isn’t all there above stairs. Fell out of a tree and landed on his head when he was a tyke or some such thing.”
     “I had noticed that Henry is…different, but no, there were no problems.

That's my ten. More below, for those who are interested. I've come down with a cold and may not get to my visits until later in the day or tomorrow. I'm up now because I needed more medicine. Figured I'd get the post done before I fall asleep again.

Kate

"...I was rather impressed by them actually. The eldest, Edmund, is it? He seems quite industrious.”
     “He is that. Smart lad too. Shame his mum can’t afford to send him to school.” Bixby shook his head and filled a bag with the roasted nuts for another customer.
“Yes, I see that the family must be in difficult circumstances,” Nicholas remarked, “but I think that has perhaps not always been the case.”
     The chestnut seller snorted. “I’ll say. The missus has taken an interest in them. Sad story. The little ‘un, Betty, or Betsy, is sick. Needs an operation. Course they can’t afford that neither. They were well-enough off in the country for a while. Don’t know all the details o’ course but there was some doings with an uncle who inherited the widow’s father’s estate…” Bixby looked around covertly and lowered his voice, “and it seems he made improper advances to the poor widow. Can’t blame her for running as fast as she could from that. She’s a good sort, Mary, my missus says.”
     “Mary,” Nicholas murmured.
     Bixby continued as if he hadn’t stopped talking. “We in the neighborhood, we do what we can to help, ‘specially with young Henry. Poor Mary can’t be everywhere at once, can she?”
     “Yes, about Henry. I understand he sells pencils.”
     “Aye.” Bixby nodded as he stirred the nuts to keep them roasting evenly. “Would you be wanting a bag today then, sir?”
     “I will. And could you possibly tell me where I might find Henry Shawley, seller of fine writing implements?”
     “Three blocks that way,” Bixby gestured with his head while filling the bag. “Charges ha’penny a piece. Mary insists that he not stray too far from home.”

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Kate Warren

fiction with humor and heart

Where the heck have I been this time?

WeWriWa - June 16, 2024

WeWriWa June 2, 2024

Where Have I Been?

Why don't I blog more often?

WeWriWa - April 8, 2023

WeWriWa - Feb 25, 2023

WeWriWa - Feb 18, 2023

WeWriWa - 02/11/23

WeWriWa - Feb 5, 2023

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