The Weaver – author interview – Kai Strand

Today, we welcome a local San Fernando Valley girl who shares her novel and her life as a valley girl. 

About Kai Strand

Kai Strand is a children’s author of middle grade and young adult novels. She was born and raised in the mid-west, where she inherited a wholesome outlook on life. She lived in California long enough to become a (very lucky) wife and the mother of four amazing kids. They now live in Central Oregon where the most common sound in her household is laughter. The second most common is, “Do your dishes!”

Obviously, Kai likes to write. The Weaver is Kai’s debut book. She reads a lot as well and calls it research. Kai loves to garden, and is trying out a greenhouse for the first time this year. She loves to sing. You might find her singing in Latin while browsing at Target. Most of the time she isn’t aware she’s singing aloud. She and her family love to hike and geocache. Kai walks 45 miles a month for exercise.

You can visit Kai online at www.kaistrand.com or at her blog, Strands of Thought, www.kaistrand.blogspot.com.

About The Weaver

In a town of word weavers, Mary suffers through her third year of Novice Word Weaving. Mary thinks her troubles are over when she meets a gnome-elf who grants her a wish.  But instead of weaving a better story, she’s weaving strange yarn charms to accompany her still pathetic tales.

Read an Excerpt!

Chapter 1

A Mother’s Shadow 

Given ample sun and water, a flower grows strong and blooms full But grown in shade it is spindly, weak, and off color

Tucked in a lush valley between two snow-capped mountains was the village of The Tales. Those who lived in the village were known as Weavers. Each person in The Tales could tell stories about anything at anytime, and they often did. Prose, poetry, limericks or yarns; they told stories of all types and styles.

On a balmy spring morning, Mary Wordsmith and her mother, Abigail, made their weekly visit to the produce market.

Thumping an acorn squash, Abigail said, “At last, here’s one that isn’t going soft.” She handed the squash to Mary who absently dropped it in the basket on her arm.

Interview

Hi Kai, 

Welcome to the Hollywood Daze!

Thanks for having me, today! I love your url! I must share that my best friend and I were valley girls before it was cool. She and I totally spoke like that! Oh my God! But we didn't know it until the movie, Valley Girl, with Nicolas Cage came out. I remember our horror when we realized that we really did talk like that. After that, we worked so hard to change our speech patterns. Hard habit to break - that valley speak!

Q:  I understand you are a former Californian. Will you tell us if you lived in Northern or Southern California and two things you enjoyed about living in the land of perpetual sunshine?

A:  I lived in So California, Orange County to be exact. For awhile I owned a turbo convertible and on those painfully sunny days, I loved driving along Pacific Coast Highway with the top down on the car, wind blowing through my hair, scent of sea salt tickling my nose and hearing the seagulls cry. So carefree. I also loved those years it was 80 degrees on Christmas Day and we'd be splashing around in the swimming pool. A white Christmas is overrated.

Q:  Will you tell us a little about your book?

A: About The Weaver: In a town of word weavers, Mary suffers through her third year of Novice Word Weaving. Mary thinks her troubles are over when she meets a gnome-elf who grants her a wish.  But instead of weaving a better story, she's weaving strange yarn charms to accompany her still pathetic tales.

The Weaver has a little magic and alot of storytelling. It's a story about acceptance. It's a story about support. But mostly it is about determination. It's written for children 9 - 12 years old.

Q:  How did you come up with the idea for your book?

A:  I belong to an online critique group called Silver Web. I was sitting at my computer one day casting around for an idea for a new book and the logo of my crit group was staring back at me.  I thought to myself, "We weave words like a spider weaves its web." That was the nugget of the idea.

Q:  When did you start writing your novel and how long did it take?

A:  I don't remember! I really don't remember when I started. I plowed through about 2/3 of the story and then let it sit for a long time before finishing. Edits were pretty spotty.  I just don't have a clue how long this book took to write.

Q:  Who is your favorite author?

A:  I'm not very good with the "favorite" word, because that indicates I like one above all others. But I get enthusiastic about different things from different writers. Maggie Stiefvater has the most beautifully lyrical voice in her writing, plus she's super approachable and funny. How can you not like someone who calls her car Loki? I respect the heck out of Suzanne Collins. My sons were enraptured by her Gregor the Overlander books and then she comes up with the Hunger Games series that were addicting to a broader audience. Skill! Scott Westerfield is another author who just gets it. Knows his audience and what resonates with them. Also very approachable and really respect that in an author. I admit I have this odd reaction of jealousy everytime I see a book from Cassandra Clare, and I see them EVERYWHERE! She actually seems like a lovely person and my reaction is completely ridiculous. I've loved everyone of her books.

Q:  Do you have a favorite book that you could read more than once?

A:  Hands down the Harry Potter series. The charcterization alone is so deep and well vetted that you learn something new about them (main character and supporting characters alike) each time you read. The complex storyline, the tons of hints dropped throughout the series. Plus I've shared many, many hours over these books with my children, so they have such a happy association tied to them.

Q:  Since everyone outside of California believes we are all star struck, who is your favorite actor/actress, if you can narrow it to just one, or at least your top three?

A:  I'm totally star struck when I meet famous authors, but actors not so much. However ignorant I am of who the latest heart throb is, I do take notice when someone is actually a good actor and not just a pretty face. Nothing wrong with a pretty face, mind you.  Anyway, I think I'd have to answer Johnny Depp. He's so versatile. He plays the quirky or dark roles like in Alice and Wonderland and Pirates, but he was great in the dramatic role in Finding Neverland. He can actually act and he's not afraid to. It is only my complete ignorance of actors that allows me to chose a favorite in this category. If I were more educated, I'm sure there were be more names on my list.

Q:  Do you have a favorite movie that you could watch again and again?

A:  Pride and Prejudice. Any version. Love the story. And I prefer the story to the book. Rare for me, but true in this instance. (Phantom of the Opera - love the music, PS I Love You - such a sap for a good love story, Apollo 13 - always exciting, Independence Day - funny! ...)

Q:  What's next in your writing life?

A:  I'm shopping a contemporary middle grade for a slightly older audience than The Weaver and a young adult fantasy series that is really awesome and fun and I can't wait until I can share it with the world. I just have to find the right place for these stories first.

Kai, thank you for sharing your book with us and I wish you the best of luck in your book promotion.

Rebecca, thanks for inviting me to join you! It's been fun sticking my toes in the sand again. It has been too long since I've visited California, thanks for the trip down memory lane. 

Britney Spears Fights the Forces of the Dark Knight

The shocking court news came last week that Brittany awarded sole custody of her kids to Kevin Federline or K-Fed as he was nicknamed by the media. Wasn’t K-Fed the bum that Britney kicked out of her house, because he wasn’t working, his singing career was really going nowhere and she wasn’t satisfied with him as a husband or as a father? How is it that K-Fed can be awarded sole custody of his kids, Jayden James and Sean Preston with Britney getting only visitation rights?

Britney Spears was America’s pop music singing sensation less than five years ago and her downfall started as soon when she married Kevin Federline. The marriage was a disaster from the beginning and sent her on a downward spiral. Even though she’s been trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life and career she also fights against the evil forces of her own Dark Knight. Through her own actions she became a danger to herself, her kids and her singing career and the result is the battle she must fight with K-Fed to win her kids back. Britney became her own worst enemy and single handedly fueled “The Britney Economy.” Businesses showed a profit where she visited. The paparazzi stalked her every move, her photo graced the front covers of magazines. She was on the cover of People Magazine in excess of 40 times. Britney Spears in her downfall period probably became more of a household name, than she ever was before. Even this blog, Valley Girl Musings, added to “The Britney Economy” with the different posts written about her. Can Britney turn back the clock of time and recapture what she used to be?

When Britney started divorce proceedings she ended up on the losing end and was ordered to pay K-Fed, some astronomical monthly support figure. K-Fed got temporary custody of the kids after she refused to give the kids back at the end of one of her visits. She had locked herself in the bathroom refusing to come out and this started the procession to take her to the psych ward at the U.C.L. A. hospital. At this point every move she made whether good or bad had the paparazzi chasing her. The lawmakers even went so far as writing a new law and naming it after her, “The Britney Law”

After a second hospital stay and losing custody of her children and a court appointed conservatorship was granted to her father to monitor her affairs, Britney seemed to get better. She cleaned house by clearing out those people who had managed to take advantage of her. She stopped her late night Paparazzi attention-getters and started wearing underwear. She learned to stay at home and out of the spotlight and less was heard in the news of her until she was involved in a fender bender at night and even that was pushed to the fourth page of the paper. Her father suggested that she keep herself busy and so she went everyday to a dance studio in the city of North Hollywood and taught girls how to dance. Much like our nations slumping economy there seemed to be a “Britney Recession” on the horizon.

The custody battle seems to be temporarily over with the announcement of Britney giving sole custody to K-Fed; just who is Britney’s attorney and why did this play out like it did? Was Britney promised that if she gave up custody that she would get more visits with them? It may not matter what Britney does in the future because the court system and the America public seem to have a bias against her because of her past and her celebrity status. The American public puts celebrities on a pedestal and when they fall from grace, it all becomes front page news and its there for all to criticize. Will Britney ever have more of an advantage than the Dark Knight?

Author Interview with a former Valley Boy, Andrew Feder

"I will always love my city of angels, but the child withing me is the VALLEY". . . Andrew Feder, author of the historical fiction novel, The Heretic.


Valley Girl meets a former Valley Boy, author Andrew Feder as he continues on his virtual book tour. Andrew grew up in the San Fernando Valley in the 1960s and 1970s and he shares with us his memories of the valley, a time when life in the valley was more relaxed and it was still considered a small town. Living in the valley at this time provided an escape from the fast paced life of Hollywood and Los Angeles.

The Heretic Synopsis:

Women flock adoringly to him. Men fear his battlefield prowess. He believes in a monotheistic, infinite God and he’s the best friend of the most powerful man in the world. However, in his time, he was considered not only a hero, but a heretic as well. Meet Aias, the unsung hero behind Alexander the Great, in Andrew Feder’s gripping new novel, “The Heretic.”
“The Heretic” is both a thrilling mystery adventure and a powerful cultural commentary, because though Feder’s fictional war hero Aias’ religious and sexual practices would be typical today, in ancient Greece, where polytheism and homosexuality were the prominent cultural mores, he was considered an outright heretic. This thought-provoking novel whisks readers back in time with an intriguing story of war and romance, but it actually begins set in a futuristic America.
“The Heretic” is the sequel to Feder’s first novel, “When Angels Have Risen” starring post-modern American Senator Jerry Fletcher. Following some bizarre dreams and an unsettling experience at a Los Angeles museum, Fletcher decides to see a psychic and go under a regression to tap into his past lives. Aias’ story is told through Fletcher’s regression, when he experiences his past life as the Greek war hero.
Aias was Alexander the Great’s mentor and friend, and a key ingredient to his famous military successes. Thanks to Aias’ formidable battle tactics, his enemies nicknamed him The Decapitator. After Alexander’s army enters Egypt, Aias falls in love with an Egyptian high priestess, who shares many of his counter-culture viewpoints and opens his eyes to the secret truth behind the Egyptian sciences and discoveries.
Filled with incredible historical details about one of the most illustrious military campaigns in history, sizzling romance and mystical themes, “The Heretic” is a provocative novel sure to spice up the day of any historical fiction fan.



Welcome to Valley Girl Musings, Andrew.

It’s so nice of you to stop at Valley Girl Musings on your virtual book tour. Would you care to share with us your memories of growing up in the San Fernando Valley?


Well I am definitely the “Valley Boy.” Though I was born in Hollywood, I grew up most of my years in Van Nuys and later in Encino. I lived in Van Nuys until I was eleven years old where I lived across the street from Valerio Street Elementary School. During my early days, I was definitely “Andy the Menace” always getting into mischief like filling cars with water. During these fun times much like the TV Show “Wonder Years” I would ride on my sting-ray bike with my friends all over Van Nuys including a ride to Van Nuys Blvd always getting into mischievous acts that boys do. During the spring and summer, I played baseball with friends much like the movie, “Sandlot/” And yes I did own a pair of “PF Flyers.”

Later we moved to Encino. I went Portola JR. High and then Birmingham. We lived just off the “Mayer’s Ranch” where my friends and I often were chased by dogs as we ran across the ranch. Today the “Ranch” that was on White Oak Ave. are now condos.

I played baseball in Little League at the diamonds near Louise Ave and Balboa Park and football both in Pop Warner and Birmingham High at the stadium at Birmingham High. And there were definitely stories at Birmingham High and my years at Portola.

But living in the Valley during these times the sixties and seventies, I must say that I was very lucky. It was definitely a great place to grow up.

Oh did I mention cruising Van Nuys Blvd?

It’s funny because there have been many movies that have reminded me of my years in the Valley. The crushes on girls and the adventures as a young boy living there were very unique that only someone from the Valley could relate to.

I remember when I was just ten my mom would give me fifty cents to see a double feature in the movies and that included popcorn, a soda and some candy or times we develop the skateboard by taking metal roller-skates placing them on scrap of plywood and skateboard on the sidewalk.

In my teens, hell we invented the word – “partying.”

I could and will definitely write a novel validating my experiences as a child and teen growing up in the best place to grow-up in the 60s and 70s – THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY!



Andrew, thanks for sharing your memories and I wish you success on the rest of your virtual book tour.

Thank you Rebecca, it was a pleasure.


You can find Andrew at his home page www.andrewfeder.com

THE HERETIC VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR '08 officially begin on May 1, 2008 and will continue all month. If you would like to follow Andrew's tour in progress, visit http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/ in May. Leave a comment on his blog stops and become eligible to win a free copy at the end of his tour! One lucky winner will be announced on this tour page on May 30!

A Valley Girl Sings Her Way into Our Hearts

A local "Valley Girl" has sung her way into American Idols Judge, Simon Cowell's heart. Brook White age 24 from Van Nuys was picked as one of the 24 semifinalists on the 7th Season of American Idol. Brooke mentions that she was raised on the soulful sounds of the 70's, thanks to her parents.

Four other Southern Californian's were picked to be in the semi-finals. Tune in on Tuesday for the men's finals and on Wednesday to see if Brooke sings her way into America's heart.

Sing your heart out Brooke, we're voting for you.