Monday, August 13, 2012

Guest Post with author Kalen Cap



Probably what most inspired me to become a writer is the art of storytelling itself, in its many forms. Whether listening, reading, or viewing, I love stories. Early on, they expanded my worldview beyond my quite limited experiences as a child. Even fantastical stories could help me make better sense of what I encountered in my day-to-day life. So, after taking in so much storytelling when younger, I’m inspired to pay that forward by writing for others.

After years of reading, I found that some things aren’t explored as fully in fiction as others. There were gaps in the kinds of stories readily available, particularly before the internet was used heavily, and thankfully more novels became easier to find via basic web search. Prior, there weren’t many varied stories in bookstores or local library card catalogs that dealt with nonprofits, lifelong activism, college-aged protagonists, or multifaceted characters with disabilities. I felt motivated to explore some of these facets creatively.

After toying with writing as a hobby, I realized I did have a unique perspective based on my life experiences. I also found that an audience responded appreciatively to my specific writer’s voice. With my early one-act plays, I liked the feeling of contributing something worthwhile. Beyond plays, novels have distinctive advantages for more involved, multi-threaded storylines and that appealed to me. So, that desire to contribute something unique in a novel that explored things I care about drove me as well.

A final thing that moved me to write shouldn’t be underestimated. I have fun with it. How many people truly get to use their imagination and creativity professionally? True, there are many forms of creativity that people use in varied jobs, but in fiction writing, nothing else can happen without imagination first. The fun I have in writing, particularly in the give and take with those reading it, inspired me to continue writing.

For me, it is fulfilling when I write a story and readers respond. The inspiration from a lifelong appreciation of the art of storytelling, a desire to contribute something unique with my own voice, and the fun I have doing it - all keep me motivated to write. 


Kalen will award a $25 Green Gift Card from http://green.icardgiftcard.com/ -- redeemable for GCs from hundreds of your favorite merchants to one randomly drawn commenter and the host with the most comments (excluding his and the hosts) will win a $10 Amazon GC. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/05/virtual-name-before-masses-tour-tangled.html.


About the Author: 

Kalen Cap is a writer living in Columbus, Ohio. Active in a variety of causes, particularly with regard to the environment, he often brings such concerns into his fiction writing. 

Tangled Ties to a Manatee is his debut novel. 

 He has had poetry published and several plays, both one act and full-length, produced locally. Two short stories have been published as well. "Feral" is a short story published in Off the Rocks, v. 14, ed Allison Fradkin, NewTown Writers Chicago, 2010, pp. 119-126. "Transforming Oracle" is a self-published short story available at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/29507 

Kalen’s website is http://www.kalencap.com 

He can be readily connected with through the following social media profiles – 
Twitter: @kalencap 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KalenCap 
Google+ : http://gplus.to/Kalencap

8 comments:

  1. Thanks for hosting me today.

    Readers turn. I'd like to hear how readers like to express their creativity if they are so inclined to post about it. It could be with crafts, or hobbies, or any form really.

    Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love cooking and baking...it's a nice combination of art and craft, and really soothes me.

    eai(at)stanfordalumni(dot)org

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Anonymous, Yes. I have friends that are creative with food as well. Sometimes I'm lucky enough to sample their efforts. Yum!

      Delete
  3. @Kalen Cap

    It’s great to have you on my blog today.

    How do I express my creativity?

    I write, blog, draw and occasional I cross stitch.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Billy, thanks again. Yes, your blog and writing read well as creative. I'm readily impressed by folks who draw well. My attempts at drawing never progressed beyond grade school capabilities.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Congrats on the book! Nice post.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. It's really great that you have fun writing. Some authors are so serious that they never really enjoy what they do.

    ReplyDelete

I adore reading reader feedback! I will, however, remove all spam and pointless comments.

Please take note that I have the right to delete comments from this site. Please only post constructive and respectful feedback.