Sunday, January 13, 2013

BREAKING ALL THE RULES--KANE'S REDEMPTION by CHERYL PIERSON


If you’re like me, you have a few rules for writing–and for reading. In my writing there are some things I would “never” do. Here’s a list of the top three:

Rule #1 – I never write in first person.

Rule #2 – I never write from a child’s point of view.

Rule #3 – I always have romance somewhere in my stories.

Well…one out of three ain’t bad.

I threw Rule #1 out the window when I picked up my pen and started Kane’s Redemption. I wrote it in first person. It’s the first work of fiction I’ve ever written from this perspective, and after I wrote it, I knew there would be two more of these novellas to follow. There was no better way to tell this story of young Will Green and Jacobi Kane – and the secret that stands between them.


Will is a child when the story begins, but a young man by the conclusion. So, I guess you could say I broke my own “Rule #2” as well. But there are some stories that have to be told by the child, to take hold of the innocence that only a child possesses and manages to hold on to in the face of reality. Who could have told Scout’s story better than Scout, in To Kill a Mockingbird? No one. She was the perfect character to tell us what was happening and the perfect filter for us to see for ourselves those things she couldn’t put into words. Through her eyes, we saw everything. I knew that Will had to tell the story of what happened to him and how Jacobi Kane rescued him…and what happened afterward.

Growing up in the 1800’s on the prairie of the southwest would make an adult of you quickly; even quicker if you watched your entire family murdered in the space of five minutes. This story is not just about Will, though – it’s also about Jacobi Kane, who has some secrets of his own. Although he rescues Will, he wrestles with demons that can’t be fought alone – but how can Will help? In the end, who is the true rescuer – Will, or Jacobi Kane?

Romance? Well, there’s a bit of that. But it’s the romance that comes with new beginnings and the kiss of forgiveness–sweet, touching and straight from the heart. Come to think of it, the romance in Kane’s Redemption is a bit different from anything else I’ve ever written, too.

This story came from somewhere deep; a place I didn’t know existed. It’s a gift I hope you will take as much pleasure in reading as I did in writing.

Book 2 in the Kane trilogy is KANE'S PROMISE, released in the summer of 2012. And the third and final book, KANE'S DESTINY, will be out in a few weeks through WESTERN TRAIL BLAZER.



I will be giving away a copy of KANE’S REDEMPTION today! All you have to do is leave a comment, and please leave your e-mail address so I can contact you! I will leave you with the blurb and an excerpt. Hope you enjoy!

BLURB:
A ten-year-old boy fights for his life when he is taken prisoner by a band of raiding Apache. Steeling himself for death, Will Green is shocked when a lone man walks into the Apache camp to rescue him several days later.

Driven by the secret he carries, Jacobi Kane has followed the Indians for days and needs to make his move to save the boy. With the odds stacked eight against one, his chances for success look pretty slim. But even if he’s able to rescue the boy and they get out alive, what then?

EXCERPT FROM KANE’S REDEMPTION:

Red Eagle moved back just as fast as before and I felt my cheek burning. Blood dripped off his blade and that was it. I went after that red devil like I had lost my wits. I guess, truthfully, I had – because I don’t remember anything about it, except how good the first smash of my fist in his face felt.

Blood ran from Red Eagle’s nose and he cried out in a snarl of anger and pain and surprise.

I felt a pulse of energy rush through me, and I wrapped my fingers around his throat like he’d done to Mama. I tightened them and his blood streamed warm and slick over my grip. His eyes began to bulge, and I thought in another minute, maybe I could have the vengeance I had wanted so badly for the past week.

Papa always said a man’s quick wits are sometimes his only defense. I was exultant. I may have been foolish for what I did, and I felt sure Papa and I would disagree sharply on the use of my wits. But I did what I had to do.

Suddenly, rough hands were upon me, pulling at me. But I was like a mad dog, snarling, and foaming at the mouth in my pent up anger and hatred that was finally spilling out. What a glorious opportunity! Even if I died for it, I knew I couldn’t have passed it up – whether Papa might have approved, or not.

The Indians were all speaking at once, yelling, calling out, laughing. The moon was full, providing even more light than what the fire gave, making the night seem even hotter, as if the sun still shone on us. From somewhere in the distance of the woods beyond, I heard the call of the owls, and I knew enough Injun to know what that meant to them.

Someone was going to die. It might be me, but I was doing my damnedest to take Red Eagle with me.

A gunshot split the night air. “Dammit, stop it!” Hands like steel bands wrapped around my shoulders and jerked me off of Red Eagle. “Stop it!”

I couldn’t answer. I was breathing too hard, panting like the mad dog I had become. My hands balled into fists and flexed open again and again, and my fingers were sticky with Red Eagle’s blood. My own pulse sang through my veins in a triumph I had never experienced before.

“Boy, straighten up or you’re gonna get us both killed.” The voice was calm. I stopped struggling and looked up into the face of a white man. A white man had walked right into Red Eagle’s camp. I figured, now, those owls would have plenty more to tell – at least one more death.

But he didn’t seem worried. He held his rifle at the ready, pointed in the general direction of the group of eight Indians that rode in Red Eagle’s band. I glanced around the half-circle of painted faces, and I couldn’t help gloating. They all looked as if they’d met up with some kind of spirit or demon more wicked than they were. And that was going some.

“Can you ride bareback?”

I nodded. I guessed I could, I wanted to tell him. Been doin’ it for a damn week.

“Need help getting on?”

I shook my head and he let me go real slow. “Pick the one you can manage best and get settled on him. Take Red Eagle’s rifle and bullets.”

“Wait!” Red Eagle challenged. He rolled onto his side, wiping the blood from his nose. It pleased me greatly to hear that he wheezed when he spoke. “You take our horses, our weapons—”

“I ain’t takin’ your lives, you bastard. And I ain’t takin’ all your weapons,” the big man answered in a slow drawl. “Only yours. Pitch that knife over this way, and do it easy. My trigger finger is mighty nervous tonight.”


For KANE’S REDEMPTION, KANE'S PROMISE and all my other work, click here:
https://www.amazon.com/author/cherylpierson

28 comments:

  1. Kane's Redemption was one of the best stories I've ever read. In fact the whole trilogy was sensational. Kane's Redemption has been nominated at the P&E Poll this year in the western short story category. I voted for it and it sure deserves to win.
    I wish you all the best, Cheryl...and good luck at P&E!

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    1. Hi Sarah! I'm glad to know how much you enjoyed Kane's Redemption--what a compliment to say it's one of the best stories you've ever read! I'm really happy to hear that. Yes, I'm sweating bullets hoping that it hangs on to 1st place over at P&E. The polls close tomorrow as you well know, with your story HEART SONG being in the running over there in a different short story category. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you, too!Thanks so much for commenting!
      Cheryl

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  2. Hi Cheryl...a really interesting and useful blog. I'm looking forward to reading KR. Please don't consider me for the freebie as I have it already. :)

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    1. Hey Livvie! I do hope you enjoy Kane's Redemption. I'm hard at work on Kane's Destiny, the third and last one of the series. It should be out in the next few weeks. Thank you so much for coming by--be sure to follow the blog because we're doing a prize drawing each month JUST from the followers.
      Cheryl

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  3. I have to agree with Sarah, this series is one of the best. I look forward to KANE'S DESTINY. I agree, Cheryl, I don't think these novellas would have the same impact if told from any other character's point of view, but Will's. You were wise to boot a couple rules out the door. :)

    --Kirsten

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    1. Kirsten, I'm blushing. LOL I always say, "I don't know what prompted me to write these." And it's true--but I have enjoyed every single minute of them and I hate to see them end. I might pick these characters up later when Will is older. It's really hard to let go of them.
      Cheryl

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  4. From: Phyliss Miranda
    Cheryl, I love your blog/rules and totally agree with never writing in first person. LOL But, I do believe first person in a short piece, in particular, is very effective. I think the main reason I don't write in first person is that it takes a lot of skill to tell a story from only one person's POV; but you're certainly skilled enough to do it. I'm eager to read both of these stories, as they sound wonderful; and I know they'll be as good as your other works. Hugs, Phyliss

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    1. Phyliss, you are such a dear. Thank you so much for coming by and commenting. I think that was also my main reservation about writing this series in first person. I don't normally read books in first person. This changed all that for me. Thank you so much for the kind words and for coming by to comment. I've got you entered in the drawing!
      Cheryl

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  5. Cheryl, I absolutely loved "Kane's Redemption." You did a fabulous job telling their story. Break the rules anytime you want. Sometimes it pays big dividends. I need to get busy though and download "Kane's Promise" into my Kindle. I need to see what's been happening with Kane and Will. I hope you keep these wonderful wonderful westerns.

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    1. Linda, if I draw your name I'll send you kane's Promise, so wait and see who wins! LOL I'm so thrilled you enjoyed Kane's Redemption so much. Will just spoke to my heart and I couldn't ignore him. His story had to be told. And though I'm a pantser, I knew pretty much everything in my mind when I began to write. As I told Phyliss, I may just have to pick the story of Will up a few years down the line. I don't know if I can bear to let go of him yet. LOL
      Cheryl

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  6. #4 - always have at least one shoot out or at least a good fist fight. LOL

    Good post

    -N-

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    1. Oh, definitely, OGR! Each of these books has at LEAST one good fist fight and lots of action. What's a good western without a shoot out or fist fight--or BOTH???LOL I'll put you in the drawing. Thanks so much for commenting!
      Cheryl

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    2. OLD GUY RAMBLING-- YOU ARE MY WINNER OF KANE'S REDEMPTION!!!! Please e-mail me at fabkat_edit@yahoo.com and let me know your preference -- print or pdf copy-- and I'll get it to you!

      Thanks for your comment and congratulations on your win!

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  7. I looked a little harder, Cheryl, after sending you a message on your FB page...and I found where I could leave a comment! I am a great fan of Western stories with heart, realism, romance, you name it. I started out reading Westerns (can't recall the authors now) when I was a child and visited the local small town library every Saturday. My Dad read Ranch Romance magazine/paperback when he was irrigating the fields late at night...and I would pick them up the next morning and devour them. I'm grateful to Kat Martin for posting on her FB today about Western Fictioneers Blog. I will be following it closely. Jan

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    1. Hey, Jan, I messaged you back on FB about it, but I'm glad you saw it and got here. I'm like you--I love westerns of all kinds--romance, young adult, "regular" westerns--anything about the west. I read a lot of Louis L'Amour when I was older, and shared those with my dad. It got to where he was reading them faster than I was (I still had kids at home!) so I gave him all the ones I had and let him read them first, then give them to me when HE was done. LOL We had many a good conversation about LL's characters and stories. Oh, I'm very grateful to Kat too, for posting that. So glad you found us and I hope you'll be back often! You are always welcome here!
      Cheryl

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  8. Cheryl, fabulous excerpt! I loved your story in Six-guns and Slay Bells, and your chapters in Wolf Creek: Bloody Trail. Keep 'em coming!

    I grew up reading mostly 1st person books, so have never had a bias against it. In fact, when I started reading romance, which was all 3rd person, it seemed distant to me, and took me a while to get used to the arm's length viewpoint. Writing in 1st person is also more natural to me.

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    1. Thank you, Jacquie--I'm so glad you enjoyed the excerpt. And thank you for your kind words about The Keepers of Camelot in Six Guns and my chapters in Wolf Creek: BLOODY TRAIL. I'm very proud to have been included in that, and am looking forward to all the coming Wolf Creek books. My character, Derrick, will appear again in Book 5: Showdown at Demon's Drop. I used to read all kinds of books in 1st person! I think I got out of the habit of it, and then it was hard to start it again after getting used to the 3rd person POV. You do such a great job with your 1st person writing, though--it does seem VERY natural to you. I hope you are feeling better today!
      Cheryl

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  9. Y'all, I just got an e-mail from a lady in one of my yahoo groups and she said she was having trouble posting--she'd tried twice and it disappeared. I'm posting part of her comment below to register her in the drawing. Her name is JEAN McDONALD. Thanks to Jean for trying!

    Anyway, I wish it would have registered, because part of my comment mentioned how intriguing I found the excerpt and synopsis.

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  10. Cheryl,
    Great excerpt. Your stories are so good. I've enjoyed reading "Fire Eyes" and your articles in
    Chicken Soup for the Soul. Love your writing style and I am glad you threw out the rules to write "Kane's Redemption" in first person. a childs view of the world around them (even as a teenager) is so different from the adult view and gives us a interesting prospective.

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    1. Thank you Paula! I'm so glad you've enjoyed Fire Eyes and the pieces in Chicken Soup for the Soul. I agree wholeheartedly with you about the child's perspective. I remember loving The Education of Little Tree because of that. Thanks so much for coming by and commenting!
      Cheryl

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  11. I bet writing from a males perspective was a learning experience not to mention that of a child. I loved the excerpt. I want to know more!

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    1. Linda, I was quite a tomboy when I was younger and had lots of boy cousins to run around with. In fact, I had about 5 boy cousins total between Mom and Dad's sides of the family that were within a year or two of my age, and only 3 girls cousins in that same age range. One of my cousins grew up down around Lake Texoma and knew EVERYTHING about the outdoors by the time he was 6 or 7 years old. LOL I was a couple of years older than he was, but he was much wiser, me being a "town girl." I kind of patterned Will Green on him. I'm so glad you enjoyed the excerpt--hope you won't be a stranger over here.

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  12. Cheryl, don't count me in the giveaway, because I have the book. You know how I love it. Will is a wonderful character and so is Jacobi Kane. So glad you continued the story.

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    1. Caroline, I continued it because of people like you who told me how much they enjoyed the story and the characters. Thank you so much for all your support. I'm so glad to see you over here!
      Cheryl

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  13. I love it when authors write in the "voice" of their actual character. Using words he/she might actually use in that time period etc. good post, Cheryl.

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    1. Thank you, Tanya! It was surprisingly easy for me to fall into a ten-year-old boy's thoughts...hmmmm. LOL Thanks so much for coming by! I'm looking forward to your guest spots!!!!
      Cheryl

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  14. MY WINNER IS...............

    OLD GUY RAMBLING!!!!!!
    OGR, if you will please e-mail me at fabkat_edit@yahoo.com I will send you your choice of a signed print copy of KANE'S REDEMPTION or a pdf copy! Congratulations on winning!!!

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  15. Hey. I thought I had commented on this, but don't see it anywhere. I reckon the post got ate by gremlins in my computer or at Blogger.

    First person. It works well when you can strike a good balance between spoken and written prose. I'm loose on grammar when characters speak, but when they narrate, I don't let them goof off. I try to get them to tell the story with minimum colloquialisms. Cliches between quote marks are cliches spoken by the characters. Cliches in the narration are cliches by a writer who couldn't find an original way to say something and still sound like a cowboy in 1880.

    Two of my books are in first person (part of the way), A Man Called Breed and Pitchfork Justice. Plus, there's a first-person short story in The Traditional West, and one in The Prodigal. So, if the first-person narrator is the protagonist, I usually switch to third person for information about the antagonists. Picked that up from Louis L'Amour. The TTW short story is a first-person narrator who is not the protagonist.

    Anyway. Cain't see no rule against writing in the first person. I mean, Harper Lee did it. Why can't I?

    ctw

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