Kenn Ghannon: Blog

I'm not sure if any other author has this happen to them but I find that sometimes I need to just back off a story for a bit. Nothing serious, just step away and work on another story for a day or so until the next part of my primary story comes into better focus.

My problem is that I have far too many in my hopper. Which one do I work on? I've got some with many chapters already written, others with less and some that are nothing more than a brief One Note about an idea I had maybe 4 or 5 years ago.

So, I've actually been kind of working on three when I need a break from "Mirror". I thought I'd share them here because I was thinking about posting a chapter or two of one of them which would force me to write it when taking a break so I could get another chapter to post...but which one? So, I'm going to leave it up to you. Send me an e-mail with your choice and on August 17th, I'll tally them all up and post chapter 1/Prologue of the story you've collectively chosen (if any...maybe I won't get any votes!). Then, as I get more written, I'll post/update the new chapter -- no schedule, mind you, just as it gets written. {"Mirror", of course, is going to get most of my attention but I definitely won't post that one until it's finished -- it's just too intricate}

1) "Unexpected Results": A story about a 13 year old (at the beginning of the story) who learns that he is a Psion -- a person with vast psionic power(s). This story follows him as he meets a family who helps teach him what he is and what he can do as he works to fit in their society while juggling the "normal" world. [Codes so far: mf mF MF inc mom son bro sis mc]

2) "A New Life": Jonathon's brother Chris lost more than the use of his legs to an IED, he lost his ability to have sex and make babies as well. Chris and his wife Charlene want children, though, so they come up with an interesting solution -- have Jonathon father a baby with Charlene. The question leads to some interesting problems for Jonathon. [Codes so far: mf mF inc bro sis in-law]

3) "College: Freshman": Quinn's father was a master carpenter and all-around handyman -- he flipped houses for a living through a construction company he partnered with his brother Mark on. From age 10, Quinn would join his father on the job during the summer, learning his father's craft. Unfortunately, Quinn's parents have died in a tragic car accident, leaving Quinn and his sister to live with Uncle Mark and Aunt Brenda. Now in his first year of college, Quinn has convinced his Uncle to buy an apartment complex in the college town and renovate it. Follow him as he works his way through college -- and many ladies along the way. {This particular story is mostly background right now; I know little about construction/demolition and have done a fair amount of investigation without writing a lot...therefore, no codes for now}

So, it's up to you. Take your pick, e-mail me, and let me know which one interests you more! :)

I just found out that Fable, one of my favorite authors, has had to bow out from writing (I *think* due to health issues but whether from health or just RL, it's a tremendous loss). Fable has been very prolific and wrote one of the best series I've ever read on SOL: Burr. It is an incredibly engaging and complex tale that I can't recommend enough -- even if it's never going to be completed...it's just that good.

So, if you get a chance hop over and read it, I recommend it. Otherwise just keep Fable in your prayers (to whatever deity you hold dear)/well wishes that he might find success in whatever his next endeavors are.

Okay...so not really. :)

I am, however, going to be gone for the next month with what will amount to an incredibly minimal access to Internet services (yes, I will be on THAT deserted island). Fear not, I am taking my laptop and will be doing writing -- hopefully mostly on my "Mirror" pet project (I'm only 1/4 way through chapter 9 and I'm planning on 26 chapters or so!!) but I'm probably going to take some breaks and at least flesh out some other ideas I've had recently (hey...it's a deserted island...there's nothing else to DO there...).

My plan is to have chapters 9 through 12 done during my time away...but I can guarantee nothing. I have a wife and some kids...my time is not my own.

I'll try to blog once or twice when the internet gods shine down on me and give me a shred of connectivity, but I'm not promising it, either.

Have a great July!!
---Kenn Ghannon

I just read 'Sally's Birthday' by Just Plain Bob (a virtual legend in CW stories). This story is about a man who suffered a tragedy in the Gulf War and has intermittent erectile dysfunction; at first, he'll go 8 to 10 months fine and then suddenly be unable to perform for 3 to 4 months. At the time of the story, it's been 14 months seen he's been able to perform.

His wife, obviously, cheats on him. She's very upfront about it; they go to a bar, she dances with three guys and tells her husband she's going home with them...and does them in the car in the parking lot, one at a time.

I found myself feeling for the wife. If there comes a time when I can't perform and my wife can, I'm hoping that I can be a big enough man and love my wife enough to let her do what she needs to do. Now, the 3 or 4 months without I don't think qualify -- obviously, there are toys for situations like that -- and also, it doesn't say if the guy was willing to be with her without coitus but I think that it is unreasonable to make her go over a year without.

Am I being unreasonable??

I sat here a bit wondering what made me like cheating wives stories so much. I mean, what was the appeal? There was rarely any good sex scenes in them. They were about betrayal and revenge. I certainly don't have those problems in my marriage...so why did I like reading them.

That got me to thinking. My brother-in-law married the wrong woman (but no, to the best of my knowledge, she didn't cheat). He had two wonderful kids...but he and his wife actively HATED each other. The problem was, he was a factory worker and didn't make much money...so a divorce would ruin him (and did, when she finally filed). When she finally filed for divorce, the courts KILLED him. He's getting up there in years and I don't think will ever comfortably retire because he just can't afford it.

The system is not fair...and there are two things wrong with it. First, in our haste to make divorce easier (through 'no fault') we no longer take the actions of the parties into account. Why should my life be ruined because my wife cheated? Why should my wife's life be ruined if I cheat? It's cookie cutter divorce and I think that EACH divorce should be examined carefully before assets are divided, visitation rights are granted and so on.

Second, the books are stacked completely in the woman's favor. This was NOT a bad thing years ago when women's contribution to the work force was so little. Now, with many women in the workforce, the books need to be evened out a bit.

I think it is this unfairness that leads me (and maybe others) to read the cheating wives stories. We're able, vicariously, to get revenge through them (and, honestly, I really like a good revenge story/movie/etc. I really like when the 'bad guy' gets his comeuppance...but I don't like the cheating husbands stories as much).

Anyway, it's just a thought...