I am reminded of a line from one of the movies about C. S. Lewis. I don't recall the title of the film but have always remembered this: "We read to know we are not alone." Powerful, I thought, but never have I felt its power more than in reading your essays. Thank you.
Oh my goodness. I am finally getting around to responding to all the comments. Thank you so much. All I can do is write from my heart what I am compelled to say and let the chips fall where they may. The encouragement means so much to me.
Catching up on your work and saw these truly lovely illustrations from your books. Your warmth and careful attention to detail come through beautifully in these sweet drawings as they do in your writing which shows great compassion for all us imperfect humans in spite of the fact that we are now living in dystopian strangeness among those who would wish us all ill (be they in power or not). Be it that bigger and possibly smaller kids too are getting morose now (my own teens are a tad old for these adorable Rumpoles though I'll share with them what you've shown here!), perhaps your artistic talents can visually and "in word" spin some new tales of hope and cope (coping) for the current situation? Many of us parents are at a loss of what to say as we too are overwhelmed. Those of us who greatly value stories find that showing them strength and resistance and understanding in books (even a printable PDF)... is easier that frank talk about what is in the news or about the latest exploits of all the Dr. Evils. If not now maybe down the road since you have these unique gifts (your illustration and writing talents)? Either way, keep sharing your thoughts--we are listening!
I also have a noir/scifi/fantasy novel coming out at the beginning of Sept., which I will talk more about when that happens. This idea I also got long before the pandemic but it has a lot of conspiracy theory type stuff that seems to be coming true. It's called LUMINARIA: Tales of Earth & Oran, Love & Revenge. I have done a black and white drawing for each chapter so I'm pretty excited about that.
So interesting you found parallels with current times and your YA series--will check out the link too. It's a tricky time as many older kids for sure are aware of much of this new normal dystopian stuff and have a sense what is going on (on one hand mine make Klaus Schwab jokes but under it all there is real fear as he's not a joke and is indeed scary due to his power)--so the challenge is to offer kids, teens, all of them a sense of hope and a sense of a positive future they cannot yet envision -- and maybe a feeling of strength as it's easy to feel disheartened (my "if life gives you lemons" pep talks ain't cuttin' it). So great that even during this insanity you've got a new book you illustrated coming out and are sharing these other creative talents while you write these essays! (Just as I wondered about that..) Interest piqued for the new book too if it's not too dark (my girls love dark stuff like Coraline, but they're getting so bleak now mood-wise that I'm very consciously steering them away from darker stuff now, even when the endings are happy and the heroines and heroes are strong because I think the long dark road getting to the light now has new meaning. Keep up the great writing here in the meantime--and thank you so much for all you share!
I am reminded of a line from one of the movies about C. S. Lewis. I don't recall the title of the film but have always remembered this: "We read to know we are not alone." Powerful, I thought, but never have I felt its power more than in reading your essays. Thank you.
Thank you. I am doing what I can to write from the heart.
Absolutely LOVE all your artwork!
Only having encountered you via your piece "Demonization" via Twit
which I only returned to last Jan after a 6yr absence
only because of my near-exclusive interest in deepening and broadening my knowledge about and staying current with the virus and C19 yadda yadda
I was stunned as I turned the pages with each piece you released after
to discover what a delightfully talented prolific and accomplished artist (in the embodiment sense) Karen Mezek is😀👍❗
I don't always read every writer that waves a piece in front of me
[insert "World's Most Interesting Man" pic here]
but when I DO
it's you😀👍❗
Thank You for writing "Demonization"
or I wouldnta discovered an awesome and awe-inspiring artist❗
abtw that was NICE, but you didn't HAFta😉
Oh my goodness. I am finally getting around to responding to all the comments. Thank you so much. All I can do is write from my heart what I am compelled to say and let the chips fall where they may. The encouragement means so much to me.
I read all your articles. You tell
great stories and manage to intertwine them with all the issues with of our times.
Thank you! This is why I write.
Catching up on your work and saw these truly lovely illustrations from your books. Your warmth and careful attention to detail come through beautifully in these sweet drawings as they do in your writing which shows great compassion for all us imperfect humans in spite of the fact that we are now living in dystopian strangeness among those who would wish us all ill (be they in power or not). Be it that bigger and possibly smaller kids too are getting morose now (my own teens are a tad old for these adorable Rumpoles though I'll share with them what you've shown here!), perhaps your artistic talents can visually and "in word" spin some new tales of hope and cope (coping) for the current situation? Many of us parents are at a loss of what to say as we too are overwhelmed. Those of us who greatly value stories find that showing them strength and resistance and understanding in books (even a printable PDF)... is easier that frank talk about what is in the news or about the latest exploits of all the Dr. Evils. If not now maybe down the road since you have these unique gifts (your illustration and writing talents)? Either way, keep sharing your thoughts--we are listening!
Thank you for your thoughts. I have a YA urban fantasy series, 3 books finished and 3 more to go, 4th almost finished. I wrote these before the pandemic and it's interesting to see how a lot of it parallels what we are seeing. Here's a link to the 1st book, Key of Mystery: https://www.amazon.com/Key-Mystery-Night-Angels-Chronicles/dp/1772337412/ref=sr_1_1?crid=FQQVLZ0JM7G5&dchild=1&keywords=key+of+mystery+kh+mezek&qid=1629577472&sprefix=key+of+mystery+%2Caps%2C213&sr=8-1
I also have a noir/scifi/fantasy novel coming out at the beginning of Sept., which I will talk more about when that happens. This idea I also got long before the pandemic but it has a lot of conspiracy theory type stuff that seems to be coming true. It's called LUMINARIA: Tales of Earth & Oran, Love & Revenge. I have done a black and white drawing for each chapter so I'm pretty excited about that.
So interesting you found parallels with current times and your YA series--will check out the link too. It's a tricky time as many older kids for sure are aware of much of this new normal dystopian stuff and have a sense what is going on (on one hand mine make Klaus Schwab jokes but under it all there is real fear as he's not a joke and is indeed scary due to his power)--so the challenge is to offer kids, teens, all of them a sense of hope and a sense of a positive future they cannot yet envision -- and maybe a feeling of strength as it's easy to feel disheartened (my "if life gives you lemons" pep talks ain't cuttin' it). So great that even during this insanity you've got a new book you illustrated coming out and are sharing these other creative talents while you write these essays! (Just as I wondered about that..) Interest piqued for the new book too if it's not too dark (my girls love dark stuff like Coraline, but they're getting so bleak now mood-wise that I'm very consciously steering them away from darker stuff now, even when the endings are happy and the heroines and heroes are strong because I think the long dark road getting to the light now has new meaning. Keep up the great writing here in the meantime--and thank you so much for all you share!
Karen, we are with you! Thank you for the reading recommendations of “The Traveler” and “The Book of Five Rings.” Reading “The Traveler” right now!
Let me know what you think. My son introduced me to The Traveler and it made a huge impression on me.
Yes, you are a wonder. I'm paying attention💥
Thank you I will do my best to write honestly from my heart.