HELLO! I really do feel like I’ve been everywhere except posting here… sorry about that! 2020 #amiright?!
If you’re not following me on social, here’s a quick recap!
I went back to teaching for the 2020-2021 school year (World & U.S. History). It was a fabulous experience (all things considered)…. I absolutely ADORE high schoolers.
Nav’Aria: The Winged Crescentreleased Fall 2020. And I’m thrilled to have the entire trilogy completed and available for readers.
I also spontaneously decided to sign up for a marathon, and successfully participated (and FINISHED!) the Sept. 19th Montana Marathon.
Besides that, we got a chihuahua puppy who’s keeping us busy… and SO HAPPY. We’re obsessed with the little guy.
In August, I was asked to write a monthly Education column for Simply Local Magazine which allows me to still keep a toe in the teaching world.
Lastly, I’m working on my latest writing project: The Legend of Tiny Tails (a pet adventure story). My goal is to have (at least) the first draft completed before the end of 2021.
So, there you go! I’m happy you stopped by. I plan to be much more active here and on social, as well as, at Author Events (I have book merch, ya’ll!!). I look forward to connecting with you more. Here’s to finishing 2021 STRONG.
This year has been a fantastic blur! My dream of becoming an author came true in 2019 as I published not one but two books in my fantasy series, (click here to learn about Nav’Aria). When first setting out, I knew I wanted to have a #booklaunchparty and that my dream would be to do a Book Signing or two throughout the year (and like, my biggest dream ever would be to have a signing at Barnes & Noble… which I did in August).
Do you remember being a child and visiting your grandparents’ home? Were there old treasures or heirlooms hidden amongst their possessions? Did the home smell of dust, perfume, or flowers?
I’ll admit, I did not have the closest relationship with my Grandpa, yet I do remember everything about his home, from the heavy cigar smoke, lingering smell of bacon from breakfast, to the gorgeous views at his mountain home. As a child I remember wandering around inspecting his unique art, books, plants, all while trying to avoid his terrifying, MASSIVE German Shepherd (don’t get me wrong, I grew up with German Shepherds myself and love them, but Clark was particularly aggressive and liked to nip when he could. My younger brothers can attest to that!).
My exploring usually took me to the painting, “The Beginning of the End” by Gene Waggoner, where my Grandpa would find me staring in wonder. The painting depicts a unicorn, but not just any unicorn. This creature was gritty, worn down, and dejected. It did not resemble the unicorns that I had seen as a child in stories and cartoons. I LOVED IT. This raw image alit my imagination.
When my Grandpa passed away in 2006, he left the painting to me.
Over the years, I’ve taken the painting with me EVERYWHERE. It is presently hanging in my home office. As I look upon it even now, I wonder: What events has that unicorn gone through? What trials must it have faced?
This image inspired my own writing as I began to imagine unicorns at the forefront of a story rather than as the pretty, mythical creature sighted in a forest clearing or as the target of a hunt. I wanted more for a unicorn in a story. I wanted to see them as the main characters- the heroes and warriors- and so I wrote Nav’Aria: The Marked Heir with that in mind.
I hope you enjoy this depiction of unicorns. Maybe now you’ll see these impressive creatures in a new light as EPIC warriors and sentient characters.
I started writing Nav’Aria while working as a substitute teacher in 2011. I had finished the novel I was reading by 3rd Period. For anyone who has ever substitute taught, you know that that does not bode well for your day. The students were testing. Without a book I faced a LONG day with nothing to do besides keeping an eye on the class to ensure the students eyes’ didn’t wander, etc.
As I sat there, I grabbed a notebook out of my purse (always have one just in case I have an idea or come across something I don’t want to forget) and began writing. My Grandpa had gifted me a painting of a unique unicorn that initially inspired my story. My youngest brother had recently showed me his new tattoo. As I sat observing the teenagers, I pondered the idea of warring unicorns, and a teen with a tattoo on his hand. Somehow my random musings, turned into the first pages of my book, Nav’Aria: The Marked Heir.
The story evolved into a little hobby—my secret summer project when I wasn’t teaching high school History. My family knew, but I kept it pretty quiet otherwise as I plugged along.
My husband and I adopted our daughter in 2017, and it was then that I got the inspiration needed to write the entire second half of the book in a two-week span. I PUMPED IT OUT. Apparently, that’s what had been missing: My why!
Did I actually want to finish this story? If so, why? Would I finally admit that I wasn’t just dabbling but actually had written a book? Did I really want to go after my goal of becoming an author, or stay complacent with half a manuscript?
Author K.J. Backer
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Adoption has always had a huge place in my heart—and my writing!—and after years of working with struggling teens and then adopting my daughter, I realized that I wanted to finish the book for her- ‘for the “Darions” of the world’.
Darion’s story is not unique. Okay, let me back up… yes, having a glowing arm, encounters with unicorns, and living in a parallel universe is EPIC, but the idea of longing for a family, searching for his identity, and questioning his worth, is unfortunately, something many young people face today. There are millions of orphans globally, and thousands of kids in the U.S. who cannot go home due to tragic or dangerous circumstances.
Call-to-action!
How can you help a child TODAY? Perhaps begin the adoption process if you feel so led; Become a foster-parent or CASA volunteer; Sponsor a child in a third-world orphanage; Give to your local CPS; Donate to a reputable organization that helps women with micro-loans or children with school fees; Volunteer with a mentor program; Coach or sponsor an activity; Support a family from your church or school with foster kids. Whatever it is, help! Together, WE can support these children in their quest to belong.
And for the “Darions” reading this!
The teens struggling with self-doubt, loss, and a lack of family stability, I want to speak to you. YOU ARE IMPORTANT. YOU have a purpose. YOU have overcome much, and you can do much in your life. Seek positive role-models and influences. If you’re in a dangerous situation, please seek help. If you’re struggling with suicidal/depressive thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255. Keep working. Keep trying. Keep believing. And more than anything, remember:
YOU matter.
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Check out Nav’Aria: The Marked Heir and let me know what you think! Stay tuned for the sequel, Nav’Aria:The Pyre of Tarsin, to see how Darion will handle his ever-changing family bonds.
