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Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, A.K. Kuykendall author of Conspirator's Odyssey: The Evolution of the Patron Saint.
A.K. was born in Georgia and grew up as a military brat in Kailua, Hawaii, and later Jacksonville, North Carolina.
He is a tenured Corporate Executive Chef by trade, however he is very passionate about writing, particularly thought provoking novels that blend concepts of fact and fiction.
Good day A.K. and thanks for participating in our interview.
Norm:
How did you get started in writing? What keeps you going? Did you read any special books on how to write?
A.K.
Well one day I simply started writing; attempting to mimic the writing styles of my favourite authors: Stephen King, Rick Hautala, Michael Marshall, Bram Stoker, Mary Shelly, Robert Louis Stevenson, James Patterson, Jack Higgins, S.E. Chase, Nicholas Sparks, and my all-time favourite Dean Koontz, etc.
What keeps me going is the fact that I´ve always wanted an avenue that would allow me to express myself in a creative way and with I being a creative spirit at heart; I began to write with hopes that one day I´ll be recognized the world over as a storyteller. And no, I didn´t read any special books on how to write; though I should´ve given the amount of rewrites I had to endure, especially after my book doctor Mr. Michael Garrett (credited as Stephen King´s first editor) gave me a structured literary beating for which I was so grateful that he has a special mention in my acknowledgement (s).
Norm:
Does your writing career ever conflict with your career as a Corporate Executive Chef?
A.K.
I´m a licensed Corporate Executive Chef currently working as a General Manager for a franchise of McDonalds incorporated.
I can´t answer this question without telling your readers why it is that I chose this route. I came to McDonalds primarily because when I found out I was to be a father, I sought an opportunity that was local and didn´t demand traveling.
As a tenured corporate executive chef, I made the decision to come to McDonalds after going on hiatus from the culinary field to get my new life of fatherhood underway with a bang.
Beginning August 6, 2004 I remained at home, and as a full time father raised my first born (Kal-El Price Kuykendall) for a little over a year before applying with McDonalds. Incidentally, the year I spent with my son helped me put my life into perspective. I felt my rather exasperated culinary ambitions, not to mention the constant travel both nationally and internationally, wouldn´t have been suited for raising children as I would never be home to partake in what I cherish most: Family, writing; oh and did I mention family?
As to your question, Sir; when it comes to managing my time in between both my hectic schedule(s); yes, yes, and yes, but the term conflict is an understatement! Yet I know it comes with the territory for anyone wanting more out of life. When the day comes where I´m the subject of water cooler conversations for my literature, I´ll detach myself from the fray and focus my every passion on the written word. That´s a promise!
Norm:
Please tell our readers something about Conspirator's Odyssey: The Evolution of the Patron Saint.
A.K.
Top Army Ranger unwittingly finds herself the champion of a universal objective that's far beyond the scope of mankind …
The day was routine for Captain Kalista Flaker, but the order passed down to her the morning of October 3, 1998, was far from routine. This order created of her an assassin charged with performing an unthinkable act: KILLING HER VERY OWN. The mission was simple and in the same, difficult. She was to lead a team in a covert operation to South Vietnam.
Their mission: eliminate American POW's still being held captive since the Vietnam conflict. Yet the reasons behind this inhumane mission will prove to be literally out of this world as the nefarious meaning behind former President Eisenhower's bold statement "beware of the military industrial complex" will be boldly revealed. Captain Flaker, this hardened Army Ranger of the 4th Battalion, 76th Ranger Regiment, could have never imagined what was possible within the boundaries of the nation she took an oath to defend.
As a soldier, Captain Flaker was defined by set rules, protocols, and controlled order. Jarred by the unbelievable notion that behind the walls of what she holds true (the Core), she discovers that self-proclaimed gods, backed by fear and contempt, rule with an iron fist. She also realized that these self-proclaimed gods would stop at nothing to maintain this status quo. In her discovery of what she couldn't have fathomed possible of the only home she's ever known, Captain Flaker then battles the ultimate underbelly of a true conspiracy.
Her purpose for which is to bring this nation back into the realm of truth and honor. What she failed to comprehend was that in truth lies the most complex of enigmas. Unwittingly finding herself fighting for an even bigger objective, she then realized that in the creation of our United States armed forces, one motto was its founding gospel and remains to this very day commonplace of military strategists: the end justifies the means.
Norm:
How did you come up with the title Conspirator's Odyssey: The Evolution of the Patron Saint?
A.K.
I´ve been writing since 1999—mostly poetry before writing a screenplay entitled Fierce Chicanery. And after countless times of fishing the project around and entering countless screenwriting contests to no avail, I decided to author a novel of the project, changing the name given to my screenplay Fierce Chicanery which is key subject matter in the manuscript to Conspirator´s Odyssey: The Evolution of the Patron Saint which I felt I needed to do in order to highlight the development of my protagonist Kalista Flaker.
Norm:
How much of the book is realistic? Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
A.K.
Sir, I´ll tell you this much as to not come off sounding like a crackpot … when it comes to the esoteric subject of our country: truth is the most complex enigma!
Norm:
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in Conspirator's Odyssey: The Evolution of the Patron Saint?
A.K.
Only one thing! I would have started the series further into the future and strategically worked my way back in time. Yet I still have that opportunity with the next book, but finding a way to make that happen is shaking me just a little. No worries, true literary warriors adapt to their circumstance and make it happen. So I hope you´re ready for the next book as it´s evolving quite nicely.
Norm:
What does your family think of your writing?
A.K.
They are ecstatic! My children Kal-El Price Kuykendall (age 4), Jor-El Price Kuykendall (age 2), and step son Felix Flores (age 8) could care less, but as for Magdiel Flores (the love of my life); she shows me in her own special way how proud she is of me. Wink, wink!
Norm:
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in writing your book?
A.K.
Well, in my research and in my many secret meetings with my source on the subject matter, I was baffled at the amount of secrets this nation sits on. And in how important fact-based fiction, alternative history, and/or speculative fiction manuscripts are or should be to mankind. I strongly feel that when the world´s dirty laundry can no longer be contained … you can´t say authors like me didn´t try.
Norm:
What has been your overall experience as a published author?
A.K.
I´m loving it tremendously and with this being my very first interview … I´m loving Bookpleasures.com as well. Thank you for the opportunity, Sir.
Norm:
How has your education informed your writing?
A.K.
Well during my sophomore year in college I took a creative writing course simply for credits. Scores weren´t exactly the best, but I enjoyed the course. And contrary to what my professor may say if tracked down, I did learn something.
Norm:
How can our readers find out more about you and your book?
A.K.
Your readers can visit the site where ´TRUTH READS THROUGH FICTION´ at www.thewriterofbooks.com
Norm:
What is next for A.K. Kuykendall and is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?
A.K.
A glorious literary future is what´s next for me! And no, there´s nothing else; I feel you´ve covered plenty. Thank you once again for this opportunity, Mr. Goldman.
Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors.
A.K. was born in Georgia and grew up as a military brat in Kailua, Hawaii, and later Jacksonville, North Carolina.
He is a tenured Corporate Executive Chef by trade, however he is very passionate about writing, particularly thought provoking novels that blend concepts of fact and fiction.
Good day A.K. and thanks for participating in our interview.
Norm:
How did you get started in writing? What keeps you going? Did you read any special books on how to write?
A.K.
Well one day I simply started writing; attempting to mimic the writing styles of my favourite authors: Stephen King, Rick Hautala, Michael Marshall, Bram Stoker, Mary Shelly, Robert Louis Stevenson, James Patterson, Jack Higgins, S.E. Chase, Nicholas Sparks, and my all-time favourite Dean Koontz, etc.
What keeps me going is the fact that I´ve always wanted an avenue that would allow me to express myself in a creative way and with I being a creative spirit at heart; I began to write with hopes that one day I´ll be recognized the world over as a storyteller. And no, I didn´t read any special books on how to write; though I should´ve given the amount of rewrites I had to endure, especially after my book doctor Mr. Michael Garrett (credited as Stephen King´s first editor) gave me a structured literary beating for which I was so grateful that he has a special mention in my acknowledgement (s).
Norm:
Does your writing career ever conflict with your career as a Corporate Executive Chef?
A.K.
I´m a licensed Corporate Executive Chef currently working as a General Manager for a franchise of McDonalds incorporated.
I can´t answer this question without telling your readers why it is that I chose this route. I came to McDonalds primarily because when I found out I was to be a father, I sought an opportunity that was local and didn´t demand traveling.
As a tenured corporate executive chef, I made the decision to come to McDonalds after going on hiatus from the culinary field to get my new life of fatherhood underway with a bang.
Beginning August 6, 2004 I remained at home, and as a full time father raised my first born (Kal-El Price Kuykendall) for a little over a year before applying with McDonalds. Incidentally, the year I spent with my son helped me put my life into perspective. I felt my rather exasperated culinary ambitions, not to mention the constant travel both nationally and internationally, wouldn´t have been suited for raising children as I would never be home to partake in what I cherish most: Family, writing; oh and did I mention family?
As to your question, Sir; when it comes to managing my time in between both my hectic schedule(s); yes, yes, and yes, but the term conflict is an understatement! Yet I know it comes with the territory for anyone wanting more out of life. When the day comes where I´m the subject of water cooler conversations for my literature, I´ll detach myself from the fray and focus my every passion on the written word. That´s a promise!
Norm:
Please tell our readers something about Conspirator's Odyssey: The Evolution of the Patron Saint.
A.K.
Top Army Ranger unwittingly finds herself the champion of a universal objective that's far beyond the scope of mankind …
The day was routine for Captain Kalista Flaker, but the order passed down to her the morning of October 3, 1998, was far from routine. This order created of her an assassin charged with performing an unthinkable act: KILLING HER VERY OWN. The mission was simple and in the same, difficult. She was to lead a team in a covert operation to South Vietnam.
Their mission: eliminate American POW's still being held captive since the Vietnam conflict. Yet the reasons behind this inhumane mission will prove to be literally out of this world as the nefarious meaning behind former President Eisenhower's bold statement "beware of the military industrial complex" will be boldly revealed. Captain Flaker, this hardened Army Ranger of the 4th Battalion, 76th Ranger Regiment, could have never imagined what was possible within the boundaries of the nation she took an oath to defend.
As a soldier, Captain Flaker was defined by set rules, protocols, and controlled order. Jarred by the unbelievable notion that behind the walls of what she holds true (the Core), she discovers that self-proclaimed gods, backed by fear and contempt, rule with an iron fist. She also realized that these self-proclaimed gods would stop at nothing to maintain this status quo. In her discovery of what she couldn't have fathomed possible of the only home she's ever known, Captain Flaker then battles the ultimate underbelly of a true conspiracy.
Her purpose for which is to bring this nation back into the realm of truth and honor. What she failed to comprehend was that in truth lies the most complex of enigmas. Unwittingly finding herself fighting for an even bigger objective, she then realized that in the creation of our United States armed forces, one motto was its founding gospel and remains to this very day commonplace of military strategists: the end justifies the means.
Norm:
How did you come up with the title Conspirator's Odyssey: The Evolution of the Patron Saint?
A.K.
I´ve been writing since 1999—mostly poetry before writing a screenplay entitled Fierce Chicanery. And after countless times of fishing the project around and entering countless screenwriting contests to no avail, I decided to author a novel of the project, changing the name given to my screenplay Fierce Chicanery which is key subject matter in the manuscript to Conspirator´s Odyssey: The Evolution of the Patron Saint which I felt I needed to do in order to highlight the development of my protagonist Kalista Flaker.
Norm:
How much of the book is realistic? Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
A.K.
Sir, I´ll tell you this much as to not come off sounding like a crackpot … when it comes to the esoteric subject of our country: truth is the most complex enigma!
Norm:
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in Conspirator's Odyssey: The Evolution of the Patron Saint?
A.K.
Only one thing! I would have started the series further into the future and strategically worked my way back in time. Yet I still have that opportunity with the next book, but finding a way to make that happen is shaking me just a little. No worries, true literary warriors adapt to their circumstance and make it happen. So I hope you´re ready for the next book as it´s evolving quite nicely.
Norm:
What does your family think of your writing?
A.K.
They are ecstatic! My children Kal-El Price Kuykendall (age 4), Jor-El Price Kuykendall (age 2), and step son Felix Flores (age 8) could care less, but as for Magdiel Flores (the love of my life); she shows me in her own special way how proud she is of me. Wink, wink!
Norm:
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in writing your book?
A.K.
Well, in my research and in my many secret meetings with my source on the subject matter, I was baffled at the amount of secrets this nation sits on. And in how important fact-based fiction, alternative history, and/or speculative fiction manuscripts are or should be to mankind. I strongly feel that when the world´s dirty laundry can no longer be contained … you can´t say authors like me didn´t try.
Norm:
What has been your overall experience as a published author?
A.K.
I´m loving it tremendously and with this being my very first interview … I´m loving Bookpleasures.com as well. Thank you for the opportunity, Sir.
Norm:
How has your education informed your writing?
A.K.
Well during my sophomore year in college I took a creative writing course simply for credits. Scores weren´t exactly the best, but I enjoyed the course. And contrary to what my professor may say if tracked down, I did learn something.
Norm:
How can our readers find out more about you and your book?
A.K.
Your readers can visit the site where ´TRUTH READS THROUGH FICTION´ at www.thewriterofbooks.com
Norm:
What is next for A.K. Kuykendall and is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?
A.K.
A glorious literary future is what´s next for me! And no, there´s nothing else; I feel you´ve covered plenty. Thank you once again for this opportunity, Mr. Goldman.
Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors.
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