KCW. Foster

A couple of days ago, I returned to the library to borrow books with my children, and ran into the librarian who ran the Glenvar Writers Group. She said the others missed me and hoped I would return to finish reading Lantern Light to them. While school keeps me away, it is wonderful to have made an impact. I feel blessed 😊.

Today: Editing ruthlessly. Ink will pour from the pages in streams and return to the seas of knowledge.

Where the Road Ends - Draft Complete
My novella, Where the Road Ends, is fully rough-drafted at 16,000 words, a cozy historical romance set in New Zealand. During editing, I expect to use the final 4000 words to flesh it out. I have really enjoyed learning about the history of where I was born.

Lantern Light
The first edits have been completed for my publisher. I can't wait to do more. I met with one of my local bookstores, and have a prospective signing arranged for whenever the book comes out, along with a buyer who was excited by the concept. I have one more bookstore I need to travel to that sells books and merchandise in my genre, and another I need to locate in Roanoke.

Technomancer: Aftermath
Almost two-thirds edited. I have one more chapter before the final story arc edits begin. I'm hoping to get more done this weekend. By the end of the month, the book will need to be put on hold.

ENG102
This course is proving to be my most challenging. I have been humbled by how terrible I am at reading comprehension once again after my first test. Most of the textbook stuff on literary devices was easy, word definitions - easy, fact-based questions about the short stories we studied - easy. But, every question that requires me to determine something or infer something from a sentence or paragraph, I failed. And honestly, I am not sure if it is something I can get better at.

Some days people arrive looking for trouble.

Sometimes all they really need is a cup of tea and a slice of cake.

One of my favourite aspects of being an author is the support we provide one another. 💜

I am currently looking to expand my reach and connect with new readers. I’m curious—who in my network hosts Author Spotlights on their websites or blogs?

I’d love to be featured, but I’m also looking to pay it forward! I am more than happy to host a reciprocal spotlight for you on my own blog. It’s a fantastic way for us to share our audiences and grow together, and perhaps satisfy the algorithm. 💜

A bit about my work:

💜 I am a published children’s book author.

💜 I’m also currently expanding my horizons and working on projects in other genres, so I’m eager to connect with authors across the board!

If you write children's stories, fiction, or anything in between and are interested in a feature swap, please leave a comment or send me a private message. I look forward to hearing more about what you are currently writing. 💜

I don't know how my husband puts up with me 😅🤣

Thought I'd share some more research photos. I'm about to write a wagon run through a 1900s Otira Gorge in a storm.

Where the Road Ends: Research Photos

I wanted to share a little bit of what I'm working on for class.

Where the Road Ends - KCW Foster writing as Kirsty Foster (feels weird doing it backward). Liberty University.
A Janette Oak-style novella set in 1900s Christchurch, New Zealand. A British woman travels to New Zealand after her mother's death to confront her absent father, who left in search of gold. After being robbed, she meets a widowed wagoner and his two daughters, who help her on her journey - oh, and they fall in love.

The sound of iron wheels grinding against the stone came from back down the road. A horse neighed, and from around the corner came an old wagon. Bricks were piled up in the back, and two little girls sat atop them singing a nursery rhyme. One of them stood. “Papa! Stop! There’s a lady!”
The hunched-over driver looked up and adjusted his crooked, wide-brimmed hat. His deep brown shirt was a mess of patches beneath an old dusty waistcoat. “Whoa!” He yanked on the reins, and the horse whinnied and screeched to a stop. “You alright, miss?” Beneath his warm brown eyes, his smile was barely visible beneath his dark beard.
“Perfectly fine.” To prove her point, she finished her sandwich and stood, picking up her carpet bag, hobbling along the road.
The wagoner’s footsteps fell heavily behind her. “Where are you headed?” he asked, removing his hat and walking alongside her.
“Christchurch.”
He laughed. “You’ve got a way to go. It will be midnight long before you reach Evans Pass.” He moved in front of her, blocking her path. “Miss, why not ride with us? It will save your feet.”
Ruby drew herself up and stepped to the side. “I have no means to pay you, sir.” She kept her eyes ahead and continued.
“You can help the girls unload the bricks.”
Ruby hesitated. Her feet hurt, and she had no more food or water. She turned, groaning inwardly at the wagon. It would be a lot of hard work to unload all the bricks in the wagon by hand, and the clay dust would ruin her dress. But then walking all the way to Christchurch would too. The girls smiled and waved. They were small. If she didn’t help them, would they do it by themselves? She sighed. If his daughters could do it, then she could help.