Martin Sheen BLEW my mind!

I normally walk down the street and I see kids and they have their pants belted around their thighs - for the boys and the girls wear their skirts so short that if the breeze was to blow, just a little bit, it would be over their heads. I mean the thought of them being the ones to change this world scared the crap out of me! I mean be honest! You were thinking it.

But I had the oppurtunity to get a ticket for WE DAY. First of all you can't buy a ticket for WE DAY you have to EARN it. You have to do something to change the world to get a ticket for it. So because of our Agriculture Trip to Cuba, The guys over at Free The Children sent us some tickets.  I went thinking it was going to be just another mini concert with a bunch of kids and some famous people but boy was a I wrong.

We did have a mini concert with the likes of K'Naan, Nelly Furtado, Shawn Desman, Jennifer Hudson, The Tenors, Lil Jake and some dancers that taught us the WE DAY dance, but what really got me was Al Gore and Martin Sheen. Now Al Gore told us about the melting ice-caps which I've known about for a while now especially after researching Serbia for a story I have been writing for three years (ugh) and he told us that he has to rely on us to fix things.

But the big surprise to me was when they came on strage and introduced Martin Sheen (Yes, father of the same Charlie Sheen). Istood there, camera poised thinking "what in the world could Martin Sheen have to say to me about changing the world?" He walked on the stage, looked around, and began speaking.  From the moment he opened his mouth I was pulled in, intriqued if you will. He first apologised to us for letting his generation comepletely mess up the world. Because they aren't leaving us a very good legacy. He was articulate, and intelligent and funny. When he was finished, everyone was on their feet just cheering and applauding.

And what blew my mind? Aside from the fact Martin Sheen took time to fly to Canada to give children and youths hope for a better world - and aside from the fact he was so intelligent and amazingly outspoken? And aside from the fact that he is Martin-Fricking-Sheen? Its the fact that he has given me renewed hope that those same kids with their pants belted around their thighs and those girls with skirts short enough to cause a wardrobe malfunction can save the world. They can do something so beautiful and kind that it will be another ripple in the wave of world change.

I say again--Martin Sheen BLEW my mind.

Hugs,
Kendra Mei Chailyn

PS: If you have twitter please tweet @Zinc save lives and ask your friend to retweet it. For every retweet TEK will donate fifty cents to a fund to help villages around the world deal with zinc deficiencies. Not sure when it ends, probably after the WE DAYs have all been done. But do it just in case.

Oh the HORROR!


Happy Saturday!

So the other day I was getting on the bus--there's going to be many of my braZen posts that start out like that bee-tee-dub (HIMYM reference there). But the other day I was getting on the bus. The driver stop in front of me and thankfully everyone that was on the bus got off through the back door (like they're supposed to anyway). I took one step forward and this guy, PUSHED me out of the way to get on the bus. Now, I was pissed off as hell and was about to put my foot up his ass when the driver suddenly slammed the bus into park and rose from his seat.

Now this driver is one of them big, hulking, bear looking brothas wearing a shirt that was way too small around his muscular arms with dark glasses. He stopped us all from getting on the bus, waved to the boy and yelled. "Come here!"



 

© Dennis Owusu-ansah | Dreamstime.com



I was terrified. He wasn't directing the anger at me, but his voice left me trembling and not in a good way. But I digress. So he called the guy back and with his hands on the hips yelled at him about the importance of being good to women. I thought it was hilarious once I got over how big this man's biceps were. I mean there he was, lecturing a guy who was old enough to know better. Then to my shock and horror, he kicked the guy off the bus tell him to wait for the next one.  I was happy he stood up for me but mortified that he was kicking this guy off the bus to wait for the next one. Then it dawned on me that was his way of punishing the kid for what he did.

So it got me to thinking, aside from the fact chivalry has died a slow, painful, icky (dramatic much?) death, why would he do a thing like that? The guy I mean--why would he see me standing in front of the door and shoves his way onto the bus. It didn't occur to him to wait his turn. It's almost like he reverted to grade school where he wanted what he wanted and he wanted it now. Forget the fact for a second that I'm a woman and he isn't afraid of a girl, he just showed me that no matter how old some guys get they don't learn to wait their turn. It's the need we all seem to have to have instant gratification, instant noodles, instant cereals, instant payment, instant everything. Everything these days require no patience. Every thing we do is supposed to be right there, at the ready as though waiting for us all the time. So our children grow up impatient and mean.  Maybe that was why he did it.

I am trying to grow into a better person. The old me would have snapped but I found myself thinking of the underlining reason for his actions.

Have a great Saturday!

Kadian Tracey (Kendra Mei Chailyn)

Sometimes....

You have no words. Sometimes all you have, is music....

When is Abuse in Stories too much...

One of the first romance stories I read had a story about this girl who was sexually molested as a child. Recently I began writing a story called Whiskey Lullaby, it's a second book in my sensual, inspirational route that  I seemed to be going in lately. The first was Broken Wings which I am SO proud of.  The heroine of these books were physically and emotionally abused as children and now they must either sink or swim in their adult lives.

But my question is when is too much is too much? Sure sexually assault or molestation happens in real life but my belief is people read our books to get away from the everyday, right? So why should they run from that disgusting event in real life and crash head first into it in a book? Perhaps I'm taking this whole "reading should be a fantasy" dealie too personally but I know if I was having a bad day, month, year, life I wouldn't want to be having the same thing in my fantasy world as well.

I believe sexual assault should not be taken lightly neither is molestation of a child. If the story had mentioned it without describing it in graphic, detail perhaps I would think differently. Well of course I would think differently. With my abuse in stories it was never sexual, but if you are going to write sexual abuse why describe it happening to a child? I know some people want the shock value but when is that shock too much for anyone?

Let me know what you think.

Kendra Mei Chailyn

The Importance of being Cultural

When I started writing, I branded myself as an INTERRACIAL romance author and though Broken Wings was not Interracial, that thought of writing a mix of cultures has not changed.  I live in Canada, most of you know that. And we have this badge as being one of the most multi-cultural countries in the world.  I go to school and there are Russians, Mexicans, Jamaicans, Pakistanis, Iraqis, Native, French, Israeli, Palestinians--you name it I've been to school with them.


Why did I chose to write IR? Well I really hate it when people hate each other for the expressed reason of their differences.  I live by the saying "if we weren't meant to interact, we wouldn't all be here." Simple right? It is a waste of time hating someone else because of where they were born and who they were born to. The person has no control over that nor did they have a choice. So why not embrace that? There is so much we can learn from each other.  


It is important for me to be cultural because when it comes to love, you can't really pick who you love. I mean look at who your family is. Sometimes they drive you nuts and as much as you would like to sell them on ebay, you can't. Not only because I think there is some pesky law against that, but you can't because they are family and you have to love them.  You didn't chose them, they're there.


The same goes for a lover.  You walk down the street and you see someone who just catches your eyes and that has nothing to do with the colour of their skin but just for the simply fact that they caught your eyes.  You can pretend not to feel anything, but how much fun is that?


Being cultural teaches you tolerance and love. As corny as that sounds we really, REALLY, REAAAALLY need that right now.  


So let your cultural flag fly. Who knows the wonderful places it can take you?


Love
Kadian Tracey

Music--soothes the Troubled writer

Hello everyone! Happy Saturday! Can you believe the week is over already? I mean come on! Well it could be worse! It could be Monday! lol...Today I'm here to talk about music. Because alot of people think we write and we're just amazing off the first try but sometimes we don't feel like writing. Still we write because we have deadlines and those dreaded things do not play around.


The mood to write strikes whenever it wants. Other times you just write and hopefully something good and profound happens.  When those moments hit, I sit on the ground before my bed and dragged the large crate of CDs I own from under the bed and skim through it.  You can' just use any song--that won't work. You have to figure out the mood you're in and shove it out the window. Then find the mood you want to be in--yes even THAT mood and dig through your music. Most of you aren't as archaic as me so you probably don't have CDs but I do. Use whatever you have, find the music that will put you in that mood and use it.


When I want to write a particularly sexy, sensual scene, I listened to things like Robin Thicke, Blake McGrath, Janet Jackson.  For angry I listen to anything Metallica, most AC/DC, Puddle of Mud. When I want soft, sweet I do Michael Bolton, Steaphnie Mills--see what I mean? 


Different music gives you different things.


What music do you write to?


Kendra Mei Chailyn

Prague in the Rain - Create! Muahahaha---erm...Create!

I think my mother gave me the BEST advice when it comes to writing. "Don't complicate it. Write what you know. And no one knows how you feel better than you. So, write what you feel."

When I write it is because things around me inspired me to do so. From a sexy biker speeding down the street on a Kawasaki ninja, to a quick bus ride past a firehouse, or a siren or a quick walk to Bluffers park to watch the water.  No matter what, I try to take inspiration from everywhere and everyone.  Ever character I write has a little bit of me and others in them. 

Bluffers park add the sweetness, the softness, the gentleness in my stories.  The biker adds the sensual feels, the ripping of clothes, the hunting of a lover. The siren adds the anger and danger in my work. 

Prague in the Rain

You care creative when you look at a picture and get this overwhelming urge to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and create. The picture above inspired my new story Paradise Found - to which I still have to write the blurb. There is something about this picture that tells me about heartbreak. It tells me of being lost and found again. I know, you may not see the same thing I see in a picture--that is why it is worth a thousand words.

I guess what I'm trying to say is this--take inspiration from everything around you. The bad, the good, the indifferent.  Open yourself up to the people around you, the happenings around you, the languages, the colours--take it all in.  Then, when you feel like you can't hold anymore, put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and create!

Once you've created, go out and start all over again.

Love,

Kendra Mei Chailyn (Kadian Tracey)

You want a screaming what!?!?!

TGIS baby! It's Saturday!

A lot of people are going to be partying tonight so since this blog is called braZen authors, I figure I should help you put your favorite bartender to the test.  It will either impress him/her or piss them off. Either way, it's sure to be a good night! if you drink DONT drive. Take a cab. Take a bus. Stowaway. Sleep over. Call a friend (family member). Be SAFE!

Here are some of my favorite drinks to order at the bar:

Sex on the Beach
1 part Vodka
1 part Peach Schnapps
1 part Cranberry Juice Cocktail
1 part Orange Juice
Shake with ice and pour in a highball glass.

Sex on the Beach Shooter1 part Vodka
1 part Peach Schnapps
1 part Orange Juice
Shake with ice, strain and serve

Screaming Orgasm1 part Vodka
1 part Amaretto
1 part Creme de Cacao (White)
1 part Triple Sec
2 parts Cream
Shake with ice, strain and pour in a shot glass. Enjoy!


Now remember: if you drink DONT drive. Take a cab. Take a bus. Stowaway. Sleep over. Call a friend (family member). Be SAFE!

*hugs*
Kendra Mei Chailyn (Kadian Tracey)