When Worlds Collide

Summer is coming to an end, at least in the Northern Hemisphere. With the days (and nights) starting to get a little cooler, the seasonal change has brought with it some other interesting occurrences. And for some reason, things I am currently writing and things I have previously written appear to be colliding with reality.

First, there’s the lightning. You may remember in CLAW Emergence Book 2, a storm system was getting closer and closer to the town. Well, just as I was writing about a bolt of lightning striking a tree in proto-Lawless, not a block from my home, just such a thing occurred in the real world. A huge crash of thunder followed almost immediately, echoing throughout the valley, just as I had written, and it scared the ever-living daylights out of me at the same time.

Then, the next day, I was out for my early morning walk and listening to the end of Abandoned Book 4, where Minerva is in the midst of her final encounter with the polar bear. Well, I was about halfway through my walk and ready to venture down a familiar forest trail when I turned the corner and there, in front of me, was a large black bear. Part of me wanted to snap a picture for my fans, but another, more self-preservatory part urged me to get the heck out of there. I listened to that voice, turned around, and walked rapidly in the other direction. Thankfully, I believe the bear was as surprised to see me as I was to see it. But for the next few minutes, as I hurried back the way I’d come, I kept turning to see if I was being followed. Fortunately, I wasn’t and made it home safely. It’s just part of the fun of living here in the interior of BC, I suppose. Still, it felt rather surreal, almost walking into a photo negative of the beast Minerva was battling. I think it would be interesting to know what the odds would be of me listening to someone being attacked by a bear in a novel I wrote, while at the same time bumping into one in the real world? They would be fairly slim, I would imagine. But then again, this is the West Kootenays, where anything seems possible…

Anyway, enough of fiction encroaching on reality. On to other things more exciting. This month, in addition to the usual audiobook and autographed novel giveaways, to celebrate the audiobook release of CLAW Emergence Book 1: From the Shadows, I am also giving away copies to three lucky subscribers for a total of FIVE winners this month!

So, without further ado, this month’s autographed novel goes to, chrisgreenlpci@XXXXXX.com. The audiobook of their choice goes to, chrissy8813@XXXXXX.com And the three lucky winners of audiobooks of From the Shadows are, kiara.thewkerrison@XXXXXX.com, ennischarlene65@yahoo.com, davidcl1210@XXXXXX.com.

Just a quick aside to keep you up-to-date with the other passions that occupy my time when I’m not writing. I have been busy composing several piano pieces, which I hope to share with you in the future. Both sprung from the sadness I felt after the disappearance of my sweet little soul, Mimsie, back in the middle of May. They are very melodic and emotive, and I think you will enjoy them when I begin to release them. And though I know you come here for the writing, soon you’ll be able to stay and listen to a nice tune as well, if you wish. I will keep you posted.

And finally, I thought I would share that a good friend of mine, who is an extremely talented creative, will be working with me to turn my short story, The Problem, into a short film over the next several months. We hope to release it next year at some point. In addition to assisting with the directing, I will be writing the script and composing the film’s score. I am looking forward to this quite a bit since I have always wanted to be involved in film production. And though this looks like a bit of a challenge, I think it will also be a lot of fun.

That’s about all for this month, other than to say that things are going well on the production of CLAW Emergence Book 3: Return to Darkness, and it is filled with more of what you’ve come to enjoy from my writing: interesting characters, frightening situations, a splash of humour and lots and lots of unexpected twists and turns. And so, until next month, I’d like to thank you all once again for your continuing support. because without you, I wouldn’t be here.

Good health and great reads,

-Katie Berry

P.S. – Like I do every few months, I’d like to remind everyone to put my email address, katie@katieberry.ca, on your ‘Safe’ email list to ensure you get notified of a winning prize. Over the last few months, I have had a couple of people who have never responded to their prize-winning notifications. So, if you don’t add me to your list or aren’t sure how, perhaps you should check your trash folder at the beginning of each month to see if you won the draws!

And if you’re not a subscriber, for your monthly chances to win, and some great, free short stories, go here: https://katieberry.ca/become-a-katie-berry-books-insider-and-win/