What do you do?

Since  I “retired” from my job with a contractor to the U.S. Air Force, I’ve kept busy writing six novels.  I belong to several organizations, Florida Storytellers Assn., Space Coast Writers Guild, Voices of Story, and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.  I love to ride on the back of the motorcycle with my special guy.  Last Sunday was a real trip!  After living in Florida for 30 years, for the first time we had an alligator cross the road right in front of us!  Of all times to be on a motorcycle!!!  It was a fun day anyway, and one I won’t forget for a long while, if ever.

Tell us about your new book.

My latest novel in the series is Wine, Women and Worries, Book Five.  It is the continuation of the series I began in 2003 that is based in the Vietnam/Hippie era.  Many Nam vets shared stories that I wove into the fabric of a fictional story.  There were good times, bad times, happy and sad times.  My readers say it makes them laugh, makes them cry and mostly makes them want the next novel.  Book Five brings us into the eighty’s with everything from big ideas to big hair!  The main characters kids are in their teens, and with that comes the worries!

Why did you write it?

I wrote it to continue telling the stories that Nam vets shared with me throughout the years.  In the early years, when the men came home, no one wanted to hear what they had to say.  Then for many years they either couldn’t, or wouldn’t talk.  After war related PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) was recognized by the government, many vets received the treatment they needed to learn coping skills to readjust to life out of the jungle.  Men that wouldn’t talk before began seeking me out to share what they had experienced.  I found their stories fascinating.  I couldn’t not write this book.

What makes you an expert in your field?

I am no expert.  The men that were in Vietnam are the experts, and my heroes.  I was a “Nam wife” for 32 years, and as I stated earlier, I worked for the Air Force for nearly twenty years with Nam vets.  I lived through the protests, and lost a friend, a classmate, and a cousin in combat.   Having a very good memory for the events back home helped a lot, too.

What type of people should read your book?

Everybody wanting to take a trip down memory lane, or anybody wanting to learn about a period in history that was as conflicted as it was during the Civil War.  To quote reader feedback, “It will take young people to a strange and mythical time, but take many of us back to joyful memories and harsh realities.”

Are you on any social networks? eg. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

Yes, I’m on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace. Goodreads, Authorsden, WorldofPoets, thePoetsTree, and several other sites.  I’m kgcummings, or kg cummings wherever I go!

Advice for Teens or Parents of Teens

Listen…

Favorite Quote

“I’d rather be alone and know why I’m alone, than to be with someone and wonder why I’m alone.”  Character Jeffrey Madison in Book Four, What Went Wrong?

Favorite Theme Park

Epcot on Christmas day… crowds are small and rarely any waiting in line!

How can we purchase your book? Learn more about you? Do you have a blog?

All five of my published novels can be purchased online at your favorite online seller, or for autographed copies, there is a contact form on the last page of my web site. www.kgcummings.com  is a wonderful place to go to learn more about me and my work.  I do have a blog, but I don’t blog often.  I’m posting my western series The Epic of Old Buckshot at www.Authorsden.com ,  and am hosting a poetry challenge contest at www.worldofpoets.com , life is very busy right now, and I’m loving it. 

Thank you for the opportunity to share a little about me on your blog.  I hope that anyone that stops by my site will drop me a note to say hello, and ask for friendship at the social networks.