A. L. Kaplan

Tag: bullys

  • WOLF NOTES: An Uncommon Interview – Heather Cumiskey

    081Welcome to WOLF NOTES, where interview questions stray from the rest of the pack. It’s nice to know the usual stuff like where an author gets their inspiration and why they write, but sometimes we need a little fun in our lives.

     

    BethPulaskiPhotographyHeatherCumiskeyHighResS-3826.jpgHeather Cumiskey is a freelance writer and editor. She studied English at the State University of New York at Albany. I Like You Like This is her debut novel and the first book in a young adult duology about addiction, sexuality, peer pressure, and first love. It is a bronze recipient of the 2017 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards and a USA Best Book Awards Finalist. Heather resides in Maryland with her husband and three sons. You can visit her at http://www.HeatherCumiskey.com.

     

    Wolf: If you had to pick a weapon, what would it be and why?

    Heather: I wish I was trained in the martial arts or Krav Maga and my body was a lethal weapon. That would be totally badass. Like Black Widow or Wonder Woman, I’d fight to protect the ones I love and the innocent.

    Wolf: Those are two of my favorite super heroes. What is the nicest thing you’ve ever done to your characters?

    Heather: Show their inner character. In the scene where Hannah in I Like You Like This sees a girl being bullied by a pair of classmates, her response reveals her empathy of having been in that position herself. Sometimes it takes one random act of kindness to change everything and inspire hope.

    Wolf: True. What is the meanest thing you’ve ever done to your characters?

    Heather: Set up a character to do something utterly and horribly unforgiveable as I did in the sequel to I Like You Like This. I don’t want to spoil it, but the scene still takes my breath away.

    Wolf: You’ve just been turned into a plant. Describe yourself.

    Heather: Well naturally I would be heather. It would be cool to be a flowering plant that feeds others and blooms year-round. Definitely evergreen, hearty, and happy-looking, maybe with eggplant or spearmint colored leaves.

    Wolf: That sounds wonderful. Do you consider yourself a cat person, or a dog person?

    Heather: Dog, all the way. I love to see them smile and their soulful eyes. Dogs are so intuitive and know just what you need. One time a friend’s cat attacked my ponytail. Never. Again.

    Wolf: While walking in the woods you come across…

    Heather: A beautiful wrought iron gate to possibility. I hope I run through it.

    Wolf: Make sure you open it first. If you could have a super power, what would it be?

    Heather: Snap my fingers and my legs and armpits would already be shaven. That would be amazing.

    Wolf: That would be nice. Which of your characters is your favorite?

    I LIKE YOU LIKE THIS2 - smallHeather: Hannah and Deacon, equally. Their stories break my heart and I just want them to come out the other side and be ok.

    Wolf: What story are you working on now?

    Heather: The second book in the duology of I Like You Like This. I’m so excited about it.

    Wolf: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

    Heather: I train with special needs athletes and help them compete in mainstream races through a Maryland organization called Athletes Serving Athletes. It’s been a life changer.

    Wolf: That’s wonderful. What can you do for free and its effect on people and the world could forever be changed for the better?

    Heather: Strive for love and understanding of others

     

    Social Media Links:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ILikeYouLikeThisNovel

    Twitter: @HeatherCumiskey

    Instagram: @HeatherCumiskey

    Pinterest: @HeatherCumiskey

     

    Startouched front cover2

     

    STAR TOUCHED

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population. Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble. Will Tatiana flee or stay and fight for the new life she has built? Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

     

     

    “A unique and finely crafted debut novel, the characters touched my heart as I was drawn into their plight and compelled to finish!”

    — New York Times bestselling Author Maria V. Snyder

    Amazon logo                                                    Barnes & Noble

  • LITTLE SQUIRT

    Chocolate, gooey caramel. My mouth almost waters. If only I could still taste that luscious candy, but the reanimated can’t do that. It wouldn’t be bad if I got out more. I mean, Grandma is great and all. She brought me back to half-life after I was killed. It’s just not the same without other kids to play with. Halloween is the only day I can go outside without freaking the living. Believe me, you don’t want the pitchfork and torch brigade chasing you.

    “Trick or Treat.” I hold out my sack with the other children.

    A lady hands me a handful of candy. “Great Costume.”

    I thank her and hurry toward the next house. Two little girls sob at the curb. Halloween should be fun, not sad.

    “Are you ok?”

    The bunny points a gloved paw at three disappearing teens. Her ears bounce with each sniffle. “They…took… our…candy.”

    I hate bullies. “Here, take mine.”

    Big, round, adoring eyes look up at me. Being undead has its perks. I track the thieves faster than a bloodhound.

    “That candy isn’t yours.”

    They laugh and tower around me. “Get lost or get pounded, squirt.”

    “Squirt, is it.” I take a deep breath and squirt them with inky old blood.

    A moment of stunned silence, then they clench their fists. I point down. They stare as skeletal hands reach up and pull them into the ground. Half-buried, they shriek and struggle.

    “Don’t steal, especially from little kids on Halloween. I’ll be watching.”