Books - Carmen Kern

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SHORT STORIES

Postcard Stories cover

Cover for Postcard book

Field of Bones cover

THE LUCIFER CHRONICLES

Satan's Historian book cover

THE WATCHER BOOK COVER

The Fallen book cover

Instagram

I spotted this beauty in one of our favorite antiq

I spotted this beauty in one of our favorite antique shops, @everythinggoesaz, and surprise, surprise, it followed me home.
It’s not often you find a complete box set with all the original parts. The flash bulbs have never been used and the original batteries are intact with no corrosion…well worth the $0.25 each.
There’s just something about the old film cameras that get me pumped to get out there and create something. Once the temps drop I’ll have to take this one out for a test run. Happy picture taking!
#kodakbrownie

It’s been over a year since I posted here, or an

It’s been over a year since I posted here, or anywhere. A year since I had a falling out with my creativity. I had lost my ‘why’ somewhere along the way. And buying into other peoples ‘why’ wasn’t working for me. So, I quit. Stopped taking pictures, writing, doodling. No more graphic design. Nothing. I needed a change, so I moved twice, built a small house in the desert, got a job at my local library, and made a point of being out in public again. I met and worked with some amazing people. Deeply creative people. I spent a lot of time reading, which cranked up my imagination for my own stories.
Honestly, I didn’t know if I’d want to create again. I hoped I would, but…
It was slow to come, but there was a point when I felt that artistic tug again, like a little kid pulling on my sleeve, trying to get my attention. I finally picked up my camera. Then I wrote a few words which became sentences. Soon I was digging into some personal graphic design projects I hadn’t finished.
I spent some time coming back here on IG, checking out what some of you had been up to during my…sabbatical. And I found that many of you were still creating and sharing. Thank you! I needed to see your work. You gave me a kick start. I hope that this time I can remember my why, and not buy into someone else’s version of what creativity should or shouldn’t be.
It seemed only fitting that my first post back would be something I didn’t create at all. This is me catching Mother Nature doing her thing. Enjoy the rainbow. Happy creating everyone!

It's summer, baby! Make a splash any way you can.

It's summer, baby! Make a splash any way you can. Imagine. Create. Explore. Do something joyful that fills your soul. There's no time like...now!
#summervibes☀️

Some of my favorite adventures came about because

Some of my favorite adventures came about because we got lost. There's something about not having any preconceived ideas or agendas when you leave your house in the morning. I used to feel that same way when I was a kid, riding my bike out of my driveway on a warm summer morning. Man, I loved that feeling.
I guess this image is a reminder for myself as much as anyone else. Go get lost! But take a snack and water, that's just good planning, says the adult in me.😉
#summervibes☀️

A simple reminder for myself. Stay chill, baby.

A simple reminder for myself. Stay chill, baby.
#lifeisbeautiful

The young man walked to the edge of the tree line

The young man walked to the edge of the tree line after dinner, his gut full of tacos from the food truck down the road.
For five nights he came, waiting for the purple hue of evening. And more importantly, for the woman in a wool poncho, high rubber boots, and a faded yellow daisy tucked behind her ear. The first time he saw her in the woods, picking mushrooms in the shadows of the cedar trees, he thought he dreamed her. He finished splitting the wood he needed for his fire and when he looked for her again; she was gone.
Four nights in a row, the young man chopped wood and glimpsed the beautiful woman. On the last night, she smiled at him from behind the branches of the eldest of the trees before disappearing once again. There was a change in the air, a feeling of departure, of absence, and loss.
He didn’t know why, but he didn’t like it. Not one bit. He finished loading the wood into his trailer and left for home. With his woodshed full, he didn’t need to go back to that place, but after three sleepless nights and unproductive days, he drove to the clearing beside the trees. He waited, drinking black coffee from a thermos, sitting on his tailgate and running through conversation starters in his head. He wasn’t good with words. Never had been. But if he were to make a fool of himself here, only the trees would know.
It wasn’t until he packed up his thermos and closed his tailgate that he saw her. This time he didn’t wait for her to disappear. He called out to her from the head of the trail, “Hello.” She glanced up, placed the delicate mushroom in a bag she carried, and said hello right back. Years later, they would tell the story of how they met to their children and show them the picture of the place where they fell in love.
The photo, old as their love, carried the stains of coffee, fingerprints, and the inked year in which they took the picture. It was, and is, one of their most precious treasures.

#happyeverafter cause we all need some of that

Creativity is a wonderful and frustrating beast. S

Creativity is a wonderful and frustrating beast. Sometimes I feel that the urge, the want to make something is a curse, other times it is pure joy. The past year, as I've pulled back from social media, I've been trying to figure out a balance between the two.
I'm playing with the idea of retuning my photographic voice. I feel the need to explore something new...but I don't know what or how. Not yet, anyway.
While I try and figure things out, I want to thank all of you, my creative friends, for inspiring me with your words and images and imaginations. You remind me why this world needs creatives. You bring light and color into a world that needs it. So thank you. I appreciate all you do!

Addy wasn't an expert at many things. At eight yea

Addy wasn't an expert at many things. At eight years old, there were many things she hadn't tried or even heard of, but she could tell you what made a good chocolate cookie. And she was eating one of the best she'd ever had, walking along the leaf-strewn path. She wasn't altogether sure how she ended up in the forest, breathing in fresh mountain air, pockets of sun warming her freckled cheeks while clouds rose and fell around her. She couldn't tell you where the cookie came from either, but it didn't bother her, not in the least.
She finished her cookie, wiping her hands on her jeans, leaving a chocolate stain on her thigh. Auntie would give her heck, but she was quick to forgive, unlike Addy's mom.
The light was warmer here. A pleasant warmth, one she felt on the inside but didn't make her hands sweaty or burn her face. Mist swirled at her feet, covering her red high-top shoes, and then dancing away, as if playing a game. Addy chased after it. Skipping and feeling better than she had since...since...
She remembered a light, a bluish, round light surrounded by cold metal. She was eating her cookie and forgot to look both ways before crossing the street. There was an awful screech like a flock of angry birds and then...
She twisted away from the memory and ran off to dance with the clouds until she was close enough to the light to touch it. Addy reached out with a
chocolaty finger, as if testing the consistency of a dream. The world fluttered like hummingbird wings. The light began to sing, loud enough to drown her, a death hymn for the ages. But it felt like life. A brighter life, shiny as a newly minted penny and smelling of fresh bread out of the
oven. This dream was wild and strange, stardust and rainbows, and golden. So very golden.
A familiar voice called out to her, "fresh bread's waitin' for ya, girly."
It was a call to come home. Addy skipped and twirled with the clouds, finally bursting through the veil of light and into heaven.
#heavenonearth

One of the best feeling is to type 'the end' on th

One of the best feeling is to type 'the end' on the last page of my manuscript. I was over my projected word count but I'll see if I can shave a few off in editing.
The first draft is done! The Gunslinger made sure of it.
#amwriting

If any of my Phoenix friends are looking for somet

If any of my Phoenix friends are looking for something to do this weekend, I'd love to see you at the Fountain Hill's Tour d' Artistes, March 4-6, 10:00-5:00. There are over twenty artists on the tour at various venues. For artist bios and a map of the locations, check out the link below.
I'll be there with my Postcard Books, postcards, canvases, journals, prints, and other postcard-related merch, along with my collaborative partner and
jewelry maker, Veronique Benoit. She continues to amaze me with her creative pieces inspired by the images and stories in my books.
Come visit us if you're in the area!
http://fountainhillsartleague.com/

This past week I've been getting my products ready

This past week I've been getting my products ready for the Fountain Hills Art Tour that takes place the weekend of March 4-6. I ordered postcards from my favorite place, moo.com and they turned out fabulous as usual. I really recommend the company if you're looking for business cards, or any other stationary products. Designing the packaging and placing orders has been a nice break between writing sprints. I'm pumped about how everything is turning out!
Happy creating, my friends!
#hashtagmoo

There's some seriously cool vibes happening around

There's some seriously cool vibes happening around Phoenix. There's so many new murals popping up, adding to the colors and textures of the city. I feel like businesses are just getting way more creative with signage and decor. Thanks to all you artists out there contributing to the scene!
#muralstreetart

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