People have often commented that I have a lovely name.

Harmony.

It seems like a name to live up to. … Harmonious. Loving-kindness. Never argues.

Erm … yep, that’s me. Honest! Really! I’m an absolute saint. … Excuse me, I seem to have developed a bit of a cough.

*Disgusting throat-clearing ensues.*

Okay, I’m back. Sorry about that. Where were we? Ah,yes …

All of that said, has anyone ever considered how cruel most writers have to be? To their poor, beleaguered characters that is.

I’ve killed people. Tortured them. Released a deadly virus throughout a six-planet system in settled space. Okay, so some of my imaginary friends get to have some fun, but I’ve made them work for it, every single time.

Has that changed how you feel about Harmony Kent—the writer? The person?

A fellow author and friend read a book recently that contained a harrowing scene right at the end. That scene changed the way she thought of not only the book but the writer too. Which made me think.

Am I what I write?

Does my make-believe have any bearing upon the kind of person I am?

What do you think?

If I confessed that I wrote all my books after spending 13 years in a Zen Buddhist Monastery, would that change your mind about me? Does it raise any eyebrows?

In my early years, my family and friends did what so many of the human species loves to do—they tried to put me in a box that they could stick precise little labels on and decide they knew me. That they could judge me. For the first 27 years of my existence, I went along with that. Then I’d had enough.

I spent 13 years in a Buddhist temple—10 of those ordained—and worked hard at breaking out of my box. For a shaven-headed, black-robed novice, the days were long and the life hard. And at the end of it all, a new woman emerged, as a beautiful butterfly from a chrysalis, and spread her wings. She’d learnt how to fly.

During those years, I underwent routine surgery that went badly wrong and left me with a life-changing injury. If I hadn’t learnt to meditate, I think that experience would have finished me off. But those difficult years of arduous practice paid off. Not only did I survive the horror, but I grew stronger. Somewhere along the line, I discovered how to find joy in the most mundane of everyday things. I found the utter freedom of not needing to be a somebody.

In 2013, I returned to the world and wrote my first book—a fantasy fiction novel called The Battle for Brisingamen. Only after publishing that did I realise how much I had to learn about the whole writing and publishing arena. An enormous learning curve lay ahead. Ah, well, it kept me busy!

My writing tastes reflect my reading preferences. Because of that, you’ll find that you can’t put me into a neat little box. I’m a die-hard multi-genre author and can’t ever see myself sticking to just the one categorisation. Mostly, what I write at any given time depends upon what mood I’m in. After that, the trick lies in maintaining that mood for the many months it might take to finish the novel.

Heh.

The second book I wrote, The Glade, falls into the supernatural thriller group, and it’s dark. I’ve also written post-apocalyptic fiction, romance, erotic romance, women’s fiction, short stories, poetry, and non-fiction. My non-fiction books cover both the art of writing as well as a collection of Zen Musings. As you can see, quite an eclectic mix.

So, back to my earlier question: Am I what I write? If by that, you mean am I unpredictable, spontaneous, and fun? Then, yes. I would have to say that I am. Which is probably why I’m famous for my laughter more than for anything else. I kid you not. If you ask any of my friends about Harmony, they’ll all tell you about my infectious and loud laugh first. (Upon reading this, dear hubby exclaimed with some merriment, ‘Cackle!’) At some point, my friends and loved ones may remember to mention that I’m also a writer.

Other things I’m kind of good at and enjoy are crochet, knitting, singing, card making, and chasing my husband around the house when I’m in the wheelchair instead of wearing my prosthetic limb. I can’t tell you how much fun that is. Tee he hee. And, of course, as with any good writer, I’m an avid reader. Not a day goes by that I don’t have my nose stuck in a book—except for my wedding day! Ahem.

Well, that’s enough about me. I’d love to meet you too. So, please don’t be shy and leave me a reply in the comments below. Take care, everyone, and thank you for spending this time with me.

Harmony :😃

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