Author Spotlight: Memoirs From The Asylum by Kenneth Weene

Kenneth Weene, author of Widow's Walk, returns as our guest blogger today, to promote his latest novel, Memoirs From The Asylum.

The narrator of much of this book is a self-committed patient in a state psychiatric hospital. One of the themes of the book is his observations of and reactions to that world. Much of his decision to avoid dealing with the outside world is the result of his cousin’s, Stan’s, suicidal death; the cousin had pulled his motorcycle out of a rest stop into the path of a semi.

The second point of view is focused on Marilyn, a catatonic woman whose “hallucinatory” world exists within a crack in her bedroom wall. That world reflects both the abusive horror of her childhood and underlying issues of the meaning of life.

A third stream of the book has to do with a young resident, Buford Abrose, whose father had been at the wheel of a semi that had killed a motorcyclist in the hills of California. It is never clear if the motorcyclist was Stan. Buford’s experience helps us to explore the bizarre pseudo rationality of the institution.

Finally, mention must be made of Jamul, an adolescent black whose life revolves around his air guitar and Jimi Hendricks.

These four streams come into focus when some of the asylum patients are taken to the circus and an elephant goes berserk. The unexpected results bring this sadly funny tale into closure.

Strangely, much of this bizarre sounding tale is based on actual events.

"All About the Keys" by Kenneth Weene


“It’s all about the keys.” I was told that when I first went to work in a state hospital. I soon learned what she meant.

First, what she didn’t mean was that the patients, without keys, were locked in. Perhaps on some of the more secure wards, but in the buildings where I worked they were free to come and go. A metal coat hanger skillfully twisted – well really not that skillfully – would open many of the doors and almost all the window gratings.

Even those most hapless of inmates, the non-verbal autistic children who were housed in a separate ward, occasionally got free and roamed their little world. One day I happened into the building director’s office to find that doctor effectively treed on his desk while his secretary screamed helplessly and dirty, screaming children appeared to be doing a primitive dance everywhere. I called for backup, and two-by-two we escorted the children back to their dayroom. When we had finished, those of us who had done the escorting sat in an office and laughed. I have no idea what the rescued psychiatrist did, but the secretary asked to be transferred to another office.

No, the keys didn't mean that the inmates were locked up while we were not. Nor were they of great use to us in getting about the hospital – although they were easier to carry than an untwisted coat hanger. Obviously, we could use all the same routes as the people under our charge. On a couple of nice days, when I was going to take kids for a walk on the grounds, I asked the inmates to open window grates so we could go down the fire escape and avoid walking through the smell and closeness of the dayroom, to say nothing of avoiding the intrusive and unnecessary questions of bored aides and the instructions of nurses needing to confirm their authority.

The keys were not for locks as much as they were for show. Perhaps that was why many of the staff managed to amass large rings of keys, many of which were for doors through which they would never pass. Keys were the badge of authority. It almost seemed that the more keys you had the more right you had to tell others what to do. More importantly, carrying a ring of keys meant that nobody would haphazardly tell you what to do. In a world based on power over another person’s body and mind, in a world in which sedatives could be arbitrarily administered, in which seclusion in rubber-padded rooms with ones arms securely wrapped around could be imposed at a whim, in which money – and cigarettes, which were another currency – could be given or taken by decree: in such a world the symbol that one is not subject to such capricious decisions must be carefully carried at all times.

It was certainly not that the staff were saner than the patients. Indeed, there were some staff who routinely became patients – not necessarily in our hospital. It was often a short step between carrying the keys and having none, between being the authority and being the subject.

The hospital, the asylum is not a sanctuary, for there can be no sanctuary where power is so easily wielded, where control can be so easily symbolized. My first day’s guide was correct. It was all about the keys.



Kenneth Weene is a New Englander by birth and disposition. He grew up outside of Boston and spent his summers in Maine. Although he lived for many years in New York and now resides in Arizona, Ken has never lost his accent nor his love of the northeast.

Having gone to Princeton, where he studied economics, Ken went on to train as a psychologist and to become an ordained minister. Over the years he has worked as an educator, pastoral counselor, and psychotherapist.

Married to Roz Weene, artist and jewelry creator, for over forty years, Ken is a strong believer in the joy of love.

Ken’s writing started with poetry, and his poetic work has appeared in numerous publications – most recently featured in Sol and publication in Spirits, and Vox Poetica.

An anthology of Ken’s writings, Songs for my Father, was published by Inkwell Productions in 2002. His short stories have appeared in Legendary, Sex and Murder Magazine, The New Flesh Magazine, and The Santa Fe Literary Review.

In 2009 a novel, Widow’s Walk, was published by All Things That Matter Press. All Things, has also just published Ken’s second novel, Memoirs From the Asylum.

Find out more at the publisher's website. Both of Ken's books are available in a Kindle edition.

Arnie Berger from Widow's Walk by Ken Weene (Giveaway)

We have a very special guest dropping by today, Arnie Berger from Ken Weene's novel, Widow's Walk.

I’m Arnie Berger. I live inside Ken Weene’s new book, Widow’s Walk. Ken asked me to write an essay about being happy. Much as I wanted to, I couldn’t turn him down. I’m not a happy guy. I was once. When Mary was alive, when we were dating, when I thought we’d get married: boy was I happy. It wasn’t just that I was looking down the road and seeing a good life. I was truly happy. It wasn’t just the physical side of our relationship – good as that was; it was the meshing of kindred spirits, of two souls asking the same questions.

I have this card. It was from Mary’s first adult ed class. The teacher had asked for the students to spell out their questions. Mary wrote, “How do you balance the commitments to God, to others, and to yourself?” As if that wasn’t grand enough, then she asked, “How important is love?”

How could I not love a woman who asked questions like that?

Once I had told her I’m better at questions than I am at answers. Well, she was quite the questioner. I’ll keep that card forever just like I’ll keep those memories. To be honest, it’s those memories more than anything else that keep me alive. To be in love, to truly feel that you and another are as one: that is the highest moment, what I call a peak experience.

There are other great moments. I still have a few. Sean and I have stayed close. He and Karen have been great parents. I see so much of Mary in them and in their kids. Robert is a special joy. He’s in college now. We get together and talk about life. He considers me a grandfather, and that’s pretty wonderful. It isn’t like life has lost all meaning. But, I don’t think I’ll ever have another love – not one like I had with Mary.

Then I was alive – alive in the anticipation of the moment and open – so open – to the possibilities. In some ways I was a boat at harbor, snug and safe against my mooring yet yearning to be at sea. Knowing the joy of the moment while eager for the future. Great metaphor! The only glitch is that I get seasick.

I guess there’s a point here. If you’re happy, truly happy, then live in that moment. Enjoy it to the fullest because you can never know how choppy the sea might get. At least then you’ll have the memory of that safe harbor and the joy of that wonderful moment to think back on and to cherish.

Life goes on. I tell my students that. As a college professor I feel I have an obligation to let them know. Life goes on. Be careful to load up on the memories that will be there for the long and often painful run.

I guess that’s why Ken wanted me to write this little note – to remind me to hold fast to those memories, to the moments of our love, to the joy that was Mary. Tonight I’ll cry over those memories, but I will smile through the tears.

For more of Mary and my story read Widow’s Walk, by Kenneth Weene and enjoy the love within.

Giveaway Details:

Author Kenneth's Weene's Widow’s Walk is a story of good people's struggle – sometimes successfully and often not – to deal with the challenges in their lives. The novel reflects how family, friendship, love, faith, and character affect that struggle.

Join author, Kenneth Weene, on his blog book tour September 1-30. Take the time to leave comments along the way and you'll be entered in a drawing with a chance to win two different prizes.

The first giveaway is Kenneth Weene's poetry book which will go to a few different commenters.

The second giveaway is a copy of his book Widow's Walk to one lucky commenter

A New Englander by upbringing and inclination, Ken Weene’s career – primarily in New York – included teaching, pastoral care, and psychology. Throughout his career Ken has also been devoted to writing. His poetry has appeared in a number of publications – both print and web. He authored a number of professional publications. His short stories and essays have also been published. One of his short plays was recently workshopped. An anthology of Ken’s work, Songs For My Father, was published 2002. His novel, Widow’s Walk, has been published in 2009. Ken and his wife, Roz, now live in greater Phoenix where he spends much of his time writing.

He started writing, primarily poetry, in the 1980s. Regarding Widow's Walk, Weene says, "Stepping away from full-time work was the best decision I ever made. Writing this story has given me tremendous personal satisfaction, and it has shown me an avenue for expression I will always treasure."

If you haven't already read Widow's Walk, be sure to pick your copy up at Kenneth Weene’s Author Website - http://widows-walk.webs.com/ or Amazon.com.

You can connect with him on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/kenneth.weene or Twitter - https://twitter.com/Ken_Weene.

For more information about Kenneth Weene and his virtual tour, check the schedule at http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2009/08/widows-walk-blog-tour.html

Author Nikki Leigh Chats about Lady Lightkeeper

September is rolling along with lots of great interviews. Award-winning author Nikki Leigh joins us today to talk about the second book in her Misty Cove Chronicles series, Lady Lightkeeper. We’ll also discuss the settings for both the Misty Cove series and Nikki’s Cape Hatteras series and find out what other projects Nikki is working on. And make sure you read all the way through to find out about the two giveaways Nikki has going this month during her Virtual Book Tour.

Welcome to The Book Connection, Nikki. It’s great to have you here.

Before we get to your books, can you tell us a bit about yourself? How long have you been writing? Did you choose this career path or did it choose you?

I’ve been writing since I was a kid. I’ve always read too much (just ask my parents)and I enjoyed writing and creating stories and plays. After I got out of school, I got tied up in the business world and did some writing, but not as much as I wanted. Finally in the summer of 2001, I decided to find an online place to take writing classes and to get serious about it. That was soon after I read “The Artist Way” which was incredibly helpful in helping me get past a bunch of mental stumbling blocks. At first I chose writing and then in the fall of 2005, I needed to make a job change and for some crazy reason I decided to get into freelancing fulltime.

This might be a question you hear a lot but it’s one I ask all my visiting authors because I find how they approach their craft intriguing. What is your writing process like? Do you write every day? Is there a time of day when you are more productive than others?

I like to plan my writing. I interview and plan the characters, plan and research the setting and I plan the major things that will happen in the story. However, if I’m writing and the story starts to take an unexpected path, I let it play out and see if I can make it work. Most every time it works. When I was writing one book a year, it wasn’t as critical, but between my books and client ghostwritten books, I’ve written 14 books in the last 2 years. I’ve found the planning helps me to write at a much faster pace and that’s helped very much. Planning is also helpful when working on a series and it helps me to tie things together and to make sure I get from point A to point Z.

I have to tell you that when I found out you wrote about the Outer Banks of North Carolina (the place I long to retire to) and a fictional fishing town similar to Gloucester, MA which is only a couple hours away from me, I knew we were kindred spirits. Why are you drawn to the Atlantic Coast? How does it inspire your writing?

I live about four hours from the Atlantic Ocean and have traveled all along the coast during my life. There is so much incredible history around the Outer Banks along with a truly unique setting and so I had to write stories there. I had a contemporary story in mind and stuffed it in a box for many years, but I couldn’t figure out where to set the book. My brother and I took a vacation to Cape Cod and I knew immediately that that setting wouldn’t work. On the same trip, I insisted that we visit Gloucester. It was the year that The Perfect Storm was in the theatres and curiosity got the better of me. When we got to Gloucester I knew that was the setting I’d been searching to find. The more I read about the history of the area, the more the original story idea changed. Then, I got an idea for a historic series set in the same location. The ocean, the sand, the history and the lighthouses all inspire me. Besides, when I write about the ocean, I feel like I’m there. It’s a nice change since I live in the mountains. There are beach and lighthouse pictures throughout my house which also help set the mood for my stories.



Let’s move on to Lady Lightkeeper. This is the second novel in your Misty Cove Chronicles series. Why did you create the fictional town of Misty Cove and why did you use Cape Ann in Gloucester, MA as an inspiration for it?

Misty Cove was in my head for about fourteen years before I figured out where it was located and before I really did any work on the story. I knew it would be on the coast and I knew there would be a lighthouse and lifesaving history that would play a part in the story. Those original ideas became Stormy View (which will be re-released later this year under the title Stormy Shores). I wanted to show the proud heritage of the multi-generational lighthouse keepers in the story and I inserted quite a bit of family history into that story. Then, it dawned on me that I could write the story of the great great great grandmother that I mentioned in Stormy View. And, Widow’s Walk was born. I brainstormed the story ideas so much that the original idea has grown into 2 books with a short story and another book in the works. The history of Gloucester and the hardships and determination of the fishermen and their wives inspired many ideas for the book and certainly Lady Lightkeeper.

So that the readers can get a feel for these books, can you talk briefly about Widow’s Walk, which is the first book in the Misty Cove Chronicles?

Widow’s Walk begins in the evening of October 3, 1841 and the October Gale is headed to the Cape Ann coast. The October Gale actually happened and some of the news reports are included in the story. It hit Cape Cod worse than Cape Ann, but it still worked for my story. Lizbeth, the heroine, is preparing for her wedding to her longtime sweetheart, William. (William is wonderful by the way.) The Gale is getting closer and Lizbeth’s father is headed to shore in his fishing boat to be home for her wedding. She’s apprehensive and that concern gets much worse when she realizes the lighthouse isn’t shining and William spots her father’s boat, stranded on the shoals. Lizbeth is a strong and independent woman – which doesn’t go over well in the 1840’s. There is plenty of atmosphere and the reader sees how Lizbeth handles the multitude of problems that I give her. William is by her side and Sara, her beloved friend and former caretaker, is with her. I can tell you, never believe everything you read and there could be surprises around the corner.

Chapter One of Lady Lightkeeper, finds Lizbeth Sullivan Kinsey staring out at the coast from the Misty Cove lighthouse. She is eagerly awaiting the return of her husband William whose ship is weeks overdue. In this chapter, we not only find out what is currently going on, we also get a brief glimpse into Lizbeth’s past. How did you weave in this backstory without halting the action of the present day happenings?

I really struggle with backstory because I always want to reveal too much. This was my first sequel and I really worried about boring people who had read Widow’s Walk by giving too much detail or confusing people who hadn’t read Widow’s Walk by giving too little detail. That’s going to be even tougher with the third book in the series, but I’m ready for the challenge. I like using first person because I can bring the reader right into the narrator’s mind. One of my favorite reviews compared reading my books to reading a diary.

Lizbeth has already suffered many disappointments in life and in Lady Lightkeeper she is forced to create a new life for herself and her children while still holding onto the hope that William will return. What is it about Lizbeth’s story that readers can most relate to?

Lizbeth is a wealthy woman, but she proves that money doesn’t guarantee happiness. I actually struggled with whether to make her wealthy and it added some new dimensions to the story. She is strong and she is determined to get what she wants and needs, but her childrens’ happiness is of primary concern and their needs add to her inner struggle as the story progresses. She lost her mother at a young age and she lost her father as a young woman and she wants her children to know their parents. Lady Lightkeeper has been described as a story of lost denied, love lost and love regained. That can apply on a number of levels in the story.

In this chapter we also met Sara, who was the housekeeper when Lizbeth grew up. They are very close and Sara lives with Lizbeth and her family. What else can you tell us about Sara and why does she play such an important role in Lady Lightkeeper?

Sara is a quiet heroine in the story. I’m putting the finishing touches on the story of Sara’s trip to America in the early 1800’s and it shows how she came to live with Captain Sullivan and his young daughter Lizbeth. Sara becomes the closest woman in Lizbeth’s life because her mother died and her father is at sea much of the time. Their friendship causes problems for Lizbeth in Widow’s Walk and Lady Ligthkeeper, but she loves Sara and fights to protect her. There is also a family secret that I reveal in Widow’s Walk about why Sara loves Lizbeth so much. These women are tied together in many ways and I cannot imagine one without the other. The story about Sara will be an e-book and it’s tentatively titled "A Whisper on the Waves". I had to know more about how Sara got to Misty Cove, so it just made sense to write the story and to share it with others.

On your website - http://www.nikkileigh.com/index.htm - readers can find a wealth of information about all your books, including character sketches, pictures, and maps for your novels. Why did you provide this much online detail about your books?

The website has gotten much bigger than I expected, but there’s so much I want to share with people. For people who are interested in the creative process, there’s all kinds of detail and I liked the idea of sharing pictures of the setting. Much of this information was provided to help bring readers further into Misty Cove and the worlds where my characters live.

You also own a small business consulting and promotional business. How has this helped you market your books?

I’ve actually got over 16 years of marketing experience in a number of businesses. When I compiled my first query letter, people insisted that my marketing background wouldn’t help me and that publishers wouldn’t care. I knew that was untrue and the publisher who has all my Nikki Leigh books likes my promotional background and I used much of that experience in my first book promotion book. I think that having a strong promotional background has helped me and I just struggle to find more time to implement all the promotional ideas racing around in my head.

So, how do readers get their hands on a copy of any or all of your books?

The books which are available are all listed on Amazon. If you’d like the easy way to find them, I created a book sale page with links to the pages on Amazon. I always have copies of my book in stock and I mail autographed copies to people. My web page with order details is http://www.nikkileigh.com/books_4_sale.htm. For people who buy more than one book, I do offer deals. Anyone who would like a signed book plate for books they order from Amazon can contact me at nikki-leigh@excite.com.

What’s up next for you? Do you have any new projects in the works? Anything exciting to tell your readers and fellow writers?

I’m finishing the short story about Sara and I hope it will be available in September. An anthology for my group, the Readers’ Station, is in layout and will be released soon and my promotional book, Book Promo 101 – Basics of Book Promotion is also in layout. I expect both of those books to be available in November. I need to finish editing and making some changes to Stormy Shores and I hope it will be released by the end of the year. Finally, I’m starting research and planning for Rebels and Rogues – the third book in the Misty Cove Chronicles and I hope to have it to my publisher by the end of the year. Once all of that is finished, I hope to start on Book Promo 201.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I think we’ve covered things pretty well. I’m starting to offer a variety of promotional services for authors and the details are at http://www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm. The page is still rough, but it’s a good start. Readers and writers can feel free to contact me with questions and I especially love to hear feedback on my books.

Each person who buys a copy of Lady Lightkeeper, needs to email me a copy of their receipt. I just need a receipt that shows you bought a copy of Lady Lightkeeper and I'll enter you in the drawing for a copy of Widow's Walk. However, if the winner already has a copy of Widow's Walk, I'll be happy to send a copy of Lilah and the Locket instead.

In addition, each person who posts a comment on any or all of the blog stops will be entered in a separate giveaway. Each comment will be entered in the drawing and at the end of the month, one person will win a copy of Lady Lightkeeper. Again, if the winner bought the book already, I'll send them another book as a prize. Any questions, let me know. nikki-leigh@excite.com.

Thanks for chatting with us today, Nikki. We enjoyed getting to know more about you and your books. I have a feeling we’ll be swapping more emails about our beloved Atlantic Coast. Until then, please know I wish you much continued success.

Thank you very much for having me and I look forward to talking about the coast. We might even run into each other on the Outer Banks one day.

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