Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

Sigh. This will probably be my last post here. I haven't posted a single thing since last March, so. It's kinda sad. This blog is what helped me become the author I am today. I learned mountains and mountainsÌýof information from my fellow bloggers, many of whom remain my friends to this very day.

But people change, times change, and I have moved on.

Good news though, you can keep up with me and my books by visiting and . I update both sites regularly. I promise.

Farewell to anyone reading this (probably no one, ha!). "See you" on the interwebs.

ÌýJust in case anyone visits my blog, here are the places/events where I'll be over the next few months. Exciting, exciting times!ÌýÌýÌ�

ÌýWelcome to the Pre-order Giveaway!
First, to get you as excited as I am about ULTIMATUM, a little about my new contemporary young adult novel:

A gripping, emotional story of two brothers who must make the ultimate decision about what’s more important—family or their differences.

It’s not Oscar’s fault he’s misunderstood. Ever since his mother died, he’s been disrespected by his father and bullied by his self-absorbed older brother, so he withdraws from his fractured family, seeking refuge in his art.

Vance wishes his younger brother would just loosen up and be cool. It was hard enough to deal with their mother’s death without Oscar getting all emotional. At least when Vance pushes himself in lacrosse and parties, he feels alive.

But when alcoholism sends their father into liver failure, the two brothers must come face-to-face with their demons—and each other—if they are going to survive a very uncertain future.

ULTIMATUM has received two incredible blurbs:

“Wow, wow, wow. I am blown away by Ultimatum! I found this a powerful book—every minute of it was so painfully real. K.M. speaks her characters� deep emotional truths.� —James Howe, bestselling author of The Misfits

"ULTIMATUM is a powerful, big-hearted read about two brothers who battle each other so hard there is no doubt they love each other. As you spiral through emotions, K.M. Walton will leave you marveling at the strength of their relationship, in good times and bad. The story of Oscar and Vance will make you want to grab your siblings, or anyone you count as family, in one very long bear-hug."
—Anthony Breznican, author of BRUTAL YOUTH and senior writer at Entertainment Weekly

And an editorial review:
“Walton creates flawed, realistic characters that invite readers to root for them even as they screw up their own lives and the lives of those around them. The back-and-forth structure told in alternating voices is accomplished and offers a deep look at the complex relationship between two brothers. A sweet look at an end-of-life moment that offers surprise even as the inevitable unfolds.â€� -KirkusÌý------------------------------------ï»�
Now ontoÌýthe details of this HUGE pre-order giveaway. It's easy! It's fun! And did I mention the prize packs are huge (and awesome ; )

To enter, all you have to do is follow the easy Rafflecopter instructions below.

By pre-ordering* from the book retailer of your choice (feel free to click on the cover image in the top right to pre-order) and officially entering the giveaway via the Rafflecopter widget below you have a chance to win one of 12 incredible prize packs (!!!!) filled with cool, custom made swag and other amazing prizes.

GRAND PRIZE PACK (one winner)
*see photo of prize pack in Rafflecopter widget below*
•�$25 BARNES & NOBLE GIFT CARD
•ÌýHANDWRITTEN TY NOTE FROM K.M. WALTON
•ÌýSigned copies of Cracked, Empty, and Two & Twenty Dark Tales (an anthology)
•ÌýCUSTOM MADE ROCK/PAPER/SCISSORS (RPS) NECKLACE
•ÌýSIGNED ULTIMATUM BOOKMARK
•ÌýRPS SOCKS
•ÌýSET OF RPS LOLLIPOPS (so you can play with a friend!)
•ÌýCUSTOM MADE ULTIMATUM T-SHIRT
•ÌýULTIMATUM TEMPORARY TATTOO
•ÌýULTIMATUM STICKER
•ÌýULTIMATUM JOURNAL + PENFIRST RUNNER UP PRIZE PACK (one winner)
*see photo of prize pack in Rafflecopter widget below*
•�$15 BARNES & NOBLE GIFT CARD
•ÌýHANDWRITTEN TY NOTE FROM K.M. WALTON
•ÌýSIGNED ULTIMATUM BOOKMARK
•ÌýCUSTOM MADE RPS BRACELET
•ÌýRPS SOCKS
•ÌýSET OF RPS LOLLIPOPS (so you can play with a friend!)
•ÌýULTIMATUM TEMPORARY TATTOO
•ÌýULTIMATUM STICKER
•ÌýULTIMATUM JOURNAL + PEN

SECOND RUNNER UP PRIZE PACKÌý(one winner)
*see photo of prize pack in Rafflecopter widget below*
•ÌýHANDWRITTEN TY NOTE FROM K.M. WALTON
•ÌýSIGNED ULTIMATUM BOOKMARK
•ÌýRPS SOCKS
•ÌýULTIMATUM TEMPORARY TATTOO
•ÌýULTIMATUM JOURNAL + PEN
•ÌýULTIMATUM STICKER
•ÌýSET OF RPS LOLLIPOPS (so you can play with a friend!)

THIRD RUNNER UP PRIZEÌýPACKSÌý(nine winners)
*see photo of prize pack in Rafflecopter widget below*
•ÌýSIGNED ULTIMATUM BOOKMARK
•ÌýULTIMATUM TEMPORARY TATTOO
•ÌýULTIMATUM STICKER
•ÌýULTIMATUM JOURNAL + PEN

All winners will be announced on 2/1/17 on . Follow me to see if you won!

Good luck!

Thank you for pre-ordering !

*You can have pre-ordered ULTIMATUM prior to the start of this giveaway. Any pre-order date is fine : )

On the off chance I still have blog readers I thought I'd share the link to last week's exclusive cover reveal for my next contemporary young adult novel, ULTIMATUM.

But first, seriously, if someone is reading this, *fist bump* for your support and sticking around this here neglected blog. While I'm at it, how about a hug, too? And a high -five.

Too much?

Moving on.

I was thrilled that organized the exclusive cover reveal over on .

Go see the amazing cover, learn about the book, read an excerpt,Ìýand enter theÌýgiveaway going on over there--prizeÌýisÌýan annotated ARC of ULTIMATUM and $25 B & N gift card.

Click .

You can even pre-order ULTIMATUM -- click .

And if you're on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, go ahead and add it to your TBR, HERE.

Thanks for stopping by.

I know I teased some of you on facebook back in July that I had "Mighty fine news" coming soon. I know this reveal doesn't fall into the "soon" category. I know. What can I say?


I.

Can.

Say.

This....


It is with much rejoicing that I finally share my MIGHTY FINE NEWS....

My agent, the brilliant and spectacular , has sold not one book--oh no, how passe--but two. Yes, TWO BOOKS - a novel I am so proud of and excited to share with the world that I could cry, and the other a crazy-awesome anthology where I'll be editing and contributing a short story.

IÌýÌýÌý AMÌýÌýÌý SOÌýÌýÌý EXCITEDÌýÌýÌý IÌýÌýÌý MIGHTÌýÌýÌý BURST.

I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be working again with , the editor who plucked me from obscurity back in 2010 when she bought Cracked. She is a genius, and I am lucky to call her my editor.

Here are the formal announcements:


The novel announced in Publisher's Weekly:








Here's a filled with images inspired by the novel.Ìý
The anthology announced in Publisher's Marketplace:
ÌýK.M. Walton’s, BEHIND THE SONG, an anthology featuring a unique all-star lineup of contributors—young adult authors, Ellen Hopkins, James Howe, Jonathan Maberry, A.S. King, Suzanne Young, Beth Kehpart, Ellen Oh, among others, and contemporary musicians G. Love, Donn T, and Chuck Treece, who will connect to one of their favorite songs through new short fiction or personal essay, to Annett Pollert-Morgan at Sourcebooks Fire, by Jim McCarthy at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management (World English).

Have you ever listened to the lyrics of a song and wondered what the backstory was? What inspired the artist to create the song? Maybe you even created a story in your head....

I do that all the time.

Once the idea for BEHIND THE SONG took shape it took me over a year to build my incredible list of contributors of YA authors and musicians. I mean, look at who will be writing something for this book.

YA authors in alphabetical order:
































NYT Bestselling Author












Bestselling Author
I mean, the man is a legend.

















,













+














+

















NYT Bestselling author
+





























Founder of






























NYT Bestselling Author
+













Yours truly

,














CONTRIBUTING MUSICIANS


From the band, G. Love and Special Sauce, who created the iconic singles, I-76, Baby's Got Sauce, Cold Beverage, +

ÌýÌýÌýÌý I-76 video


Innovative and enigmatic singer-songwriter Donn T, is the quintessential independent artist and do-it- yourselfer. She also happens to be sister. is her latest albumÌý
ÌýÌýÌý Midnight video
a and

Dear student returning to school,

As you head back to school, back to interacting with hundreds of people you'd normally never interact with, I ask that you challenge yourself....
Assumptions. Don't make them. Plain and simple. No one knows what's going on beneath someone's surface - the nightmare they could be dealing with at home or what they think of themselves when they look in the mirror or the pressure they're under to do or not do XYZ.
No one knows.Ìý
Instead of looking at someone and making assumptions--when the opportunity arises--look them in the eye, truly listen to what they're saying...listen with kindness. It's quite incredible, the things you'll discover, things you never knew.Ìý
Judgement. A pitfall of judgement is only seeing a person's weight, skin tone, sexuality--label--which means you fail to see the person. Look deeper. Take a second to listen, see. Peel back the label you've smacked onto their forehead and see the human being underneath. Be open. Be kind. Force yourself to look deeper.Ìý
Try to find something in common. It's actually pretty easy if you take the time to listen and truly see the person. It's easy when you stop making assumptions. It's easy when you stop judging.
You'll see.
Kindness. A small act of kindness towards someone you've previously judged is one of the most powerful moments any human can have. Try it.Ìý
Hold the door. Smile. Say hi. Notice the invisible people. Notice the silently suffering.
Small acts of kindness can change your life, and they can save someone else's.
Kindness matters.
Here's to a wonderful school year.
Sincerely,K.M. Walton

My oldest son hugged me goodbye this morning as he has done every school day for the past twelve years. I squeezed him tight and told him I loved him as I have done every school day for the past twelve years.
But today I squeezed him a little tighter.
Today was the last time I would hug him goodbye and send him off to school.
I realize that sounds melodramatic. Perhaps I’ve induced an eye roll or two. But hear me out.
I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of lasts. Firsts are exciting and seem to get all the attention, but lasts, well, they can be elusive, mysterious even. Life oftentimes makes it impossible to mark the lasts of early parenting. The last bottle, the last bath, the last diaper change, the last meal in a high chair, the last bedtime tuck-in, the last read-aloud, the last push in a stroller, the last crust cut-off. Those lasts go gentle into the good night and we’re off and running to the nexts.
But today I squeezed him a little tighter.
Today was the last time I would hug him goodbye and send him off to school.
I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of memories. The storage space above our garage is proof positive. It is full of my past, boxes and crates full of my past. I keep a lot of ridiculously important things. No one else understands the importance of saving the pebble I nervously played with during my first “real� kiss. That meaningful piece of stone lives with many other treasures like my cream polyester eighth grade graduation dress and my Empire Strikes Back movie ticket stub from my twenty-seventh time.
It’s also full of other pasts. I have a box for college, a box for my wedding, boxes from my twelve years teaching, and boxes for my sons. I’m sure if I went through everything I’d find unrecognizable things, the reason for saving it in the first place long forgotten. But other things remain seared into my memory, like the baby blanket he clutched in his precious little hand, crying out from his crib for, “Comfies, Mommy!� Comfies was his term and it perfectly described me covering him up before he drifted to sleep. Comfies lives in my box of memories.
I’ve always been fascinated by the future. You may think I live in the past. I don’t. I treasure the past. I hold memories dear, but I’m an anticipator, always gazing towards the possibilities. The future excites me, helps me let things go and for that I am thankful.
His future is upon us, knocking on our door, waiting to take his hand. I must let go.
I’ve saved too much, my husband says. I say I’ve saved the lasts, and today was the last time I would hug him goodbye and send him off to school.
Today I squeezed him a little tighter.

I know this blog has remained dormant for quite some time. I know. But, when I was in need of a place to share a personal story, this blog called my name, like an old friend, "You can post it here, Kate." And so I shall.
This is a true story of an attempted censorship of CRACKED by a school in Montreal and how a determined teacher was the catalyst for logic. I will let the emails* tell the story....
*Emails shared with permission
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2015 9:31 PM
To: [email protected];ÌýSubject: Cracked
I am writing to you as a high school teacher.Ìý We have been using your novel "Cracked" for at least 3 years. The students love it and they engage in reading it.Ìý However, the administration has decided that your book is not appropriate and want to ban it it from our high school. We, the teachers, feel that your novel touches the hearts of or grade 10 students, They love to read it.Ìý The psychologists at our high school claim it causes suicidal thoughts. We, the English teachers think the opposite.Ìý If you have anything, as an author to say, it would be greatly appreciated.Ìý The administration is banning your book!
[name withheld][name of school withheld]Montreal, Quebec
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ÌýOn 22 May 2015 at 09:44, Kate Walton <[email protected]> wrote:
Dear ________,
This saddens me so. I’m assuming that the psychologists and administration have not read CRACKED and that they’re jumping to odd conclusions. If they have read it and still think it promotes suicide, well, I have no words. Also, instead of me speaking on this I thought it more powerful to share what countless teen (and adult) readers have emailed me. The word doc is attached. Feel free to share it with decision makers.
Sincerely hoping logic and love win in the end.
~ Kate WaltonK.M.WaltonAuthor//////CRACKEDÌý Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster NOW on EMPTY Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster NOW on TEACHING NUMERACY: 9 Critical Habits to Ignite Mathematical Thinking (co-author)Ìý Corwin PressÌý
BELOW IS THE CONTENTS OF THE WORD DOC THAT I ATTACHED:Ìý READER RESPONSES TO CRACKED
2/4/12My name's Lisa, I'm a 17 year old girl from Toronto, Canada and I just finished reading your book cracked at 3:52 a.m. Once I started I couldn't stop, every line captured my attention and made me want to read more of it. I loved everything about it, and especially being a teenager in high school it's relatable and inspiring. I've never been emotional reading any book but when I came upon the stories of both Victor and Bull my heart dropped and my eyes got teary. Your book was touching and I'm really glad you shared your words with everyone. I just wanted to stop by and let you know that you're an incredible author and what you write matters.
2/24/12I recently finished reading your book Cracked and it was amazing. I found it hard to put down, I found the characters and plot very intriguing. I also somewhat related to the book on a personal level. Although I don't come from a family where I was unloved (I would argue that my parents are too nice to me at times), I do know how it feels to be ignored at school. At the beginning of high school, I had an excellent circle of friends. We all accepted/supported each other and hung out quite frequently. Then, my best friend from the group moved away and the group fell apart. All the others in the group joined new groups and I was torn. I hung out with this one group at lunch hour for a while but they ignored me and called me "weird" because I like different things than most teenagers (I love classical music and I want to pursue a career in music) They would make plans to hang out while I was sitting there, like I wasn't there. I remember just going home after lunch that day, skipping my afternoon classes and spending the whole afternoon crying in my room. This year in high school (my last year) I took a spare block right before lunch so I could go home for lunch every day and not have to deal with sitting by people that ignore me or don't know me well. No, I've never attempted suicide, but I have thought about it. I could never do something like that to myself, I have so much going for me in my life and I know that university will be a much more supporting environment as I will be surrounded by other musicians my age all the time. Anyways, how does this relate to your book? Well, as I was reading the book, I couldn't help but compare it to myself. It opened my eyes as well; I am actually very lucky to have the opportunity to take music lessons and pursue something I love in university and some parents don't even care about their children. It almost made me feel selfish for feeling like my life sucked at some points. I have a wonderful support system within my family and friends in music. My social issues at high school will seem trivial as I go through university and pursue what I love. No matter how bad you think your life is, there's always someone who would love to have your life. Anyways, thank you for writing this book! It was amazing and I will be looking forward to more eye-opening and inspiring books from you in the future! –Geena
12/9/12 Well like I said I’m a reader. This book really relates to me. My name is Christina I live in New Jersey. I’m nineteen. I have thought of killing myself over stuff. My mother kicked me out when I turn 18. She hates me. She spreads rumors about me. I write poetry and I’m planning on writing a book. You have inspired me, thank you. I love your book CRACKED. I’m always alone, invisible. Thank you. This book kinda showed me that suicide isn’t always the answer, that even rich kids have those thoughts.
1/14/13I have just finished reading Cracked. Wow. I am absolutely speechless. It was without a single doubt, the best book I have ever read in my life. I really felt such a connection with Bull and Victor--Heck, I felt connected with Nikole, Lacey, Kell, Brian, Frank and Ellie, too. I just wanted to thank you for being such an amazing and talented author. Thank you for creating a whole other world for me to sink into when I read. I've promoted Cracked and you as an author on Facebook, Twitter, and to all of my friends. Realistically, the entire population of my high school knows about you because of me. And I won't let them borrow my copy for two reasons: 1) I open a random chapter every day and just sink into the beauty of the book--There's no way I could be deprived of my beautiful "world". 2) I want them to go and BUY it. For your sake. You deserve the biggest success from this book. I encourage you with every fiber of my being to keep writing. You're one of the rare good authors. You write beautifully, you can actually keep the attention of your readers. Thank you so much for everything. Sincerely, your #1 fan. Much love.
2/16/13My name is Mike.Ìý I'm a 33-year-old aspiring writer.Ìý I picked up your book, "Cracked", three days ago, and just finished reading it.Ìý I was so touched by your novel, that, for the first time, I wanted to write the author personally and say thank you.
I've struggled with bullying since I was young, and, in many ways, found myself feeling like Victor.Ìý I had a few friends, but I often felt invisible.Ìý My parents, while not anywhere near the extremes of Victor's parents, held such high expectations of me that I rarely felt like I lived up to them.
I had a time, early in high school, where I came close to attempting suicide.Ìý Fortunately, my faith, or more correctly, my fear of eternity in hell, kept me from going through with the attempt.
I still have a lot of pain from my teenage years, and I felt much of this pain come back through your novel.Ìý However, reading through the book, and seeing how Victor and William work through their issues, helped me to see some of the darker days of my life in a new way... a better way.
I think I'll probably read this book at least once or twice more, because your ability to portray hope in the midst of hopelessness truly gives me hope in my own future.
Again, thank you so much for this book!Ìý ÌýÌý 5/6/13 First and for most, I want to sincerely thank you for inspiring me. Cracked is an excellent and inspiring book. In grade school I was a 'Victor'. I was bullied. Also, from the outside looking in it may have seemed like I had it all together, even though I didn't. Please, please continue writing. You may not know it, but you're inspiring teenagers. Your writing matters. Sincerely, Paige
5/20/13Oh. My. Gosh. I love your book CRACKED. I JUST now finished it and I don't think I'll be able to go to bed until I make sure that you know how amazing it is. Not that I know how to express it. You made a difference. In my life. Right now. Thank you, I owe you big time. –Adelina
8/4/13I just wanted to tell you that I just finished cracked and I really enjoyed it. I was bullied a lot as a child up through middle school, and this book was pretty close to what often times happens. I have a friend who is in a similar situation at home to Victor. I recommended the book to him and he says he will read it when he gets home from Canada. Thank you for giving me something great to read!Ìý -Shawn
10/26/13My name's Jennifer, 14 and I'm from Canada. I really loved your book, Cracked. It really spoke to me and I thought it was written really well. Anyways, I really hope to meet you one day- you're a big inspiration to me and your books: Cracked and Empty, made me escape reality for a long time and I loved that. It gave me the strength and hope that maybe I could overcome some of my problems too. I didn't feel alone.
11/14/13I am reading your book Cracked and from a person who has been to mental hospitals, I can't thank you enough. I am trying to become a teacher and you are my inspiration. –Nikki
11/25/13I just wanted to let you know that your books are more than amazing and that you are my favorite author!!!! I literally would sit and read your books Cracked and Empty over and over again for hours on end. When I was reading your book Cracked I would have to make myself put the book down so I would let the suspense build up and so that I can enjoy my first time reading the book longer. Your books made me cry, scream, and jump up and down. You capture the reality of being a teenager so well, that it is unexplainable. I love that you're not afraid to just say the truth and how honest you are with. That quality in your books, I think, sets you apart from all the other authors out there. –Emily
1/19/14Hey my name is Michelle. I am a thirteen year old living in Saskatoon, Canada. Your book Cracked really relates to me. I see myself in Bull and in Victor. You did an amazing job bringing new light to bullying. It was beautifully written, I could only hope to write anything just as close to perfect as Cracked. I've read your book three times and I own my own copy. I am planning on making a trailer to the book with my friends. I am an aspiring writer and poet, and I look up to writers like you.
7/1/14My name is Cheyenne and I am a big fan of your novel, Cracked. Your book taught me a few things; it taught me that bullying can have a negative impact on people and it also helped me realize that I am not alone in the world and that other people deal with depression also.
8/24/14Emailing authors is not something I usually do. I bought “Cracked� because you are scheduled to be at Town Book Center in Collegeville in October and it looked like a good book to give to my daughter-in-law, and with her OK, to my 12 and 14 year old grandsons Ben and Max for Christmas. To be honest I didn’t especially want to read the book but thought to be part of the October book discussion it would be a good idea to know what the book is about. Wow! I started “Cracked� this morning and just finished that and many tissues! What a wonderful story! Thank you! We have all had adversity in our lives - we all make the journey in diverse ways - but those who have no one to touch them, to love them are the ones who need good words like you as a gifted writer were able to share in “Cracked.� –Jill
4/7/15I am a senior at American Canyon high school in American Canyon, CA (near Napa) and I am a HUGE fan of your book Cracked. I read your book when I was a sophomore and at the time I was really depressed. I walked into a bookstore with my mother and the cover of your book really drew me in. Since I had been thinking about suicide for about two months, it spoke to me. I constantly tell people good things about your book and have gotten three people so far to read it. I love the perspective it gives me and I love how it helps others not feel alone. My boyfriend struggles with anxiety and depression and has a lot of family issues, so I recommended the book because I felt like he connected with both Bull and Victor. He told me it helped him and I knew it would because it truly helped me. I also wanted to tell you I got my teacher to read the book and she loves it so far! I love spreading the word of your work. Thank you for writing such an amazing book that helped me through really tough times. It meant a lot to have Bull and Victor there, even though they were fictional characters. Much love, Angel
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2015 10:00 AMTo: Kate Walton
Subject: Re: Cracked
Thanks so much for your reply!!Ìý No, the psychologistsÌýhave not read the book as they only speak French.Ìý It is extremely sad.Ìý I will pass on this document to all people involved.Ìý I have the same students two years in a row and many of them (particularly the boys) do not enjoy reading. Those (boys) finish your novel way before the due date.Ìý Honestly, I have been teaching for 18 years and your novel is the only that I have never had negative feedback from the students!
Thanks so much!
Ìý-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sent: Tuesday, May 26, 2015 1:20 PM
To: Kate WaltonSubject: Re: Cracked
Good morning.
They are keeping your novel!
One of my students' projects is to create a movie trailer for the new movie Cracked.Ìý Here is a link if you would like to see some.Ìý Also, please understand that my students' first language is French.Ìý
Thanks again for everything.
Ìý -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
In closing I'd like to commend this wonderful teacher for alerting me, her amazing students for being steadfast fans, and ultimately the school psychologists and administration for their logical decision.

Summer is drawing to a close which can only mean one thing: back to school. Since kindness fuels what I do and how I live my life, today's post will center around it.Ìý
To me, kindness is everything.
As you head back to school, back to interacting with hundreds of people you'd normally never interact with, here are a few things to think about and try:
AssumptionsDon't make them. Plain and simple. No one knows what's going on beneath someone's surface - the nightmare they could be dealing with at home or what they think of themselves when they look in the mirror or the pressure they're under to do or not do XYZ.
No one knows.Ìý
Instead of looking at someone and making assumptions--when the opportunity arises--look them in the eye, truly listen to what they're saying...listen with kindness. It's quite incredible, the things you'll discover, things you never knew.Ìý
JudgementA pitfall of judgement is only seeing a person's weight, skin tone, sexuality--label--which means you fail to see the person. Look deeper. Take a second to listen, see. Peel back the label you've smacked onto their forehead and see the human being underneath. Be open. Be kind. Force yourself to look deeper.Ìý
Try to find something in common. It's actually pretty easy if you take the time to listen and truly see the person. It's easy when you stop making assumptions. It's easy when you stop judging.
You'll see.
KindnessA small act of kindness towards someone you've previously judged is one of the most powerful moments any human can have. Try it.Ìý
Hold the door. Smile. Say hi. Notice the invisible people. Notice the silently suffering.
Small acts of kindness can change your life, and they can save someone else's.
Kindness matters.
Have a wonderful school year.
-K.M. Walton

Hey there, remember me? I'm waking this sleepy blog up for something C O O L. And of course there's a story behind it....

I was going to share this on Facebook, but it seemed too lengthy an explanation.

I was going to share this on Twitter, but 140 characters. Yeah.

This is a story of creative perseverance that I had to share, and it's about my sixteen-year-old son, and it'll end with a blow-your-mind video at the end. With lights and music!

Okay, back to my kid. My husband and I have always called him a Renaissance Man. He's an artist, a singer, a beatboxer (he's Plasma Music on Vine), and a deep thinker. He's shy-yet-confident and a very, very old soul.

He's also into music, always has been. At first it was electronic dance music at the tender age of six. Then it morphed into , complete with dubstep dancing (which he learned by watching You Tube videos). And now he's into what he calls the "completely underground stuff." He's constantly asking me and my husband to listen to new songs that he's discovered. I do like a lot of it.

He also stumbled upon this device called a . In short: "Launchpad S is a powerful 64-button music controller that lets you make music or mix tracks using a super-intuitive grid of multi-colour buttons." It was the one thing he desperately wanted for Christmas.

When he opened it up he nearly burst, and he hasn't looked back since.

He recently programmed a song and performed it for my mom using the Launchpad. She thought it was great, but I could tell she had no idea what actually went into what she just saw. So I explained it to her.

He decided upon a song, imported into the Launchpad program, , and then parsed the song out into clips (most clips are one to two seconds long). The entire song. Then he assigned each clip to one of the squares on his Launchpad (the location is completely up to him). Then he programmed an accompanying light color to the Lanuchpad square, as well as light patterns, carefully taking into consideration the overall beat of the song.

Those steps alone just blew my mind. But the most difficult part is still to come.

From what I saw while he was creating and programming, he seemed to do the song in chunks, like, say, twenty second intervals. He would go over and over and over and over the pressing of the Launchpad buttons, so that he memorized where his fingers had to go. Very much like learning a piano piece. Lucky for him he had a mother who kept in piano lessons for six years, much to his chagrin.

Then he'd tackle the next part of the song, and the next, until the whole song was programmed and the button sequence learned. It took him just under thirty days to produce the video you're about to watch. And yes, he made this video himself as well. He's a determined, crafty young man.

Why am I sharing this here, on my recently silenced blog that was mostly about writing? Persistence, that's why. To remind you that whatever it is you're striving for out there in this world, chip away at it every single day. Do not give up. Have a plan. Do the research. Learn what you need to learn. Don't be afraid.

Do whatever it takes to make it happen. Power onward and "make your own music."

Oh, and I do miss this place and all of you.

In order for his You Tube page views to increase, you'll need to watch his Launchpad performance directly on You Tube by clicking . Thanks for watching!!