Unexpected events that force us to grow up - Waiting for Perfect by Kelli Kretzschmar

Published: September 30th, 2014

Description:

In the wake of an attempted date rape, high school senior Kendra Voss receives hope from two unlikely heroes, who happen to be cousins.

After Nicolás Veneto rescues the popular Kendra Voss at a party, his long-time feelings for her reignite. But the socially awkward Nick can’t ever seem to find the right words to tell her so, and instead, seems to push her away with his persistence in trying to have her press charges against her attacker.

Nick's playboy cousin Sebastian Veneto, however, is a master with the opposite sex and is used to getting what he wants. After unwittingly helping Kendra at her most vulnerable, he discovers that his feelings for her go beyond his usual lust.

Kendra is caught between the two, the elusive artist and his dangerous cousin, both of whom are pulling her through the difficult aftermath of her near-rape in his own unique way. In the meantime, she tries to avoid the boy who attacked her, deal with rumors at school, and move on with her life.

Waiting for Perfect is a story about facing the unexpected events that force us to grow up and is told through the alternating, memorable voices of Kendra, Nick, and Sebastian.

GUEST POST

Starting Out As a Writer – 5 Things You Should Know

Many people dream of becoming a writer. We have seen writers portrayed in various ways in literature and in film, everything from dreamy poets and playwrights like Shakespeare to mysterious recluses like the fictional William Forrester in the 2000 film Finding Forrester. Whatever your reason to write, there are several things to be aware of before you sit down at your computer to begin.

1. Writing is difficult. Some may argue with me on this one. There are times when I sit down and begin typing and the ideas are running and I can push out five or six chapters in one sitting. There are other times, however, when I sit down to write, and nothing comes but a few sentences. To capture well-written, well-assembled ideas on paper is not as easy as it sounds.

2. You will most likely not make a dime with your first few projects. The odds are against you. If you’re writing solely for the purpose of making a buck, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. You can dream all you want of being the next Stephenie Meyer or J. K. Rowling, who both struck gold with their first projects, but know that for every Bella Swan or Harry Potter, there are multitudes of hidden characters that never get to see the light of day.

3. Know for what or for whom you are writing. If you go into writing a novel or story with set intentions, it is easier to keep your eye on the prize when things get difficult and you feel like quitting. Are you writing a book to leave a legacy for your grandchildren? Are you accomplishing a life-long dream by writing your novel? When the going gets tough, and you feel like quitting, you will need to keep this reason plastered on your computer monitor to keep you going.

4. Know your options. Today, writers have many avenues in which to publish their thoughts and ideas. Novels, plays, and short stories have been around for centuries. Today, however, writers have more options than ever before. With the advancement of technology, writers can publish blogs, website content, digital magazine and newspaper articles, fan fiction websites, and more. 

5. Don’t give up. If you decide to self-publish and don’t sell one copy, if you get horrible reviews, or if you submit to a hundred agents and never get picked up, don’t let it break you! Legendary author Agatha Christie was rejected continuously for five years before being published. If writing is your passion, keep at it! In the end, you are doing something you love, spending your time in a way you won’t regret, and enjoying the process. Let that be enough of a reason for you to keep going.

EXCERPT

TOUR SCHEDULE

I take the pen from him and say, “Yeah, Sebastian. I do want to make a wish.” I scoot up to the wall and find a blank space that seems to have been left just for me.

I sense Sebastian come up behind me. I can feel the heat of his body at my back. He lowers his head so that his lips are right at my ear. Goosebumps rise all over my body with the thrill of his closeness.

“You deserve all your wishes to be granted, my dear Kendra,” he whispers. “Wish big.”

He can’t see the smile that erupts from me with his words. His nearness consumes me. If I turned to look at him, our lips would be touching. The thought of it, the need for his lips on my own, almost possesses me. I want to feel him, taste him. But he would probably freak if I kissed him. There’s no way he’d want me. I am just plain Kendra, nothing but panic attacks and drama over here. I take a deep breath, trying to exhale any desire to be close to him, trying to save myself from any more pain.

I tighten my grip on the Sharpie, put the point to the wall, and start writing. Sebastian backs away, maybe wanting to give me some privacy, but maybe because he came to his senses about how close he was to me and backed off before I got the wrong idea.

When I’m finished scribbling, I put the cap back on the marker and back up a few steps to look at my wish amongst the others.

Sebastian steps closer so he can see what I wrote. We both stare at the wall while he reads my wish aloud.

“I wish for something perfect.”

I can feel my cheeks redden. “I don’t know. Pretty stupid, huh?” My eyes drop to the ground, and I use the toe of my sandal to kick a pebble down the hill.

He closes the gap between us, and when he’s standing right in front of me, he puts his palm on my cheek and guides my face up so he can see my eyes. “It’s not stupid. It’s honest,” he says softly. “What is your ‘something perfect’?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know. I’ll know it when I see it, I guess.”

Staring into those beautiful brown eyes of his, perfect looks pretty damn close to Sebastian Veneto.

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About the author:

Kelli Kretzschmar graduated with a BA in Psychology from California State University of Long Beach. She works full time as a marketing manager and writes for enjoyment. 

She currently lives in Southern California with her husband, three children, a wild Labrador named Tyson, and a corn snake named Abigail. When she's not at the office or spending time with her family, she enjoys writing, reading contemporary fiction, learning new things, running, and her most recent passion, practicing Krav Maga.

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