The Ten Spot: K.P. Kollenborn

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On the fringes of a civil war arise a kaleidoscope of stories of abuse, power, betrayal, sex, love, and absolution, all united by the failings of a dying government. Set in the backdrop during the last years of South Africa’s apartheid, How the Water Falls is a psychological thriller that unfolds the truth and deception of the system’s victims, perpetrators, and unlikely heroes. The two main characters, one white, Joanne– a reporter, the other black, Lena– a banned activist, have their lives continuously overlap through the people they know during a thirteen-year period and eventually become friends as a result of their interviews together. Joanne personifies the need to question and investigate apartheid’s corruption from a white person’s perspective. Although her intentions begin with idealism, no matter how naïve, as the years pass while the system is failing, she crosses the threshold of what it means to be caught up inside the belly of the beast, especially after crossing paths with the Borghost brothers. Lena, who is inspired by her predecessors, such as Steve Biko and Nelson Mandela, is among the minority of black women to peacefully battle for equality, even if her struggle is indicative of sacrificing her health and safety. Hans Borghost is Johannesburg’s commissioner of police who, like all those before, had a military background before pursuing a law enforcement career. Violent, manipulative, and controlling, he incarnates the image of South Africa’s perpetrators. Jared Borghost is the younger brother of Hans and, like his brother, has a military background, but unlike Hans, he internally combats between his sense of duty and morality. His inconsistency indicates a conscience that leaves one to ponder whether Jared is either a perpetrator, victim, or both. As his surname suggests, Bor-GHOST represents the “ghosts” that haunt the family’s past. Many other characters play the roles of spies, freedom fighters, lovers, adversaries, and supporters. This novel is as complex as apartheid was itself, unlacing fabrics of each character’s life to merge into a catalyst downfall. The question of who will survive this downfall will suffice in the courts of truth and reconciliation and whether love is strong enough to preserve peace.

I have the ability to mimic certain accents, one of which is a generic English dialect which began as a child after watching ‘Oliver Twist.’ There was a period I would pretend to be a foreigner in my home state, often just asking for directions and such… for fun. One day, while on a walk at a park, I ran into two ladies and just threw out my hello, thinking that would be the most of a passing conversation.  Well, they were curious and started asking lots of questions, such as where I was from, why I was visiting, and so on. I causally replied that I was from London and that I was an exchange student, thinking this should put an end to the conversation. They continued to ask about the culture, and while desperately trying to remember what my sister’s English friend had described, I answered. This went on for about forty minutes! I felt so horrible lying to these two strangers, not only for pretending to be someone else, but for making up shit as I went along! God, I hope they have horrible memories, because one day they may come to realize they were told incorrectly about certain facts! I never did that again.

Very. I wish to have a symbolic connection with the titles to the meaning of my stories. For instance, ‘Eyes Behind Belligerence’ is meant to witnessing a hostile world during WWII. ‘How the Water Falls’ is meant to represent the ideology of power and corruption through the structure of waterfalls, and how a system can fall by the pressure of united power.

One of which is when knowing you need to step away from a story; almost like a mental “time-out.” Whether struggling with a scene, or struggling with a block for that day or week, step away. Sleep on it. Another attribute is talking it out with someone who is also creative. Whether a group of writers, or a family member or friend who is equally creative, discuss your problem. Solutions either can come from suggestions or just thinking out loud.

Wasting fifteen years by not following my gut and taking more risks. I meandered with odd jobs that were less than satisfying. I didn’t believe in myself to produce quality work which would even elevated a living. Surviving risks only produces confidence. If once lacks confidence, one lacks purpose.

Oh yes! Both of my novels are heavy in historical and political content, so research is a vital organ that I cannot live without! And I love it. Simply love it. I hate cooking and playing any kinds of games, but give me a reason to research, now that’s a puzzle I would love to solve!

I’m an oddball. I don’t fit in anywhere and have been teased and had rocks thrown at me. I also despise when I’m told I can’t do something based on my gender or age. Because of this, I have a deep seeded need to seek out answers and resolution in this world. Everyone has experienced prejudice in their lifetime, and that’s why I believe my stories can reach out to everyone on some level.

Hell yeah. I have never felt more content and at peace when I write. I enjoy being alone in my little world where I have complete control of everything. And I have purpose. 

It’s OK, you’re dyslexic, not an idiot!  Numbers are not your friend, nor will they ever be friend, and that’s OK, too. Spellcheck will enhance your life as will calculators, so let technology and hiring great editors dissolve your weak points by bringing out your strong ones. And quit obsessing on how you’re going to fall asleep, when you’re going to fall asleep, and what if you do NOT fall asleep!  In other words, don’t worry so much. 

Quite simply, my mother. Her interests in culture and art have lead me to question and observe other parts of life beyond my own backyard. Even though I’m from the Midwest, I was introduced to Arab food and history, and also to East Indian and African histories. By living in a university town, she reached out to various people who were from Bangladesh, Korea, China, Russia, Ghana, and Pottawattamie. My mother was from California, so her interests transferred from there to Kansas, and instilled these curiosities inside her children. 

‘How The Water Falls’ is my second novel. Although I’ve been writing since my childhood, I have a BA in history. I love studying history as much as wanting to evoke stories. I like to believe that after decades worth of introspection we have learned more wisely than something that happened yesterday, because what happened yesterday affects how we live today. Although I’ve been writing since my childhood, I have a BA in history. I love studying history as much as wanting to evoke stories. I like to believe that after decades worth of introspection we have learned more wisely than something that happened yesterday, because what happened yesterday affects how we live today. In addition to writing, I draw, paint, create graphic design, and am an amateur photographer.

Links:  

website: http://www.kpkollenborn.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kollenborn?ref_type=bookmark 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KPKollenborn 

Blog: http://kpkollenborn.blogspot.com/ 

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5386352.K_P_Kollenborn 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/kollenborn/videos