Combs & Underland Down The Rabbit Hole With...

Our lovely mod for PViM on Facebook, Keila or KJ is a wonderfully supportive voice within our community. A talented writer and equestrian with a penchant for anything chocolate we were super excited to catch up with her this week! And we were not disappointed.

(All the hello jazz)

MC: Ok, then let's get started! I've always wondered about your name, what's it mean?

Keila: My name -- my Mom picked from out of a magazine of people's pictures and names - so I have never found it much - it gave me a lot of heartache growing up as no one could pronounce it or spell it - that was way before unusual names were common - hated it then, but like it now - recently found out it may be a more common Brazilian name meaning "resilient" which I find suitable, as I've been called resilient often

Underland: I've always really liked your name, it has a lovely sound to it!

Keila: Thank you!

MC: Is it pronounced to rhyme with Sheila?

Keila: Yes - rhymes with "Sheila", but better remembered when I say "sounds like TeQuila."

Underland: Much better! So how did your writing journey start?

Keila: I've always been a writer - but started to take it seriously about 5-6 years ago. My first memory is a writing assignment for our journals in 5th grade when I wrote a story about a turkey becoming a rock so as not to become T'day dinner ...

MC: I'd love to read that!

Keila: I still have it in a box somewhere, I'm sure = my Mom is a big "saver" of things

Underland: That's so cute! If you were to sum up your style what would you say?

Keila: My style for writing? Hmmm... I'd say or I like to think it leans toward honest and poignant and maybe thought-provoking. I like to speak truthfully and candidly.

Underland: Do you have a piece that you think represents that the most on Vocal?

Keila: Let me see - I have many now…Probably a poem, though

MC: If you had a piece that you think everyone had to read of yours, what would it be?

Keila: Maybe this - it's probably most "me":

Although, I guess this one falls under more, I would say, “dreamy” or “surreal” which I tend toward, also.

Here;s another - probably leans more toward my more typical “In Your Face” style - many find it offensive, though:

Underland: I think my favourite of yours is Hibernation, it's just so poignant and beautifully done.

Keila: Thank you! I like that one too - it's sort of an experiment in letting my voice flow - I like where it’s going.

MC: Your favorite author?

Keila: Fav author? I dunno - I read many and a lot of nonfiction, but I go to Stephen King a lot as a reliable voice for entertainment, and I love his character-building - one of my favs throughout has been his "Dark Tower" series.

Underland:

MC: Favorite Dark Tower Character?

Keila: Oh, gosh - has to be Roland - but I love them all so much - they were in my dreams frequently and they felt like real people!

MC: I've found myself lost in his world several times myself. What's your favorite book?

Keila: But I love Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou and Faulkner and etc. .

MC: I love Faulkner too!

Underland: I love all of them!

MC: Just not King, huh, Cel? lol

Keila: I know not everyone is a fan - and some of his stuff is quite poor - but some is brilliant!

MC: Not everyone likes the tea he pours, but that's ok, there's billions of books out there

Underland: I'm just a chicken!

MC: He has a few non-horror, Cel lol

Keila: My fav book changes all the time - depending on what I'm reading

MC:I can understand that.

Keila: - a couple of recents at books my daughter gifted me which I never would have chosen. One called "The Girl with all the Gifts" about zombies ..."The Book of Lost zFriends" = an historical fiction about slavery. I’ve read “ The Horse Whisperer '' a lot but I don't like the last quarter of it - the movie by and with Robert Redford is much better.

Underland: Do you have a particular book that you have read over and over?

MC: You know, I never read or watched the Horse Whisperer

Keila: The movie is awesome!

Keila: King's book "Fairytale" is awful -- but I recommend “Lisey's Story” and "Bag of Bones" - now that I think of it - “Bag of Bones” is probably one of my favorites because when I pick it up, I can’t put down - I’ve read it several times and it has many pages - and, NO, Celia - I wouldn't call it scary - maybe creepy.

Underland: How scary on a one to ten are they?

MC: Not scary at all, I'd say a 3

Keila: Not scary - but surreal and interesting. Hauntingly metaphorical. More mind-bending now, I’d say.

Underland: I might give it a go!

MC: Did you read King's Sleeping Beauties?

Keila: I have not.

Underland: You're from the US right?

Keila: Yes - northern WI not far from Great Lakes - Lake Superior or Lake MI. It's winter today.

Underland: That sounds beautiful!

Keila: It is beautiful - except for winter cold and wind! But I love nature - the woods and water. My husband and daughter are both avid hunters and fishers = I'm the "cooker" of things.

Underland: You're a horse rider as well as a writer, right?

Keila: Yes - I have 10 horses currently - 1/2 older, retired broodmares - I have a stallion and used to breed. I started "riding" before I could walk..

Underland: Wow! I love them at a distance - I tried riding once and it was terrifying!

MC: Horses are so beautiful

Keila: They are! And mostly fun - but they eat a lot.

Underland: Do you do competitions and things?

Keila: I used to do shows and endurance rides, but haven't for a long time.I'm trying to get back into the endurance rides. though, as our daughter graduates. It takes lots of time and $$.

Underland: That's brilliant!

MC: You said you are the cooker of things at your house. What's your favorite recipe to cook for your family?

Keila: Oh - crockpot chicken enchiladas! We also make our own corn tortillas - sooooo good! I also love to make various soups, but the daughter hates soup.

Underland: That sounds so delicious! What's WI known for food wise?

Keila: WI = cheese.

MC: I love cheese, too!

Underland: Cheese is amazing!

MC: I'll come out an ask, Cel will just beat around the bush lol, do you want to collab on the WI around the world issue?

Keila: Oh, is that it?? I sure can - just let me know.

Underland: Actually wasn't asking for that, was curious but now you say it! Yes great!

MC: I know you Cel, thought of it seconds before you lol

Underland: So you joined the ViM mod team, how did that happen? How's it been so far?

Keila: Excited to have been asked to join ViM as a Mod! I'm figuring it out and enjoying it - the camaraderie and the role of support. It feels like a purpose. I like purpose.

MC: My gut told me that Keila: would be an excellent addition to our mods. I'm glad I was right. Favorite movie?

Keila: The Horse Whisperer -

MC: lol duh. *sometimes I'm dense Any others you like to watch if that's not on?

Keila: I also love The Black Stallion for nostalgic reasons., and the Rocky movies for inspiration and Matrix and coming-of-age things and 80's. Very many!

Keila: and Horror flicks.

MC: Speaking of inspiration, what do you do to help inspire you to write?

Keila: Music - mainly heavy metal! Love Tori Amos (though she does not fall under heavy metal),, but also Styx and Rush and Altar Bridge and Mammoth, and Shinedown and Limp Bizket…Husband and I have about 3000 CDs ..Love 90s Alt….grunge, not a fan of Death Metal, though.

MC: If you had to pick one band, one cd, which one would it be?

Keila: Geez - that would be so hard! But probably early Tori Amos "Choir Girls Hotel" or "Little Earthquakes."

MC: Your dream date?

Keila: Dream date? I'm too old! But likely it would involve a campfire, fresh fish and wine.

Underland: My kind of date!...Minus the date, that is!

Keila: Oh, and star gazing.

Underland: Do you have any plans with your writing? Novel in progress or anything like that?

Keila: I have a completed Middle Grade novel looking for a home - I fired my pub. about a year ago - and another 1, maybe 2 novels, in the works right now.My plans are to sell books.movie rights and make tons of $$$. Like all writers, right??

Underland: That's so exciting! What are they about?

Keila: The one finished is about kids and bullies and mental health and horses, the others also lean toward coming-of-age and heavy truths.

MC: They sound so interesting. We know you have horses, what other animals do you have?

Keila: Right now - 2 cats, 2 guineas, 1 chicken and one German Shepherd Dog. We are down to only 1 dog because he is old and jealous - we've always had 2-3 - and we are buying 4-5 more chick as future egg layers this spring.

Underland: That's super! Who takes care of them all?

Keila: It's a family effort.

Underland: Your daughter recently did her final ice dance show, how did that go?

Keila: Excellent! But sad - but she did really well - so proud of her! She's been in the Skate Program for 11 years!

Underland: Wow! She must be so good at it! How old is she?: Does she write as well?

Keila: She just really enjoys it! She is 17. Going to Northern MI Uni in the fall. She writes and paints and draws, but has lost interest now - she has a boyfriend. But she is quite talented when she puts her mind to it.

Underland: What is she going to study?

Keila: Studying Biology and NaturalResources. I have a degree in Biology, so does hubby and he also has a Masters in Entomology. He just retired from WI Dept. Natural Resources as a supervisor for many years. She is interested in going in that direction right now.

MC: It's almost spring. What's your favorite flower?

Keila: Not peonies… Lilacs!

MC: Lilacs smell so wonderful

Underland: So how did you and hubby meet?

Keila: At DNR - he was my boss - but we didn't become romantically involved until I left there. Sorry - TMI - but people get weird when I say he was my boss.

Underland: I think its weird that they're weird about it What was your wedding like?

Keila: We got married on the beach at Mackinac Island by the Justice of the Peace (my hubby is orig from MI). Our wedding was gorgeous and special --

Keila: Mackinac Island has no cars, only horses.

Underland: That sounds perfect! How long have you been married?

Keila: Almost 19 years now.

Underland: Wow! That's a lifetime! Did you have a honeymoon after the wedding?

Keila: It's something - I’d do it again. 😀. No honeymoon - too many animals!

MC: I empathize with you there lol

Keila: We did stay overnight on the Island, though.

MC: What is your favorite color

Keila: purples

MC: I should have guessed with the lilac flowers, lol favorite dessert?

Keila: Anything chocolate!

Underland: What wine do you usually go for?

Keila: Love Pinot Grigio or Chianti, but it's hard to come by up here, so usually it's Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. So mostly Red, but I'm flexible!

Underland: Yeah I can't drink white for some reason so it's always red! I think I’m out of questions…

Underland: And also thank you so much for taking the time to do this and for all the amazing ViM stuff you are doing! I love our little team!

MC: Thank you so much for taking the time to this interview and for being part of our team. Have a good day

Keila: And thank you so much!

A few hours later…rumbling in the rabbit hole…

Keila: Ladies ( ) - I do believe you've inspired me. I am lacking the brain power to seriously act upon it at the moment, but the ideas are swirling.

Underland: ?

Underland: With what????

Keila: Stories - continuing something I started - one of those being the "Hibernation" story.

Underland: Aw that's awesome!

Keila: WE shall see.

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Note: Queer Vocal Voices is only accepting members of the LGBTQ+ community at the moment, we will open up to allies in time!

You can also catch up with Mother Combs and Celia Underland on their respective profiles on Vocal.

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