Johnnie's Blog Johnnie Ruffin's Blog

It's been a crazy few months. We had a baby, bought a house, bought a new car, and have stood on the sidelines as co-workers and family have been laid off, hoping and praying that we would not be affected. So far, we've made the cut, but everyday feels a little less secure, but I think a lot of Americans feel this way. The world is not what it was to our fathers and mothers, and even for them it was a struggle. If they are still with us, they will tell you it is still a struggle.

Finding free time to get to Volume II has been difficult, but I'm hoping time will be freed up soon. Four kids, a wife, and a full time job, why wouldn't I find time. So, be on the look out for some excerpts. Volume II: The Broken Peace will be better than the first.

Caanlin Rising is free until Saturday, Jan 26. Here's an excerpt:

My Top 25 Korean Drama List

Here it is. Links to follow since dramawiki is being mean.

1.       King Baker Kim Tak Gu

I really loved this drama. It makes my number one slot because I was pulled along by the story without that dragging sensation when drama’s start to feel like they’re being drawn out. Every episode was significant, the actors/actresses were amazing, and I’ve never really cared for bread, but this show made it seem magical, poetic, and tragic all in one.

2.       City Hunter

When I recommend Korean Drama to my friends, I always tell them to start with City Hunter. The first episode is awesome. Action, drama, tragedy, and comedy made that first episode a drama all on its own. That said, the remaining episodes are not nearly as crazy as the first, but it does grow the characters and the plot with some great payoffs toward the end. It makes my number 2 slot because there are moments when I felt like they were dragging it out, and I was not blown away by the ending.

3.       My Lovely Sam Soon

Ever been that person in the corner watching everyone else fall in love while you get dumped, remain single, and just get older wishing your love would arrive. Take a strong, lovable personality, throw in a dash of drama with a little comedic slapstick, and you have this great drama. I loved Sam Soon and I wanted her to win because of who she was, rather than the superficial stereotypes we normally attach to beauty. It’s one of those dramas that makes you feel good and more confident in those little quirks that make you unique.

4.       Bad Boy/Bad Guy

I’m still reeling from the affects this one did on my psyche. I’d put it number one, but with all of the crazy tragic drama that came out of this, I felt they didn’t complete the story fully. I understand that there were circumstances that required them to end this drama early, so no one is entirely at fault, but it was so good that it had the potential to be far more than what it ending up being. Don’t get me wrong, it was great, but like I said, I’m still trying to get over what it did to me.

5.       Smile, Dong Hae

I have never in my life been taken over so many cliffs. This is one of those dramas that you spend all day sitting on the couch because you have to see what happens next. There were also moments when I thought it starting to get predictable and then bam! The plot just thickened. Why put it so low on the list? There were periods when I knew they were drawing things out for affect, and there are many episodes in this one. There are also repeats of certain plot devices and tactics that were used to keep the story going. At certain points I shook my head in disappointment. The growth of the characters was slow, and the payoff isn’t gradual, it’s all at once, which made for some disappointment on my part.

6.       Winter Sonata

I have to admit to watching the anime that this was later adapted to after watching the drama itself. I liked the drama better. It was a slow, gradual, rise to a crescendo of awesome. Forbidden love made forbidden by tragic happenstance and past promises become a web worth untangling. My only problem was that I wanted her to speak up more, rather than being dragged everywhere and staring silently when she was questioned about her true feelings. I know the point was for the audience to feel everything with her without her sharing, so I forgive the process, but it did get frustrating at times.

7.       Pasta

If you’ve ever watched the British comedy Chef! I am certain that you will love Pasta. An arrogant head chef ( what other type is there ) and an underdog that wishes she could become a chef battling their way through a forbidden romance and a professional career. It was funny and heartwarming without being too predictable.

8.       Summer Scent

Everything fit. You know when you watch a show or movie and the title doesn’t suit it. This isn’t one of those. I felt the same way about Winter Sonata. Here, there is new, vibrant, life at the sacrifice of another life with a mixture of confusion, love, death, and finally rebirth. When we get a hint of the scent that summer has, you can get all that in one breath. This one kept going without too much disappointment, but the plot devices of always just missing one another at crucial moments bothered me after a bit. The ending was perfect, however, and made it well-worth the journey.

9.       Personal Preference

Getting to know the main character and all of her quirks was the excitement of this drama. Understanding the history and the tragedy buried beneath those quirks also made this drama. It was funny, sad, and satisfying to watch. I was also excited to see Lee Min Ho again in a new role. I was expecting to see the same range I saw in Boys Over Flowers, but was impressed instead. I was even more impressed when I followed this up with City Hunter and saw that he had even more talent to show.

10.   Princess Prosecutor

When I saw the title I immediately thought of Legally Blond, then I watched it and realized it was fairly similar, although with a Korean twist and a little more character development. This was more comedy than drama with little surprises along the way that made it worth watching.

11.   Pure 19

This was my second drama after Secret Garden. It was a long one. I felt like there were certain points where they could have ended this and I would have felt just as satisfied, but I have to admit that I was disappointed when the ride was over. It was a good one and I always feel a burst of nostalgia when I see one of these actors/actresses in any later dramas, especially Koo Hye Sun.

12.   Full House

The childish play between the two was hilarious, and it did get annoying at some point, but then it came right back around to hilarious. It had a satisfying ending as well, so I have to say it kept me entertained and I forgave the annoyance by the end.

13.   Boys Over Flowers

My favorite scene is when Koo Hye Sun sings. I think that moment in the drama kind of sums up the whole drama. If you felt it, you know. It amazes me when I hear about all the things she is involved in from being a best-selling author, a singer, a director, and an artist. I can’t wait to watch Peach Tree and I’m really fascinated by the plot that she wrote and directed herself. She plays these very cute characters, but she has a really complex character of her own. I can’t wait to see more from her.

14.   Secret Garden

This was my first Kdrama. I recall being surprised by the amount of plot twists that were thrown at the audience. Just when I thought it was going in one direction, they turned a new corner, and then another, and finally I just held on and waited for it to be over. I even jumped up and down when Sector 7 came to Netflix…I just wish Sector 7 had lived up to the hype.

15.   Coffee House

Park Si Yeon speaks the best English of all of the dramas I’ve heard to date. Glad I got that out of the way. The antics that they put these characters through are hilarious, but what got me the most was Ham Eun Jung. I hope this doesn’t spoil the show for anyone, but I was the most moved when she cried toward the end. It was done so well, fit the story so perfectly, and it seemed really genuine.

16.   What Planet Are You From?/What Star Are You From?

I found myself very confused at the start of this drama. I felt like I was coming in at the middle of the drama instead of at the beginning. I stuck with it anyway and I was rewarded with Jung Ryu Won’s dual performance as two sisters separated at birth. The story kind of lost its momentum, but I was drawn in by Jung Ryu Won to the end. 

17.   History of A Salaryman

I didn’t read the description before I started watching this. I actually thought it was supposed to be a serious drama. I was actually searching for Giant, which I heard was a great drama. The beginning scene did nothing to deter me from this assumption, then it got really silly, and then serious, and then really silly again. And then I recognized Jung Ryu Won and soon she became my favorite actress and this show became hilarious. It has some rough areas, and I think it’s because it gets a little too silly, but once you relax and just accept the fact that the actors/actresses are just having fun at your expense, you’ll love it. By the way, if Jung Ryu Won is reading this… “I love you.”

18.   Coffee Prince

When I started Coffee Prince, I was a little disappointed. I thought it might be similar to Coffee House in some way. I guess because of the name. Not to mention, I’m not a big fan of girls passing as guys or vice-versa and constantly being worried about someone catching on to their deception. It’s nothing against cross-dressers or anything. I just am not entertained by that type of plotline. Coffee Prince was good, however, and the situations that the two are put in were funny enough to keep me watching it all the way through. In fact, by the end, I was looking up all the dramas I could find that included Yoon Eun Hye. This, of course, led me to check out her brief career as a kpop star in the group Baby Vox….I’m glad she went to drama, although I am wondering if she will ever show off her singing talents in future.

19.   Goong

Still on my Yoon Eun Hye high, I went to Goong. I was not aware of the Manga at the time, and so was a little confused, at first, by what I was seeing. Eventually, I had to change my mind-set a little and eventually I got into the story. I have to say that Yoon Eun Hye is great in it. I enjoyed the story immensely and all the things they did with the teddy bears was very impressive, but towards the end I was just waiting for it to be over. It became very predictable and without any huge surprises. Was I watching too much Yoon Eun Hye?

20.   Birdie Buddy

I have to say that I am a big fan of the kpop group Afterschool and when I heard that Uee was in a drama, I checked day and night until I saw that it was available. My expectations were low after years of pop stars letting me down in the 80’s ( i.e. Kid ‘n Play, Prince, Madonna, Spice Girls (I know, technically the 90’s, but still the same feeling)). I was surprised by how good she was in it, and the story was actually very entertaining. I wasn’t moved to the extreme and I didn’t jump out of my seat, but I wasn’t disappointed.

21.   Shining Inheritance

I didn’t really like the first episode and came back to it later and enjoyed it mostly. It took a few episodes to get going, but it eventually did and I was glad for it. It was good, but not great.

22.   Can't Lose

I was happy to see Choi Ji Woo (Winter Sonata) and Yoon Sang Hyun (Secret Garden) again. It was like a reunion of two people I loved from different places. It was a fun romp of a married couple, married maybe a little too fast, reinventing their relationship and learning to be better by helping others through their difficulties. It was funny and heart-warming.

23.   Playful Kiss

Another show based on a Manga. I was prepared this time, and I was not too disappointed. I think I might just be too old to care about high school and being a teenager in high school. There were parts that were hilarious, especially when she gets chased by the flasher, but otherwise it was okay.

24.   Lie To Me

I actually didn’t know that Yoon Eyn Hye was in this one until I started it. I was surprised and elated. The first episode is well-worth the watch, but it does get predictable towards the middle. I was not disappointed by the ending, but I wasn’t surprised either.

25.   You're Beautiful

Not a big fan of girl dresses like guy, fools everyone and is afraid of anyone finding out her secret, but this show had Uee and I have to say that I enjoyed the comical misinterpretations.

The new project I am working on is The Blade And The Heart. It's nearing completion and I am very proud of what I have so far. It's a simple stand-alone novel about two teenagers in the midst of war that must choose between the blade and the heart, war or love. Megean has become one of my stronger characters and I've allowed myself to have fun with this one and enjoy the flow of prose and dialog. Even if it doesn't become popular, I think it's a good, fun book that I loved writing. Here's an excerpt of the work in progress:

The Blade And The Heart

By Johnnie Ruffin

At the center of the city of Garitand, there stands a statue of a woman. The placard is worn now, and the words are difficult to make out, but all natives to Garitand know the story.

There was a time when acres of farmland extended in every direction and more than a few traders relied upon the Village of Garitand when it came to a better quality in spices or goods. The villagers of Garitand were considered simple folk with basic ideas of honor and respect. They were also pious, if uneducated, when it came to following the ways set by the Four Gods. Most importantly, they were mindful of where they were placed in society, their rank being below that of nobles and above that of paupers.

They knew their place and carried a pride in the fact that they were “working class”. Without their purpose, without their sweat and hard work, the nobles would perish and the poor would starve.

“Women keep their place,” Megean’s mother repeated softly while cleaning the scrape across the girl’s elbow. “What makes ya’ want t’ beat around with boys for the Gods’ sake, Megean?”

Seven year old Megean studied her mother intently, brown eyes wide and dark hair in disarray. Mother had spent hours at brushing it and it seemed to take Megean only a few seconds to dash away those efforts. But Megean’s thoughts were not occupied with her appearance, rather on her mother’s words. What was it that made her so unlike the other girls? The other girls were shy and hid behind their mother’s skirts, or sat around in groups that Megean was never allowed to join. She was deprived of intimate relations with others of her sex and, in consequence, was driven by the same influences that drove the opposite sex, save that she was constantly scolded for what was approved of in a boy’s nature.

Megean found friendship in those that accepted the roguishness of her character. The three boys she held in constant companionship treated Megean as an equal comrade of fictional adventures, and they were always delighted to have a real maiden to rescue. She preferred romping through the hills, playing with wooden swords, or a good race through the wheat fields more than sitting about and knitting or learning to cook meals for a future husband that was not presently in existence.

“A proper young lady does not act so, Megean? Before long I’ll be having t’ take ya’ over my knee and give ya’ a few good whacks. Before long ya’ father’s going t’ be having a few words to spend on ya’, and he won’t be as generous as I have.” Mother caressed her cheek as she often did when pleading with Megean. “Be a good girl, Megean.”

Megean nodded, touching the quickly made bandage on her elbow before dashing out of doors again to find Nathan. Without him she would have no friends. Nathan made the other two boys tolerate her because he enjoyed her company and sometimes, when no one else was about, he would tell her things. Nathan was wiser than most of the other boys his age. He had proved his wisdom on more than one occasion by essaying on the topics of farming—which he was stoically against—with words and ideas that Megean found difficult to grasp. He was also full of wonderful stories that came from years spent reading fiction in comparison to the facts that Megean had been forced to consume and understand at the Church of the Four Gods, an institution where they were both educated.

More than a few times she had caught him under a tree in his uncle’s apple grove reading The Knights of Five. He would tell her his aspirations of adventuring, of being a knight like Sir Graham was in

The Knights of Five.  It was a fantasy that Nathan wished to make a reality. Were men made of such things as honor and compassion, of courage and respect? She considered whether Nathan’s dream could be realized. She questioned whether there were such things as knights, for she had never seen one, nor had any of her relations.

She found him under his favorite tree at the apple grove with his face in the book again.

Nathan scrubbed a curly lock of blond hair from intruding his right eye as it cooperated with the left to read the book with intense focus. His eyes were the bright blue of an ocean on a clear day.

Megean dared to step into the light, her shadow darkening the book he was reading. He looked up sharply and his narrowed eyes relaxed considerably when he recognized his friend.

“How’s the arm, Meg?” he patted the grassy spot at his side. “I gave Deric more than a lesson this time. He won’t be picking on you anymore.”

Megean sighed. “I could have handled him myself, Nathan. Just ‘cause I’m a girl doesn’t mean I can’t fight.”

Nathan shrugged like he always did when she brought up this protest.

Megean smiled and sat. “Why weren’t you in the fields? It’s past noon and your father always puts you over his knee when you’re late.”

Nathan shrugged once more. “Better I get whacked a few times than work all day in that field. I’m not fit to be a farmer, Meg. I can barely stand the thought of it. I was born to be a soldier or a knight like Sir Graham. One of these days, I’m going to buy myself a blade and leave this pathetic village. Don’t worry, I’ll take you with me too, Megean…after we’re married.”

“Not likely I’d marry you,” Megean shook her head slowly, “not at all. I’ve seen what an old biddy you can become being a widow. I’ll not marry a man who might end up dead tomorrow. Old Missus Clara lost her husband when he went to Calyinda for the festivals. They say the highwayman didn’t even give the poor man a chance and shot him full of arrows from behind. Now Missus Clara is all sad and lonely, not to mention, poor as a mule. She lives in a shack that looks like an outhouse. I’d not have that at all, Nate. You soldiers get all the fame and glory, all the honor. We wives get the heartache and pain when you’re gone.”

Nathan ruffled her hair, a strange expression on his face. “You’re pretty sharp for a seven year old, Megean. My father says that’s just trouble for a good woman.”

“You’re only two years my elder, Nathan, and you know lots more about things.”

Nathan shrugged. “I wish I did, Megean.”

They sat in the grove until the sun began to crest the horizon and dusk settled. Megean ran home, hitching up her skirts against the grass and dust below. There was already a green stain at the hem, but Mother had warned her to be more careful.

Father was standing in the doorway when she arrived, a stern look on his face. He was a tall man, although all adults were tall in Megean’s world. His eyes flickered with a fiery spark that Megean knew too well to be anger, and anger came slow to her father.

“I have it that ya’ been wrestling with boys, Megean. Mister Mannham comes in all puffing and red, wanting t’ tell me about my daughter what’s been hurt wrestling with a boy. It ain’t lady-like. It ain’t proper and I won’t have it!”

“Now, Father,” Mother called from the kitchen, “she’s but a child and less than knowing of the world-”

“Best she be taught, Martha. I ain’t in the habit of raising fools yet. I don’t want to see ya’ with no more boys. From now on ya’ keep with the other girls, and ya’ mind ya’ mother or I’ll be having one with ya’. Am I understood?”

“Yes, Father,” Megean whispered.

“I want her keepin’ to the house for a few weeks, Martha. I don’t trust that tone in her voice.”

“I barely heard that bit of a squeak, Father,” Mother called from the kitchen.

“Well it wasn’t a friendly-like squeak,” Father winked, a dull wit coming over his face.

Megean was beginning to see that the anger was not from her misbehavior. It had another source and, for a moment, she had become the sorry victim in its path.

Megean washed in the wash-pan near the hearth and dried her face and hands on a nearby towel. Father sat back in his arm chair and took to reading from an almanac that came yearly from Calyinda.

Mother entered the room. Her green eyes were smiling as she kissed Father on the cheek and deposited herself in another chair near the hearth. Her glance took in Megean and she shook her head.

“Can’t blame the child for trying. What ya’ need is a bath, girl. Come here and set on your Mother’s lap. Ya’ getting t’ be so big I can only enjoy this for a bit more. Time ya’ started being a girl so’s you can make a right woman.”

Father grunted his approval.

I’ve let the blog get a little quiet since the release of Caanlin Running. I admit, I’ve been watching kdrama again. I just finished Bad Boy/Bad Guy (which was really heartbreaking). I’ve also entered the NaNoWriMo to write a novel in a month. I couldn’t resist.

So, I’m 7,000 words in, which means only 43,000 to go to get my life will be back on track, and I’ll have another novel under my belt. So, stay tuned.

My Free To A Good Home promotion seems to be going well. In 24 hours there have been nearly 130 downloads. Hopefully the reviews will be streaming in soon. Remember, if you want to get Caanlin Running for free you have until Tuesday to download it from amazon.com. If you don't have a Kindle, you can download the kindle for pc app for free and join others as they enjoy the pleasure that is Caanlin Running!

Well, it took me longer than I anticipated. Don't look at me that way! Editing and making all things perfect take time, right? Since you have all been patient I've decided to treat everyone. As of midnight tonight and until October 9, 2012, the Free To A Good Home promotion begins. That means all copies of Caanlin Running Volume I: The Night Trials are free. I know what you're thinking, but I am that confident this book is that good.

And if you love it, don't forget to leave a good review! Share it with others...you know the deal! Enjoy!!

It is exclusively on Kindle for the next 90 days as a part of their KDP Select program.

Chapter One

The Kit That Would Not Die

Seylene covered the squealing kit with her body as the rocks cascaded off her back and shoulders.

“Give us the child, Seylene!” a plump, dark-skinned woman screeched at her. “It is an abomination! Let us drown it once and for all.”

The pelt of rocks from the crowd of dark-skinned females had stopped. Seylene scanned the faces of friends and family that she had known all her life. Their eyes were sunken, livid, desperate, and scared. She knew them all well enough to smell and see the fear in them.

Her mother stepped forward. “Just give us the child, my little kit. No one blames you, but the child must die.”

Her sister, Yelerin, also came close to her, extending her arms, “I’ll do it myself.”

A sigh and a single tear ran down Seylene’s cheek. “You think I haven’t tried to drown it? You think I haven’t put my hands over its mouth and nose to stop the cries?”

Both sister and mother stepped back, the smell of fear and disgust hung in the air. Seylene wanted to shout that they had no right to be disgusted by her words. Moments ago they wanted to throw the infant into a pyre.

“It doesn’t eat. It hasn’t tasted my milk once. It doesn’t grow. Three cycles and it has remained a kit, and you think it will be easy to kill!”

“Then what do we do,” Yelerin muttered from the crowd. “The cries…the noise of it…” she beat her chest, “my heart breaks! It is too much!”

The plump, dark woman that pelted her before with stones and screeched in her face, extended her arms, her tone softened, “give me the child and we will throw it down Figman’s Ravine and be done with it.”

A gasp escaped more than a few lips, but no one protested.

No one, except Seylene, “no. I know what I have to do now. I should have done it from the first. I will take her to her father.”

Dark eyes looked toward the high peak that seemed to cut into the moon against the night sky.  Slowly, one by one, the crowd of females took to the forms of black leopards and vanished into the grouping of trees behind them.

Here's another cover idea for the new novel. A little scarier, but we are talking about black leopards..right?

Here is one of the cover ideas that I had for Caanlin Running. Hopefully, if all goes well it will be out at the end of September 2012. Let me know your opinions.