R.M. Kinder shares insight to making of book

The Universe Playing Strings by R.M. Kinder
The Universe Playing Strings by R.M. Kinder

Missouri author R.M. Kinder will share her words, music and behind-the-scenes tips on the making of a book during an event Tuesday at the Missouri River Regional Library.

Kinder's latest novel, "The Universe Playing Strings," has brought her love of music to the forefront of her writing for the first time in her career.

"Music has always been present in my writing. Gradually it took over and became a book," Kinder said.

Professor emeritus of English at the University of Central Missouri from 1989-2002, Kinder is the author of five novels, including "An Absolute Gentleman," a critically acclaimed murder mystery novel.

"The Universe Playing Strings" is the story of five musicians, each with a unique goal. Using the universal language of music as the main thread, the characters use the community among themselves to achieve their goals.

Kinder hopes people will bring their questions with them Tuesday. She will bring instruments with her to set the mood and even share some of her music with the group.

Expressing her desire to be remembered for authoring a book about people of good spirit, Kinder said: "This, of all I have written, is the one I have wanted published."

Her goal was to give each character equal time in the limelight; but, as she came to realize, rarely does everyone in a group receive that. Each character has a different journey, some with smaller roles than Kinder expected, some with larger.

Readers can expect to find Kinder's "happy, casual" music style in her writing, though, "as there are so many types of songs, there are many different kinds of musicians, and I see that in these musicians I wrote about," she said.

"I think that these are good, lovable characters, and I would like to introduce the audience to them."

Readers and listeners can join Kinder at the library at 214 Adams St. in Jefferson City to share "The Universe Playing Strings," as well as a pervasive love and appreciation of music, from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday.

To find out more about the event, visit mrrl.org or call 573-634-2464.