Author: Robert Kirkendall

Writer of fiction and drama, originally from San Jose, California, and currently living in Santa Cruz for the past two plus decades.  My style is heightened realism, and my work is focused is on the Bay Area with universal themes.  There are many reasons why I write, but the main one is enjoyment.  In 2016 I began producing and directing some of my short plays at Community Television of Santa Cruz as live broadcasts.  My more recent works are the novel Redwood Summer (a story of 1990 San Jose) and the two act stage play Dermalogic which received a Zoom performance hosted by Theater for the New City's "On the Air" series.  Recently I helped to write a screenplay with filmmaker Hilary Davidson called TWENTY for Nineteen85Films, and I've completed a screenplay about a young man's final days in Santa Cruz before he escapes that I've titled Leaving Paradise (it's gained some notice on the Film Freeway).  In April 2022 my one act comedy Funhouse was performed live by Manhattan Repertory Theatre in New York, and the following September my two act play Electric Serenade was part of Theater for the New City's Dream Up Festival in NYC's Lower East Village. Click links on menu to peruse my writings.

Shakespearean Porn Titles

Everyone knows that the works of Shakespeare are rife with colorful (my apologies, colourful), witty sexual innuendo that was easily understood by Elizabethan audiences some 400+ years ago but is largely incomprehensible to modern English speakers, or at least to Americans. But what if his more luridly explicit language made its way into the titles … Continue reading Shakespearean Porn Titles

99 Word Prompt: Into The Dark

https://carrotranch.com/2018/11/29/november-29-flash-fiction-challenge/ Gladys peered cautiously at the basement door.  "Honey, I think I heard a noise in the basement." "What kind of noise?" her husband Paul answered. "I can't tell," Gladys said.  "Either something fell or was knocked over.  Could you please look?" "Scared of a little noise?" Paul laughed. "What if it's an intruder?" Gladys … Continue reading 99 Word Prompt: Into The Dark

Power Trip – A 5 Minute Play

(A comedic look at workplace hierarchy/pecking order, first performed as a staged reading at Community TV of Santa Cruz.) CHARACTERS LEONARD – middle management GORDON – recently promoted to middle management CLAUSEN – upper management Place: LEONARD'S workplace office Time: Contemporary (LEONARD is sitting at his desk and writing on some paperwork. GORDON enters.) LEONARD:  … Continue reading Power Trip – A 5 Minute Play

Writing Prompt: Masks – The Bank Robbery

Very short story inspired by a writing prompt posted by Rachel Poli.  Subject: masks  On a side note I used to work as a bank teller from '92-'94 and was once robbed. https://rachelpoli.com/2018/10/19/time-to-write-masks-creative-writing-prompt/ THE BANK ROBBERY A masked man entered the bank. He went to the nearest window, pulled out a pistol, and held it … Continue reading Writing Prompt: Masks – The Bank Robbery

Saul: Halfway Through The Season

We're now halfway through season 4 of Better Call Saul, so time to revisit my earlier predictions for the season and see if I'm anywhere close. Here's the link to the original post: https://robertkirkendall.com/2018/08/06/countdown-to-saul/ SPOILERS AHEAD! The first subject I tackled was the fallout of Chuck's death. After much speculation I concluded that Chuck's death … Continue reading Saul: Halfway Through The Season

99 Word Prompt: Bottleneck

https://carrotranch.com/2018/08/31/august-30-flash-fiction-challenge/ THE BOTTLE OPENER A party goer grabbed a longneck ale bottle from an ice chest and searched around.  "Anyone know where the bottle opener is?" "I got this," another party goer said as he picked up another beer bottle.  "Now give me yours." The first party goer handed him his bottle, then the second … Continue reading 99 Word Prompt: Bottleneck

99 Word Prompt: Comet

https://carrotranch.com/2018/08/16/august-16-flash-fiction-challenge/ YOU SHOULD'VE LISTENED TO ME! "I see a dark omen ahead for you," the sorceress warned. "Well that's a bummer," the man said nonchalantly. "Heed my words!" the sorceress reiterated. "When a comet appears that is aligned with one of the planets, it will spell your doom!" "How does a comet align with a … Continue reading 99 Word Prompt: Comet