Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape. There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone. I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha. I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then. When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time. I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.

Fiction Friday – A Fly On The Wall

Published June 20, 2014 | By Laura

Friday 20th June 2014.

Fiction Friday is our weekly prompt. The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can. Once you’ve finished, don’t edit, just post in the comments box below.

Today’s prompt: A fly on the wall. Many of us have said that we wish we could have been a fly on the wall on a conversation we want to hear. Write about a time where you did get to overhear a conversation. What was said?

Continue reading →

Novel Kicks Chats With Fiona Sussman

Published June 18, 2014 | By Laura

Can you tell us about Shifting Colours and where the idea originated.

‘Shifting Colours’ is a story of secrets, love and loss. Set against the violent backdrop of apartheid South Africa and then the calm of late twentieth century Britain, it traces the lives of Celia and Miriam – mother and daughter separated by land, sea and heart-rending circumstance.
Its genesis was a snapshot from a current-events programme I saw many years ago. I held the image in my head for a long time, knowing that one day I would elaborate a story from it.

What’s your writing day like? Do you have any writing rituals? Do yo prefer to write in silence?

I begin each day with a coffee expertly brewed by my husband, but only start writing after doing some sort of exercise (running/walking/Pilates) and then seeing my family off to their respective commitments. I’m usually at my desk by 9am and write through until 2pm, after which life again intervenes.
I try to write Monday to Friday and get very frustrated if I don’t manage to achieve this. I like to write in the silence of my study for a first draft, but for any editing and rewriting after that, I prefer to go down to a local coffee shop. I sit in the same corner each day – the owner calls it ‘my office’ – and a cappuccino and a piece of ginger-and-oat slice go a long way to improving my writing skills.

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Courses and Competitions – Literature Works

Published June 18, 2014 | By Laura

Literature Works are now accepting entries for the First Page Writing Prize 2014.

They seek opening pages (300 word limit,) of unpublished novels along with a 150 word synopsis from promising writers around the country. They are looking for openings of a novel that make them want to read on. The deadline for entries is September 30th 2014.

It’s £6 for the first entry and then £3 for all subsequent entries.

The first prize is £1500 plus reading from a literary agent. Second prize is £350 with the third prize being £150.

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Writing Room – Research

Published June 17, 2014 | By Laura

Writing Room is our online writing group.

We post a prompt. Once you’ve written your piece, post it in the comments box below. Anyone is welcome to take part and it’s an opportunity to post work plus give and gain feedback.

Today’s prompt is all about researching. Many writers find this a valuable thing when it comes to beginning their novel or story. There is no rule as to how much you need to do before starting your own work but it is valuable to at least know a little about what you’re writing about and getting a balance between fact and imagination in relation to your work.

Continue reading →

Book News: The Long Mars

Published June 17, 2014 | By Laura

Third book in the series due for release.

The Long Mars by Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter is due to be released by Doubleday on 19th June. Not long to wait. It’s the third book in the Long Earth series and it’s available for pre-order now.

About the book:

2040-2045: In the years after the cataclysmic Yellowstone eruption there is massive economic dislocation as populations flee Datum Earth to myriad Long Earth worlds. Sally, Joshua, and Lobsang are all involved in this perilous work when, out of the blue, Sally is contacted by her long-vanished father and inventor of the original Stepper device, Willis Linsay. He tells her he is planning a fantastic voyage across the Long Mars and wants her to accompany him. But Sally soon learns that Willis has ulterior motives …

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A Moment With Marianne Kavanagh

Published June 13, 2014 | By Laura

Marianne Kavanagh is the author of For Once In My Life. She shares her writing tips for new writers.

Read a lot, and think about how other people write.
Find a writers’ organisation that suits you. I went along to seminars and events organised by Spread the Word in London, which I really recommend.
Find a good plot. Most novels tell a story. It’s not enough just to write well.
Remember that writing a novel is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.
Don’t give up.

Buy For Once In My Life from Amazon.

For Once In My Life is published by Text Publishing, 29th May 2014.

Visit Marianne’s website.

Fiction Friday – Lucky?

Published June 13, 2014 | By Laura

Friday 13th June 2014.

Fiction Friday is our weekly prompt. The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can. Once you’ve finished, don’t edit, just post in the comments box below.

Today’s prompt: Lucky. Friday 13th is unlucky for some. Write about a character who has always had bad luck except for Friday 13th when they seem to have a large reversal of luck. What happens? Is it all too much at once?

Continue reading →

Book Review: The Library of Unrequited Love by Sophie Divry

Published June 12, 2014 | By Laura

The Library of Unrequited Love by Sophie Divry, published by MacLehose Press (2 Jan 2014)

Here’s the blurb:

One morning a librarian finds a reader who has been locked in overnight.

She begins to talk to him, a one-way conversation full of sharp insight and quiet outrage. As she rails against snobbish senior colleagues, an ungrateful and ignorant public, the strictures of the Dewey Decimal System and the sinister expansionist conspiracies of the books themselves, two things shine through: her unrequited passion for a researcher named Martin, and an ardent and absolute love for the arts.

A delightful divertissement for the discerning bookworm…

I had seen this in my local bookshop and nearly picked it up a few times. Translated by Siân Reynolds from the french novel, it’s not a long book at 91 pages so it didn’t take long for me to read. I wasn’t sure what to make of it at first. The main character, the librarian, is having a conversation with a man who has been locked in the library overnight and gradually, as the book progresses, you learn more about her view of the world, her thoughts and her feelings toward someone called Martin. You never hear the responses from the man – the narrative is a one way conversation; it’s all from the librarian’s point of view.

Continue reading →

A Moment With Lilian Carmine

Published June 11, 2014 | By Laura

Lilian Carmine is the author of The Lost Boys. The second in that series, The Lost Girl, was recently released by Ebury and is available in paperback and e-book.

Lilian, do you have any writing rituals? Do you prefer silence when you work?

I must have music to inspire me when I’m writing and a lot of coffee too. Those are the two essentials I must have before I begin to write anything.

What’s your best writing moment so far?

I love Tristan’s letter in The Lost Boys, it was a special emotional moment for me. And the ‘Without a word’ chapter in The Lost Girl was also very special to write.

Lilian’s Blog.

Buy it from Amazon.

A Moment With Talli Roland

Published June 10, 2014 | By Laura

From My Head to the Page: Creating Main Characters.

Every book is different, but when it came to developing the main character for THE NO-KIDS CLUB, the ideas just flowed. Clare was there, waiting inside my head, already fully formed and biding her time under I finally sat down at the computer and started typing.

As with many of my characters, Clare contains a little piece of me. Like Clare, I never wanted to have children – for many of the reasons she outlines in the novel (although it’s fair to say I didn’t feel quite so vehemently about it!). I’d watched many of my friends become parents, marveled at how their lives changed, and wondered if having a baby really was worth all that upheaval. When Clare spilled out onto the page, a lot of my own sentiments did, too.

Of course, it’s never that easy. In any story, characters need to inhabit a world beyond their creator. I needed to figure out why Clare felt so strongly about not having kids, and how her character would transform and grow over the course of the novel. With each book, I ask myself what the main character wants in the beginning, who will stand in their way, and how their desires will change by the end. From there, I come up with ideas and scenarios that will either hinder or help the character’s development. I won’t give away the plot here, but let’s just say Clare’s notion of the life she thinks she wants is severely challenged!

Continue reading →

Novel Kicks chats to Mark Kotting

Published June 9, 2014 | By Laura

Mark Kotting’s novel, Teach Her was released by Legend Press in May. Mark had a chat with us about his novel, the simple way in which he deals with writer’s block and his favourite word.

Can you tell us about your novel, Teach Her and how the idea came about?

Teach Her is inspired by a teacher who i had the pleasure of sharing a class room with, she was nuts and had strange discipline methods.

Is there a character from fiction that you’d like to meet?

Jonathan Living Seagull.

Have you ever got writers block and if so, how do you deal with it?

I turn the music up.

Who would you invite to a fantasy dinner party?

I’d have to practise my table manners before I could come up with a list.

Continue reading →

Book News: Lee Child

Published June 9, 2014 | By Laura

The 19th book in the Reacher series due for release by Bantum Press on 28th August.

Fans of the Reacher novels will only have to wait until August to read the latest instalment.

About the book:

Jack Reacher walks alone. Once a go-to hard man in the US military police, now he’s a drifter of no fixed abode. But the army tracks him down. Because someone has taken a long-range shot at the French president.

Only one man could have done it. And Reacher is the one man who can find him.

This new heartstopping, nailbiting book in Lee Child’s number-one bestselling series takes Reacher across the Atlantic to Paris – and then to London. The stakes have never been higher – because this time, it’s personal.

It’s now available for pre-order.

Events – The Romance e-Festival Weekend

Published June 6, 2014 | By Laura

This weekend, HarperImpulse will be running their first ever digital Romance Festival.

The festival is running on 7th and 8th June 2014.

It’s in conjunction with some of the world’s best loved publishers of romance. It’s two days of discussions, tips and giveaways for writers and fans of romance. Writers involved include Jill Mansell, Lindsey Kelk and Mhairi Mcfarlane.

The full line-up is available on the festival blog. For full timings and schedules of discussions, you’ll need to register for free by clicking this link.

You can also mention the festival on Twitter by using the hashtag, #Romance14

For more information, click here.

Fiction Friday – Trapped

Published June 6, 2014 | By Laura

Friday 6th June 2014.

Fiction Friday is our weekly prompt. The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can. Once you’ve finished, don’t edit, just post in the comments box below.

Today’s prompt: Trapped. There is a power cut and as a result, your character is stuck in a bank vestibule with a stranger. What happens? How long are you there?

Continue reading →

June’s Book Corner – Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Published June 2, 2014 | By Laura

Headline, 2005

Book Corner is our monthly book club.

How it works…

Anyone can take part in our book club. Every month, we pick a new book for discussion. We will post a question to kick things off and then you can talk about any of your thoughts about the book in the comments box below.

This month, our pick is Stardust by Neil Gaiman.

About the book:

Life moves at a leisurely pace in the tiny town of Wall – named after the imposing stone barrier which separates the town from a grassy meadow. Here, young Tristran Thorn has lost his heart to the beautiful Victoria Forester and for the coveted prize of her hand, Tristran vows to retrieve a fallen star and deliver it to his beloved. It is an oath that sends him over the ancient wall and into a world that is dangerous and strange beyond imagining…

Continue reading →

Competitions – The Separation Winner

Published June 2, 2014 | By Laura

Penguin, May 2014.

The Separation by Dinah Jefferies.

Thanks to the lovely people at Penguin, we had a copy of The Separation by Dinah Jefferies to give away.

Well done to Linda Russam. A copy of the book will be on its way to you soon.

About the book:

What happens when a mother and her daughters are separated; who do they become when they believe it might be forever?

1953, the eve of the Cartwright’s departure from Malaya. Eleven-year-old Emma can’t understand why they’re leaving without their mother; why her taciturn father is refusing to answer questions.
Lydia arrives home to an empty house – there’s no sign of her husband Alec or her daughters. Panic stricken, she embarks on a dangerous journey to find them through the hot and civil-war-torn Malayan jungle – one that only the power of a mother’s love can help her to survive.

Read our review here.

Fiction Friday – The Wedding

Published May 30, 2014 | By Laura

Fiction Friday

Friday 30th May 2014.

Fiction Friday is our weekly prompt. The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can. Once you’ve finished, don’t edit, just post in the comments box below.

Today’s prompt: The wedding. You are back in town for a wedding. You used to live in this place but not been back for a while. Why did you leave? Do you like the couple getting married? Are you seeing a group of friends that you’ve not seen for a while?

Continue reading →

Competitions – Going Back Winners

Published May 29, 2014 | By Laura

We had three copies of Going Back by Rachael English to give away.

Well done to Janet from Bath, Lynne from Hertfordshire and Jackie from Wiltshire who have all won a copy.

About the book:

How do you know where you belong?

In June 1988, Elizabeth Kelly’s parents think she belongs at home in Ireland. Her boyfriend is certain of it. Unwilling to settle down just yet, she decides to spend the summer in Boston with her college friends. But the next four months change all of them, especially Elizabeth. Quiet and dutiful at home, she surprises herself and everyone else by falling for Danny Esposito, a restless charmer with a troublesome family.

More than 20 years later with opportunities in Ireland scarce once again, a new generation looks to America, awakening memories of a golden summer for their parents. When a crisis occurs, Elizabeth returns to Boston where she is drawn back into the life she once lived. But will she be able to reconcile the dreams of her 20-year-old self with the woman she has become?

(Going Back – published by Orion, May 2014. Available in paperback and e-book.)

The Separation Blog Tour – Dinah Jefferies On Her Main Characters

Published May 27, 2014 | By Laura

The Separation is the debut novel by author, Dinah Jefferies.

We are so happy to be welcoming Dinah and her blog tour to Novel Kicks today. Dinah chats to us about her main characters.

They say that a writer needs to fall in love with his or her characters, and I’ve discovered that can pitch you right into an emotional rollercoaster, in the way that a real love affair might. Take Emma, the second of my two main characters. Feisty and opinionated, but very loving, she was a delight to write. She has a temper, but I love her spirit, and her grief and anger at being separated from her mum, Lydia, and leaving Malaya, the country that she loves, is heartbreaking. As she says:

‘I imagined a fine line that ran halfway round the world. It was the invisible thread that stretched from west to east and back again; one end was attached to my mother’s heart and the other to mine. And I knew, whatever happened, that thread would never be broken.’

While Emma’s voice came in to my head straight away, it took longer to get to grips with Lydia. She’s sometimes misunderstood, but in some ways is a typical middle-class woman of the 1950s, when a wife was often under her husband’s control, and obliged to ask his permission about everything.

To make it worse, Lydia is a colonial wife just like my mother was. Not allowed to work and with not enough to do, through no fault of her own, Lydia, doesn’t turn to the increasingly early cocktail hour. Instead she sings, eventually in a night club, but she also makes her children’s clothes and her own. Lydia loves her children desperately, but trapped in a loveless marriage, she falls in love with Jack, and that costs her dearly, especially when she comes home to find her children gone, and is then faced with a hazardous journey through war- torn Malaya to find them.

Continue reading →

The Separation Blog Tour – Win A Copy

Published May 27, 2014 | By Laura

The Separation Cover Final - Front - Medium

Penguin, 22nd May 2014

The Separation is the debut novel from author, Dinah Jefferies.

Thanks to Dinah and the lovely people at Penguin, we have a copy of The Separation to give away.

To enter:

Comment on this post with your name and county (UK and Ireland only.) Comment before the closing date of Sunday 1st June 2014 at 23.59. The winner will then be picked at random from the entrants and announced on the Novel Kicks blog on Monday 2nd June 2014. The winner will also be contacted via e-mail within 24 hours. Good Luck.

About the book:

What happens when a mother and her daughters are separated; who do they become when they believe it might be forever?
1953, the eve of the Cartwright’s departure from Malaya. Eleven-year-old Emma can’t understand why they’re leaving without their mother; why her taciturn father is refusing to answer questions.
Lydia arrives home to an empty house – there’s no sign of her husband Alec or her daughters. Panic stricken, she embarks on a dangerous journey to find them through the hot and civil-war-torn Malayan jungle – one that only the power of a mother’s love can help her to survive.

Read our review here.

The Separation Blog Tour – Review

Published May 27, 2014 | By Laura

What happens when a mother and her daughters are separated; who do they become when they believe it might be forever?

1953, the eve of the Cartwright’s departure from Malaya. Eleven-year-old Emma can’t understand why they’re leaving without their mother; why her taciturn father is refusing to answer questions.

Lydia arrives home to an empty house – there’s no sign of her husband Alec or her daughters. Panic stricken, she embarks on a dangerous journey to find them through the hot and civil-war-torn Malayan jungle – one that only the power of a mother’s love can help her to survive.

Not a book I would normally pick out from the shelves, I was very pleased that this book was brought to my attention and I had the opportunity to read it. I was hooked on this story from the moment I picked up the book and started to read.

The plot is compelling and in some places, it’s outright heartbreaking. The plot was paced so well. It’s told from two point of views – Lydia and her daughter Emma with each character taking up alternative chapters. I don’t think I can pick which character I preferred. To begin with, I was really interested in Emma’s part of the story but as the book went on, I couldn’t wait to read what happened to Lydia, who doesn’t seem to have much luck throughout the first half of the book especially as she tries to come to terms with tragedy and the idea of living without her children.

Continue reading →

Competitions – Trisha Ashley Competition Winners

Published May 27, 2014 | By Laura

Every Woman For Herself by Trisha Ashley.

Thank you to all who entered our competition to win a copy of the new novel, Every Woman For Herself.

Well done to Annegret and Carol who have both won a copy of the book.

Every Woman For Herself is published by Avon and is available in e-book and paperback.

About the book:

First comes marriage. Then comes divorce. Then it’s every woman for herself …

When Charlie’s husband Matt tells her that he wants a divorce she has to start from scratch. Suddenly single, broke and approaching 40 she is forced to return to her childhood home in the Yorkshire moors.

Living with her father and eccentric siblings could be considered a challenge but soon Charlie finds her new life somewhat refreshing. Now that she’s single she’s got no need to dye her roots nor to be the perfect wife and she can return to her first love- painting.

But just as she begins to feel settled, handsome, bad-tempered actor Mace North moves in down the road and starts mixing things up for Charlie in more ways than one.

Published by Avon, May 2014. Available in paperwork and e-book.

Going Back Blog Tour – Music and Memory

Published May 24, 2014 | By Laura

We’re very pleased to be welcoming Rachael English to our blog today. As part of her blog tour for her new release, Going Back, she chats to us about Going Back, music and memory.

She closed her eyes as tightly as possible, so tight that the blackness faded to a caramel brown, the way it had done when she was a schoolgirl and the class were told to put their heads on the desk and go to sleep. She pretended she was on her own. Music spilled in from one of the other apartments: Tracy Chapman, ‘Fast Car’. She must have heard it a thousand times that summer.

This morning, I sent a hundred dollars to Stephen Sondheim. Not, I suspect, that one of the world’s most accomplished composers is in urgent need of money; it was payment for permission to use lyrics from one of his songs in my next book. Anyway, it got me thinking about music and songs and about the role they can play in books, especially when it comes to their power to bring you back to a certain time and place.

My book, Going Back, is a story in two parts: the first half is set in Boston in 1988, the second in present-day Dublin and Boston. For the early chapters I needed to evoke what it was like to be young and Irish in America at the end of the 1980s. I was helped by the fact that I did spend the summer of 1988 in Boston, so, to begin with, I wrote a list of all the things I remembered about those months.

The big stuff was easy; in no time at all, I’d scribbled down pages of notes about my job, Continue reading →

Going Back Blog Tour – Win A Copy Of The Book.

Published May 24, 2014 | By Laura

Win a copy of Going Back by Rachael English.

To celebrate the release and blog tour of Going Back, we have three copies of the book to give away, thanks to Rachael and Orion.

How to enter:

Comment on this post with your name and county. UK and Ireland only. The closing date will be Wednesday 28th May 2014 at 23.59. The three winners will then be chosen at random from the entrants and announced on the Novel Kicks blog on Thursday 29th May 2014. Winners will also be notified by e-mail.

About the book:

How do you know where you belong?

In June 1988, Elizabeth Kelly’s parents think she belongs at home in Ireland. Her boyfriend is certain of it. Unwilling to settle down just yet, she decides to spend the summer in Boston with her college friends. But the next four months change all of them, especially Elizabeth. Quiet and dutiful at home, she surprises herself and everyone else by falling for Danny Esposito, a restless charmer with a troublesome family. Continue reading →

Going Back Blog Tour – Review

Published May 24, 2014 | By Laura

Going Back by Rachael English.

How do you know where you belong?

In June 1988, Elizabeth Kelly’s parents think she belongs at home in Ireland. Her boyfriend is certain of it. Unwilling to settle down just yet, she decides to spend the summer in Boston with her college friends. But the next four months change all of them, especially Elizabeth. Quiet and dutiful at home, she surprises herself and everyone else by falling for Danny Esposito, a restless charmer with a troublesome family.

More than 20 years later with opportunities in Ireland scarce once again, a new generation looks to America, awakening memories of a golden summer for their parents. When a crisis occurs, Elizabeth returns to Boston where she is drawn back into the life she once lived. But will she be able to reconcile the dreams of her 20-year-old self with the woman she has become?

This book interested me when I read the blurb and it was a story I got engrossed in very quickly, reading it in almost one sitting. It does jump around a little between characters but once I was used to that, I flew through it.

Elizabeth sounds a little like me when I was her age in that I was a serious person so I could relate to that. Her behaviour is a little questionable Continue reading →

Fiction Friday – When I Grow Up.

Published May 23, 2014 | By Laura

Fiction Friday

Friday 23rd May 2014 – When I Grow Up…

Fiction Friday is our weekly prompt. The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can. Once you’ve finished, don’t edit, just post in the comments box below.

Today’s prompt: We have such big imaginations as children and anything is possible. What did you want to be when you grew up? An astronaut? A fireman? A princess? Write about what would happen if you suddenly got a chance to be what you wanted to be as a child.

Continue reading →

Book News – Lindsey Kelk

Published May 22, 2014 | By Laura

What a Girl Wants is due to be released on July 17th.

It’s the latest book by Lindsey (her other books include the I Heart series,) and it’s being published by Harper. We think the cover is very pretty and we’re looking forward to reading.

About the book:

Tess Brookes was the girl with a plan. Now she’s the girl with a choice.

Should she stay in London and start her own advertising agency with her best friend and potential boyfriend Charlie? Or should she head to exciting Milan to pursue both a new career as a photographer and a new man, the enigmatic and elusive (and highly irritating) Nick?

Continue reading →

Five Writing Themed Bags

Published May 22, 2014 | By Laura

If there was one thing other than books that I love, its bags. It’s more of an obsession really. One of the things I struggle with (despite the fact that my laptop is quite small and thin,) is finding a bag that’s big enough to carry everything I need (I do tend to carry the kitchen sink too.) I’ve hunted through the internet and picked out some writer themed bags that I thought were great and most importantly, practical for all the writing stuff you may need to carry around. Which one is your favourite?

Last Term at Malory Towers Bag – £44.00

Mini Book Handbag by the Literary Gift Company.

Love this, love this, love this. It’s from their books turned into handbags range and I love them. Continue reading →

Competitions – Trisha Ashley

Published May 21, 2014 | By Laura

Win a copy of Trisha Ashley’s latest novel.

Trisha’s latest novel, Every Woman For Herself, was released by Avon on 8th May. Thanks to Trisha and Avon, we have two copies to give away.

To enter:

Comment on this post with your name and county. The closing date for entries is Monday 26th May at 23.59. Winners will then be announced on Tuesday 27th May 2014 on the Novel Kicks blog. They will be picked at random from the entrants. Winners will also be notified by e-mail within 24 hours of the winners being announced.

Good Luck.

About the book:

First comes marriage. Then comes divorce. Then it’s every woman for herself … Continue reading →

A Moment With Janey Lewis

Published May 21, 2014 | By Laura

Janey is the author of The Sweetness of Liberty James, released by The Book Guild in March 2014. Her book is about Liberty deciding to open up her own patisserie after going through a traumatic life changing event.

Today, Janey shares her five writing tips.

Only write for yourself.

Write about something you are passionate about. Books, like food, show if you put love into them.

Only write if you feel like it.

Read.

Read more.

The Sweetness of Liberty James is available to buy in hardback and e-book.

A Moment With Renita D’Silva

Published May 20, 2014 | By Laura

Renita D’ Silva

Renita D’Silva’s novel, Monsoon Memories was released in 2013 and her second novel, The Forgotten Daughter was recently released by Bookouture. Renita talks about the books that she’s read that have made an impact on her.

Oh there are so many. I am reading constantly and I try and read as variedly as I can. While writing ‘MonsoonMemories’, some of the books that made a huge impact were Julie Myerson’s ‘Something might happen’,Chimamanda Ngosi Adichie’s ‘Purple Hibiscus’, MaggieO’Farrell’s ‘The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox’ and Rose Tremain’s ‘The Road Home’.

While writing ‘The Forgotten Daughter’ I read Margaret Atwood’s ‘The Blind Assassin’ and was blown away by the sheer beauty of her prose.

The book that made a big impact on me growing up was Arundhati Roy’s ‘The God of Small Things’. I obsessed over it – the plot, her prose, her beautifully evocative descriptions, Continue reading →

Book News – Fiona Walker

Published May 19, 2014 | By Laura

Escape to the country with best-selling author, Fiona Walker.

Fiona’s previous novels include, The Love Letter, Kiss and Tell and The Summer Wedding and fans of Fiona Walker will be very pleased to hear that her new novel, The Country Escape, is due for release by Sphere on 5th June 2014. It’s available to pre-order now in paperback and e-book.

Here’s the blurb:

Hidden amid lush parkland, Eardisford is the ultimate English country retreat and it’s just been sold for the first time in its history. Romantic daredevil Kat Mason has been bequeathed the estate’s lakeside sanctuary, Lake Farm, until she dies or marries. But the new owners want her out now . . .

In rides charming playboy Dougie Everett, the man hired to sweep Kat off her feet and off the property. Dougie loves nothing more than the thrill of the chase, but does he risk losing his heart along the way?

Courses and Competitions – Writing Maps Writing Contest

Published May 19, 2014 | By Laura

Writing Maps think that good writing should be encouraged, shared and published.

Writing Maps are full of inspiration for writers. Each one contains at least 12 writing prompts and each map is beautifully illustrated. Maps available include; The Character Map, Writing People (for crowded places,) and My Writing Life.

Each month, to coincide with the launch of a new map, they hold a monthly Writing Maps Writing Contest

The challenge is to write and share a 150-word piece in response to their Prompt of the Month. This month, they launched the new box set and so, the word BOX is the prompt for May.

If you are one of the two winning entrants, Continue reading →

Novel Kicks Chats With William Thacker

Published May 19, 2014 | By Laura

Charm Offensive was published by Legend Press in March 2014.

William is an author and scriptwriter and this book is his debut novel. We chat with him about Charm Offensive, his writing rituals and his favourite word.

Can you tell us about Charm Offensive?

It’s a contemporary novel about a retired politician’s recovery from a scandal. It contains tragedy and comedy – two of my favourite bedfellows.

Which authors do you admire?

I admire many of the novelists and playwrights who are closely associated with the 1930s and 1940s – the likes of Steinbeck, Orwell and the neglected-until-recently Patrick Hamilton. I admire the moral integrity to their works which came amid economic depression and war. They had soul as well as style. I once wrote my dissertation on the great American playwrights – Arthur Miller, Eugene O’Neill and Tennessee Williams – for the same reasons.

Continue reading →

Fiction Friday – Carry On The Story…

Published May 16, 2014 | By Laura

Friday 16th May 2014 – Carry on the story.

Fiction Friday is our weekly prompt. The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can. Once you’ve finished, don’t edit, just post in the comments box below.

Today’s prompt: Carry on the story, using the following line as a starting point.

‘Miranda was sat next to Tim when she saw the article. She quickly snatched the magazine from him.’

Continue reading →

News – Film Adaptation For Second Ahern Novel

Published May 13, 2014 | By Laura

Harper Collins, 2004.

Fans of Cecelia Ahern will soon be able to see her second novel adapted for the big screen.

Love, Rosie is due for release in October. Directing is Christian Ditter and it stars Lily Collins (The Blind Side, Mirror Mirror,) as Rosie Dunne and Sam Claflin as Alex Stewart. Sam has recently starred as Finnick Odair in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

Love, Rosie is adapted from the novel, Where Rainbows End. It is about two best friends, Alex and Rosie, who have known each other since childhood but are then separated when Alex moves to America with his family. Their friendship carries on through letters and e-mails (well, in the book anyway.)

This is the second 0f Cecelia’s novels to make its way to the big screen. Her debut novel, PS, I Love You was released in 2007 with Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler in the lead roles.

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Courses and Competitions: Get going! The Writing Project Starter Kit

Published May 12, 2014 | By Laura

Give your writing project the best possible start with acclaimed writer and critic Erica Wagner and The Faber Academy.

Maybe that great idea is ready to be put down on paper or you’re in the middle of something but need some support to get it finished? Wherever you are in your writing project, over the course of five summer evenings this course will give you the equipment to take your work to the next level.

You’ll share your work with the rest of the group in a lively workshop environment, and get feedback on new writing through exercises and assignments. You’ll learn tips and tricks to get yourself started and discover tools to develop your writing. Come with your notes, chapters, or even just an idea.

The course will be 2-hour evening sessions Continue reading →

A Moment With…Michelle Scott

Published May 12, 2014 | By Laura

The author of the Lilith Straight series, talks about writing urban fantasy.

I’ve always liked books that take me away from the humdrum of everyday life and into a world of monsters and heroes, demons and angels. My first introduction to these books came in the form of my mother’s old copy of Grimm’s Fairytales. Mind you, these weren’t the sanitized, Disney versions, but the raw, scary tales. There was a murder in nearly every story. Fingers were cut off. Eyes gouged out. People were eaten…

Fun times.

Yes, I was drawn to the scariness of the stories as much as I was the incredible world of fairies and giants and talking animals. I liked to think that one day I might run across something as rare and wonderful as a magic horse or a house made of sweets. I guess, in some ways, I’m still waiting for that day.

As I matured, so did my tastes. As a teenager, I fell in love with Anne Rice’s vampire novels. Instead of dreaming about knights and princes, I started dreaming about the vampire Lestat and his friend Louis. After those books, it was Sunshine by Robin McKinley. And then Mercy Thompson and Sookie Stackhouse.

Years have passed since then, but I’m still as into the supernatural now as I ever was. Of course, I’ve upgraded to werewolves and vampires and demons, but still. The same principles apply. Scary is good and the fantastic is awesome.

Continue reading →

Veronica Henry

Published May 12, 2014 | By Laura

New novel due for release in July.

Get your suntan lotion and your bucket and spade ready. The Beach Hut Next Door is the upcoming release for Veronica Henry. She recently won the Romantic Novelists’ Association, Romantic Novel of The Year award for her book, A Night on the Orient Express.

This book is due for release by Orion on 3rd July 2014 and is available to pre-order in hardback and e-book.

Heres the blurb:

The sun is out and the beach huts at Everdene Sands are filling up once again. Jemima is artist in residence for the summer, capturing the antics of the holidaymakers on canvas. But it’s not long before she becomes embroiled in their tangled lives. Vince and Murphy are best mates, and misspent their youths in the waves and bars of Everdene. Now they are making plans for the Lobster Shack, eager to make their fortune. But Vince’s life has been touched by tragedy, Continue reading →

Fiction Friday – Observation.

Published May 9, 2014 | By Laura

Friday 9th May 2014 – Observation.

Fiction Friday is our weekly prompt. The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can. Once you’ve finished, don’t edit, just post in the comments box below. 0

Today’s prompt: Set your timer for a minute. In that minute, write down everything you notice whilst looking out your window – people you see, objects, colours. Do you have the window open? What can you smell? Write down everything that you notice within that minute. Once you’re done, start putting all of your notes into a story.

Continue reading →

Book News -Milly Johnson to release an e-book exclusive.

Published May 7, 2014 | By Laura

New e-book being released in May.

Sunday Times best-selling author, Milly Johnson, is due to release her new book, The Teashop on the Corner, in June but first, she’s releasing an e-book exclusive. It’s called Here Come the Boys. It’s available to pre-order now and is released on 22nd May 2014 by Simon & Schuster.

Here’s the blurb:

Angie Silverton and her husband are taking a much-needed holiday on the cruise ship Mermaidia, so the last person she hopes to bump into on the first night is her one-time best friend Selina and the man Selina stole from her and married twenty years ago.
And what she needs even less is to be marooned in Malaga with Selina when both of them manage to miss boarding the ship in port.
It will take three days for them to travel across Europe to catch up with the ship again in Croatia. And in the company of each other twenty-four/seven, a lot of old baggage is going to be unloaded.

WoW Creative Writing Matters Short Story Competition 2014

Published May 7, 2014 | By Laura

Could you wow with a wonderful story in one thousand words?

The people over at Creative Writing Matters are running a short story competition.

The first prize is £200, second prize is £100 and the third prize £50

There is still time to enter with the closing date being the 31st May 2014.

The entry fee is £5 through Paypal.

To enter:

In the subject line of your email, type WoW followed by the title of your story. In the body of the email type your name, contact details (postal address and phone number, mobile and/or landline) and the title of your story. Email your story as an attachment (in doc, docx, pdf or rtf format) to creativewritingmatters@virginmedia.com. Your attachment should have the same title as your story.
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A Moment With CL Taylor – Five Writing Tips

Published May 2, 2014 | By Laura

CL Taylor’s novel, The Accident, was released in April by Harper Collins.

Today, she shares with us her five tips for new writers…

1.Don’t write what you know, write about something you feel passionately about. When I wrote THE ACCIDENT I wanted to explore how an abusive relationship continues to affect the victim long after it ends. I think readers can sense when the writer feels passionately about a theme and it makes the novel a more powerful, compelling read.

2.Wait for the voice of the character to appear in your head before you write a word. It makes writing your novel a million times easier. Don’t force it, just wait. She or he will speak to you when you least expect it, just make sure you write down whatever they say as quickly as you can.

3.Don’t compare yourself to other writers or assume that they have it easy or are brimming with confidence. Published authors blog and tweet about their successes and keep their failures to themselves. I know so many authors who’ve had books rejected by their agents and their editors, even after they’ve been published to critical acclaim. EVERYONE, even multi-published and award-winning authors, feel insecure about their writing ability at some time and we all reach a certain point when writing a book where we’re utterly convinced that it’s rubbish and we should ditch it and start something new. The secret is to keep writing through those insecure periods (and stock up on chocolate and wine).

Continue reading →

Fiction Friday – Superhero School

Published May 2, 2014 | By Laura

Friday 2nd May 2014.

Fiction Friday is our weekly prompt. The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can. Once you’ve finished, don’t edit, just post in the comments box below.

Today’s prompt: You have just found out that you’ve got superhero powers and have been enrolled in superhero school. Write about your first day. What’s your power? Have you been enrolled by accident? Do you earn yourself an arch-enemy? Do you come from a family of superheroes and now have a lot to live up to?

Continue reading →

Luke Bitmead Bursary 2014

Published May 2, 2014 | By Laura

Luke Bitmead

Submissions are now being excepted for the 2014 Luke Bitmead Bursary.

This award was set up by Luke’s family shortly after his death in 2006 to support and encourage the work of fledgling novel writers and is now the UK’s biggest award for unpublished authors.

Luke Bitmead was the first novelist to be published by Legend Press. His novel White Summer was released in 2006 shortly before his death. Two novels have been published posthumously – The Body is a Temple and Heading South (co-authored by Catherine Richards).

This is the bursary’s seventh year. Previous winners include Andrew Blackman and his novel, On the Holloway Road, Ruth Dugdall and her book, The Woman Before Me, Sophie Duffy with The Generation Game, J.R. Crook and Sleeping Patterns, Joanne Graham and her novel, Lacey’s House and finally last year’s winner Jo Gatford. Her novel, White Lies was published on 1st May 2014.

The top prize is a publishing contract with Legend Press, and a £2500 bursary. Continue reading →

Book News – Get Started in Creative Writing

Published May 2, 2014 | By Laura

Teach Yourself: March 2014.

New Edition from Teach Yourself Series.

I have always been a fan of the Teach Yourself series and this new edition for getting started in Creative Writing has recently been released. It’s available in paperback and e-book. I find these books great in terms of dipping in and out of the sections where I need specific help. It’s also great as a whole for first time writers. I am looking forward to checking out this new edition.

Here’s the blurb:

Get Started in Creative Writing will help writers at the very beginning of their creative journey to gain confidence and find inspiration, and then support you in the completion of your first pieces of creative writing – a short story, a poem, a draft of a novel or screenplay. Each chapter includes a central writing exercise and four shorter ones, while key quotes, key ideas and focus points will be clearly signposted and will summarise important concepts and advice. At the heart of each chapter is a ‘Workshop’. The Workshop is a key exercise, in which you will gain a deeper insight into the craft of writing.

Continue reading →

May – Write a Letter

Published May 1, 2014 | By Laura

Writing Room is our monthly online writing group.

Each month, we post a prompt. Once you’ve written your piece, post it in the comments box below. Anyone is welcome to take part and it’s an opportunity to post work plus give and gain feedback.

May’s prompt: Write a letter from you to someone who you’re either angry or in love with. The person in question can be made up if you are worried about it being too personal. If you’re working on a novel or short story, maybe you’d prefer to write it from the point of view of your main character or a secondary character to your main character? What would you tell them? Maximum word count is 500 words.

Continue reading →

Freya North

Published May 1, 2014 | By Laura

New book due for release in June.

Freya North’s previous novels include Rumours, Chances and Pillow Talk. Her new book, The Way Back Home is due for release by HarperCollins on 19th June 2014. It will be available in Hardback and e-book.

We absolutely adore this cover and I’m looking forward to reading. What do you think of the cover?

If you can’t wait until June, a free sampler will be released for kindle on 8th May 2014 and is available for pre-order via Amazon.

About the book:

One summer, something happened that changed everything forever…

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May – The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4

Published May 1, 2014 | By Laura

Penguin: Re-issue edition, January 2012.

Book Corner is our online monthly book club.

How it works…

Anyone can take part in our book club. Every month, we pick a new book for discussion. We will post a question to kick things off and then you can talk about any of your thoughts about the book in the comments box below.

This month, our pick is The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 by Sue Townsend. It was the first book in her brilliant series about teenager, Adrian Mole.

About the book:

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ is the first book in Sue Townsend’s brilliantly funny Adrian Mole series.

Friday January 2nd Continue reading →

News -Harper Lee

Published May 1, 2014 | By Laura

Mockingbird to be made available for e-readers.

In a rare public statement, Harper Lee has announced that her iconic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, will be available to buy as an e-book for the first time. Due for release on 8th July, it will also be available in downloadable audiobook.

Harper Lee announced the news on Monday, her 88th birthday in a statement released through her publisher, HarperCollins. She said, “I’m still old-fashioned. I love dusty old books and libraries. I am amazed and humbled that Mockingbird has survived this long. This is Mockingbird for a new generation.”

The Pulitzer prize winning novel was first released in 1960 and was later adpated into a movie. The novel has sold more than thirty million copies.

Literary Fact of the Day

Published May 1, 2014 | By Laura

Thursday 1st May.

Joseph Heller, the author of Catch-22 was born on this day in 1923. He was born in Brooklyn, New York. His book, Catch-22 was published by Simon & Schuster in 1961.

Of Love and Other Wars Competition Winners

Published April 29, 2014 | By Laura

Thank you to all who entered our two competitions to win a copy of Of Love and Other Wars by Sophie Hardach.

Well done to Victoria, Katherine, Aly, Carol, Janet, Maggie, MCM, Tamalyn, Phamie and Doug. You’ve all won a copy of the book and a poster of the book cover. You will all be contacted via e-mail in the next 24 hours.

About the book:

At a rally in the Royal Albert Hall, two Quaker brothers, Paul and Charlie Lamb, sign a pledge of peace that only one of them will honour. Meanwhile, in a draughty Victorian mansion in Hampstead, Mr. Morningstar wonders why his wife, a crystallographer from dynasty of diamond cutters, turns into a cursing somnambulist at night, while their daughter, Miriam, comes home from her shifts at the munitions factory with her stockings inside out. As the streets throng with khaki, the Lambs and the Morningstars must decide how to do good in a world transformed by evil. Should a scientist use her skills to maximise civilian casualties? Should a Quaker stand by as millions are murdered? And is it possible to LAOW Posterlove someone if you hate their convictions? When the two families are torn apart by war, Paul is forced to choose between his conscience and the woman he loves.

Flash Competition: Of Love and Other Wars

Published April 29, 2014 | By Laura

Of Love and Other Wars – seven more copies still to win.

THIS IS NOW CLOSED

Thanks to Sophie and the lovely people at Simon and Schuster, we still have seven copies of, Of Love and Other Wars, to give away. As well as the book, each winner will also receive a poster of the stunning book cover.

About the book:

At a rally in the Royal Albert Hall, two Quaker brothers, Paul and Charlie Lamb, sign a pledge of peace that only one of them will honour. Meanwhile, in a draughty Victorian mansion in Hampstead, Mr. Morningstar wonders why his wife, a crystallographer from dynasty of diamond cutters, turns into a cursing somnambulist at night, while their daughter, Miriam, comes home from her shifts at the munitions factory with her stockings inside out. As the streets throng with khaki, the Lambs and the Morningstars must decide how to do good in a world transformed by evil. Should a scientist Continue reading →

Victoria Fox

Published April 29, 2014 | By Laura

Victoria is the author of Temptation Island, Hollywood Sinners and Wicked Ambition.

We chat to Victoria about her ideal dinner guests, her favourite author and her approach to writing.

What’s your writing style like?

Bonkbusters should have a great sense of humour and fun, and be a bit tongue-in-cheek, so that’s what I aim for. My characters are larger than life and get up to some seriously outrageous antics, so I try to keep my writing light and funny to accommodate this. All the bonkbusters I read as a teenager – Jackie Collins, Jilly Cooper, Shirley Conran – have influenced my style. The thing I love best about these women is how ballsy and brave they are. I don’t want my sex scenes to be watered down or uninspired – they have to be confident, assured and blazing-hot!

Are you working on anything at the moment that you can tell us about?

I’m finishing the final draft of my new book POWER GAMES, which is published July 2014. This one’s about seven celebrities who fall victim to a shocking revenge plot: their private jet gets sabotaged and they must fight for survival in the Borneo jungle! It’s my most ambitious novel to date and I’m very excited.

Who is your favourite author? Continue reading →

Book News – Julie Cohen

Published April 29, 2014 | By Laura

Cohen’s new book due for release in July.

We love Julie Cohen and can’t wait for her new novel. It’s called Where Love Lies and it’s due for release by Bantam Press on 31st July 2014 in hardback and e-book.

About the book:

Lately, Felicity just can’t shake the shadow of uncertainty that has pervaded her life. Her husband Quinn is the kindest person she knows and loves her peculiarities more than Felicity feels she deserves. But suddenly it’s as if she doesn’t quite belong.

Then Felicity experiences something extraordinary: a scent of perfume in the air that evokes memories and feelings that have been settled deep within her for a long time, untouched and undisturbed. As it happens again and then again, the memories of a man Felicity hasn’t seen for ten years also flutter to the surface. And so do the feelings of being deeply, exquisitely in love…

Which would you trust: your head or your heart?

A Seaside Affair Blog Tour – We Chat To Fern Britton

Published April 26, 2014 | By Laura

Photo: David Locke at Headshot London

A Seaside Affair by Fern Britton was released by HarperCollins on 24th April.

We are very pleased to welcome Fern and her blog tour to Novel Kicks. We had a chat about her book, the fictional character she’d like to meet and her advice for writers.

Can you tell us about A Seaside Affair?

A SEASIDE AFFAIR is my new novel, out on the 24th April, and it’s all about the theatre. The Pavilions theatre in Trevay specifically, which is the fictional Cornish village I write about, based on the real village of Padstow. Left to rack and ruin, not supported by the local people or the local council, it’s on the brink of closure, until a giant coffee chain step in and prepare to buy it. Of course, the community quickly rallies round and a host of villagers decide it’s worth saving! Actors and celebrities descend on the town, and there are affairs, flings, misunderstandings – lots of fun. I was partly inspired by my tour last year with Strictly Come Dancing. I used to be a stage manager myself in the 70s, and when I was on tour I spent a lot of time with the stage management crew, sharing stories about all the scandals that went on, and thinking, yes, I want to write about the theatre next!

Who has been your favourite character to write?

My favourite character – and it’s hard to choose them – Continue reading →

The Seaside Affair Blog Tour: Review

Published April 26, 2014 | By Laura

A Seaside Affair by Fern Britton.

We’re happy to welcome Fern to our blog today with her blog tour for her new novel, A Seaside Affair.

The Blurb:

When the residents of the Cornish seaside town of Trevay discover that their much-loved theatre is about to be taken over by coffee chain, Café au Lait, they are up in arms. It is up to Penny Leighton, hotshot producer and now happily married Cornish resident, to come up with a rescue plan. Armed with only her mobile phone and her contacts book, she starts to pull in some serious favours.

The town is soon deluged by actors, all keen to show their support and take part in a charity season at the theatre. One of the arrivals is Jess Tate, girlfriend to TV heartthrob Ryan Hearst. His career is on the rise while hers remains resolutely in the doldrums. But when opportunity comes calling, it isn’t just her career prospects that are about to change. Trevay is about to put on the show of its life – but can the villagers, and Jess, hold on to the thing they love the most?

This book was my introduction to Fern Britton’s novels and so I didn’t know what to expect. I did also read that there were recurring characters from her previous books but as I discovered, you don’t need to have read the previous novels to keep up with this one. All the old characters are reintroduced in a concise way without holding the plot up. Continue reading →

Planning

Published April 25, 2014 | By Laura

Right, that’s the easy part over; coming up with the title of this Blog entry. So let me tell you why this is going to be my subject. As you will know if you’ve been following me, I’ve now finished my latest book and am in the process of going through an intense edit. Well, I was discussing it with a work colleague and friend at the end of last week and I asked him, “What did you think of that bit in the last chapter?” ‘What bit was that?”

You know that sinking feeling? You got it! When I came up with the idea for this book and was fortunately able to come up with the ending too, I came up with something that was a “MUST”. It would clearly show evidence of closure for my heroine’s journey. So, opening up the file again, I started reading but the closer I got to the end the deeper the feeling became in my stomach. Sure enough, guess what didn’t make it in. Okay, this will obviously be included when I get around to this chapter, but does this mean something?

Have I subconsciously left it out because Continue reading →

Fiction Friday – Transportation

Published April 25, 2014 | By Laura

Friday 25th April 2014.

Fiction Friday is our weekly writing prompt. The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can. Once you’ve finished, don’t edit, just post in the comments below.

Fiction Friday

Today’s prompt: You are transported into your favourite book or movie. Which character are you? What changes in the story now you are there? Do you alter something significant?

Continue reading →

Cover Reveal – Tracy Buchanan

Published April 25, 2014 | By Laura

The Atlas of Us by Tracy Buchanan

The debut novel from Tracy Buchanan is due for release by Avon on 31st July 2014. We are very excited to be amongst the first to reveal the cover for Tracy’s novel. We think this cover is beautiful. What do you think?

About the book:

The Atlas of Us is about family, loss, resilience, reconciliation and hope…

When Louise Fenton flies to Thailand to find her mother, Nora, after the Boxing Day tsunami, she fears the worst when the only trace she can find is her mother’s distinctive bag. In the bag is a beautifully crafted atlas owned by travel journalist Claire Shreve, Continue reading →