Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: The Lost Person
Welcome to Fiction Friday, our weekly flash fiction challenge.
Here’s how it works:
Set a timer for five minutes and start writing
Keep going for as long as you can once the timer goes off
No editing allowed—raw writing only
When you’re finished, feel free to share in the comments (but there’s no pressure.)
Today’s prompt: The Lost Person.
Your character is channel surfing and land on a channel that doesn’t appear in the guide.
It’s showing live footage of somewhere ordinary—a street, a café, a park.
Suddenly, your character recognises someone in the crowd.
Someone from their past who has been missing for years.
Who is this person? What relationship did your character have with this person?
Continue the story.
by 
Novel Kicks Book Club: Every Summer After By Carley Fortune
Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Book Club.
It’s July. Halfway through the year. Summer is definitely on its way which hopefully means some lazy moments and a chance to read in the sun. All you need is a book. I have just the one for you.
I am so intrigued by the premise of this novel. It promises romance, emotional moments and two interesting main characters. I can’t wait to start, and I hope you’ll be joining me.
This month’s pick is Every Summer After by Carley Fortune.
So, how does our book club work?
Whether you’ve already read the book or will be starting it this month, all are welcome. The added bonus of our book club is that you don’t have to leave the comfort of your sofa/garden/terrace/bed to take part. I’ve added a question below to start the discussion.
I’ll see you in the comments.
About Every Summer After –
Six summers to fall in love. One moment to fall apart. A weekend to get it right.
They say you can never go home again, and for Persephone Fraser that has felt too true for the last decade, ever since she made the biggest mistake of her life. Instead of glittering summers on the lakeshore of her childhood, she spends them in a stylish apartment in the city, going out with friends, and keeping everyone a safe distance from her heart.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Reflection
Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room and the Plot Challenge.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been focusing on plotting a piece of fiction, one task at a time. Today marks the final task.
I’m hoping that, over the last few weeks, these writing exercises have helped you master plot structure by writing all major plot points, then analysing how each element builds toward a cohesive story. All the previous tasks are listed below.
The final task – Reflection.
Your task today is to write a final reflection on your story and on the process. Try to write 300-500 words. Consider the following –
- What did you learn about plot structure from writing this story?
- Which section was hardest to write? Why?
- What surprised you about how the story developed?
- If you were to write this story again, what would you do differently?
- What’s one “plot rule” you’ve learnt from this exercise?
Here are links to the previous tasks –
Click to view the story conception task from week 1.
Click to view the inciting incident task from week 2.
Click to view the rising action task from week 3.
Click to view the midpoint task from week 4.
Click to view the climax task from week 5.
Click to view the resolution task from week 6.
Click to view the assembly task from week 7.
Click to view the anaylsis task from week 8.
Click to view the revision task from week 9.
I really hope you’ve gained from this plot challenge and that you’ve enjoyed it.
by Book Extract: A Blighter is Bumped Off By Helen Golden
I’m very happy to be welcoming Helen Golden back to Novel Kicks. She’s here with the blog tour for her book, A Blighter is Bumped Off.
The only thing worse than a persistent suitor? A dead one on your lawn.
London, 1892. Alice, Duchess of Stortford, has returned to town determined to enjoy her first Season as a wealthy widow. But instead of balls, flirtation, and whispered gossip, she finds herself besieged by ambitious bachelors—none more persistent than the insufferably smooth-talking Miles Fonthill. When Alice firmly refuses his sudden proposal, she assumes the matter is settled.
Instead, he turns up dead in her garden.
The police are happy to call it a tragic accident. Alice is less convinced.
Why was Miles climbing over her garden wall in the middle of the night? Why had he become so determined to win her favour? And what did he really want?
As Alice begins to dig into Miles’ final days, her search leads her into the glittering heart of London society, where old loyalties run deep, secrets are guarded fiercely, and reputation matters more than truth. But when whispers of the mysterious Order of the Golden Key begin circling dangerously close to her own late husband’s name, Alice realises this death may be far more complicated than one unwelcome suitor meeting an unfortunate end.
And if someone is willing to kill to keep their secrets…this Season may prove positively deadly.
Perfect for fans of feisty female sleuths, Victorian High Society, and secret scandals, all served with a dash of humour and a cup of tea.
Helen has shared an extract from A Blighter is Bumped Off with us today. Grab that comfortable chair, a cup of whatever you fancy, a snack and enjoy.
*****beginning of extract*****
In this opening scene, Alice, Duchess of Stortford, is enjoying a quiet afternoon at Darby House when one of her more persistent admirers, Miles Fonthill, decides the time has come to propose. Unfortunately for him, Alice has very different plans for her future…
*****
“I understand that you are still technically in mourning,” Miles said, his voice softening to a tone that she supposed was meant to convey respect but somehow missed the mark. His fingers moved to the signet ring on his right hand, turning it idly as he spoke. “But soon you will be required to rejoin society fully, and a woman of your standing needs a husband by her side.”
by Book Extract: Me Too By Katharine Light
I’m very excited to be welcoming Katharine Light to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Me Too.
Nearly forty, Anna has a successful career, a long-term relationship, and a carefully maintained sense of independence. But as time begins to run out, one question becomes impossible to ignore. What if she’s left it too late for the one thing she truly wants—a baby?
Divorced journalist Rob keeps his life free from complications. But when he runs into Anna at a friend’s wedding, he’s caught off guard. The girl he remembers is gone, replaced by a woman who is impossible to ignore.
When Anna makes him an offer, it’s one he can’t quite believe. No strings. No expectations. Just one simple arrangement.
It should be straightforward.
But the closer they become, the harder it is to stay detached. What begins as a practical plan deepens into something far more tender and much more dangerous.
If Anna allows herself to hope, she could lose not only her dream of motherhood, but the one man who has begun to feel like home.
Now Rob has a choice. Walk away…or risk everything for the woman he was not supposed to fall for.
Because some arrangements were never meant to stay temporary.
Katharine has kindly shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy.
*****beginning of extract*****
This book focuses on the story of Anna and Rob, teenage friends who meet again at the wedding of mutual friends Jess and Sam. This section is told from Anna’s point of view, during the reception. She’s there with her boyfriend Jon, although he’s chatting to other guests. Rob (a high profile journalist) has suggested a walk, away from the guests, after Anna (successful clothes designer) broke down when her five-year-old goddaughter gave her a hug. The yearning for a child of her own sometimes blindsides her….
*****
‘…What about you? Business good?’
‘That’s interesting?’ She moved away.
Rob followed in long, easy strides. ‘Sure it is. I have a colleague who is the very proud owner of one of your black jackets. She says it’s one of the best investments she’s ever made.’
‘Don’t joke.’
‘Scout’s honour.’
by Book Club
