January 2016 Book Club: The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler
Anyone is welcome to join in our monthly online book club.
How it works…
We love books and we love chatting about them even more. 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. The best thing about our book club is that EVERYONE CAN TAKE PART. It’s open to all. You can read the book at any point in the month or if you’ve already read it, tell us what you think.
With it being December, this month’s book is: The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler.
About the book:
Six people – five women and a man – meet once a month in California’s Central Valley to discuss Jane Austen’s novels. They are ordinary people, neither happy nor unhappy, but each of them is wounded in different ways, they are all mixed up about their lives and relationships. Over the six months they meet, marriages are tested, affairs begin, unsuitable arrangements become suitable – under the guiding eye of Jane Austen a couple of them even fall in love…
by 
Blog Tour: Winner of the Paula Brackston Novel Set
To celebrate the release of her new novel, Paula Brackston and Little Brown have given me a set of novels to give away to one lucky winner, her latest, The Silver Witch was released on 3rd December 2015. Click here to read my review.
Congratulations to Sally Jenkins who has won the set of four novels from Paula Brackston.
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About the books:
The Witches Daughter:
An enthralling tale of modern witch Bess Hawksmith, a fierce independent woman. Desperate to escape her cursed history, she must first confront the evil witch who has haunted her for centuries.
by Blog Tour: Win a set of Paula Brackston Novels…
To celebrate the release of her new novel, Paula Brackston and Little Brown have given me a set of novels to give away to one lucky winner, her latest, The Silver Witch was released on 3rd December 2015. Click here to read my review.
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If you fancy winning some books to read over the festive period or you think a friend or family member would enjoy these books, we are giving away one gift set.
This gift set includes The Witches Daughter, The Winter Witch, The Midnight Witch and The Silver Witch.
The Witches Daughter:
An enthralling tale of modern witch Bess Hawksmith, a fierce independent woman. Desperate to escape her cursed history, she must first confront the evil witch who has haunted her for centuries.
The Winter Witch:
In her small Welsh town, there is no one quite like Morgana. She has not spoken a word out loud since she was a child, and her silence – as well as the magic she can’t quite control – makes her an oddity, a magnet for rumour, mystery . . . and resentment. Concerned for Morgana’s safety, her mother arranges for Morgana to marry Cai Jenkins, the widower from the far hills who knows nothing of the nasty things folk say about her daughter. It isn’t long before a dark force makes itself known – a force which will stop at nothing to turn everyone against her.
The Midnight Witch:
Lady Lilith Montgomery is the daughter of the sixth Duke of Radnor. She is one of the most beautiful young women in London and engaged to the city’s most eligible bachelor. She is also a witch. When her father dies, her hapless brother Freddie takes on his title. But it is Lilith who inherits their father’s role as Head Witch of the Lazarus Coven. And it is Lilith who must face the threat of the Sentinels, a powerful group of dark sorcerers . . .
The Silver Witch:
One year after artist Tilda Forwells loses her husband, she is finally ready to move into the secluded Welsh cottage they were meant to be sharing together. In the valley below her mountain home is a mystical lake which inspires a strange energy in her. She starts to experience potent dreams, visions, presentiments which all lead her to Seren, the witch and shaman who legend has it lived on this lakeshore in Celtic times. As Tilda explores the lake’s powers and her own, her connection to Seren grows stronger. And when she comes under grave threat, she must rely on Seren and this ancient magic to save her.
How to enter:
by Blog Tour: The Silver Witch by Paula Brackston
One year after artist Tilda Forwells loses her husband, she is finally ready to move into the secluded Welsh cottage they were meant to be sharing together.
In the valley below her mountain home is a mystical lake which inspires a strange energy in her. She starts to experience potent dreams, visions, presentiments which all lead her to Seren, the witch and shaman who legend has it lived on this lakeshore in Celtic times.
As Tilda explores the lake’s powers and her own, her connection to Seren grows stronger. And when she comes under grave threat, she must rely on Seren and this ancient magic to save her.
I was very happy to be asked to take part in the blog tour for Paula Brackston’s new novel, The Silver Witch. I had not read any of Paula’s previous novels so I was not sure what to expect. I was very intrigued by the description of this book.
The cover of this book is so beautiful. Bravo to the cover designers.
Paula’s style of writing drew me into the story straight away. With it being the third book in the Shadow Chronicles, I was a little worried that I wouldn’t know what was going on but it can be very easily read as a standalone novel. The description of the setting and characters are so lovely and vivid and is so atmospheric. I could really feel myself being pulled into the novel. It is also set around Christmas so reading it under the light of my Christmas tree really helped with the atmosphere (when reading Tilda’s chapters anyway.)
Books that combine history and fantasy appeal to me and so I couldn’t stop reading this book. The story is told from the perspective of two women.
by My Favourite Christmas Books
Christmas, hands down has got to be my most favourite time of the year. I love singing all the Christmas carols and songs, an excuse to watch Christmas films (I know these are cheesy but my Christmas is not complete without Santa Claus: The Movie, The Holiday, The Snowman and Love Actually) and I adore getting a real tree and decorating the house. Christmas just makes me smile.
What I also love is being able to pull out all of my favourite Christmas books. There is nothing I like more on a cold, festive feeling evening than to snuggle up in my chair with warm jumpers and socks, a cup of hot chocolate and a festive smelling candle and read one of my favourite, festive themed books. I wanted to share some of my favourites with you.
The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Anderson (Jerry Pinkney)
I can remember first reading this at school and even then, I couldn’t get over how incredibly sad this story is. It’s certainly a reminder of all we have to be grateful for and not just for his time of year too. Whenever I read this book I end up crying (it never fails.)
This wonderful story is an ageless chronicle of a young girl struggling to stay warm on New Year’s Eve using the very matches she is supposed to be selling to earn money for her family. With each strike of a match the little girl sees wonderful things in the flames which warm both her heart and soul.
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs.
This story never fails to put a smile on my face. It is just classic and timeless and it is a book that has been a part 
of my Christmas since I can remember. Whenever I see anything to do with the Snowman, I just launch into Walking in the Air in my head. To me, this story is amazing. I love it and if I am ever lucky to have children, it is one I look forward to sharing with them too.
One winter’s night, a snowman comes to life and an unforgettable adventure begins. Raymond Briggs’ favourite classic is a true piece of Christmas magic – narrated entirely through pictures, it captures the wonder and innocence of childhood and is now recognised throughout the world.
by My Writing Ramblings: Reflections on National Novel Writing Month 2015
Wow. We’ve reached December. My countdown to Christmas has begun. My Christmas Card list has been made (and they sit on the side waiting to be done.) I have my beautiful Christmas tree up (nothing like a real one) and I can legitimately sing Christmas songs without getting funny looks from people (well, kind of. My singing is terrible.)
This time of the year also means that National Novel Writing Month is once again over for another year. I always have a mixture of emotion when I finish NaNoWriMo. On the one hand, I am relived and pleased that it is done. 1,667 words a day is a lot to commit to and it is easier said than done to reach on a daily basis when all you want to do is curl up and sleep or have family commitments or in my case, a holiday. On the other hand though, I am sad it is over. By now, I am in the bubble of the NaNoWriMo thing. I have got into the swing of my story. It is around now that I am past the moments where I have found it hard going and the threat of my laptop meeting my wall have been temporarily suspended.
by Writing Room: Helping Out
Tuesday 1st December 2015:
Today’s prompt:
Your character works for a secret agency and has a secret identity to match. As a favour, they agree to pretend to be someone’s love interest to help them out at a family gathering and it all gets a little out of hand. What happens? Does the identity of your character get revealed?
by December’s Book Club: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Vintage Children’s Classics, Reprint Ed. August 2012
Book Corner is our monthly online book club. Anyone can join.
How it works…
We love books and we love chatting about them even more. 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. The best thing about our book club is that EVERYONE CAN TAKE PART. It’s open to all. You can read the book at any point in the month or if you’ve already read it, tell us what you think.
With it being December, this month’s book is: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.
About the book:
by Bella’s Scribblings: Running Off A Novel
If you a regular reader of Bella’s Scribblings (firstly – thank you and secondly apologies for any nasty side-effects) you may be aware of my custard cream addiction and fondness for all things cake and chocolate. As I writer I spend a lot of time sat on my backside, which can have frightening consequences for your derriere – the wonderful Jane Wenham-Jones talks eloquently about the curse of Writer’s Bottom in her ‘How to be a Writer’ books.
It doesn’t take a genius to work out that the combination of custard creams and sat on my bum for hours on end does not bode well for the future of my physique. After a particularly good Easter, where copious amounts of chocolate was consumed, I decided I should start doing some exercise. When the laughter had died down I explained that I was serious about it and started to investigate my options.
I embarked on the NHS Choices Couch to 5k program where you start off slowly and gradually increase the amount of time you run for with each session. In total it was only 30 mins each time, but even that small amount of time is tricky to find some days. At first I wondered what the point of this despicable torture was – my lungs sounded like the Hogwarts Express and felt like someone had set off a couple of fireworks in there, my leg muscles were agony and my face was a shade of red never before discovered. Continue reading
by Writing Room: Identity Crisis
Tuesday 17th November 2015: Identity Crisis.
Today’s Prompt:
Your character works as a waiter/waitress in a small greasy spoon in the middle of a busy town. They have no family and only a small group of friends. However, one day a stranger walks into the cafe. They look identical to your main character. Write in third person. Try to write mostly in dialogue. Continue…
by My Writing Ramblings: The Second Week Block
I’m nearly through the second week of NaNoWriMo 2015. It’s inevitable in a challenge like this that at some point, I was going to lose a little bit of motivation to carry on and eventually my will to live. It happens every year and usually around the halfway mark.
This is why I love the NaNo community. Everyone is so supportive and other people will be having the same thoughts as me (or similar thoughts; mine include locking my laptop in my car so I don’t have to see it and then retreating to my duvet, hiding and not coming out for a few days.)
It’s also usually around now that I begin to question why the hell I put myself through this every year. It’s not as though I am being forced to do this. I could just quit and not get myself stressed.
However, I do this because I love to write, I love the challenge. I love it because some of my best friends also take part and write ins are fun. I do it because I couldn’t imagine my November without it.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Another Unlucky Day
Friday 13th November 2015: Another unlucky day
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 box below.
Today’s prompt:
It is Friday 13th and for some, that is unlucky. How about if your character has to keep reliving it but for every mistake he sees coming, another one soon takes its place. Nothing is the same. Why does he keep repeating the day and what does he have to do to escape it?
by Quick Spotlight/Review: Everyday by David Levithan
Egmont, August 2013
Every day I am someone else.
I am myself – I know I am myself – but I am also someone else.
It has always been like this.
Each morning, A wakes up in a different body. There’s never any warning about who it will be, but A is used to that. Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.
And that’s fine – until A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with – every day . . .
I did not know what to expect when I picked up this book. I found the blurb for it very intriguing. A wakes up in a different body, in a new location every day. He has no say in where he goes, who he becomes. He is only there a day and he moves on. It’s his consciousness but a stranger’s body. This was such a great idea to me. I wish I had come up with it.
I find the idea that this kid has a say in people’s lives but doesn’t get to stick around to see the result of his decisions in that one day fascinating. How a decision he makes can affect the person he is ‘visiting.’ Also, I would have loved to know where these people go when they have been replaced by A.
by Writing Room: A Nice Event
Tuesday 10th November 2015.
Today’s prompt:
There are many stories that begin with an unpleasant thing or event. How about beginning your story with a nice event? Maybe your character sees someone they have been excited to see? Maybe someone gains something they’ve always wanted? Pick a nice event and write from there. Once you’ve finished, have a read through? Did your story remain nice or did something bad or sinister happen?
by My October Favourites
I can’t believe we’re into the second week of November. Christmas is next month! I know I am a little late off the mark but I wanted to share some of my October favourites.
Composition Book from Knock Knock.
I love the stationary from Knock Knock. They are the company that usually do all of the cute sticky to do pads with little funny sayings on them. This book was kindly sent to me from the guys over at Chronicle Books. This is part of a little series. As well as the purple one which is the important topics notebook, they do a pink one titled the funny one and a blue one too titled, hyper organised so you can pick the one that suits your personality the best. I’ve always loved the look of the composition books that I used to see on TV shows like Degrassi Junior High and films like Struck by Lightening and now I have one (almost.)
Santa’s Little Melter Candle.
I light a lot of candles. If I am at home, you can usually find a candle lit in the room I’ve decided to hang out in. This is the Santa’s Little Helper candle from Bomb Cosmetics. I originally got one of these last year for my birthday. I fell so in love with the scent that I had to buy another one. It’s such a lovely, sweet scent and reminds me of all the sweetie goodness of Christmas (it has a little cinnamon in it I think.) Along with this one, I am also loving the Berry Trifle candle from Yankie Candle. So many lovely candles, so little time to burn them.
by My Writing Ramblings: Reaching That Word Goal
I am almost at the end of the first week of National Novel Writing Month. I can’t believe a week has nearly passed already. From experience, I know how hard NaNoWriMo can be. To make 50,000 words by 30th November, it is recommended that you reach 1,667 words per day. It sounds easy and some days, when the writing gods are in your favour, it can be as simple as sitting down, typing and getting to 1,667 in no time at all. However, if you’re like me, more often than not, it doesn’t work that way.
Don’t get me wrong, some days are better than others. However, during NaNoWriMo, I have to really fight to keep my inner critic at bay so it sometimes takes me longer to get to my word count than it should. The further I get into the month, this becomes less than a problem but it has taken me a few days to lock my inner critic away and to let the first draft breathe.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: A Picture Paints…
Friday 6th November 2015: A Picture Paints….
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 box below.
Today’s prompt:
Use the picture for a story. What does the picture inspire? Maybe your character is meeting someone?
Maybe whenever they take a step forward, the horizon seems to stay at the same distance and everything depends on them getting to the other end?
Where is this? Has your character travelled far to be here?
Have they just appeared here out of nowhere and people surrounding them think they are magic or are they scared of them?
Has your character travelled back in time?
What you choose is up to you. Just have fun.
by Review: The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
Bloomsbury, April 2014.
EVEN A DREAMER CAN START A REVOLUTION
Nineteen-year-old Paige Mahoney works in the criminal underworld of Scion London. Her job: to scout for information by breaking into people’s minds. For Paige is a dreamwalker, a clairvoyant and, in the world of Scion, she commits treason simply by breathing.
This book took me a few chapters to get into. I had to fight a little to stick with it but once I got into the swing of the story, I was hooked. I suggest that you do stay with it if you are also struggling as it does eventually find its feet. There is simply a lot of information to begin with – I found it hard to keep up with who was who and who could do what (there is a glossary at the beginning of the book.)
Once I did get into the story, I found it completely compelling. Paige is an interesting heroine. After being taken after committing a crime, her secret is revealed as the group holding her find out she is one of the most powerful clairvoyants. I got a Hunger Games/Harry Potter vibe from it. There are a few twists and turns to keep you guessing as to what is going to happen to the characters.
by My Favourite Books: The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
One of the books that will always be in my top ten would be The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella. This was the first book that not only introduced me to Sophie Kinsella, it introduced us all to Becky Bloomwood – a love, for me that has spanned nearly a decade now.
First of all, the cover is pink. Pink is my favourite colour.
I adore this book. The main reason I like this book series is that I love Becky. She is my kind of heroine. She is not perfect. She has her faults and weaknesses and real problems that are incredibly relatable. She doesn’t always learn by her mistakes on the first go around but her heart is in the right place.
The books are full of humour, awkward moments and lovely scenes too. Luke is a great hero and he loves Becky. It is all very romantic.
by Writing Room: Finding Inspiration Prompt
Tuesday 3rd November 2015:
Today’s prompt:
Find some magazines or go through some online news sites/magazines. Cut out or save any pictures or stories that catch your eye and inspire you. Once you’ve got a few, go through and pick three of the articles/pictures that most inspire you. Try and include these three things in a short story.
by Christmas Themed Books Spotlight
One of the things I love most about this time of year is that when I am taking part in National Novel Writing Month, it has become my countdown to Christmas. It is my favourite time of the year. October and November’s arrival also means that there are all the new Christmas book releases. I love the Christmas themed stories and the beautiful Christmassy covers. This year is no exception and I wanted to share some of the Christmas themed stories I am looking forward to reading this year.
Notting Hill Press, October 2015
Festive Feast by Michele Gorman.
I love this woman’s books and adore her Christmas themed books especially. They never fail to put me in a festive mood. What I love about this year is that her publisher, Notting Hill Press have released a three book bundle called Festive Feast which means you can get three of Michele’s christmas books in electronic form for less than £2.50 which I think is a bargain. I have read Twelve Days to Christmas and loved it and am looking forward to reading the other two in the bundle.
The Reluctant Elf: Meet Britain’s Worst Innkeeper… Single mother and extremely undomestic goddess, Lottie, has five days to become the ultimate B&B hostess to save her beloved Aunt Kate’s livelihood.
Christmas Carol: One winter wedding, two happy couples, three ex-boyfriends. And a very uncomfortable weekend… Carol hates Christmas. Being recently dumped, she’s not crazy about weddings either. So her sister Marley’s nuptials, over the Christmas weekend, with her three exes, are making her positively Scrooge-like.
Twelve Days to Christmas: What if his proposal had an expiration date? In twelve days Hannah flies from Hong Kong to the US with Sam, where he’s finally going to meet her parents… and ask to marry her. The problem is, she feels panicky every time she contemplates matrimony. Which is perfectly normal, isn’t it? Isn’t it?! She has no idea but she’s got to find out before he pops the question…
by November’s Book Club: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Book Corner is our monthly online book club. Anyone can join.
How it works…
We love books and we love chatting about them even more. 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. The best thing about our book club is that EVERYONE CAN TAKE PART. It’s open to all. You can read the book at any point in the month or if you’ve already read it, tell us what you think.
This month, our pick is: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor.
About the book…
Errand requiring immediate attention. Come.
The note was on vellum, pierced by the talons of the almost-crow that delivered it. Karou read the message. ‘He never says please’, she sighed, but she gathered up her things.
When Brimstone called, she always came.
by My Writing Ramblings: My NaNoWriMo Survival Kit
This will make the fifth year that I have taken part in National Novel Writing Month (2015’s event kicks off tomorrow.) Whilst there are many moments within the thirty days where I want to scream, lift my desk and throw it over whilst also throwing my laptop out the window whilst screaming “Laura smash,’ hulk style, there is nothing like that feeling when you reach and pass the 50,000 word target and feel incredibly proud of yourself for doing so.
For people who don’t know what National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is, it’s a 30 day writing challenge. 50,000 words, 30 days. It’s all about getting the words down in any shape or form and telling your inner writing critic to go away for a while. It can be hard work but it can be really fun and there is a lovely online community attached to it too.
As usual though, in true Laura style, I have left everything to the last minute. I have been frantically trying to get all my planning done and get the things together that I need for my NaNoWriMo survival kit.
My computer, notebook, loads of pens and pencils.
This is a must for my NaNoWriMo. I do mostly type straight onto the computer (using Scrivener,) but sometimes, it does help me to have a notebook nearby for when I need a change of scenery or when I can’t use my laptop.
My NaNo Plan.
I find I am needing to know where I am going with a story, especially during November. There is so little time in the month to get to 50,000 words that I need to have a clear idea of where I want the story to go so I don’t get stuck and waste time.
by Competitions: See Me by Nicholas Sparks Winner
To celebrate the release of See Me, Sphere and Nicholas Sparks gave me one signed copy of See Me to give away to one lucky winner.
Well done to Donna Caldwell who was picked at random and has won the signed copy.
About the book:
Colin Hancock is giving his second chance his best shot.
At twenty-eight, he’s focused on getting his teaching degree and avoiding all the places and people that proved so destructive in his past. The last thing he’s looking for is a serious relationship. But when he crosses paths with Maria Sanchez one rainswept night, his carefully structured life is turned upside down. And when Maria, a hardworking lawyer, meets Colin she begins to question every notion she has ever had about herself and her future – and what truly makes her happy.
Before the couple has a chance to envision a life together, menacing reminders from events in Maria’s past begin to surface. And as the threat of violence begins to shadow her every step, she and Colin will be pushed to breaking point.
by A Moment With… David Nicholls.
Wordsworth Editions, New Ed: Dec 1993
Penguin Classics, January 2003
As part of Booktober, one of the books I’ve been reading is Us by David Nicholls. We asked David the following question: if he were only allowed to own three books, which three would he pick? Here are his choices…
The first would be a Dickens – if not a single volume complete works then ‘Bleak House’, his masterpiece, a great, brilliant, rich and endlessly complex novel that’s also endlessly moving.
The story is told partly by the novel’s heroine, Esther Summerson, and partly by an omniscient narrator. Memorable characters include haughty Lady Honoria Dedlock, the menacing lawyer Tulkinghorn, the realistic John Jarndyce, and the childish and disingenuous Harold Skimpole, as well as the imprudent Richard Carstone. At the novel’s centre is long-running litigation Jarndyce and Jarndyce, which has far-reaching consequences for all involved. This case revolves around a testator who apparently made several wills. Dickens’ satirization of the English judicial system is based in part on his own experiences as a law clerk, and in part on his experiences as a litigant seeking to enforce copyright on his earlier books.
Secondly, I’d probably go for Shakespeare’s complete works, including the sonnets.
Finally, Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, simply because I’ve never read it and always pretend that I have.
by Competitions: Win a Signed Copy of See Me by Nicholas Sparks
To celebrate the release of See Me, Sphere and Nicholas Sparks have given me one signed copy of See Me to give away to one lucky winner.
About the book:
Colin Hancock is giving his second chance his best shot.
At twenty-eight, he’s focused on getting his teaching degree and avoiding all the places and people that proved so destructive in his past. The last thing he’s looking for is a serious relationship. But when he crosses paths with Maria Sanchez one rainswept night, his carefully structured life is turned upside down. And when Maria, a hardworking lawyer, meets Colin she begins to question every notion she has ever had about herself and her future – and what truly makes her happy.
Before the couple has a chance to envision a life together, menacing reminders from events in Maria’s past begin to surface. And as the threat of violence begins to shadow her every step, she and Colin will be pushed to breaking point.
How to Enter:
by Blog Tour: See Me by Nicholas Sparks
I was very pleased to be asked to join the blog tour for See Me, the new release from Nicholas Sparks.
About the book:
Colin Hancock is giving his second chance his best shot.
At twenty-eight, he’s focused on getting his teaching degree and avoiding all the places and people that proved so destructive in his past. The last thing he’s looking for is a serious relationship. But when he crosses paths with Maria Sanchez one rainswept night, his carefully structured life is turned upside down. And when Maria, a hardworking lawyer, meets Colin she begins to question every notion she has ever had about herself and her future – and what truly makes her happy.
Before the couple has a chance to envision a life together, menacing reminders from events in Maria’s past begin to surface. And as the threat of violence begins to shadow her every step, she and Colin will be pushed to breaking point.
I have fast become a fan of Nicholas Sparks and his novels. I adored The Longest Ride and The Notebook will remain one of my favourite love stories. As I have said before, Mr Sparks has a habit of being able to make me cry and there were parts of this novel that succeeded. Thank you, Nicholas.
Maria and Colin could not be more different but in my opinion, they are a perfect fictional couple and they complement one another well. Even though they are complete opposites, I could completely buy into them as a couple. They, along with the supporting cast were developed well and I found myself really warming to these characters. Colin sounds lovely and he is proof that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
by My Writing Ramblings: A Few Words at a Time…
Happy Friday everyone. How has everyone’s week been?
This week, I have been thinking a lot about how a little can go a long way. Mike Gayle, when being interviewed for this blog, said that if you were to write every Sunday during the Eastenders omnibus, you’d soon have a novel within a few months. I think he is definitely on to something there.
This past seven days I’ve been working on a short story about a guy’s performance review for his very unusual job. The idea of writing the story as a whole was a little intimidating to be honest. So, after procrastinating for a while, I broke it up into so many words at a time.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Favourite Fictional Character
Friday 23rd October 2015: Favourite Fictional Character
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 box below.
Today’s prompt:
Pick your favourite fictional character. You have suddenly found yourself in their world, surrounded by the characters around them. What if you were transported to middle earth or you suddenly find that you are Harry Potter’s best friend? What if you suddenly found yourself in a post apocalyptic world and you had no choice but to have a baby for an infertile couple?
Whatever character you chose, how would you live their story?
by Blog Tour: Secrets of the Royal Wedding Chapel by Kathleen Irene Paterka
I am pleased to be welcoming Kathleen Irene Paterka and the blog tour for her new book, Secrets of The Royal Wedding Chapel which has recently been published by Booktrope. Hi Kathleen, thank you very much for joining me today.
Thanks for inviting me to be a part of your blog today, Laura! As much as we authors tend to be private people, living isolated lives as we indulge in the creation of our imaginary worlds, we actually do enjoy connecting with real people!
Can you talk us through your writing process? For example, any rituals before you begin? Are you much of a planner? Edit as you go?
I’m a very slow, methodical writer. And since I’m an early riser, I prefer to work in the early morning. Normally I’m at my computer no later than 6 am. I have a little timer on my desk, and I set it for two hours. For me, writing is like falling into a lovely dream, and I tend to forget about time, space, real life, or anything other than what’s happening in the magical make-believe world appearing on my computer screen. It’s as if I’m watching a movie clip in my mind, and typing as fast as I can to get it all down before it disappears. The next morning, when I sit down at the computer, I normally begin by editing a few paragraphs from the previous day’s work. That helps me fall right back into the tempo of the novel.
Your latest book is called Secrets of the Royal Wedding Chapel. Can you tell us a bit about it?
Who doesn’t love weddings and all things royal? My day job is as resident staff writer at a beautiful castle located in Northern Michigan. The Castle hosts numerous weddings throughout the year, and I have plenty of opportunities for ‘behind the scene’ peeks at brides on their special day. When I decided to write a book about weddings, I couldn’t think of a better setting than Las Vegas. My husband and I renewed our 20th wedding vows at a wedding chapel in Vegas, plus our daughter and her family live in Las Vegas. Secrets of the Royal Wedding Chapel combines my passion for royalty and romance with my love of weddings and Las Vegas. The result: The Royal Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, where dreams come true… and are just as easily destroyed.
Here’s the blurb:
by Author Interview: The Chocolate Lovers’ Christmas by Carole Matthews
I am so pleased to be welcoming Carole Matthews back to Novel Kicks. Her new novel, The Chocolate Lovers’ Christmas is published today by Sphere. Hi Carole, Can you tell us a little about your latest book, The Chocolate Lovers’ Christmas? What is it about and what themes are explored?
This is a follow-up to two of my most popular books, The Chocolate Lovers’ Club and The Chocolate Lovers’ Diet. It features the same ladies, Lucy, Chantal, Nadia and Autumn – all brought together through their love of chocolate, they share the trials and tribulations of their relationships. But, if you’re new to my books, then it’s not necessary to have read the first two. The theme is generally about the enduring power of friendship. It’s a lot of fun and I love to write about these ladies. To combine the joys of chocolate and Christmas was a dream!
What elements make up a good novel do you think?
You have to have great characters that your readers fall in love with. If you’re not rooting for them then it really doesn’t matter how clever your plot might be or how fancy your setting.
Which fictional world would you like to visit? What would you do?
I’d love to be in A Game of Thrones by George R R Martin. I’d like to be one of the good guys and I’d try very hard to keep my head on my shoulders, which could potentially be quite difficult!
by Writing Room: Changing the Tense
Tuesday 20th October 2015.
Today’s Prompt:
Today is all about changing the tense. Take a page out of your favourite fiction novel. Rewrite the first few paragraphs changing the tense as you go. If it’s past, change it to present and vice versa.
How was it? How has it changed the story. If you want to, try it with a section of a work in progress and see if it helps in any way?
by My Writing Ramblings: Creating Characters
I have been busying myself this week by going back to basics with planning my novel. One of the main pieces of feedback from both submissions to the RNA New Writers Scheme is that I don’t seem to know my characters very well. This feedback is completely fair especially as I am realising that I seriously get stuck if I have no idea where I am going or who I am talking about.
Planning has always scared me mostly because I feel guilty at the thought of it. I should be writing and I’ve previously seen planning as just another distraction or worrying that it would sap all of the spontaneity out of the plot. That is not true. Planning, for a writer like me is very important. I need that road map.
What I have found is that, instead of hating it, I have had serious fun getting to know my main characters. It’s like having a legitimate reason to have imaginary friends in adulthood and I think that is pretty cool.
Being a little new to the planning stage of a novel, I wanted to share some of the things I have been doing in my character building process; what I have been asking my characters for anyone who might find something like this helpful especially if, like me, you are trying to write your first book.
As I said, I have been trying to get to know them so I made a character list including all the small characters (mostly so a Daniel doesn’t suddenly become a Stephen halfway through.)
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Carrying on the Story
Friday 16th October: Carry on the Story….
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 box below.
Today’s prompt:
Use the following first line as a starting point and then try to carry the story on as long as you can.
‘Congratulations, you’ve won.’
by Author Interview: Bridget McNulty
Hi Bridget. Thank you so much for joining me on Novel Kicks today. First, can you tell us about your website, Now Novel and what inspired you to start it?
After my novel Strange Nervous Laughter was published in South Africa and the US, people were constantly asking me how to write a book and – perhaps even more than the actual writing how to find the motivation to finish. I wanted to create a platform for this.
What are you hoping people will get out of Now Novel?
A supportive, motivating space that helps them improve their writing and follow through on their novel writing dream. The end goal? A finished first draft.
There are various packages available for people wanting to use Now Novel. Can you tell us a little about what each package offers? Is there a minimum term you’d need to sign up for?
Basic access to the website (including our critiques system for giving and receiving writing feedback and our writing groups) is free. We have three paid options. The first, ‘The DIY Writer’, is our plan for writers who don’t want personalized help. It includes the Now Novel Story Builder, our online tool and step by step process for working out a blueprint for your story. If you need extra motivation, our middle tier plan, The Aspiring Novelist, includes having a mentor whom you can correspond with via email for extra help and motivation. Our top tier plan, The Experienced Writer, is ideal for writers who are serious about getting their novels written. It includes biweekly Skype calls with your mentor and editing of 3000 words of your writing per month by professional editors.
You can pay for any of the three plans month on month, if you prefer, or you can pay for a six or twelve month package that provides a substantial discount on the usual monthly rate. There’s also a 30 day money back guarantee on all our plans.
by Mick’s Musings: Time is an Abstract Concept
Time is an abstract concept, and I don’t even know where I was going to go with that, only that I was going to point out that when you have too much of it, you tend to waste it, and when there’s not enough, we moan that we don’t have enough. I guess what I’m trying to say, in a very roundabout way, is that I wish I could go back in time this year and start it off by writing what I’m currently writing about.
As (in my case still a ‘would-be-writer’ – I refuse to assign myself the title Author until such a time as I manage to get myself published) this year, I’m now on my third ‘Work-in-progress’ and so ran out of that precious commodity to be able to submit a completed, not even first draft, to the New Writers Scheme for the first time since I was fortunate enough to join the hallowed ranks of the Romantic Novelists Association. I’ve been metaphorically smacking myself over the head ever since the realisation that I’d ran out of time hit me as I left this year’s conference.
Slight aside – thank you to all who put together this year’s conference (if they may be reading) particularly Jan and John (hope that’s right), a now expected highlight of my year that well lived up to hopes and expectations.
So, back to my subject for this long overdue new blog entry, what caused me to make such a foobar? You know how it is when you get that light bulb moment, that idea pops into your head and you go, ‘I must write about that. There’s a story that’ll knock your socks off!’ I had that three times this year.
The first came in about January and was a pure children’s story, a bit like The Animals of Farthing Wood meets Harry Potter – damn, that’s a good elevator pitch! The trouble was, about three chapters in, it wasn’t flowing as nicely as it needs to and I decided to leave it before I got too bogged down. But I still intend returning to it, the title alone keeps coming back to me, especially when I’m skimming through my writing folders on the pc; The Four Hedgehogs of the Apocalypse shall ride again!
by My Five Favourite Inspiring Quotes for Writing
I have to admit, I am a sucker for quotes especially inspiring ones. I have many pinned up around my computer and I write a few in my notebook if I find one I particularly like. For me, they are important especially if I am having one of those days where writers block is rampant. They just give me that little bit of a positive push to keep going and write through any block I may have in my head. I have picked out five of my favourites.
‘The worst thing you write is better than the best thing you did not write.’
I am not sure of the origin of this quote but it is so true. I have not done a lot of writing lately and the one thing that makes you a better writer is practise. You can’t edit nothing after all. You need something on the page and I think this quote hits the nail on the head.
‘A word, after a word, after a word is power.’
I have seen this quote by Margaret Atwood many times and I love it. I am not sure why but to me, it is very very true. One word leads to another and then another and then another and before you know it, you have a first draft. The Handmaid’s Tale is also one of my favourite books so what better than to take inspiration with a quote like this.
‘Where’s the fun without a bit of risk?’
by Events: Literary Kitchen Writing Festival
The Literary Kitchen is the only festival in London devoted to Writers and Writing.
It kicked off on Monday and is going on until 18th October 2015. It’s a riot of writers, artists, musicians, publishers, agents and pets. Over 150 writers are taking part in the events over the week in twenty venues across South London.
The festival is featuring some of the UK’s best young authors alongside cabaret, parties, pub crawls, walks, talks and more. There is also a two-day publishers’ fair with a chance to meet agents too. It sounds absolutely fantastic.
Other events include Unwriters’ Anonymous where you can share procrastination stories and leave with tips and techniques on how to resist it, Lit Live where there will be Prose and Poetry and Masterclasses.
For more information and to book sessions, visit http://www.literarykitchen.co.uk/festival/
by Writing Room: Working Backwards Writing Prompt
Wednesday 14th October 2015.
Today’s prompt:
Begin a story from the last line and work backwards. You can either start something new or use the current project you’re working on (something you’re maybe struggling with?) If you need inspiration for a story, here are some suggestions below:
A wizard, a London flat and the secret of life is revealed.
A gambling addict, train and a character overhears a shocking conversation.
A parent, the dock and a character must tell a lie.
If you’d like to share your work, feel free to leave it in the comments below.
by Blog Tour: Pretending to Dance by Diane Chamberlain
I’m thrilled to welcome author, Diane Chamberlain and her blog tour to Novel Kicks today. Diane is the best-selling author of The Silent Sister and The Dance Begins. Her new novel, Pretending to Dance was released by Macmillan on 8th October 2015.
About Pretending to Dance:
When the pretending ends, the lying begins . . . Molly Arnette is good at keeping secrets. As she and her husband try to adopt a baby, she worries that the truth she’s kept hidden about her North Carolina childhood will rise to the surface and destroy not only her chance at adoption, but her marriage as well. Molly ran away from her family twenty years ago after a shocking event left her devastated and distrustful of those she loved. Now, as she tries to find a way to make peace with her past and embrace a healthy future, she discovers that even she doesn’t know the truth of what happened in her family of pretenders.
To celebrate the release of her book, Diane has shared with us the twenty four things she’s learnt when writing a novel. Over to you, Diane…
- Figure out your ending first. Although it may change ten times during the writing, it gives you a target to aim for.
- Don’t stress about formatting. I once asked an editor what font and margin size she preferred. She responded “I wish writers wouldn’t worry about that sort of thing. Just give me a good story.”
- It takes an hour to sign your name 250 times. When my novel Necessary Lies was a Target Bookclub Pick, I had to sign 5000 copies. It took 20 hours and half a bottle of Tylenol. (But so worth it!)
- No matter how brilliant your novel is, several people will still give it one star on Amazon. Get over it.
- Editors are your friends, not your enemies. They want your book to be every bit as extraordinary as you want it to be. Take their suggestions to heart.
by Review: The Curvy Girls Baby Club by Michele Gorman
Ellie is fresh back from her honeymoon and can’t wait to share her news with her best friends Katie and Jane. To everyone’s surprise, mother-of-two Jane has news of her own… The women are due a day apart and Katie can’t wait to be an honorary auntie to the babies.
But it’s hard to keep your sense of humour, not to mention your self-esteem, in the face of hemorrhoids and elasticated waistbands. Add a clingy mother-in-law, a career in cardiac arrest and a sex life that makes Mother Theresa look lusty, and soon their lives are as out of control as their bodies.
As the co-founders of The Curvy Girls Club, where loving yourself is the only rule, will the friends be able to practice what they preach?
I was very happy to hear that Michele has written a follow up to her novel, The Curvy Girls Club. This novella returns us to Ellie, Katie and Jane not long after the end of The Curvy Girls Club ended.
Ellie announces her pregnancy and not long after, so does Jane. The characters are delighted to be going through this event together, especially when Katie makes a surprise announcement.
by Bella’s Scribblings: Dabbling in Different Genres
I understand it is quite common that writers like to have more than one project on the go or at the very least like to have an alternative writing outlet that they can indulge in. For example the lovely Miranda Dickinson, famed for her best-selling Romance novels, talks opening about The Mystical Wombat’s Guide to Life and the T-Cup spy network of tea ladies which are her other writing projects that she dives into when not writing romance.
I’ve heard it said that it’s a good thing to regularly flex your writing muscles and apparently Twitter and Facebook posts don’t count. Whilst writing Romance is my main writing focus, from time to time I do have a break and switch to a different genre. So I too have a pet project that I drift off to when not engrossed in a Romance story and it’s a children’s adventure.
This came about because my wonderful writing tutor, Gill Vickery, sets the class a variety of challenges and encourages us to try new things. One of the exercises she set had me scribbling merrily away and before I knew it I had a coupe of well-formed children’s characters. This combined with a story I wrote in my teens, that filled a whole exercise book and was dutifully marked by the ever accommodating Mr Bundy, produced a whole set of stories in my mind.
by Blog Tour: Love You Better by Natalie K Martin
I am very pleased to be welcoming Natalie to Novel Kicks today and her blog tour for her new novel. To celebrate the release of Love You Better, Natalie tells us about her typical writing day. Over to you, Natalie.
Being a bit of a nomad, typical days are few and far between now, let alone a typical writing one, but one thing I always try to incorporate is yoga. It’s a nice way to stay constant with so many physical and environmental changes and I find it really helps to get my mind settled, especially because I tend to have a million things going around in my head at once and it only increases when I’m writing.
After yoga and breakfast, I usually start with checking my social media, emails and then get a cup of tea going. I tend to go back and re-read a couple of the previous chapters to get me back into the groove again, and start from there. My ideal working spot is somewhere quiet, where I can disconnect from the distraction of the internet and plug in my music, but since I’m travelling a lot I tend to end up in buys hub cafe’s. It can sometimes stretch my day out by a few hours with people dropping by to say hello, but it can also be pretty precious, and let’s face it, working in a cafe in Goa, or Cornwall by the beach is hardly a chore! I’ve met lots of people in situations like that who’ve inspired aspects of my characters, or situations.
by Writing Room: Continuing the Story…
Tuesday 6th October: Continuing the Story…..
Today’s prompt:
Continue on the story by using the following opening line. Also, your two characters are called Charlie and Alison. The setting and when the story is set is up to you. Don’t think about it, just set a timer for fifteen minutes and write. Once you’re finished, edit it and cut the word count by half. If you’d like to share your story then I’d love to see them in the comments below.
Use the following line as your starting point, ‘There are two times when you need to stay absolutely still. The first time is…’
by My Very Late September Book Haul
Morning all. I’ve more books that I would like to share with you today. I love this time of year as we start to edge toward Christmas (yes, I am one of those very annoying people who go completely childish when it comes to Christmas.) There have been some fabulous books that have come my way this month. All the books mentioned are either available now (when stated) at most UK bookshops or are available to pre-order.
What books have you got recently and are looking forward to reading or have enjoyed?
See Me by Nicholas Sparks (Sphere, Oct 2015.)
This was sent to me by Sphere and I was very excited to get a copy of this book. I am a long-term fan of Nicholas Sparks. This man has serious Jedi powers. He can make me cry loads whilst reading one of his books and I am sure this one is going to be no exception. If you’re a fan of Nicholas’s books, we are taking part in the blog tour for this novel and will be giving away a special prize to one lucky winner so stay tuned.
Colin Hancock is giving his second chance his best shot.
At twenty-eight, he’s focused on getting his teaching degree and avoiding all the places and people who proved so destructive in his past. The last thing he’s looking for is a serious relationship. But when he crosses paths with Maria Sanchez one rainswept night, his carefully structured life is turned upside down. And when Maria, a hardworking lawyer, meets Colin she begins to question every notion she has ever had about herself and her future – and what truly makes her happy.
Before the couple has a chance to envision a life together, menacing reminders from events in Maria’s past begin to surface. And as the threat of violence begins to shadow her every step, she and Colin will be pushed to breaking point.
by Events: Cheltenham Literature Festival
Photo Credit: mcphersonstevens.com
The Cheltenham Literature Festival 2015 kicked off on Friday 2nd October and is running through until 11th October.
The festival is themed around defining moments. There are 500+ events/panels/interviews happening over the 10 days and there are some fantastic speakers appearing too.
Speakers appearing include Bill Bryson, Nigella Lawson, JoJo Moyes and Carrie Hope Fletcher. Paula Hawkins will also be talking about her book, The Girl on the Train.
Terry Wogan, Mark Billingham, Merra Syal, Bill Oddie, Marian Keyes and SJ Watson will also be attending.
For more information and to book tickets for this fantastic event, visit their website: http://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature
by My Writing Ramblings: Writing Around Work
It has been a bit of a mixed bag with the writing this week. As like many of the people trying to write a novel, I work full-time. I work shifts and that involves day and nights. My productivity level can vary depending on whether I am working and the twelve-hour shifts can stifle my word counts.
I am lucky that I do have a job where I am sat down in one place so that does give me ample time to think through plots and character development. However, at three am in the morning, the last thing I want to do is think (beyond what I have to do for my job, obviously.)
As a result, I am not always getting the word count I am after.
When on shift, it’s all about the organisation for me. Organisation is not always my friend but is needed if I am going to get anything done. If I know I want to get so many words done per day, I will either try and be up a little earlier or I will write in my break. I will have no distractions. I will just try to write through to it. I will treat it a little like NaNoWriMo. I will just concentrate on getting the words down.
by October’s Book Club: Booktober Challenge
Book Corner is our monthly online book club. Anyone can join.
How it works…
We love books and we love chatting about them even more. 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. The best thing about our book club is that EVERYONE CAN TAKE PART.
This month, I am doing things a little differently. As it’s October, and also the launch month for Books are My Bag 2015, I am going to be doing the Booktober challenge. Four weeks, four books. I’ve picked four books that I will be reading over the next four weeks. You can either read along with me or pick four of your own. Please do let me know in the comments if you’d decided to read along and which books you’ve picked.
Also, to celebrate Booktober, anyone who takes part and comments on any of the books they are reading in the comments below will go into the draw to win a £10 Books Are My Bag gift card which is accepted in bookshops nationwide.
(Competition open to UK only. Draw will close on 31st October 2015 at midday and the winner will be drawn at random soon after and announced on the Novel Kicks blog.)
So, to the four books I’ve picked….. The Day we Disappeared by Lucy Robinson, The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon, Us by David Nicholls and The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.
by Author Interview: Megan Tayte
Hello Megan, welcome to Novel Kicks. Firstly, how much planning do you undertake when beginning a novel and do you edit as you go?
I let ideas come freely for a long while, and then I start planning. Once I have a detailed plan down, I start writing, but from that point on I still follow the creative process as I write. Sometimes that leads to a deviation that doesn’t work, and I cut the whole lot and go back to the plan. Sometimes the deviation turns out to be great, and I go with it and amend the plan accordingly.
My day job as an editor can be quite a hindrance to writing – I automatically slip into editing mode, and that pulls me out of being in the pure creative flow. My solution is to try very hard to resist the urge to edit as I write. So I write the first draft quickly, letting the words flow out. And then, some weeks later, I begin to edit. And edit. And edit.
Is there a fictional character you’d like to meet?
Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights. It seems to me he could do with a friend – and some relationship advice.
Who’d you like to invite to a fantasy dinner party?
Oliver Queen (the Arrow), James Corden (presenter), Dawn French (comedian), Ed Sheeran (singer), Bear Grylls (adventurer), Kathy Reichs (author), Stephen Fry (actor), Beaker (Muppet). Oh, and we’d better have someone to cook, or we’ll be eating cheese on toast – Gordon Ramsey will add a bit more colour (and volume) to proceedings.
Five pieces of advice for new writers?
1. Explore. Go places, meet people, challenge your assumptions. Thoreau says it best: ‘How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.’
2. Read. The single best way to improve your writing is to learn by osmosis, to read and read and read. Not just in your favourite genre; all kinds of books by all kinds of writers. Literary, mass market – even the bad ones have plenty to teach you.
3. Believe. If you don’t have faith in yourself, why should anyone else? You’ve nothing to lose by believing you can write, and everything to gain.
4. Enjoy. Always remember why you want to write – for the sheer love of it. Don’t get bogged down in the business of writing. Love every minute.
5. Keep writing. In his bestselling book Outliers Malcolm Gladwell lays down the 10,000-Hour Rule: to succeed at anything, you need to practise your craft for 10,000 hours. That’s a lot of writing!
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Historical Figures
Friday 2nd October: Historical Figures
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 box below.
Today’s prompt: Pick four historical figures (all from different time periods) and place them at a round table. What would they talk about? Write this mostly in dialogue.
by Bella’s Scribbling’s: Shelfies
You may have noticed that a well known UK Superstore is now stocking my novel – ‘It Started At Sunset Cottage’ and if you haven’t then I suggest you hot foot it down to the store where ‘Every Little Helps’ to check it out for yourself. To be honest I’m guessing most folk are not quite as excited as I am to see it on a shelf (I could stand there staring at it for hours but apparently they’re not very keen on that, or so the nice security guard man said as he showed me out).
So how did this happen? (Grab a cuppa and I will update you).
Apparently my lovely editor at Harper Impulse, Charlotte Ledger, has been encouraging everyone she knows to read my book and one of the people she offered it to was Caroline Kirkpatrick from Avon (no not the curly paged magazine that gets poked through your door and then an odd-looking man comes to demand it back a few days later – not that. This Avon is another imprint of Harper Collins and thankfully has no curly pages or odd-looking men). Luckily Caroline enjoyed the story and this is where I get a little hazy as to what happened next, so I may have to make bits up.
After various discussions deep within the nooks and crannies of the News building in London they decided to repackage my novel and make it ‘supermarket friendly’. I wondered if this meant it would have a sell by date and come with two packets of custard creams (well, a girl can dream). Apparently, the supermarkets are very specific about what they want and what their experience tells them will sell. So with that in mind my cover was tweaked – it gained some bunting and the cottage was thatched but sadly we lost the dog in the handbag and the pineapples hidden in the floral arrangements. But overall the revised cover was definitely striking.
by Blog Tour: Little Girl Gone by Alexandra Burt
I’d really like to welcome Alexandra Burt and her blog tour to Novel Kicks today. Her latest novel, Little Girl Gone was released by Avon on 24th September 2015. To celebrate, we have an extract from Little Girl Gone. Enjoy….
A baby goes missing. But does her mother want her back?
When Estelle Paradise’s baby daughter is taken from her crib, she doesn’t report her missing. A week later, Estelle is found in a wrecked car miles from home, with a gunshot wound to the head and no memory. The only thing she can remember is the blood…so much blood.
She knows she holds the key to what happened that night – but what she doesn’t know is whether she was responsible.
The blood lingers. There’s flashes of crimson exploding like lightning in the sky, one moment they’re illuminating everything around me, the next they are gone, bathing my world in darkness. Then the bloody images fade and vanish, leaving a black jittering line on the screen.
Squeaking rubber soles on linoleum circle me and I feel a pat on my shoulder.
This isn’t real. A random vision, just a vision. It doesn’t mean anything.
A nurse gently squeezes my shoulder and I open my eyes.
‘Mrs Paradise,’ the nurse’s voice is soft, almost apologetic. ‘I’m sorry, but I have orders to wake you every couple of hours.’
‘Blood,’ I say, and squint my eyes, attempting to force the image to return to me. ‘I don’t understand where all this blood’s coming from.’ Was that my voice? It can’t be mine, it sounds nothing like me.
‘Blood? What blood?’ The nurse looks at my immaculately taped central line. ‘Are you bleeding?’
I turn towards the window. It’s dark outside. The entire room appears in the window’s reflection, like an imprint, a not-quite true copy of reality.
by Competitions: September’s Which Book is This Anyway Winner
It’s time to announce the winner of our Which Book is This Anyway book competition for September.
Many of us judge books by their covers and make our choices based on that and the accompanying blurb. Our competition adds a little mystery.
The prize for this competition is a book but the identity of that book will not be revealed until the lucky winner receives it. It could be a recent new release or a well-known classic. Who knows? We may reveal the genre but the book title is a surprise. It’s like having a blind date with a book.
All we revealed about September’s choice is this book includes a murder mystery. Continue reading
by Writing Room: Seeing Things Differently
Tuesday 29th September 2015: A Different Perspective.
Today’s prompt:
Today, it’s all about looking at the well-known stories and seeing them a different way. Place a famous nursery rhyme or fairy-tale into a modern-day setting. What if Jack didn’t fall by accident but Jill pushed him over a cliff? What if Cinderella was the one stopping her step sisters from going to the launch of a new nightclub where the famous young owner would be attending? What if Ariel was trying to bribe herself off an island where she was being held prisoner? There are many possibilities.
by My Favourite Fictional Characters…
Which fictional character would you like to meet and which fictional character is your favourite is a question I ask authors a lot and it got me thinking about my own favourites. I wanted to share some of my favourite characters. I have many and so it was hard to pick a few.
Ron Weasley (Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling.)
I could not have a character favourites list without Ron being mentioned. He is my favourite Harry Potter character. He is so well written. His lines and humour are brilliant and is made all the better by Rupert Grint’s facial expressions. Harry is the main character but he is so much stronger when he is with his friends. Ron is very loyal. I can relate to him. He’s not always very confident. He’s the youngest son (I am the youngest in my family) and he does sometimes struggle with faith in himself.
Penguin, 1999
Ralph (Ralph’s Party by Lisa Jewell.)
Ralph’s Party is in my top five favourite books (I have mentioned it recently.) Ralph is one of my favourite heroes. He is very shy, unassuming and lives in Smith’s (his best friend) shadow a little bit.
I really warmed to him as a character when I was reading the book and he is such a contrast to the more confident and slightly cocky Smith. He seems a lovely, gentle man. He’s uncomplicated.
Ebenezer Scrooge (A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.)
by Book Review: Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
Orion, February 2012
It’s 1999 and for the staff of one newspaper office, the internet is still a novelty. By day, two young women, Beth and Jennifer, spend their hours emailing each other, discussing in hilarious detail every aspect of their lives, from love troubles to family dramas. And by night, Lincoln, a shy, lonely IT guy spends his hours reading every exchange.
At first their emails offer a welcome diversion, but as Lincoln unwittingly becomes drawn into their lives, the more he reads, the more he finds himself falling for one of them. By the time Lincoln realizes just how head-over-heels he really is, it’s way too late to introduce himself. What would he say to her? ‘Hi, I’m the guy who reads your e-mails – and also, I think I love you’.
After a series of close encounters, Lincoln decides it’s time to muster the courage to follow his heart, and find out whether there really is such a thing as love before first-sight.
Attachments was a book I had been looking forward to reading. I had heard great things about it. It was my introduction to Rainbow Rowell.
Lincoln works nights at a newspaper. He spends his shifts monitoring the e-mails of his colleagues in a time where e-mail was still pretty new to offices. The e-mail exchanges between two of his colleagues catches his eye and soon he feels as though he knows Beth and Jennifer. He even starts to fall in love with one of them.
by My Favourite Book Covers
Orion, January 2015.
If you’re a frequent visitor to Novel Kicks then you will know that I have a thing for book covers. It is bordering on obsession if I am honest. It was a little hard to pick but here are a few of my favourite book covers…
That Part was True by Deborah Mckinlay.
I think this is one of my favourite covers ever. I read this at the beginning of the year and loved it. Eve writes to Jackson to praise a scene from one of his books and they discover a mutual love of cookery and food. They are soon exchanging letters.
The plot was great. It’s a gentle kind of book. I completely adored this cover. The blue cover and the decoration is so beautiful I almost didn’t want to read it because I didn’t want to ruin the cover.
Penguin, 2008.
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen.
This particular cover was re-released as part of Penguin’s hardback clothbound classics series and was designed by Coralie Pickford-Smith.
The story of Pride and Prejudice is so well known. Lizzie and Darcy’s story will always be one of my favourites. There has also been so many editions of this book but I think that this cover is one of my favourites. It’s so pretty.
by My Writing Ramblings: Lost Motivation
Lost: One big dose of motivation. If found, please return.
I have been suffering from a serious lack of motivation this week. I was doing well . I have been planning. I have even decided on an idea for this November’s National Novel Writing Month.
Then towards the end of this week, it’s all screeched to a halt.
Where has it gone I wonder? It has stopped somewhere for coffee and chocolate I think.
I do get incredibly frustrated with myself when I am in this mood. It’s not just the writing that suffers. All of the things I am supposed to be doing somehow gets sidelined.
I make to-do lists (these usually do help,) that go undone. I find writing prompts but I can’t seem to get going.
I can’t explain why I do this every so often. It’s like my creativity stalls/runs out of steam and it decides to go on a holiday (I know the feeling and could do with one myself.)
Things that seem to suck out all my motivation:
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Time Travelling
Friday 25th September 2015: Time Travelling.
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 box below.
Today’s prompt: Write a story that involves time travel in which you change a significant historical event.
by Author Interview: Nadine Matheson
Nadine Matheson is the author of The Sisters and I’m pleased to be welcoming her to Novel Kicks today. Nadine, can you tell us a little about The Sisters and how the idea originated?
The Sisters are Lucinda, Jessica, Beatrice and Emma LeSoeur. In the 1990’s Lucinda, Jessica and Beatrice were Euterpe; Britain’s biggest girl band until Lucinda meets a successful music producer, Paul Morgan, and decides to leave to seek solo success in America. Lucinda’s announcement is a shock not only to her fans but also to her sisters; especially Jessica who takes Lucinda’s departure the hardest. Twenty years later, the sisters are living very different lives. Jessica owns a successful PR agency; Beatrice is a lawyer and Emma, the youngest works for Jessica. After living in New York Lucinda is divorced with two children and is forced to return back to London as she’s facing financial ruin. When she returns home, she doesn’t get the happy reunion that she was hoping for.
The idea for ‘The Sisters’ originated after watching one too many episodes of ‘The Real Housewives…’ There was one particular episode when I realised that one of the characters was actually broke. Even though on the outside she had the designer bags, shoes and drove an expensive car she was actually a bit skint and I based the character of Lucinda on her.
Do you have any writing rituals?
I need some sort of background noise. I’ve tried but I can’t work in complete silence. The sound of my fingers tapping away on my laptop for hours on end would drive me mad, so I’ve always got the radio on listening to BBC London 94.9 or have iTunes on shuffle mode.
Which fictional character would you like to swap places with and why?
I wouldn’t want to actually live her life, because to be honest it’s a bit depressing but I would swap places with Miss. Havisham from Great Expectations. Miss.Havisham is one of my favourite fictional characters and I would swap places just so I could get her out of that old, mouldy wedding dress, throw the rotting cake in the bin and enjoy her wealth and her life. The woman needs to get some sunshine on her face.
by Book Club
