Novel Kicks Writing Room: Writing Scenes
Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room.
Today, we will be focusing on writing a scene that will draw your reader in.
Pick a scene from one of your favourite books and read it.
Then re-read it. This time though, make a list of bullet points covering the following –
. What do you think is the goal from the author’s point of view?
. What plot points does it touch on?
. What characterisation does it reveal?
. What world-building does it disclose?
by 
Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Freaky Friday
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt: Freaky Friday.
After getting drunk and making a wish, your character wakes up to find they’ve swapped places with the person they admire most in the world or someone they feel has everything together like a rival or a celebrity.
Write about whether the grass is actually greener.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: The Plot Thickens
Hello and welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room.
For today’s excerise, we will be looking at plots. Pick two of the following –
Rags to Riches – Your character is changed by money.
Coming of Age – Your character potentially becomes something better because of what they’ve been through.
The Quest – Your character must go through a journey to acomplish something great.
Mystery – Your character must solve a puzzle.
Stranger – Someone new upsets the status quo.
Now write a story that combines them. The genre and style is up to you. Try to write at least 750 words.
I’d love to see them in the comments but no pressure to post. Have fun.
by A Moment With…Susan A. King
It’s so exciting to be welcoming Susan A. King to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for Toffee Apple Strudel.
A NEW BEATTIE BRAMSHAW MYSTERY – It’s the summer of 2001, and for WI Secretary and practised busybody Beattie Bramshaw, it’s a time of new beginnings.
Her much-anticipated wedding to vegetable grower extraordinaire Doug Sparrow is now just months away. However, in the throes of setting up their marital home and new market garden business, she receives a surprise request to care for a distant relative.
Likewise, a number of her fellow Elmesbury residents also find their lives on the cusp of change, and not all for the good. Is it pure chance that the arrival of Beattie’s young ward coincides with yet another murder in the village? Or were plans already afoot?
Once again, Beattie picks up the gauntlet, but can she solve the case and uncover the murderer’s identity before it casts a shadow over her wedding to Doug?
Toffee Apple Strudel is a comedy crime caper in the style of Agatha Raisin and sees the conclusion of the ‘Beattie Bramshaw Mysteries series’. Make a brew, grab a chair, and prepare for a fun-filled finale.
Here to talk about Procrastination vs. Circumstance, over to you, Susan. Tbank you us joining us today.
Thank you, Laura, for inviting me to write a Guest Post for Novel Kicks.
Having given much thought to what I could or should write about, I did wonder if discussing the time gap between the publication of my second and third book, and the angst that accompanied it, would make for an interesting topic.
As is well known, an author is often prone to bouts of procrastination and, dare I say, can become rather proficient at it. I have amazed myself at the keenness I have shown towards seeking out cobwebs in the back of a cupboard or tending a flower bed that shows no evidence of plant material, let alone weeds! Indeed, the lengths authors will go to, to seek out an activity with which to postpone the completion of the manuscript waiting patiently on their PC, should probably be re-classified as an art form or, at the very least, a new Olympic sport.
by Book Review: Bad Girl Pie by Marilyn Horowitz
Bad Girl Pie is a dark comedy set in New York City. Dorothy Sherlock, a prolific ghostwriter, shares her running commentary on the absurdity of the human condition as she navigates her future.
Until now, she’s spent her life crafting other people’s success stories and mourning a failed romance. After a nearfatal encounter with her abusive father and his sudden death, Dorothy resolves to write her own book, blending her expertise in dieting and dessert. A whirlwind trip to a tango festival in Mexico reignites her passion for love through a romantic tryst with a tango dancing firefighter.
Hopeful and happy, Dorothy returns home, only to discover that her agent has stolen the manuscript and sold it to a new client, and her late father has cut her out of his will. As if this weren’t enough, Dorothy reconnects with her exboyfriend, but after a night of bliss, she finds out that he’s living in sin with his cleaning lady. The triple whammy drives her to despair.
Can Dorothy’s sense of humor and talent save her and help her find success?
*****
Dorothy makes a living as a ghost writer. However, when her father dies, her latest book idea is stolen and her boyfriend walks out, it has Dorothy hitting rock bottom. Can the dance of Tango pull her back up?
Bad Girl Pie was my introduction to Marilyn Horowitz and I was delighted to be asked to review this novel.
by Book Club
