Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: The Inheritance
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 Inheritance.
You discover a hidden compartment in your grandmother or grandfather’s house containing a journal with entries dated from 50 years ago. The final page describes a choice they made that day—one that changed everything.
However, the crucial entries in the middle have been deliberately torn out, and the handwriting becomes increasingly frantic toward the end.
Write a story revealing what happened during those missing years and why your grandparent removed those pages. Was it shame, protection, or something else entirely?
by 
Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: The Collector
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 Collector”
Your character works a job where they interact with hundreds of strangers daily. One day, they notice something: a regular customer always buys the same item, but never the most obvious version of it. They buy the slightly damaged book instead of the pristine one. The shirt with the barely-noticeable stain. The dented can. The last apple in the bruised bin.
Curious, your character starts paying attention. They realize this person is deliberately choosing things that others have rejected or overlooked.
When your character finally asks why, the answer changes everything. It reveals a philosophy, a grief, a mission, or a secret that forces your protagonist to see their own life differently.
The story ends with your character making a choice that mirrors what they’ve learned.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Side Characters
Hello and welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room.
Side characters are sometimes a bit forgotten when we’re writing a story.
The main protagonist is obviously important, but today, those supporting characters are getting a bit of love.
First, pick a setting from the following (if you want to make it more interesting, pick one at random. Here’s a link to a random number generator.) –
. An abandoned hotel on a cliff edge
. A hospital at night
. A busy carnival/fair/theme park
. A forest
. A small town
Next, pick a genre –
by NK Chats To… Andrea Goyan
Hi Andrea. Thank you so much for joining me today. Can you tell me about The Catalyst and what inspired it?
The idea began over twenty years ago when I taught clients Pilates in their homes. I drove all over Los Angeles every day, listening to the radio. One day, I heard a story about advances in DNA testing, and I was struck by both the good and potentially bad ways the advances could be used. I pivoted to how eventually they’d be testing anything organic and fining people for all kinds of silly infractions. I wrote a piece about a detective who had to use her DNA device to locate the owner of a dog who’d defecated on a neighbour’s lawn. My writing group loved the piece and the detective (who is no longer a detective). They encouraged me to write more, and I spent over a year writing, and then reading the first draft at that table.
What were the challenges when writing a novel like this?
I needed to do enough research that I could use some scientific terminology when I needed it. Since this novel was written, subbed, rejected, put away for ten years, rewritten, put away again, and rewritten again for this final draft, I forgot all the research in the interim and needed to dig back into it again. I also struggled with finding the right voice for Kat, ultimately discovering it when I switched her POV chapters from third to first person. That immediacy made her come alive.
What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have any writing rituals?
I don’t have rituals. I start my day with coffee, but that’s true whether I write or I don’t. I either just sit my butt in my chair and write, or I procrastinate and deal with the rest of life’s demands. There are always dogs to walk.
What’s your favourite word and why?
Hmm, I don’t have a favourite word, but ruminating while I sit here, I’ll say “yes.”
Yes, because it has so much potential. When I performed improvisational theatre in my twenties, “Yes, and…” was the golden rule.
Which fictional world would you like to visit, and which fictional character would you like to meet?
by 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 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: Nero the Hero By Samantha Mattocks
It is my pleasure to be welcoming Samantha Mattocks to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Nero the Hero.
Prepare to meet your new favourite superhero as Nero the Hero reveals his secret!
Nero is no ordinary dog. This miniature schnauzer has a beard, a bark, and a secret. When danger strikes, he transforms into Nero the Hero, a powerful protector with extraordinary abilities.
Alongside his human, twelve-year-old Jack, Nero dives into fast-paced adventures filled with mystery, heart, and just a touch of fun. But when Jack makes a brave mistake and finds himself in real danger, Nero must face his greatest challenge yet to save his best friend alone.
Perfect for readers aged 8-12, this highly illustrated chapter book blends action-packed fantasy with an engaging, accessible style, making it ideal for reluctant readers and confident young bookworms alike. With short chapters and dynamic illustrations, Nero the Hero is a thrilling start to a children’s fantasy series about friendship, bravery, and daring rescues.
Fans of Claude and The Hounds of Penhallow Hall will love this action-filled adventure starring a heroic dog and the boy who believes in him.
From the author of the popular Magical Mister Mishkins series, Samantha Mattocks introduces a bold new hero first seen in The Magic of Mister Mishkins. Beautifully illustrated by Gerda Smit, this is a story full of adventure, loyalty, and the power of believing in something extraordinary.
Samantha has shared an extract from Nero the Hero with us today. We hope you enjoy.
*****beginning of extract*****
Welcome to my post celebrating my latest book, Nero the Hero! This is my third highly illustrated younger Middle Grade book, and I cannot wait for you all to read it.
Nero is a spin-off book from my Magical Mister Mishkins series. However, it is a very different story. It follows the adventures of a young boy named Jack who spends the summer with his nan, Jean, and her dog, Nero.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: The Repeating Encore
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 Repeating Encore.
Your band finally gets its big break: a sold-out stadium show after years of playing dingy clubs. The energy is electric. The crowd is screaming. You’re in the zone, playing better than you ever have.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: The Aquarium’s Night Shift
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 Aquarium’s Night Shift –
You’ve taken a job as the night curator at the city’s largest aquarium, a role no one else seems to want. Your responsibilities are straightforward: monitor the tanks, feed the fish, maintain water chemistry, and ensure the building’s security until morning staff arrives.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: An Unusual Commute
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: An Unusual Commute.
Every morning, you take the same train at 7:42 AM. Same seat. Same routine. One day, you notice a passenger across from you is reading a book with your name on the spine as the author—but you’ve never written a book. The cover shows a publication date from three years ago and your face is on the back.
by Novel Kicks Book Club: The Alchemist’s Secret By Clare Marchant
Hello everyone. Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Book Club.
I can’t believe I am saying this, but June is here and we are almost halfway through 2026. With the weather not being able to make up its mind here in the UK, I am hoping the book club title this month will be one you’ll enjoy. It’s an historical fiction novel by an author I love.
The Alchemist’s Secret by Clare Marchant.
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 The Alchemist’s Secret –
Now: When Paige returns to her ancestral family home, Woodham Hall, she’s nursing an unbearable heartbreak. The man she’d thought she loved has told her the most terrible lie, one she feels she’ll never recover from. The only thing that seems to be able to hold her interest is the story of a poisoning that once supposedly happened in the house – depicted in brutal detail in a painting by an unknown artist…
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: The Unfamiliar
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 Unfamiliar –
You wake up in an unfamiliar room with no memory of how you got here.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Climax
Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room and the Plot Challenge.
Over the next few weeks, we will be focusing on plotting a piece of fiction, one task at a time.
These will potentially help you master plot structure by writing all major plot points, then analysing how each element builds toward a cohesive story.
Task 5: Climax –
This task is all about bringing the central conflict to its peak. You ideally want to force your protagonist to face what they’ve been avoiding.
When you’re doing this task, answer these questions –
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: The Last Broadcast
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 Last Broadcast.
You’re a radio presenter finishing your final show after twenty years on air. As you’re about to play the closing song, you notice something impossible in the station’s call-in system: a message from yourself, timestamped five minutes in the future.
It contains a single instruction that will change everything you thought you knew about tonight.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: The Door
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 Door
Every morning, a new door appears in your home. It’s never in the same place twice, and it’s always locked.
Today, you notice it’s slightly ajar—and you can hear your own voice coming from inside, having a conversation with someone you can’t quite make out.
Your hand reaches for the handle.
What are you about to discover?
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: The Last Conversation
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)
This Week’s Prompt: The Last Conversation.
You discover an old voicemail on your phone from someone you haven’t heard from in years. The timestamp doesn’t match any phone records you can find. When you listen to it, they’re apologizing for something—something only you would understand—but they sound like they’re speaking from somewhere very far away, or very long ago.
You have 48 hours before the message automatically deletes forever.
What do you do? And more importantly… who was really on the other end?
Remember: There are no rules except one—don’t stop to edit. Let the words flow. Your goal is momentum, not perfection.
Happy writing. See you in the comments.
by Novel Kicks Book Club: LochBound By Rebecca Templeton
Hello everyone. Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Book Club.
May is now here and with it, sunny days and balmy evenings (I hope). Whether it’s outside or curled up in an armchair with the rain thumping on the window sill, it’s a perfect excuse to settle down with our book club pick.
This month’s book is LochBound by Rebecca Templeton.
I plan to do a separate review of this novel. I don’t know about you but, by the cover and blurb alone, it sounds magical and atmospheric. It combines the Scottish Highlands and The Little Mermaid. I am so looking forward to discussing this book with you.
Whether you’ve already read it or will be starting it this month, anyone is welcome. I’ve added a question below to start the discussion.
I’ll see you in the comments.
About Loch Bound:
There is no happily-ever-after . . .
Kilmara, Scotland. 1725. For fifty years, Iris has accepted the curse that blighted her life. By night, she is a heartbroken woman, destined to walk the misty shores of Kilmara without growing older. By day, she is Moireach, a terrifying monster imprisoned in the murky depths of Loch Moine.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Plot Challenge – Story Conception
Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room and the Plot Challenge.
Over the next few weeks, we will be focusing on plotting a piece of fiction, one task at a time.
These will potentially help you master plot structure by writing all major plot points, then analysing how each element builds toward a cohesive story.
Before you begin, ask yourself whether you want to write a short story ot a longer piece – maybe a novella or novel?
The Challenge
You will write a complete story by isolating and deliberately crafting five distinct plot sections. Each section has a specific job to do in your story.
Your Five Plot Roles:
1. Inciting Incident — Your disruption
2. Rising Action — Your complications
3. Midpoint — Your stakes amplification
4. Climax — Your confrontation
5. Resolution — Your consequences
Task One: Story Conception.
Don’t rush these. Take as long as you need with this.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: The Last Library
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: The Last Library
You discover a library that exists in the space between closing time and opening time—it only appears during those specific hours. The books here are different: they contain stories that were never written, conversations that were never had, and lives that were never lived.
Tonight, you find a book with your name on the spine.
Write what comes to mind.
Consider exploring:
What story does the book contain?
Why does this library exist, and who maintains it?
What choice must you make before dawn arrives and the library disappears?
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: The Moment Before
Today, we are going to be working on an exercise called ‘the moment before.’
We want to aim to develop tension, anticipation, and character depth by exploring the critical moment immediately before a life-changing event.
Write a scene set in the moment immediately before something significant happens to your character. This could be before an interview, a confrontation, a departure, a confession, a performance, a decision, or any pivotal moment. The reader should feel the weight of what’s about to unfold without the event itself occurring.
To make this a little more challenging –
Your scene must be between 500-800 words
Include at least one moment of sensory detail (sight, sound, smell, touch, or taste)
Reveal your character’s emotional state through both internal thought and external action (body language, fidgeting, dialogue)
Do not show the actual event happening—end just before the moment arrives
The final line should heighten tension or suggest the magnitude of what’s about to occur
by Book Review: A Killing Breath By Faye Snowden
Raven Burns owes her life to the kind souls who looked after her while her father, unbeknownst to them, sowed a path of blood and bodies from California to Louisiana as one of the most notorious serial killers ever known, Floyd “Fire” Burns.
When Raven was a girl, Floyd brutally murdered one of those kind souls, Miss Ruth Jefferson, when the woman made the fatal decision to open the door to him on a pitch-black 4th of July night. As Raven learned of her father’s crimes, she vowed to do everything in her power to put men like him away.
Decades later Raven’s hunt for a serial killer terrorizing the town leads her right back to that 4th of July night, and a memory that will make her question how much Floyd’s evil has settled in her bones.
*****
Homicide detective, Raven Burns has never felt like she belongs in Byrd’s Landing, Louisiana. The crimes of her father cast a very large shadow. However, she does what she can to keep the town safe. When a triple murder comes too close to home, Raven is on a race against time. Can she find the killer? Do all roads lead to the sins of her father?
A Killing Breath is book three in the killing series by author, Faye Snowden. Having not read the first two novels in the series, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I was not disappointed.
by Book Review: Summer Ever After By Mandy Baggot
I am excited to be welcoming Mandy Baggot to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Summer Ever After.
Forty-year-old Faye Lawson is falling back in love with life at last. Finally divorced from her cheating husband, she has turned her back on the UK and has been living the Greek dream in Corfu managing a beautiful traditional boutique hotel.
For Kostas Petsas, twenty-something ex-professional basketball player, life as he has always known it is over. Having to take early-retirement because of injury, he’s at a loss as to what to do next. But when a piece of land in Corfu comes on the market, it seems this might be the perfect fit. There’s just a couple of things in the way… an area of natural beauty and… a little hotel on the beach.
Kostas has never met any woman like Faye before – she doesn’t behave around him how women usually do, and, when conflict starts to surface, it seems they can’t see eye-to-eye on anything. Or perhaps, when things get body-to-body, both of them begin to wonder if it can turn into heart-to-heart.
Escape to the beautiful island of Corfu with Mandy Baggot – queen of Greek summer romance!
*****
Finally divorced from her husband, Faye feels that her life is becoming beautiful. She loves her daughter, and her home and job managing the Hotel Margaritári in Corfu. When basketball player, and local hero, Kostas arrives on the island, Faye’s world will be turned upside down. Can Faye keep hold of her happiness or will her visitor destroy it?
Everything about this book screams summer, sun and bright, warm evenings. Even the cover immediately makes me smile and feel lighter. I couldn’t wait to get cracking on the latest novel by Mandy Baggot and was grateful to be invited onto the blog tour for Summer Ever After.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: The Sound Only You Can Hear
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 – The Sound Only You Can Hear.
For the past week, you’ve been hearing a faint humming sound that no one else can perceive—not your friends, family, or doctor. It’s constant but varies in pitch depending on where you are.
Today, you traced it to its source: it’s coming from inside your own body.
When you finally figure out what it is, you realize you have to make an impossible decision about whether to tell anyone or keep it secret.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: The Lighthouse Keeper’s Secret
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 – The Lighthouse Keeper’s Secret
You inherit your grandmother’s remote lighthouse on a rocky peninsula, expecting a quiet retirement project. But on your first night, you discover a hidden room beneath the lamp chamber—one that doesn’t appear on any blueprints.
Inside, you find dozens of journals dating back decades, all written in your grandmother’s hand. The entries describe strange lights appearing in the fog offshore, always on the same night each month. The final entry, dated three weeks ago, reads simply: “They’re coming back. I won’t be here to guide them this time. Will you?”
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: The Last Letter
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 – The Last Letter.
You discover a sealed envelope in your grandmother’s attic addressed to you in her handwriting—but dated 20 years in the future. Inside is a single sentence that changes everything you thought you knew about your family.
What does it say?
If you want to add an additional challenge to the prompt, try these –
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: A Object
Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room.
Today, we are writing about ‘an object’.
Pick an object from your desk or the area surrounding your writing space.
Round 1: Freewriting (10 mins).
Write continuously about your object without stopping. Don’t worry about grammar or making sense. Explore:
- Its history and how it got here
- Who owned it before?
- What story does it tell?
- How does it make you feel?
Round 2: Record & Listen.
Record yourself reading your piece out loud and then listen back to it. Don’t make any notes this time around. Just listen. Then leave your work alone for at least 10 minutes. A good excuse to go and make a cup of tea and then come back.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Connecting The Lines
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 – Connecting the lines.
Create a story using the following prompts. Each one is the inspiration for the next paragraph –
. Your character tells a lie for the first time in their life.
. They run into someone they knew from school but pretend not to know them.
. They call for a taxi, but it takes its time getting to them.
. There is a celebration, but it’s quickly ruined.
Have fun.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Character Scenarios
Hello. Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room.
Today, the focus will be on your characters and getting to know them better.
I have used this exercise before and it really helped me get into the mind of my characters, even if I didn’t end up using some of the information.
Choose one of the following scenarios to place your character. The aim is to write a piece from the POV of your character, using ‘I’ when writing your answers.
- A job interview
- Bumping into a former nemesis
- One a first date
- The last time you see a long-term partner
- Social media status update describing a reaction to a current news item
- Meeting a favourite celebrity
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Words
Hello and welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room.
Today is all about favourite and disliked words.
First, make a list of ten words you love.
Then, from your list, pick three. Write a piece that gives your character a feeling of fear, dislike or discontent making sure you include your three favourite words.
Do the same with ten words you dislike. Once you’ve made a list, pick three but this time, write a story that shows happiness, contentment, and excitement.
Have fun.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: All Good Things Must
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 – All Good Things Must…
Your character is in their eighties. They are very self-assured, arrogant and they don’t care about anyone but themselves.
They’ve had a very successful career breaking the law.
he story begins in an alley behind a large block of flats/apartments.
The main theme is hatred and during the story, your character finds out some truths.
Have fun.
by Novel Kicks Book Club: A Song of You and Me By Mike Gayle
Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Book Club.
Not only am I excited to be saying hello to March, I want to say how happy I am that you’re joining me for another exciting book pick.
This month’s novel is A Song of You and Me by Mike Gayle.
I have been a fan of this author since I was lent a copy of Mr Commitment back in the early 2000’s. I will always be so grateful for the friend who introduced me to this wonderful author. If you’ve never read any of his novels before, you’re in for a real treat or maybe you’re already a fan? Either way, welcome.
So, how does our Book Club work?
Whether you’re going to be reading this book for the first time or have read it before and want to chat about it, anyone can join, at any point in the month. I’ve put a question in the comments to get the discussion rolling.
See you there.
About A Song of You and Me –
Helen and Ben parted as heartbroken 18-year-olds and went their very separate ways.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Titles and Acknowledgements
Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room.
Today, it’s all about titles and acknowledgements.
Have you been stuck when it comes to beginning your work? Are you in the middle of writing it and have maybe hit a block? This activity could be a fun thing to do to get out of the writing rut or simply give you five minutes away from your WIP for a break.
First, let’s look at titles –
Set a timer for five minutes (even if you already have a title for your WIP),
Write down as many words or titles you can think of when you think about your WIP.
Once this is done, pick the title you like the most or go with the original title you had if you didn’t find one you preferred.
Now put your mind to the time where you’re at the stage where your book is finished and you’re about to publish. The only thing you have to do is to write your acknowledgments. If you’d like, you could also write some pretend endorsements from other writers.
If you’ve been struggling to write, I hope this exercise makes you feel better about your WIP.
Have fun.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Monday and February
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 – Monday and February.
‘All my mornings are Mondays stuck in an endless February.’ – Fortnight – Taylor Swift.
Your character wakes up on a Monday morning in February. It’s the same as every other morning. They follow their usual routine.
This time however, instead of Monday afternoon arriving, the morning repeats. After some denial and panic, they start to analyse their morning and realise that there is something within this time frame that they need to change in order to stop their Monday mornings repeating and for Monday afternoon to arrive.
The only problem is that they don’t know what that is.
Write their story.
Have fun.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Scenarios
Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room.
Today, it’s about building possible scenarios.
Set the timer for five minutes. In this time, write down as many life changing events that a character could face. A divorce? A bereavement? It could be something like their house is robbed or an illness. Anything and everything you can think of, write it down.
Then, pick someone from the list below –
Jenny (29) – lives in London
Alan (60) – lives in Edinburgh
Michael (18) – lives in Brighton
Leah (50) – lives in Cornwall
Yasmin (46) – lives in Newcastle
Connor (80) – lives in Birmingham
Pick one of your scenarios from your list and write a scene for a story for one of the characters above.
Have fun.
by A Moment With… Rachel Debrave
It’s so wonderful to be welcoming Rachel Debrave to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Too Much to Hope For.
Scarlett Hope has found a surprising rhythm at Haddon House. Just months into life with Laird Edward Cameron-Reid, their chemistry is electric, and the future feels full of promise – but something inside her is stirring. She’s traded city charm for estate calm yet still feels caught between worlds.
Then Harry shows up. A famous music producer – and a blast from Scarlett’s past – he’s in town to film with a renowned band. His arrival is magnetic, disruptive, and the last thing she ever expected. Scarlett loves Edward, but Harry’s presence reawakens the version of herself she thought she’d left behind.
When Edward’s daughter announces she’s pregnant and moves in full-time, the pressure only grows. And when Scarlett meets Sophie, a young woman struggling to make a home for her unborn child, one small act of kindness turns into something far bigger – a project that might just change everything. But as tragedy strikes, Scarlett faces a deeper choice – not between two men, but between who she was and who she’s becoming.
Too Much to Hope For is a high spice, emotionally layered story of love, legacy, and identity – about staying rooted in love while growing into something more. Perfect for readers who loved the emotional fire of A New Hope in the Highlands, the small-town heart of Things We Never Got Over, and the soul-deep reckoning of After I Do.
Without further ado, it’s over to Rachel.
When Chemistry Isn’t Enough – Writing Spice Without Losing The Story.
Readers and writers talk a lot about “spice” at the moment. How much is too much. Whether it’s necessary. Whether it adds anything at all. As both a reader and a writer of romance, I find the conversation fascinating – and occasionally a little heated.
Because for me, the question isn’t really about how explicit something is. It’s about whether it matters.
I love chemistry. There’s nothing quite like that first charged exchange between two characters who just click. The dialogue sharpens. The air shifts. You can feel the pull before either of them admits it.
But chemistry on its own is easy.
What’s harder – and far more interesting – is asking what that chemistry is doing.
There’s a lot of conversation about ‘spice’ versus ‘smut’. I find it fascinating – and sometimes a little puritanical and/or judgemental – on either side of the fence. Some readers want closed-door romance. Others want very explicit, on-the-page intimacy. Neither is wrong, and let’s not yuk someone’s yum (as the cool kids are calling it!). But for me, the real question isn’t how graphic something is – it’s whether it means something.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Pick Up From The First Line
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 is – pick up from the first line.
Using the first line below, create a story. The genre, the character and setting is up to you. The only rule is you have to use this first line…
‘Well, this is where I live.’
I am so excited to see what you do with this line. Remember, don’t worry about what you’re writing. The aim of this is to get the words down onto the page and to see where it takes you.
Have fun.
by Novel Kicks Book Club: The Phone Box At The Edge of the World By Laura Imai Messina (Translated By Lucy Rand)
Hello and welcome back to the Novel Kicks Book Club.
What a joy it is to be saying hello to February. We did it. We got through another January.
For this month’s book club, I have chosen a book that I know is going to wreck me. We all need a good cry every now and then, right? Then a piece of cake to make us feel better?… Right….
We will be reading The Phone Box at the Edge of the World by Laura Imai Messina. Translated by Lucy Rand, this japanese based novel is inspired by true events. You know when you read the blurb for a novel and even that gives you all the feels. This book did that for me. Plus, this cover is so beautiful.
How To Take Part?
Are you new to our book club? Well, anyone and everyone is welcome and at any point in the month. Maybe you’ve read it and want to talk about it? You may be reading along with me? I’ve posted a question in the comments to get discussion going. I look forward to seeing you there.
About The Phone Box at the Edge of the World –
We all have something to tell those we have lost . . .
On a windy hill in Japan, in a garden overlooking the sea stands a disused phone box. For years, people have travelled to visit the phone box, to pick up the receiver and speak into the wind: to pass their messages to loved ones no longer with us.
When Yui loses her mother and daughter in the tsunami, she is plunged into despair and wonders how she will ever carry on. One day she hears of the phone box, and decides to make her own pilgrimage there, to speak once more to the people she loved the most. But when you have lost everything, the right words can be the hardest thing to find . . .
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: From Three Different Ways
Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room.
Today’s exercise is about looking at the same event in three different ways.
First, pick one of the following scenarios –
- You’re at a magic convention and you bump into the one person who has made your life a misery.
- You go speed dating but it’s all your previous partners.
- You wake up and all of the colour has disappeared from the world. You go on a quest to find out why.
- Your life is being narrated by a mysterious voice.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Journal Entries
Hello and welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room.
Today, I thought it would be fun to write a journal entry from the point of view of your main character from your work in progress.
What I thought would be interesting, is if we write three journal entries in total.
The first entry would be based toward the beginning of your story.
The second entry would be based in the middle of your story.
And, you’ve guessed it, the third entry would be from the end of your story.
With each one, focus on what is happening within that story section. Have your character ask themselves questions like –
What is currently going on?
How am I feeling now?
What is my reaction to what is going on?
How have I changed from the first/last entry?
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: No Music Allowed
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: No Music Allowed.
Your character, a musician, has woken up from another night where they’ve indulged in something they shouldn’t have. As they try to piece together what happened, they become aware that they can’t hear music.
What happens? Why has this happened?
Have fun!
by Novel Kicks Book Club: The God Of The Woods by Liz Moore
Hello to 2026. Howdy to January.
Why is it that all the other months have up to 31 days but January feels like it drags on for a decade?
I’m hoping that you’re as excited as I am about January’s book pick and that it will help you get through this loooooonnnnng month.
The book we’re reading this month is The God of The Woods by Liz Moore.
I first came across a snippet of this book from the Taylor Swift documentary, The End of an Era on Disney+. Even though I only heard a few lines, it had me hooked.
So, how does our book club work?
If you’re new to our book club, welcome. Anyone can join and it can be at any point in the month. Maybe you’ve already read it and want to talk about it or you’ll be reading along with me?
I’ve posted a question below to start the discussion.
I am looking forward to seeing you there.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Celebration Figures Support Group
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: Celebration Figures Support Group.
Your character is someone that is tied to a festive season, a celebration or a tradition – think Father Christmas, The Easter Bunny, Cupid etc. Put in as many as you’d like/can think of.
They have all come together for their weekly support meeting the week before 25th December.
Write a story about what happens at the meeting. Start with the sentence below –
‘Hey, Father Christmas, you made it.’
Have fun.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: You Find Yourself Back At School
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: You Find Yourself Back At School.
After wishing they could go back to school and change the day where things started to go wrong but with the knowledge of life they’ve built in adulthood, your character wakes up and finds themselves in their old childhood bedroom. They are fifteen.
They go to school. Write about a school day in their life that changed everything – they are staring in the christmas show maybe? What do they do differently? Is there something that they misremebered?
Have fun.
by Novel Kicks Book Club: The Toymakers by Robert Dinsdale
Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Book Club.
Who else is excited that it’s finally December? The tree is up, the lights are on. Ot maybe you choose to be a little bit low key for the last month of the year or are simply looking forward to a new year? However you spend December, I hope you’ll join me in our book club.
This month, I had to admit, it was the cover that originally drew me to this title. The book we’re reading is The Toymakers by Robert Dinsdale.
The blurb sounds so intriguing and I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the novel.
Anyone can take part in our book club, whether you’ve read this book or if, like me, you’ll be discovering it. You can join us at any point in the month. Like always, I’ve put a question in the comments below to get the discussion going.
See you there!
About The Toymakers –
The Christmas Emporium opens with the first sign of frost . . .
It is 1917, and while war wages across Europe, in the heart of London, there is a place of hope and enchantment.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Inserting Prompt Sentences
Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room.
For the last Writing Room of November, I have a fun exercise (at least I hope you find it fun.)
The task is to write a story using the prompt sentences below. There’s a twist though. Starting with the first sentence to begin with, set a timer for two minutes. Once that’s done, use the next prompt sentence in your story and set the alarm for another two minutes and so on, continuing the story as you go until you’ve used all the prompt sentences.
For example, these two sentences-
‘I thought I’d cracked the case’ and ‘whatever happens, I can’t let the ducks in.’
I thought I’d finally cracked the case…… write, taking the story wherever you’re inspired to take it whilst setting the timer, once the timer goes off, use ‘whatever happens, I can’t let the ducks in,’ continuing the story yourself for two minutes and so on. Make sense?
So, your prompts are –
‘Oh for goodness sake, I told you to shut the door.’
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Halloween
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: Halloween
Your character wakes up on the morning of Halloween and suddenly finds themselves surrounded by their fears.
It could be that they are afraid of clowns? Spiders? Vampires? Fire? A room full of strangers?
Write a piece chronicling a part of their day and how they rid themselves of the problem?
Have fun and Happy Halloween.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Traitor or Faithful?
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: Traitor and Faithful.
As Celebrity Traitors has been popular over the last few weeks, I thought it would be fun to put our own spin on it.
Place all of your characters from your current WIP into a castle and place them in a gameshow style situation. Who would be faithful and who not so much?
If you’d prefer to pick a set of characters from another piece of fiction, that’s fine too.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Woken In A Daze
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: Woken in a daze.
Your character wakes up in a room that doesn’t feel familiar.
However, going by the pictures on the walls, this seems to be where they live. They shout for someone, anyone to hear them but the home and the surrounding area remain quiet.
After checking the rest of the rooms, they go outside. Their head is hurting and vision is a litle blurred.
Out of the corner of their eye, they spot a movement…
Continue the story.
Have fun.
by Novel Kicks Book Club: Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood
Hello October.
This month is my favourite for many reasons and not just because it’s when I have my birthday. There is something about October. It’s Autumn and Halloween all in one and, it’s a chance to rewatch shows like The Gilmore Girls, have hot chocolates and best of all, pull out the autumn themed novels.
So, I have chosen Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood as the book club pick for this month.
Even the cover has me wanting to grab a cup of tea, chocolate, a warm blanket and a comfy chair whilst I disappear into this novel.
Anyone is welcome to take part in our book club, whether you’ve already read it and want to talk about it or if, like me, you’ll be jumping in during this month.
I’ve posted a question below to kick start the discussion. I look forward to seeing you there.
About Rewitched –
IT’S TIME TO REDISCOVER HER MAGIC . . .
Belladonna Blackthorn hasn’t lost her magical spark, but she hasn’t seen it in a while either. Balancing work at her beloved London bookshop, Lunar Books, with handling her toxic boss and concealing her witchcraft from those around her – Belle is burnt out. Perfecting the potential of her magic is the last thing on her mind.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: By The Roll Of The Dice
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: By The Roll Of The Dice.
Find a dice. There’s plenty of free dice apps on the various app stores if you can’t find one.
Roll and use the first line that corresponds to the number you throw.
1 – When walking down an alleyway, your character finds themselves in another time.
2 – Your character is lost in a forest and reach a crossroads. They go left instead of right and end up at an isolated farm.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: To Start Not At The Beginning
Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room.
Many of us have heard of the saying, ‘let’s start at the beginning.’ I thought it would be interesting to approach our stories at a different place.
‘Two friends fall out within the story.’
Taking this premise, do the following –
Start the story at the beginning – instead of the beginning, wrtie a section from the end of this story. How do you see this premise ending?
Start in the middle – write a section from the middle of the story – from the heart of the action.
Conflict – write a scene that details the actual falling out. If you like, you could write from one point of view and then write it again but from the other point of view.
If you have a work in progress, feel free to use that rather than the premise above.
Have fun.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Your Fictional Hero/Heroine Comes To Visit
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: Your Fictional Hero/Heroine Comes To Visit
Picture this scene…
Your character is sat eating breakfast, minding their own business when there is a knock at the door.
Standing on the doorstep is their fictional hero/heroine. They are there – a living, breathing person.
Write about what happens next. What do they make of our world? What is the same? What is different? How do they react to things?
by 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 Novel Kicks Writing Room: All The Feels
It’s Wednesday. Welcome to another Novel Kicks Writing Room session.
Today’s writing will focus around emotions.
Listening to a favourite song, reading a great book or watching a compelling film – these are great ways of feeling all the feels.
Do one of the following –
. Pick a favourite song and then a favourite lyric.
. Grab hold of your favourite book and then re-read your favourite scene.
. Think of your favourite movie and think back to an important scene.
Once you’ve done one of these things, think about the emotion it elicits. Then, write a piece where your character is listening/reading/watching the same thing. Do they react differently to you to the film/song/book? Try to write for at least 10 minutes.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Musical Days
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: Musical Days
Your character, who is usually someone who keeps to themselves, hates music and loves quiet, finds that when they wake up, they are singing. Everyone around them is singing and there is a full orchestral backing too.
Write about the day as your character tries to find out what has occurred? Who do they meet along the way?
Have fun!
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Show, Don’t Tell
Welcome to the Novel Kicks Writing Room.
Today, the exercise is going to be focusing on showing, not telling. With your writing, you want to try and be as sensory as you can to pull the reader into your story.
The scene: your character is drunk and they’ve just arrived back at what they think is their home. Write a passage about what happens without once saying they are drunk.
What are they feeling?
What can they hear?
What can they touch?
What can they see?
What are they tasting?
Set a timer for 10 minutes. Have fun.
How did you find that exercise?
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Three’s A Crowd
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: Three’s a Crowd
You have the chance to spend a day with three people of your choice. However, it’s all at the same time and not everyone gets on.
Write about the day.
by Book Club
