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 
Book Review: Wishing on a Star in the City By Krysten Lindsay Hager
I’m pleased to be welcoming Krysten Lindsay Hager back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Wishing on a Star in the City.
Everyone thinks Ivy Macomb’s life is perfect as she’s a teen actress on a TV show, part of a well-known family, and has just started college with her football star boyfriend, Ryan. However, as Ryan’s on campus fame grows, the two break up leaving Ivy heartbroken. She makes up a cover story to save face about how they’re taking time apart, but she’s devastated and unsure how to handle things. She ends up having a crying meltdown in front of her great-uncle who is better known in the media as the most ruthless man in business. However, she learns there’s another side to Uncle Alfred as he not only offers advice, but helps her with her podcast.
Her cousin tries to get her to go out and show people she’s doing fine after the breakup. Enter freshman hockey player, Konrad Gorski. Ivy and Konrad become fast friends as he’s a shoulder to cry on for her as she deals with her feelings. He’s also been through a bad breakup and has trust issues. Konrad is selected to go overseas for a hockey opportunity and the two stay in touch daily. They begin to have feelings for each other, but she’s worried about getting hurt. Can Ivy open her heart to love again?
*****
On the surface, it looks as though Ivy Macomb has it all. A career in TV, a boyfriend and a wealthy family. Things are not always as they seem and soon Ivy finds herself struggling and opening up to people she didn’t expect.
I am such a fan of the Stars in the City series and couldn’t wait to get started on book four. I do recommend the first three novels, but this can be read as a standalone if it’s your introduction to Krysten Lindsay Hager’s books.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Rising Action
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 3: Rising Action
Building on the work you’ve already done from the previous two weeks, the purpose of this task is to complicate the situation. Raise stakes. Create obstacles.
When you’re thinking about the rising action, consider the following –
- What does your protagonist do in response to the inciting incident?
- What goes wrong with their first attempt?
- Who or what opposes them?
- What new information complicates the situation?
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 Writing Room: Plot Challenge – Inciting Incident
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 2: Inciting Incident
Take your time with this. Aim to write between 500-750 words.
The purpose of this task is to disrupt your protagonist’s normal world and force them into the story.
Key questions to answer:
- What is the “before”? Show us normal life.
- What event breaks the normal life?
- Why can’t your protagonist ignore it?
- What question does this raise in the reader’s mind?
Write a scene (or brief sequence) that presents the disruption. End with your protagonist committed to action—whether they want to be or not.
Whilst writing, consider:
- Have I shown the protagonist’s world before disruption?
- Is the inciting incident clear and unavoidable?
- Would a reader want to know what happens next?
Have some fun with this. I’d love to know how you got on in the comments.
Click here to view task one – story conception.
by Book Club
Recent Comments