K.J. Chapman's Blog, page 24
March 5, 2019
Prompt Me #10
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Thank you to everyone who has popped by over the last 10 weeks to read my Prompt Me posts. Can you believe that 10 weeks have gone by already?
However, week 10 also means that you can only get my ebook, Prompt Me, at the sale price of 0.99p for one more week.
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Next week, I will announce the new series starting in four weeks. I like a little break in between series for my own sanity. It also gives me scheduling time.
To replace this post for the next four weeks there will be a little post with information about my published books.
Prompt:
Black velvet is never used by the light occult. It is said to be a bad omen.
My Interpretation:
It’s after dark, and definitely after curfew. I could have been seriously punished just for coming here. To find that Fenrin isn’t here doesn’t sit well with me. The warning bell is guaranteed to sound within the next five minutes, and no one is stupid enough to go out after that.
The only place Fenrin would go after dark is to my hut, it’s the only reason worth the punishment. Staying out in the dark after the bell is certain death.
Not only that, his door was unlocked too. That alone puts a knot in my tummy. They can work doors. God knows where those things came from or how they have any form of consciousness. It is said that they are just minions to a darker force. The only ones to find out are the unlucky ones. The truth will die with them.
We have been terrorised by them for the past five winters. Each night they prowl. Each night they look to our community as a source of food. Not in the flesh and bone sense, but in the sense that they feed off of our essence. The light occult is a powerful source of magic, and somehow, they feed from it. Only a being of the dark occult would or could do such a thing. You feed from an essence, you kill the being.
Where are you, Fen? The warning bell sounds and my stomach sinks. Hopefully, he made it to another hut. Perhaps he went to my hut. I lock the door with iron, and then with magic. Then, I snuff the candle.
I sit for what feels like hours staring at the door. I hear no screams, so that’s a good sign. If everyone is safe, they’ll move on. Please, move on.
There is a bang against the door and it shudders. I clasp my hand to my mouth to muffle a scream. How can they know I’m in here? Another bang. I scuttle back toward the pantry incase my magical protection fails.
The handle turns, the lock clicks, and into the hut flies Fenrin. He stops dead in his tracks when he sees me. I stumble backward in fear and shock for he wears a black velvet cape that reaches to the ground. Black velvet is never used by the light occult. It is said to be a bad omen. The irises of his eyes are nonexistent. It is in that moment I know the truth.
Thank you again for following my Prompt Me series. Remember to grab your copy of Prompt Me via the link above whilst it is still just 99p.
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Teaser Tuesday
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I have written a fair amount and had lots of teasers to choose from this week. Wahoo! It’s rare that I get to say that. I feel like I’m back on track with this WIP, finally.
I’m thinking a title reveal is on the cards soon…
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I hope you join me tomorrow for the last Prompt Me post.
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March 2, 2019
Sharing Sunday
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This is the last Sharing Sundays post. I hope these posts have been helpful to you. Finding good facebook groups, blogs, and book reviewers etc can be tricky.
Today’s Sharing Sundays post is a good’en. I’m saving the best until last. Here is a list of my favourite Instagrammers; writers and book lovers through and through.
That concludes my Sharing Sundays posts. I hope you pop by tomorrow for my post about my upcoming blog series…
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February 28, 2019
February Update
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February is over… what?! Huh?! Eh?! It’s time to recount my month, but it’s gone so fast I can’t see how much I actually accomplished. I guess that’s the purpose of these posts…
Writing
I can sum up my month of writing by saying that I had enough material to do a Teaser Tuesday post each week, but that’s about it. It didn’t help that half term holiday fell this month, and having both kids home really does effect my writing time.
Blog
I’ve got some new faces this month, and it’s great to know more and more of you are interested im Writerly Bookish Stuff.
I also did a post about what you wanted to see in my future blog series. I have taken your ideas into account and planned out blog series 3 and 4. More on that soon…
Talking about blog series, next week is the last installment of the Prompt Me series. Those ten weeks have flown by. The week after, you will find out about series 2, so keep your eyes peeled for that.
Reading
Two books was my max this month. I’ve only been reading before bed, so getting through 2 was a feat. You can find the full reviews here:
How to be Champion by Sarah Millican.
I’m hoping to get much further with my WIP in March, then maybe a title reveal will be on the cards.
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February 26, 2019
Prompt Me #9
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Did you know that I have a writing prompts ebook available from Amazon? Prompt Me is the basis of this series and will be just 99p for the duration.
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This series will run for 10 weeks. Each week, I take a different prompt from the book and expand on it.
You can join in too. Whether it be a paragraph or a short story, follow me in getting creative, tag me to let me know, and I will feature a snippet of your interpretation on Writerly Bookish Stuff and send my readers your way.
If you are just here to read and not partake, that’s great too. Thank you for stopping by.
Prompt:
What would you do if the news reporter on your television started talking directly to you?
My Interpretation:
I don’t like this reporter much. She always fumbles her lines, and reporters read off an autocue for Christ’s sake. Today, she fiddles with her prop papers like she’s either scared for her life or totally tripping out on drugs.
That’s odd, she keeps looking to someone or something behind the camera. Her eyes keep flicking just to the left. There! She did it again. How unprofessional.
I head to the kitchen to get a bowl of cereal. I can’t listen to her waffle on. Just having it as ambient noise winds me up.
“Okay, you want me to read this? Yes, I will. Please, don’t hurt us.”
What the hell? I race back into the lounge, hurdling the coffee table in the process. It’s all kicking off down at W.R.S News. I knew something was more off than usual.
The reporter’s hands shake uncontrollably as she reads the first line from a sheet of lined paper.
“Sandy Mellor of 143 Abbott Drive, you have 14 minutes to get to the W.R.S News studio or everyone here will die.”
I stumble back onto the couch. How is this possible?
“Thirty lives are in your hands.”
The woman starts sobbing and pushes the paper away in disgust. Then, she looks at me, really looks at me. It’s as if her eyes bore into my soul through the screen. “Please, Sandy, whoever you are… help us.”
Next week is the last episode in the Prompt Me series. Make sure you pop in to see the finale.
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February 25, 2019
Teaser Tuesday
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It’s back to school for my daughter this week, so my writing will hopefully pick up again. I was right, I didn’t get much writing done last week, but I do have a teaser for you.
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It’s getting hard to pick interesting teasers without spoilers, but I shall do my best.
I’m hoping for much more material to pick from next week now were back in the school routine.
Pop back tomorrow for the penultimate Prompt Me post.
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February 23, 2019
Sharing Sundays
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All writers need a notebook or two, right? That’s exactly why I thought I’d go a little different with this post and share an Etsy seller who makes beautiful notebooks.
Portland Leather make the most gorgeous, personalised leather notebooks. Whether you want to treat yourself or another, go check them out.
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Content belongs to K.J.Chapman
Picture sourced from Portland Leather Etsy
February 22, 2019
Book Review: Switched by Amanda Hocking
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Switched by Amanda Hocking 3/5
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Wendy Everly knew she was different the day her mother tried to kill her and accused her of having been switched at birth. Although certain she’s not the monster her mother claimed she is, she does feel that she doesn’t quite fit in.
She’s bored and frustrated by her small-town life – and then there’s the secret she can’t tell anyone. Her mysterious ability – she can influence people’s decisions, without knowing how, or why . . .
When the intense and darkly handsome newcomer Finn suddenly turns up at her bedroom window one night, her world is turned upside down. He holds the key to her past, the answers to her strange powers and is the doorway to a place she never imagined could exist: Förening, the home of the Trylle.
Finally everything makes sense. Among the Trylle she is not just different, but special. But what marks her out as chosen for greatness in this world also places her in grave danger. With everything around her changing, Finn is the only person she can trust. But dark forces are conspiring – not only to separate them, but to see the downfall of everything that Wendy cares about.
The fate of Förening rests in Wendy’s hands, and the decisions she and Finn make could change all their lives forever . . .
Review:
I had read Hocking’s Hollowland, but none of the Trylle series. The reviews I had seen were extremely mixed, but I like to judge for myself. I’m sat firmly in the middle ground with 3/5 stars. I liked this read, but did not love it. Hollowland was much more my cup of tea.
I’m not a reader who dislikes a well placed genre trope if done well. This book is full of tropes; some work, some felt outdated. The latter made Wendy seem a little ‘damsel in distressy’ for my taste. Stand up for yourself a little more, girl.
I did like the troll/ changeling concept, and the dynamics between the various characters. I want to know more about the Trylle and their lifestyle/ history, so I will be continuing on with this series. Plus, a friend told me to plough through book one as book two is much more satisfying.
The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties
All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman
K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review
Book Review: How to be Champion by Sarah Millican
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How to be Champion by Sarah Millican 3/5
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Part autobiography, part self help, part confession, part celebration of being a common-or-garden woman, part collection of synonyms for nunny, Sarah Millican’s debut book delves into her super normal life with daft stories, funny tales and proper advice on how to get past life’s blips – like being good at school but not good at friends, the excitement of IBS and how to blossom post divorce.
If you’ve ever worn glasses at the age of six, worn an off-the-shoulder gown with no confidence, been contacted by an old school bully, lived in your childhood bedroom in your thirties, been gloriously dumped in a Frankie and Benny’s, cried so much you felt great, been for a romantic walk with a dog, worn leggings two days in a row even though they smelt of wee from a distance, then this is YOUR BOOK. If you haven’t done those things but wish you had, THIS IS YOUR BOOK. If you just want to laugh on a train/sofa/toilet or under your desk at work, THIS IS YOUR BOOK.
Review:
This book reads as part autobiography, part self help book. Sarah Millican came to the world of stand-up a little later in her life. She recounts her childhood on the breadline, loneliness and bullying at school, her various jobs, her divorce and subsequent depression, and meeting her now husband, Gary. The story of how she got into stand-up is woven in between her personal life narrative.
Sarah’s humour transfers onto the page, and this appears to help her reflect on the more serious issues (such as the bullying) with her infamous humour. It may be a coping mechanism, but it is definitely rallies the victims and de-sensationalises the bullies. Thumbs up!
That being said, I found the book didn’t read with a true sense of fluidity. There are many footnotes telling the reader to see a later chapter, or to wait for more on a subject until later in the book.
If you like blunt, no nonsense autobiographies, then try this read. If you don’t like a potty-mouthed comedian… maybe not. I do like the raw, honest recount that Sarah gives. I even read the book with her accent in my head.
The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties
All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman
K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review
February 19, 2019
Prompt Me #8
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Did you know that I have a writing prompts ebook available from Amazon? Prompt Me is the basis of this series and will be just 99p for the duration.
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This series will run for 10 weeks. Each week, I take a different prompt from the book and expand on it.
You can join in too. Whether it be a paragraph or a short story, follow me in getting creative, tag me to let me know, and I will feature a snippet of your interpretation on Writerly Bookish Stuff and send my readers your way.
If you are just here to read and not partake, that’s great too. Thank you for stopping by.
Prompt:
“Please, tell me you did not just polish the silver with my grandfather’s ashes?”
Interpretation:
“I’ve apologised, what more do you want?”
“My grandfather’s ashes! I can’t believe you polished the silver with my grandfather’s ashes. What are you, some Victorian house-maid?” She shakes her head and growls in her throat. “You’re a total idiot!”
“Hey, now there is no need for that. I said I am sorry, but maybe next time, don’t keep your grandfather in a coffee tin on the hearth.” She looks about to explode. I hold my hands up and make my way to the door. “Just saying.”
Remember, if you are joining in with this series, let me know in the comments and tag me in your posts. Whether they be blog or social media, let me have a read of your interpretation. It can be anything from just a paragraph to a short story.
Content belongs to K.J.Chapman
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