K.J. Chapman's Blog, page 25
February 18, 2019
Teaser Tuesday
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As I type this it is my daughter’s half term holiday from school. I’m thinking forward to next week’s Teaser Tuesday post and am a little worried that I won’t have anything to share. It’s hard to write when both my kids are home, but I shall try. I guess this is a little warning for you not to expect too much next week.
However, I have a little something for you this week…
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As you can tell, my characters are in a spot of bother. Avid readers of my books will be like, ‘your characters are always in a spot of bother!’
I hope you pop by tomorrow for Prompt Me #8.
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February 17, 2019
Sharing Sundays
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I have shared Sarina Langer’s blog, Cookie Break, on Sharing Sundays, but today I’m focussing on her Facebook group for writers, The Indie Writer’s BrownieBreak.
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This is a closed group, but indie writers are welcome to request to join and be involved in daily discussions, tips, and updates etc.
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February 12, 2019
Prompt Me #7
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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:
“Why are you hiding behind my curtains?”
“Because under the bed is taken?”
“Excuse me? How many of you are there?”
My Interpretation:
The girl of about eight steps out from behind the curtains, and two boys of similar age slide out from under my bed.
“We heard that you could help us… that you have helped others,” she mumbles.
Their rags barely pass as clothes, and each is clearly branded on the back of the neck. These may be the sorriest bunch yet.
The girl mothers the two boys, wrapping her thin arms around the both of them. They makes noises of appreciation. There’s a strong possibility they are mute. If they were born in the System, no one would have bothered teaching them to speak.
“Who sent you here?”
“Miss Krista,” the girl replies. “She said you help get System kids on pods to the ‘good place’.
Damn you, Krista. That woman is going to be the death of both of us.
The girl removes an old device called a cell phone from her raggy skirt and hands it to me. There is only one number stored. I ring it without hesitation.
“One last time, I promise,” Krista says before I can speak. “Don’t bother umming and ahhing, we both know you’re doing this. You’re a good man, Tyler.”
I chuckle down the handset. Damn, it’s good to hear her voice. “Not good enough to marry, though.”
“Maybe one day when all these kids are free.”
What she is asking me to do is not a patch on the bravery Krista shows day in and day out helping the System kids. If she is caught, she will be executed without trial.
“You get them to me, and I’ll get them to the ‘good place’.”
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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Teaser Tuesday
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I may not have been as productive in regarda to be WIP this week, but I’m still liking the direction the narrative is headed.
I did a lot of blog planning and scheduling this week, so now that’s under my belt, my sole attention is back on the writing.
Here is today’s teaser for you.
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This one still makes me chuckle. I suppose it has to be read in context, and in truth, everything about this book makes me chuckle. That’s a good sign, right?
I hope you’ll join me tomorrow for Prompt Me #7.
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February 9, 2019
Sharing Sundays
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It’s that time of the week again… my Sharing Sundays post is live!
This week, I’m sending you in the direction of a book review blog, HJ Book Blog.
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If you’re looking to follow an honest book reviewer who reviews consistently, then definitely follow this blog, guys.
If you head over to HJ Book Blog, let her know that I sent you.
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February 7, 2019
Have Your Say: What Blog Series Do You want To See?
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Guess what? I’m already planning my third blog series of the year. I’m only half way through posting the first series, Prompt Me, but I am a person who likes to prep and schedule ahead of time.
I have a few ideas that I’m batting around, but it occurred to me that the best people to ask about what content they want to see are my followers.
Is there a specific post you like to see on my blog i.e. my writing exercise posts, or more bookish posts. Do you enjoy more posts about my own books, or writerly tip shares?
Get in touch and let me know. I would love to tailor my posts accordingly.
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February 5, 2019
Prompt Me #6
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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 your twin asked you to pretend to be them, so they could avoid a prison sentence?
My Interpretation:
“Please, you have to do this. I’d do it for you.”
I feel awful having to ask such a thing, but if the tables were turned, I would do anything for my brother. They only saw my face on the cctv, so technically, it could have been Stefan. However, it won’t be long before we both receive a visit.
Stefan sighs in exasperation. “Yes, but the thing is, you’d never need to. I don’t pull this kind of shit! I’ve worked hard to get to where I am. Besides, you haven’t shown your face around here in two years, and now, you ask this of me. Why would you think that I would take the fall for you? And why would I need to? Jail time is old hat for you. What’s thirteen months more?”
He’s right, he owes me nothing. In my defense, I only stay away to keep trouble from his door. Once he was elected, I knew that he’d want me out of the picture. Only now, the trouble is a little more serious.
“You know I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t desperate. It’s kind of a life or death situation.”
He laughs now. “Typical Xander, dramatic as always. Like I said, it’s just thirteen months. I know the sentence for your crime, I did my research.”
“Thirteen months for someone without prior. Death for someone with five sentences already under their belt.
Stefan’s face pales. “You’re at five? How the fu–?” He sits heavily into the armchair. “You promised Dad after the third that you’d steer clear of your old ways. How could you be so bloody stupid? Five is the limit, you know this.”
I do know this. I’ve known it since the law was changed in 2076 to sentence anyone with more than five convictions to death. I also knew it when I was stealing drugs from the pharmacy for Fiona’s sick baby. I’d do it again to know that little girl had a fair chance of survival, just like all those rich bastards, just like my brother’s, ‘mister politician’s’, kids.
“I’m not going to make excuses because I know you won’t believe me. Will you help me? Will you save my life?”
Stefan stands, straightens his jacket that screams I’m rich and you’re not, and opens the door. “I’m in a position of power now, Xander. I have no need to steal, and no one would believe it of me. So, no, I won’t.”
I physically recoil. Who is this person I thought I could trust. “You’d let me die?”
“If it means protecting my family and what I have worked hard for.”
I push my fist against my mouth to stop the vomit that rises in my throat. “I am your family.”
“And rest assured I will write as such on your head stone.”
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
Find me on:
February 4, 2019
Teaser Tuesday
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I have had my most productive writing week yet! I’m not going to lie, I have been looking forward to this Teaser Tuesday because I knew exactly what quote I was going to use as soon as I wrote it.
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I love my MC, Oggy. He is great fun to write with the right amount of humour and empathy. I’m well and truly in his mindset now, so the words are flowing easier.
I’d love to have you pop into my little blogiverse for Prompt Me #6 tomorrow. You can even join in!
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February 2, 2019
Sharing Sundays
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Are you on Instagram? Are you a writer? Do you enjoy taking part in writing challenges?
If you answered yes to the above, then you will want to check out a February writing challenge, #fahyandlee5wordfeb, hosted by Beverley Lee and James Fahy.
Each day throughout February you take on the word of the day and write a 5 word story with it. I am joining in this month, and you can check out my posts here.
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February 1, 2019
January Update
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How are we already a month into 2019? I hope you have had a productive month and are on target with resolutions if you made them. I am pleased with my achievements this month. This is a round up post for January, and a way for me to see exactly what I have accomplished.
Reading
As I have more writing plans this year, I have set a Goodreads reading challenge of just 25 books. I have read two books in January. (Links to full reviews).
My Thoughts Exactly by Lily Allen
Demon’s Bloodlust by Brianna West
Ten Days in a Mad-House by Nellie Bly
Blog
Writerly Bookish Stuff has had a revamp. Teaser Tuesday, Sharing Sundays, and my new Prompt Me series have started this month, and I’m thrilled to welcome new followers.
Writing
I promised myself that I’d write everyday of January. I stuck to my promise and have had a productive month progressing my WIP. Granted, some days I only wrote 200 words, but I’m proud of myself for finding time, even 15 minutes, to get something on the page.
I’m currently prepping for a title, cover, and blurb reveal of my WIP in the nearish future. If nothing else, it’s great motivation to get this first draft finished.
Has your January been productive? Do you have any big plans for the coming months?
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