K.J. Chapman's Blog, page 62

2nd Redraft Complete

The second and final redraft is now complete. It has taken a little over two weeks to work my way through the necessary changes. Of course, this was much easier than the first redraft and should have been completed within a week, but September has seen both myself and my hubby turn 30, so I havent been able to slog away and get it done. No matter-it is done now.

What’s Next?

It has been over a month of redrafts, so now it’s fine tooth comb time. The plan is to get a week’s worth of editing done before I send the first half of the book for proof reading. It’ll be a game of cat and mouse; I shall try to finish editing the second half of the book before the proof-reader gets back to me with the first half changes. Yeah, because plans like that always work out for me- HA! I have to try and stick to the plan that has been arranged, but there is a little wiggle room. I need it, considering I have been having one of these weeks:

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I shall not be adding any more excerpts from here on in. I think I have been pretty generous thus far. As soon as my betas have their copies, I will have more of an idea of a release date, so I will update when I know more.

Can those who have mentioned being an ARC reader leave a comment, and I’ll add you to the list and get back to you- thank you.

Content belongs to K.J.Chapman

GIFs sourced from giphy.com

Hollowland by Amanda Hocking

Hollowland by Amanda Hocking 3.5/5

“This is the way the world ends – not with a bang or a whimper, but with zombies breaking down the back door.”

Nineteen-year-old Remy King is on a mission to get across the wasteland left of America, and nothing will stand in her way – not violent marauders, a spoiled rock star, or an army of flesh-eating zombies.

Review:

The world has fallen to Zombies, but small communities and quarantines are fighting back. Remy’s quarantine is over-run, but she escapes on a mission to track her little brother who is ‘sick’ and was evacuated before the zombies took over the quarantine. The narrative introduces a famous band idol, a cult, a gang of psychopaths, and a lion. Yep, a lion.

To kick off, I wanted to talk about characters. I loved Lazlo. The ex-super star is well rounded with healthy doses of flaws. At first he comes across as a loveable rogue, but you get to the truth of Lazlo as the story progresses. However, I couldn’t warm too Harlow. She was younger then the others and irritating. Remy, the main character, was totally kick ass, but far from my favourite. Don’t get me wrong, I understood Remy’s motives to find her brother, but some of her actions felt forced.

I enjoyed the plot line. I wanted a little more explanation as to why the others flocked after Remy. Just because she is brave enough to punch a zombie in the face, doesn’t mean people would follow her blindly and leave safe havens to go with her. Lazlo had his reasons, but Harlow and Blue left me a little stumped.

The zombies were not the usual shuffling and ambling sort, but the fast paced, hungry sort. They even start evolving- working together in packs with some kind of intellect. Intelligent zombies is just extra creepy to me.

I wanted to give this book 4*, but some narrative choices and character development held me back. That being said, it was an enjoyable read, and I want to read the next book in the series.

 

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

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Crafting Chapter Titles

Chapters don’t always need titles, but when they do, they can be tricky to craft. My first books, EVO Nation and EVO Shift, are sci-fi and urban fantasy novels and chapter titles didn’t match the tone of the books. However, my fantasy novel, Thrown to The Blue, is split into different POVs, and each chapter is defined by the character’s name and a title. I’ve never had to craft chapter titles before, and it has been a great writing experience for me.

Here are the top five lessons I have learnt as a first time chapter titler.

Write the chapter before you title it.

You can have an idea for the title, but after writing the chapter it may not exactly fit, and you don’t want to have to tailor the chapter to the title. Once you have read the chapter, you can capture the overall tone/ message. You may even find a phrase or quote from within the chapter that works.

Not every chapter title needs to follow the same style.

I noticed this a lot in books I have read of late. The titles follow a style of some sort- perhaps just three words: For example: Sugar and Spice, Gold and Silver, Hurt and Betrayal. If this works for your novel, then roll with it, but please don’t think this is a necessity. You can have some short and sweet titles, quotes, one word titles. As long as the title sums up the chapter, then I don’t think it affects the experience of the reader if the styles are different.

If you can’t think of a suitable chapter title, leave it, and return to it later.

Sometimes a title is glaringly obvious, other times it eludes us. Do not force a chapter title, let it simmer for a bit before setting it in stone. It may even be worth not titling your chapters until your final edit. You can read through the draft with fresh eyes and the titles may jump out at you.

Sum up, but do not give too much away.

This is where it can be particularly tricky to find a suitable title. Summing up the chapter doesn’t mean highlighting the key narrative point in the title. For example: If Freddie is going to die in this chapter, it is best not to title the chapter ‘Freddie’s Demise’ or ‘The Death of Freddie’. This may seem like common sense, but I have seen it done. The impact you may try to make with a certain scene will be dulled by the reader’s knowledge from the title. Finding the balance between summing up and keeping it vague is what I found difficult.

Think outside the box.

This ties in with all the above tips. Forget what you have read in other books. Your titles should be unique to your novel. Just because particular titles or styles worked for another book, chances are they won’t work for yours too. Forget about your preconceptions on titling chapters and work with what you have written within each chapter. It is the best way to craft memorable, interesting titles that are true to your novel.

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If you like… Cell by Stephen King

Cell by Stephen King

Blurb: Mobile phones deliver the apocalypse to millions of unsuspecting humans by wiping their brains of any humanity, leaving only aggressive and destructive impulses behind. Those without cell phones, like illustrator Clayton Riddell and his small band of “normies,” must fight for survival, and their journey to find Clayton’s estranged wife and young son rockets the book toward resolution.

Fans that have followed King from the beginning will recognize and appreciate Cell as a departure–King’s writing has not been so pure of heart and free of hang-ups in years (wrapping up his phenomenal Dark Tower series and receiving a medal from the National Book Foundation doesn’t hurt either). “Retirement” clearly suits King, and lucky for us, having nothing left to prove frees him up to write frenzied, juiced-up horror-thrillers like Cell.

The Girl with all the Gifts by M.R.Carey

Blurb: Melanie is a very special girl. Dr. Caldwell calls her “our little genius.”

Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class. When they come for her, Sergeant Parks keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks they don’t like her. She jokes that she won’t bite, but they don’t laugh.

Melanie loves school. She loves learning about spelling and sums and the world outside the classroom and the children’s cells. She tells her favorite teacher all the things she’ll do when she grows up. Melanie doesn’t know why this makes Miss Justineau look sad.

Content belongs to KJ.Chapman

Blurbs and book images sourced from Goodreads.com

My Muse-ic of the Moment

My muse-ic of the moment is the song I have on repeat for the second redraft of Thrown to The Blue. The tone of this song is spot on and it is such a great tool to use to fine tune this draft. Anyone who has seen Suicide Squad will have heard this song, and although Thrown to The Blue is miles away from Suicide Squad, it still applies to my draft.

Twenty One Pilots: Heathens

These lyrics in particular ring a chord:

You’ll never know the freakshow sitting next to you

You’ll have some weird people sitting next to you

You’ll think, “How’d I get here, sitting next to you?”

But after all I’ve said

Please don’t forget.

Why’d you come, you knew you should have stayed

I tried to warn you just to stay away

And now they’re outside ready to bust

It looks like you might be one of us.

Content belongs to KJ.Chapman.

Video sourced from Youtube.com

 

10 Weeks, 10 Prompts, 10 Minutes #6 (Prompt Me Special)

The purpose of these writing exercises is to take a prompt a week for ten weeks and allow myself ten minutes to expand on it. All the prompts are taken from my writing prompt eBook: Prompt Me.

To check out my list of ten prompts, and maybe have a go yourself, follow this link.  Go with the flow, take the prompt literally, or just allow elements to inspire a totally different story. It is up to you. Link back to me, so I can have a read of your creations.

The Prompt:

“There are a number of things to remember: don’t make eye contact, do not accept any food or liquid, and if she scratches her ear she is planning to kill you.”

“Scratching ear- dead. Got it,” I reply, pacing from the length of the room. “I don’t see why I can’t take my gun? If she is going to be loaded up and surrounded by her men, then surely it makes sense that I’d have something… anything?”

“You cannot be seen as a threat,” Jackson says, injecting the tracker into my scalp. “Naivety may just keep you alive long enough to say what needs to be said. Your best bet is to act ignorant, okay? As far as she is concerned, you’re just some guy we’ve found to be our messenger. If Vicka knows you’re Frankie’s son, then she won’t give you time to kiss your ass goodbye.”

The confidence I once felt at having been chosen to face Vicka is quickly replaced by doubt. I wasn’t chosen because I was up for the job, a good fighter, a decent negotiator. I was chosen because I looked innocent enough to encourage Vicka to at least hear what I have to say before she guts me. That’s all The Sphere needs- Vicka to listen. After that, I’m expendable, legendary father or no.

“Have you rehearsed the script?” Jackson asks, hands firm on my shoulders, so I can’t look anywhere save his face. I nod, although, I think the script is awful; penned like a begging child rather than a request for help. Vicka won’t take to our begging. She may be many things, but from what I know of her, she doesn’t give out mercy or charity. It’s weird to think that we’re on the same side… kind of.

“If I recite that script, then I’m dead and The Sphere would have lost any potential help from Vicka. Have you read it? It sucks ass.” Jackson eyes me sternly. “Don’t look at me like that. You know it as well as I do, but you’re just too chicken shit to say anything to the Boss Man.”

Jackson looks taken aback. “The script is short and too the point. It gives you chance to say what needs to be said.”

“Before she kills me.”

“If you do this right, then you’ll be fine.”

I laugh in his face. “She will kill me if I’m begging on his behalf, Jackson. You don’t have to worry. Run and tell the Boss Man that I’ll deliver his little speech for the good of The Sphere, but you can also tell him that I HAVE NOT died for him. I have died for the innocent back home. I have died for my Dad.”

“You won’t die, Dex.”

“Like you care.”

Content belongs to KJ.Chapman

Review: Nano Contestant by Leif Sterling

Nano Contestant by Leif Sterling 4/5

NANO CONTESTANT SERIES: Episode 1 of 12 Serialized Episodes

In 2114, Pinnacle Corporation, the world’s largest tech company, hosts the Tech Games to showcase the world’s latest technology. The contestants must battle it out in 11 brutal games to ultimately win a $100 million prize!

These digital and hybrid athletes must use everything at their disposal in order to take that prize and all of its glory in the Tech Games.

Hacking, firewalls and electronic countermeasures are all being used by each contestant while running and fighting at top speed. It’s all on the line, because nothing is being left on the table!

EPISODE 1 – Whatever It Takes

How far would you go to save your family?

Roland has vowed to save his father’s life and get him set free – no matter what it takes. Entering the brutal Tech Games as a contestant gives Roland the perfect cover to get close to the Pinnacle Corporation and try to uncover evidence that would free his father.

But first, he must qualify by demonstrating a new, state of the art technology – implanted in his own body. With the Tech Games deadline closing fast, he must risk his own life with untested nanotech, or he will lose his chance to save his father’s life forever.

I downloaded this book for free from Amazon Kindle.

Review:

It’s 2114, and Roland needs information on Pinnacle, the world’s leading tech company who hold the answers for his father’s incarceration on death row. What better way to get close to the corporation than by entering the deadly Tech Games; a Pinnacle run tournament to showcase the latest technology with a prize of £100 million.

This book has no conclusion. It is part one of a much longer story, hence why I couldn’t give it 5*. It is a unique way of writing a story because you risk leaving readers dissatisfied with the ending, but I believe that Sterling pulled it off. I want to know what happens during Roland’s time in the Tech Games.

The small cast of characters was a refreshing change from a large array, and works well for this small installment. The character’s motivation is made known, and the reason for taking the risks are believable. I can’t wait to get to learn more on Roland and Skylar in particular.

Sterling does a great job of world building. The technology in 2114 is well thought through and a graphic description of a surgical operation is not for the faint hearted. I would call this book the Hunger Games on Speed!

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

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EVO Nation Series is FREE!

I couldn’t turn 30 and not offer some Kindle freebies, that would just be rude. So, here you go…

Get you free copies of EVO Nation and EVO Shift from Amazon Kindle. This offer lasts until Sept 17th.

Content belongs to KJ.Chapman

If you like… The Lovely Bones

 The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

Blurb: The Lovely Bones is the story of a family devastated by a gruesome murder — a murder recounted by the teenage victim. Upsetting, you say? Remarkably, first-time novelist Alice Sebold takes this difficult material and delivers a compelling and accomplished exploration of a fractured family’s need for peace and closure.

The details of the crime are laid out in the first few pages: from her vantage point in heaven, Susie Salmon describes how she was confronted by the murderer one December afternoon on her way home from school. Lured into an underground hiding place, she was raped and killed. But what the reader knows, her family does not. Anxiously, we keep vigil with Susie, aching for her grieving family, desperate for the killer to be found and punished.

Sebold creates a heaven that’s calm and comforting, a place whose residents can have whatever they enjoyed when they were alive — and then some. But Susie isn’t ready to release her hold on life just yet, and she intensely watches her family and friends as they struggle to cope with a reality in which she is no longer a part. To her great credit, Sebold has shaped one of the most loving and sympathetic fathers in contemporary literature.

Room by Emma Donoghue

Blurb: To five-year-old Jack, Room is the entire world. It is where he was born and grew up; it’s where he lives with his Ma as they learn and read and eat and sleep and play. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits.

Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it is the prison where Old Nick has held her captive for seven years. Through determination, ingenuity, and fierce motherly love, Ma has created a life for Jack. But she knows it’s not enough…not for her or for him. She devises a bold escape plan, one that relies on her young son’s bravery and a lot of luck. What she does not realize is just how unprepared she is for the plan to actually work.

Told entirely in the language of the energetic, pragmatic five-year-old Jack, Room is a celebration of resilience and the limitless bond between parent and child, a brilliantly executed novel about what it means to journey from one world to another.

Content and opinions belong to KJ.Chapman

Pictures and blurbs sourced from Goodreads.com

The First Re-Draft is Complete

I have completed my first re-draft, but don’t let that fool you, I have much much more work to do. The first re-draft involved a brief re-work of a couple chapters and adding two new ones. The new additions are raw bones at the moment, just so I can get a feel of the narrative as it is. The second re-draft is a redraft of the first redraft. Urgh. However, after reading through my manuscript, I am happy to say that I am still in love with it- phew!

What’s next?

Well, seeing as today is my birthday…yep, another year older. The big *cough* 30 *cough*. I shall be celebrating in various ways over the next week or so. Then, it’s my hubby’s 30th in another 12 days, so, of course, we shall be celebrating that too.  I will do my best to spend a fortnight or so on the second redraft, and then the intense editing begins. I will post more when I have more to say. As of right now, I am going with the flow, and have no deadline to stick to. It’ll be ready when its ready.

Cheeky excerpt:

I glower at Teal with every bit of darkness I can muster. “I have not finished talking!” I bellow. I know how to make men listen to me and it involves raising my voice, spelling things out in simpleton speak, and threats. He does not back down from me, but his hands twitch in irritation. “Reed is my Head Guard, and you will accept your Princess’ wishes. Oh, and if you so much as raise your hand to him again, I give him permission to hack your arm from your torso and beat you to death with it. Now, get out of my chambers.”

Content belongs to KJ.Chapman

GIF sourced from GIPHY.COM

 

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