K.J. Chapman's Blog, page 69

Camp NaNo Update: Week Two

I’m kicking some serious NaNo ass!

I’m at 18714 words since July 1st, so that means I hit 7871 words this week, and even had time to read and review a book before its release day. If I could bottle this week’s motivation I would, but I neither know where it came from nor how to contain it.

On to more pressing matters… The builder is back from a short break to restart work on the extension. By restart work, I mean drill endlessly and noisily. I’m hoping this won’t affect next week’s word count because I’m so close to the finish line on this draft that I can’t drop momentum.

The other hinderance is the school summer holidays. My daughter finishes for the six week break on July 19th, so Mummy duties take priority. However, I do feel on the ball this year with a fully functioning holiday plan. We will make the most of the holidays, and I will avoid a bored, whinging child at any cost!

Wish me luck…

Content belongs to KJ Chapman

GIF sourced from GIPHY.COM

Thrown to The Blue Playlist

It’s that time again- playlist time. I’m at the 3/4 point of my first draft of Thrown to The Blue, and I decided that it’s time to blog about my playlist for this novel. I’ve been listening to a variety of songs of late, but have whittled it down to a select few that have drawn my attention.

Keaton Henson- Sweetheart What Have You Done to Us? Watch Video.
Bastille- Things We Lost to the Fire Watch Video.
Soundgarden- Blow Up the Outside World Watch Video.
Zedd ft Jon Bellion- Beautiful Now Watch Video.
Of Monsters and Men- Yellow Light Watch Video.
Metallica- Until It Sleeps Watch Video.
Urge Overkill- Girl You’ll Be a Woman Soon Watch Video.
Lynyrd Skynyrd- Free Bird Watch Video.
Nick Jonas ft Tove Lo- Close Watch Video.
Ariana Grande- Dangerous Woman Watch Video.
Damien Rice- Colour Me In Watch Video.
Damien Rice- Delicate Watch Video.
Peacock Affect- Wallflower Watch Video.
Biffy Clyro- Many of Horror Watch video.
Biffy Clyro- Mountains Watch Video.
Biffy Clyro- That Golden Rule Watch Video.

Do you write/ draw/ paint to a playlist and does it help ignite creativity? Are there any other methods or rituals you use to get in the zone?

Content belongs to KJ.Chapman

Videos sourced from Youtube.com

Review: 13 Minutes by Sarah Pinborough

13 Minutes by Sarah Pinborough 4/5

I was dead for 13 minutes.

I don’t remember how I ended up in the icy water but I do know this – it wasn’t an accident and I wasn’t suicidal.

They say you should keep your friends close and your enemies closer, but when you’re a teenage girl, it’s hard to tell them apart. My friends love me, I’m sure of it. But that doesn’t mean they didn’t try to kill me. Does it?

Thanks to Orion Publishing Group and Netgalley for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

13 Minutes is due for release on July 14th 2016.

Review:

The narrative kicks off with Natasha’s lifeless body being dragged from a freezing river by an unsuspecting dog walker. She technically dies, and stays dead for 13 minutes, but has a miracle recovery. Natasha cannot remember anything leading up to her accident, but Pinborough creates suspense though POVs that involve Natasha’s current friends, and an ex-friend Becca. Engaging narrative, text exchanges, diary excerpts, and sessons with her shrink, all have the reader wondering what actually happened that night? Who is to blame? And why would anyone want Natasha dead?

I thoroughly enjoyed Tasha as a complex character- that ending! *No spoilers*. Although she is a ‘Barbie’, she is incredibly self-aware. I totally believed her whole character arc.  That being said, I probably wouldn’t have gotten along with Becca in real life, but I wasn’t a fan of Becca as a character either. I think she is the misunderstood, punky emo, who was mistreated by so called friends, and we were supposed to rally for her- like her even. I didn’t. Becca was contradictory, sometimes rude and mean, and very self absorbed. Teens, eh? Don’t get me wrong, Becca was supposed to come across as such, but I personally found it difficult to rally for her at the end, hence my 4* rating.

You are continually left thinking that you are missing something, but in a good way. Nothing seems to fully add up until the end, and you quickly discover that any ideas you may have had were totally wrong. Slow paced, but a great ending and well thought out narrative.

 

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.

Writing Therapy

I’m writing this post after finishing a particularly personal part of my new WIP, Thrown to The Blue. Writing my own experience into my work was surprisingly easy and therapeutic. I’ve written a blog post before about writing in first person and how we don’t merely project; as writers we draw from similar experiences and thoughts to create realism. I needed to do that today, and then some, as my main character has gone through something personal to me, and I got a chance to write my feelings out.

I didn’t just drop it into the narrative for the sake of it. It was always planned and necessary to my character’s development, but it was something I was apprehensive about writing. I needn’t have been because it came easily and I’m pleased with the chapter.

I’ve been writing my ‘Heart Voice’ posts from personal experience and they have been well received. Seeing my thoughts written down isn’t as weird as I thought it would be. I never thought as writing as therapy before, but I guess it always has been.

Do you think there is a fine line between weaving our experiences in narrative and merely projecting? Are you wary about writing personal experiences into your narrative? If so, for what reason?

Content belongs to KJ.Chapman

GIF sourced from GIPHY.COM

CampNaNo Update: Week One

Seven days down and 10,843 words written. How I managed it is beyond me. This week has been hectic: my daughter’s sports day on Monday, she ran the Race for Life on Tuesday, and the car got a flat and I had to catch the bus everywhere (unnecessarily I might add.) I thought I didn’t have a spare tyre, only to find out that it’s an under the car, hiding from sight spare tyre. Who attaches a tyre to the underneath of a car?! At least my Dad and husband got a good laugh out of it. On top of that, I had to finish reading an ARC in time for release day, and sort out end of school teacher’s gifts.

On the bright side, my cabin mates are great, and I’m kind of glad I signed up late, otherwise I wouldn’t have joined this cabin of talented writers who like to chat as much as I do. It’s also nice to hear that I’m not the only one who has bum days.

Anyway, I start another week with a working car, and not so many sports related events to attend. If I hit another 10k, I will be 2/3 done!!

Here’s an excerpt from this weeks work:

The bird calls start again, and orbs of ethereal, white smoke appear, darting like comets through the glade. I count eight at a glance. Each wisp comes to a stop, evenly spaced out in a circle around us, and then transforms into a figure in a white gown.

I almost fall over my own feet in fright. The figures are female with hair as white as snow. The Coven. Lissa bows her head to the women and steps aside. One woman, with an impressive build and strong face, steps forward. Her straight hair reaches the backs of her knees and moves like a silk curtain.

“Princess Ezrahli,” she says, bowing her head to me. “Prince Reed.” She does the same to Reed. I’m still not accustomed to hearing Reed addressed as a Prince. “We have been expecting you. I’m Magdarra, I head The Coven.”

Staring in awe at the women surrounding us, I search for a feeling of unease that Lissa said I would be able to sense. There is nothing threatening about the women, they do not have aggressive stances or deceitful faces, if anything, they look serene- indifferent.

“I understand your wariness, Princess, but we can assure you that you are safe here. We mean you no harm.”

“You are not Yarnarian,” I say, studying every twitch, blink, and wrinkle on her face.

“No. I am Olysean. We are a varied bunch.”

“And Reed is welcome?”

Magdarra smiles, and some of the women chuckle lightly. “Prince Reed is very welcome. We are not the men haters that the fables would have people believe. I will explain more when we get back to the safety of home. It is not wise to linger outside of our perimeters for long.”

“Protection spells,” Reed states.

“Yes, Your Majesty. We are many, and when our spells work in harmony with each other, not even Lyerdith can breach our defences.” Magdarra places a reassuring hand on Reed’s shoulder. “But currently, we are not within our defences, and I have to insist that we wait no longer. Take my hand.”

Her hand is cool and frail, with an angular feeling from where her bones jut out beneath papery skin. Reed takes her free hand, albeit a little reluctantly, and then it feels as if the world has fallen away from me. It lasts only seconds, but an acidic taste of vomit floods my mouth. I manage to fight away the urge, but Reed succumbs, lurching to his knees to vomit in the vivid grass.

 Content belongs to KJ.Chapman

Web Presence: What I Know Now

I thought I’d reblog this post from 7 months ago. I still stand by what I say- ‘Start a web platform before self publishing’. If only I knew that then, eh?

I thought I’d do a ‘what I have learnt’ post. I dislike posts that dictate what is right and wrong because, in my opinion, there is only what works for you. This post is purely based on my experience.

I should have started building my web presence before self-publishing my debut eBook.

I never had a Twitter account, Facebook author page, or blog. It was after researching self-publishing that I decided social media was a wise idea. When it came to Twitter, I felt prehistoric. I had to ask Mr.O what ‘RT’ meant. Yep, prehistoric.

Now, I am happy to admit, I’m a Twitter aficionado. I quickly picked up the lingo and how to use a hashtag, and I’m loving the Twitter community I am now a part of. If I had joined Twitter before my eBook launch, I would have had a wider audience to market it to straight…

View original post 96 more words

Review: Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine

Paper and Fire (The Great Library #2) by Rachel Caine 5/5

With an iron fist, The Great Library controls the knowledge of the world, ruthlessly stamping out all rebellion, forbidding the personal ownership of books in the name of the greater good.

Jess Brightwell has survived his introduction to the sinister, seductive world of the Library, but serving in its army is nothing like he envisioned. His life and the lives of those he cares for have been altered forever. His best friend is lost, and Morgan, the girl he loves, is locked away in the Iron Tower and doomed to a life apart.

Embarking on a mission to save one of their own, Jess and his band of allies make one wrong move and suddenly find themselves hunted by the Library’s deadly automata and forced to flee Alexandria, all the way to London.

But Jess’s home isn’t safe anymore. The Welsh army is coming, London is burning, and soon, Jess must choose between his friends, his family, or the Library willing to sacrifice anything and anyone in the search for ultimate control.

Thanks go to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Paper and Fire is due for release on July 5th 2016.

Review:

Book one, Ink and Bone, introduced us to a world where the Great Library of Alexandria was never destroyed and knowledge is governed and seen as power. But with power comes corruption. Book two, Paper and Fire, kicks off with Jess, who is still dealing with the loss of his best friend, and knowing that the girl he loves is locked away in the Iron Tower against her will.

Caine’s ability to write believable, diverse characters is just divine. I enjoyed coming into book two and feeling like I was reuniting with old friends. I knew the dynamics and the respect and trust between the characters from book one. I love love love the intimate relationships in this book- Wolfe and Santi, Jess and Morgan, even Khalila and Dario. There is something so honest and unique in each.

The narrative starts with a welcome revelation. Book one leaves us thinking one thing and book two blows it out of the water, setting the ball rolling for this epic novel. This revelation also proves all the main character’s loyalty and bravery within a few chapters. The story was well paced and action packed.

The concept is still as original as ever, never verging on the ordinary with imaginative and innovative world building. What more do you want?

You must read this series.

I need book three, like, yesterday!!

 

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.

Happy 2nd Half of the Year Day! Books! Books! Books!

Yes, it is officially 2nd half of the year day. Where has the time gone? This year, I am participating in the Goodreads Reading Challenge. I set myself a goal of 52 books in a year, and so far I am smashing it. I’m 11 books ahead of schedule!

So, for this 1/2 year post, I shall list the books I have read along with my rating, and a link to my reviews. As I have started posting my monthly round ups, I won’t go into detail, but if there is a book you are interested in, then you can click on the link and check out my honest opinion (all spoiler free).

Awakening by Brianna West 5/5: Review.
Infinity Squad by Shuvom Ghose 3/5: Review.
Victor by Brianna West 5/5 : Review.
Great Love Poems Edited by Shame Weller 4/5: Unreviewed.
The Siblings by Alan Morgan 5/5: Review.
Metamorphosis by Brianna West 5/5: Review.
Dead Man Talking by Roddy Doyle 2/5: Review.
Rise of the Sparrows by Sarina Langer 5/5: Review.
Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson 5/5: Review.
The Notebook by Agota Kristof 3.5/5: Review.
Colossus by Jette Harris 5/5: Review.
The Butterfly Tattoo by Philip Pullman 3.5/5: Review.
Nowhere by Jon Robinson 3/5: Review.
Pretty Dead by Francesca Lia Block 4/5: Review.
Beautiful Screaming of Pigs by Damon Galgut 3.5/5: Review.
Dawning by Brianna West 5/5: Review.
Unexpected Gifts by Bronwyn Green 3/5: Review.
Swarm by Alex South 3.5/5: Review.
Storm in Shanghai by JM Bush 4/5: Review.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean Dominique Bauby 4/5: Review.
Mistborn: The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson 5/5: Review.
Diary of Anna the Girl Witch by Max Candee 4/5: Review.
The Dare by John Boyne 3.5/5: Review.
A Baby at the Beach Cafe by Lucy Diamond 4/5: Review.
Doctrine of Indecency by Various Authors 3/5: Review.
Girl of Myth and Legend by Giselle Simlett 3.5/5: Review.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho 3/5: Review.
White Sand by Brandon Sanderson 4/5: Review.
The Beach Cabin by Fern Britton 3.5/5: Review.
Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine 4/5: Review.
Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge by Paul Krueger 3/5: Review.
Unknown by Phil Price 5/5: Review.
The Hawkweed Prophecy by Irena Brignull 3/5: Review.
The Story Traveller by Max Candee 3/5: Review.
The Dark Side by Anthony O’Neill 4/5: Review.
The Girl with all the Gifts by M.R.Carey 5/5: Review.

Have you set yourself any reading challenges this year? What has been the best book/series you’ve read so far in 2016?

Content belongs to KJ.Chapman

CampNaNoWriMo July

So, I’m late signing up, but I bit the bullet and did it this morning. I’m camping as of tomorrow. Are any of my fellow writers camping in July? Let me know. I’m interested in joining some encouraging, fun cabins.

I’ve set my target at 25k for the month as I have a lot of Mummy duties in July with it being the last month of school before the 6 week holidays- sports day, Race for Life, Induction days etc etc. But 25k would see my first draft of Thrown to The Blue nearly finished. You never know I might smash my target, but I made it achievable and I’m happy with that.

Any CampNaNo tips? If you are signed up give me a shout.

 

June Reads Round Up

Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge by Paul Krueger

My full review: Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge

I gave this book 3/5. The concept was innovative and fun, but I found the world building slightly unbelievable. Some good character development, but some not so good. Quick, easy read.

 

Unknown by Phil Price

My full review: Unknown

I gave this book 5/5. Many POV’s woven into a master tale of vampires, other worlds, and blood harvesting. Many stories could be stand alone from throughout the eras, but the more you read, the more intricately everything is linked.

The Hawkweed Prophecy by Irina Brignull

My full review: The Hawkeeed Prophecy

I gave this book 3/5. I enjoyed the fantasy aspect of the story, and how well teen issues have been woven into a tale of witches, spells, and prophecy. Some relationships felt a little awkward, and the narrative felt rushed in places. A book that doesn’t transcend the age range, but I believe would be enjoyable to young teens.

The Story Traveller by Max Candee

My full review: The Story Traveller

I gave this book 3/5. Detailed world building and imaginative characters. A few too many info dumps for my liking, and a contradictory protagonist. A read for teens with an innovative concept.

 

The Dark Side by Anthony O’Neill

My full review: The Dark Side

I gave this book 4/5. Well thought out, believable dystopian future. A colonised moon loaded with criminals! Gotham City meets Las Vegas. Sci-fi noir with healthy dollops of humour and a very high death count. Thoroughly enjoyed this read.

 

The Girl with all the Gifts by M.R Carey

My full review:

I gave this book 5/5. Not what I expected, but in a good way. Unique take on the zombie novel with science woven in. Small group of well developed characters and multiple POVs. Could not put this book down.

 

Have you read any of my June reads? What did you think? Do you have any recommendations for me because I’m always looking to add to be TBR pile *cough*.

Find me on Goodreads and Pinterest to keep up with my reading list and reviews.

Content belongs to KJ.Chapman