K.J. Chapman's Blog, page 78

EVO Ghost: Writing Playlist

Creating a playlist for the drafting process of each novel is a big thing of mine. Music helps set tone, pace, and emotion to name a few. Sometimes, you only know what you’re thinking, or what you want to write, once you’ve listened to a certain song. Click the links to listen to the playlists for EVO Nation and EVO Shift.

My drafting playlist for EVO Ghost:

Linkin Park: Numb
Skillet: Not Gonna Die
Skillet: Freakshow
Sia: Cheap Thrills
Sia: Elastic Heart
Sia: Alive

Yes, I love Sia!

Frances: Don’t Worry About Me
Rachel Platten: Fight Song

I need to just add that the opening lines to’Fight Song’ gave me actual goosepimples. ‘Like a small boat in the ocean, sending big waves into motion.’ EVO Nation readers will understand my being in awe of this line considering the start of book one. Such a perfect summary!

Labrinth: Jealous
Panic! At The Disco: Emperor’s New Clothes
Bullet For My Valentine: Hearts Burst Into Fire
David Guetta ft Sia: Titanium
Stone Sour: 30/30-150

There is a story here: 30/30-150 was the song I was listening to when EVO Nation was just a seed of an idea many years ago. I think this song could have set the tone for the whole series. EVO Nation series readers, what do you reckon?

Stone Sour: Through the Glass
Christina Perri: Human

 

What’s Your Name? Letter M

The first ‘M’ name randomly selected from the first ‘M’ page in my naming book is:

Mackenzie: A surname meaning ‘son of Kenneth’ (Scottish Gaelic). Used as a masculine and feminine first name.

The following letter is based on an idea I had for another series, but one that I’m no longer persuing…well, not at the moment. I wanted to use this exercise to pad out an idea, and see what the result would be. I like the dynamics of this relationship and that’s why it keeps niggling at the back of my mind.

Mackenzie

Mackenzie,

First, let me say that this letter isn’t me taking the coward’s way out. I knew that if I tried to talk to you about this, things would have gotten out of control, just like they always do. I just hope that you read this, otherwise you’ll never know the truth. You deserve to know the truth.

I’ve left you. By the time you find this letter, I’ll be in another country, living another life.

I won’t say it’s not you it’s me, because I’m not willing to take 100% of the blame. You have to grow up and accept your own faults, just as I have done. You were always the burning flame, and I was the gasoline. It’s just how we worked I suppose- destructive. There’s only so many times that you can turn me to ash before the wind picks me up and carries me away. And there’s only so many times that I can ignite your flame before you burn out. I don’t want to see you burn out.

You and I are a brilliant disaster. That’s not how this should be- I know that- I’ve always known that, but I punished myself time and time again. I knew that if I didn’t distance myself from you this time, that I would be drawn back. As for you, how do you love and hate someone equally, both with fierce passion and commitment. I don’t mind if you wholly hate me now, I only worry that it will consume you. Everything consumes you.

I want you to take this decision as my gift to you. Use it wisely.

You’ll always have the best and worst parts of me.

Naomi x

I have already randomly selected the ‘N’ name for next week. Can you guess what it was? Yep, Naomi. I might return a letter to her from Mackenzie, so keep your eyes peeled.

All written works are the property of K.J.Chapman

Do you like writing prompts? Check out K.J.Chapman’s Prompt Me eBook, and discover 150 writing prompts for beating the block!

Review: Nowhere by Jon Robinson

Nowhere by Jon Robinson 3/5

Blurb:

‘No one’s coming for us.

Not our families, not the police.

No one.’

Alyn, Jes, Ryan and Elsa are Nowhere.

A concrete cube in the middle of a dense forest.

Imprisoned inside are one hundred teenagers from all over the country. They’re all criminals. But none of them remember committing any crimes.

Who has put them there. What do their captors want?

And how will they ever break free . . . ?

Review:

The concept appealed to me, but I felt more could have been done with this narrative. I was half way through the book and the pace hadn’t picked up, and the story hadn’t progressed enough for my liking. I was waiting for something to happen.

Nowhere is written in third person, but regularly switches perspective between a number of characters. This allowed insight into both the captors and the captives. I liked Ryan’s character because he felt the most rounded out of the bunch. I didn’t feel emotionally drawn/ attached to any of the others. Character development  really lets this book down.

The prose was simplistic, but well written, and the rapid switches between perspectives was handled well. Nowhere is set in present day/ near future. It makes a change from a lot of dystopian YA novels on the market. I am a fan of science fiction and urban fantasy, and that premise is what drew me to the novel in the first place. I just wished Robinson fulfilled my expectations a little more.

The ending only added to my questions rather than answered any. This is most probably due to Nowhere being the first in a series, but I needed a little more closure than what was offered.

In summary, a great concept that needed a little more oomph.

Review: The Butterfly Tattoo by Philip Pullman

The Butterfly Tattoo by Philip Pullman 3.5/5

The agony and ecstasy of a teenage love affair inspires this tense, romantic thriller. Sixth-former Chris falls in love with Jenny the moment he sets eyes on her as he works at an Oxford ball. But as their relationship blossoms, tragedy and violence wait in the wings. For Chris’s boss has a shady past that won’t stay hidden. And his ruthless enemies will use two innocent teenagers to exact their revenge on him.

 Review:

If I had to sum this book up, I’d say it was a story of adolescent love and a side helping of gansters. That being said the narrative was understated, and in Pullman style, the prose was beautiful. The whole story was a retelling of the very first sentence; a corker of an opening line:

Chris Marshall met the girl he was going to kill on a warm Oxford night in early June.

I already knew Pullman had a knack for creating characters that draw you in, and this book was no different. Chris was a superbly well rounded, well written character. Dealing with teenage issues, family issues, love issues, and being in that in between stage of boy and man. Jenny was street wise, toughened, but just as easily broken. I rooted for the pair of them, but that opening sentence lingered in the back of my mind for the whole narrative. At least I was pre-warned of the ending.

I have to put it out there that this book is no ‘Northern Lights’. The plot wasn’t as engaging or compelling. After all, we knew the ending from the first sentence, right? I went in with expectations, which isn’t a great start, and this book fell short. If not for the beautifully written characters and prose, I’d probably not have continued with the story.

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 Three Title & Cover Reveal

The time has come to reveal the title for my third and final book in the EVO Nation Series. This title came to me much easier than the last two. Deep down, I always knew it would be called this, but I didn’t want to set it in stone until I was 100%. I had a moment whilst writing, when the title linked in beautifully with the narrative, and I couldn’t avoid it any longer.

First, there was EVO Nation:

Then, there was EVO Shift:

Now, there is… *drumroll*…

EVO Ghost

The third and final installment has a name! It is much nicer to reference an actual title than saying ‘book three’. Those of you who have read EVO Shift will understand the importance of this title by the ending of book two.

Images and written works are the property of K.J.Chapman

Allergic to the Letter ‘E’ Challenge #2

The allergic to the letter ‘E’ challenge is exactly as it sounds. You have to write a short story without using the letter E. Sounds easy, right? Wrong! It has got to be one of the hardest writing challenges I have ever done, and for some reason I’m back for another shot at it. You can find my first attempt here.

My Dragon

“I cannot fathom why Noah Sutton would say that to you?” says Lois, my lady in waiting, “That man has a lot of brass about him.”

“It’s a big risk for him to go against his pack.” Noah’s pack is infamous within our kingdom. Known only as ‘Dragons’, it’s no shock that many of our population do not consort with pack folk. “Noah isn’t a bad man.”

Lois laughs. “Do you think so? Noah is a Dragon, and was probably acting on instruction. This is all a ploy to catch you off guard. Do not trust him. Now, stop with this silly talk.”

I watch Lois walk away, picking wild mint from the pots. Lois is probably right, but Noah had said it with such conviction, how could I just brush it off? Sitting against a warm rock, I lift my skirts to sun my pasty skin, Noah’s words spin in my mind. Is Aunt Griya looking to claim my manor? Only my passing would allow such an action, my Dad’s will said as much. I can’t think about my own Aunt in that way… can I?

“Ruby,” says Noah.

I jump, gasping in shock at his intrustion. Catching him looking at my pinking skin, I quickly brush my skirts back down. A grin plays at his mouth. No doubt pack girls display skin without abash- town folk do it too. I must maintain dignity- a lady should not display skin. I wish I could don a pair of shorts in this hot sun, but Aunt Griya would faint.

“Don’t stop on my account,” Noah says, winking. “I know how you look at pack girls, and how you wish you could put on a short frock, a swimsuit. You should- it would suit you.”

I blush. “What do you want, Noah?” I watch for sign of Lois or a guard. “My Aunt would hang you for just walking on our lawns.”

“Your lawns, Ruby. This is your manor! Anyway, would you mind that? In your own words- I’m just a Dragon.”

Words won’t form. I damn him for how my tummy flips, and how my mind swirls. “I told Lois of our talk. Is this all just a ploy, Noah? I want to trust you, but- What is it you actually want?”

“For you to runaway. I’ll run with you. You and I can go far away from this manor, this town, my pack. How can I walk away knowing what that woman is plotting?”

Standing, I brush grass from my skirts. “All rumours. Aunt Griya wouldn’t-”

Noah holds out a photo of Aunt Griya talking to Frank, Noah’s boss. Frank counts cash, and Aunt Griya has a sly, tummy knotting grin. “I told you only truths, Ruby.”

Noah holds out his hand. I do trust him, and Aunt Griya was talking to a Dragon. Can I do this? Of course, I must do this.

“My saviour is a Dragon. Do you know how crazy that sounds?” I say, laughing. I put my hand in his own.

Noah sighs loudly, running his thumb across my palm. “I’m your Dragon, Ruby. For always.”

I extend an invitation to anyone who wants to have a bash at this challenge. Link back to me, so I can have a read.

 

Written works are the property of K.J.Chapman

Find Each Other: Goodreads

This is the first of a bunch of posts that hopefully will enable all of us bloggers to network outside of our blogs. If you are like me, you have every social media account going: Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, Amazon author pages, and so on, but sometimes it’s hard to make your community aware of your presence on other platforms.

This week is dedicated to finding each other on Goodreads.com.

How is this going to work?

This is for everyone, not just writers with Goodreads author pages. You can follow or friend- it’s up to you.

Post a link to your Goodreads account in the comments. (Buy links will be deleted)
Friend/ follow anyone else who posts a link.
Please, do not post a link and not return the favour of following/friending.

It’s that simple.

I look forward to seeing many more of you on Goodreads. Here is my link: Find KJ on Goodreads!

If you’re not on Goodreads, but would like to be, head on over to goodreads.com. We are all waiting *not in a stalker type way*.

 

 

 

Muse-ic: Don’t Worry About Me

I heard this song whilst driving, and even once I had parked up, I couldn’t get out until I heard the whole thing. It was a lump in the throat, speaking directly to me, muse-ic moment.

I’m very lucky to feel this way about my hubby *aww blush*, and I sent the link to him straight away. However, the more I listened to it, the more it also rang true with my MC in my current WIP. Me and Teddie sharing a moment over here. (EVO Nation and EVO Shift readers will understand this).

Don’t Worry About Me by Frances

Feel the fear for you, I’ll cry your tears for you

I’ll do anything I can to make you comfortable

Even if I fall down when you’re not around

Don’t worry about me, don’t worry about me

If I fall, you fall

And if I rise, we’ll rise together

When I smile, you smile

And don’t worry about me, don’t worry about me

[Verse 1]

I’ll feel the fear for you, I’ll cry your tears for you

I’ll do anything I can to make you comfortable

Even if I fall down when you’re not around

Don’t worry about me, don’t worry about me

[Verse 2]

I’ll climb the hills you face, I’ll do this in your place

I do anything to go through it instead of you

But even if I fall down when you’re not around

Don’t worry about me, don’t worry about me

[Chorus]

Cause if I fall, you fall

And if I rise, we rise together

When I smile, you smile

And don’t worry about me, don’t worry about me

Cause if I fall, you fall

And if I rise, we rise together

When I smile, you smile

And don’t worry about me, don’t worry about me

[Instrumental bridge]

[Outro]

If I fall, you fall

And if I rise, we’ll rise together

When I smile, you smile

And don’t worry about me, don’t worry about me

Don’t worry about me, don’t worry about me

Check out this amazing song here!

Picture Prompt #9

What a week!

Book two in my EVO Nation series, EVO Shift, was released last Tuesday. Thank you to every one who has supported my journey, the launch, and everything in between. I owe you a great deal.

Now, onto today’s writing exercise. Picture Prompt #9 is a picture of the current state of my garden. Some of you may remember me mentioning an extension, well, it’s underway. Buildings have been knocked down, ground has been dug, skips of rubble removed, and I have to walk across a bridge…*coughs*…door to hang my washing out. The builders have appropriately warned me of the risks, and even put signs up, but I’m a rebel and I like line dried washing haha.Seeing as it is consuming a lot of my life at present, I shall use it for my prompt too.

I’m being the rebel that I am in this photo. That dodgy looking blue wood is the said door bridge, and yep, I’m stood on it. It’s funny now, until I fall into the trench and the builders laugh and point.

Watchers

The tray of mugs tinkles precariously as I skirt over holes, rubble, and mud. The men set down their tools with looks of appreciation on their faces. I place the tray on the camp table, and whip the unopened pack of hobnob biscuits from my pocket.

“You’re a diamond,” says Greg. “Isn’t she, Xander- a diamond?”

As usual Xander is neither looking at me nor ignoring me. He’s mastered the nonchalent facial expressions of a bored, under challenged labourer. “Hmm,” he grunts, dropping his pick axe, and bypassing me to join the other men.

“Pull up a pew,” Greg says, clapping me on the back with a little too much force. I almost lose my footing, but style it out. He stacks two bags of cement on top of each other, and shoves me onto it. “I want to go over the upcoming work with you.”

“I just work here. You need to speak to Simon, my boss.”

“Oh, I thought you and him were…”

“God no!” I laugh into my hand.

Xander looks up and meets my eye. “You’re not married to Simon?”

It’s the most he has said to me since the work started three weeks ago. Even the other builders look shocked that a real sentence came out of his mouth. Although, a couple throw Xander side smiles, and I’m sure he blushes a little.

“No. What gave you that idea?”

“Simon did,” says Greg. He takes a sip of coffee and raises his eye brows over the top of the mug. “Said you were off limits. That you and him were… well, a thing. I assumed you both owned this place.”

The smile drops from my face. Shooting to my feet, I march back toward the pub. “I’m going to kill him- he’s forever doing this- can’t take no for an answer.” I rant to myself. Simon is a letch, old enough to be my father, and a pain in my ass.

“You go and give him what for, love,” one of the builders calls after me.

“Oh, I’ll do one better than that,” I reply, slamming the door on their jeers.

***

I march out into the construction site. Not stopping, I swing my coat on, and fish for my car keys in my handbag. The men stop working, but I’m raging and not in the mood for conversation. I meet Xander’s eyes briefly, and he stares back. The eye contact is both unnerving and exciting. Why now? Why suddenly show an interest today?

“Gave him a few choice words, did ya?” Greg calls, laughing. I’m glad it amuses him.

“Two actually: ‘I’ and ‘quit’.”

Greg’s mouth clamps shut, and I walk toward the carpark, throwing a wave over my shoulder, desperately trying to hold my shit together. “Bring a thermos tomorrow because Simon won’t bother to water you,” I say in warning.

***

The phone rings and I answer it without looking at the caller. Simon’s anger laced voice booms into my ear.

“What did you say to the builders? You walk out, and then they up sticks and bail on me. What the hell am I supposed to do, Kelsy.”

“Not my problem. And I’ve said nothing to the builders. Perhaps, they don’t want to work for a man who pretends to be the husband of girls half his age. Get lost, Simon.” I hang up on him.

I flop on to the bed, burying my face into the pillow. How the hell am I going to afford the rent next month, or to keep my car on the road. I am in a monumental bloody mess.

The phone rings again and I snatch it up. “I told you to get lost.”

“Oh my gracious. Is this a bad time? I’m looking for a Miss Kelsy Reinhard,” says a squeaky, female voice.

I sit bolt upright, my cheeks burning with embarassment. “I’m so sorry. I thought you were someone else. Yes, this is Kelsy.”

“I hear you’re in need of a job?” she continues.

“Umm.. yeah. How’d you know-?”

“A friend of a friend from the bar. I’m in desperate need of a waitress. Can you start as soon as possible. It’s the Greasy Spoon on the high street. Okay, I’ll see you in a min, Honey.”

I don’t even get a chance to respond, but the answer is yes, of course. I need this job. Who cares how weird that phone call was? I did make a scene in the bar, and some regulars would have given the mystery caller my name, no doubt.  Throwing on a bit of lippy and my coat, I snatch up my keys and drive to the cafe.

The woman, Heidi, greets me, placing a pinny into my hands. She’s at least seventy, and wears a house coat over her nylon dress. “I’m snowed under, Honey. Could you help in the kitchen for tonight, and tomorrow I’ll teach you the ropes.” She guides me through the swing door. “Joey, this is Kelsy. Kelsy, Joey the chef. Point Kelsy in the right direction and she’ll crack on,” says Heidi.

Joey greets me, but is run off of his feet with orders. “It’s just dishes at the moment, but could you take out the bins. It’s just through that door.”

Grabbing up the black sacks, I open the door and use my knees to bash the bags through the incredibly narrow space. Banging catches my attention, and a familiar smell of menthol tobacco fills my nose. A tall wall separates me from the voices on the other side, but curiosity gets the better of me. I climb onto the dumpster, tiptoeing to see over the brick wall. The source of the smell is apparent- Greg. In fact, the whole building crew is on the other side digging up the concrete.

“What the hell?” I say, startling them. “Why are you here? Simon’s going bat shit.”

“Shit,” Greg says under his breath.

All the men look sheepish and caught in the act. Just what that act is I don’t actually know.

Screaming as a hand grabs my ankle, I drop onto the dumpster lid to see Heidi in a panic.

“You shouldn’t be out here!” she scolds.

“Joey asked me to–“

“No, Kelsy. That’s not your job.” Her voice is a mix of anger and worry, and she holds out her hands in defeat as Greg appears in the cafe’s courtyard. The other men are close on his heels. “I’m sorry, Greg. I am rushed off of my feet in there. I forgot to tell her not to come out here.”

Greg rubs a hand over his rough beard. “Ah hell, nevermind. It was only a matter of time. Now will have to be as good a time as any. I wish she was ready though.”

“Whoa! What the hell is this? Why are you even here?” I snap. They’re all acting shady, and a knot has tightened in my stomach. “Are you following me?”

Xander steps forward, taking my wrists before I can run away. “Yes, Kelsy. We’re not builders, we’re Watchers. Our job has been to keep you safe.”

All written works are the property of K.J.Chapman

Do you like writing prompts? Check out K.J.Chapman’s Prompt Me eBook, and discover 150 writing prompts for beating the block!

Review: Colossus by Jette Harris

Colossus (My Name Is Not Heather Stokes Book One) by Jette Harris 5/5

Blurb:

Four high school seniors find themselves locked in a house, forced to entertain the whims and appetites of an unpredictable man for one month. He calls himself Avery Rhodes. They call him Colossus, the looming, threatening figure who seems to be teetering on the edge of sanity. Heather Stokes, no stranger to tragedy, does all she can to protect her classmates, going as far as sacrificing herself time and again. As the month winds down, both Heather and Rhodes realize that they are in over their heads, and it is possible that none of them will survive. COLOSSUS is a brutal psychological thriller, with characters reminiscent of Alice Hoffman, but a plot worthy of Karin Slaughter.

(Trigger warning: Sexual violence, torture, suicide.)

Review:

This book contains graphic content of extreme sexual and physical abuse, torture, death, and suicide. Not for the squeamish, but a morbidly thrilling read none the less; a horror story of the realistic, believable, ‘that could really happen’ kind. It’s contemporary, breathing new life into the genre.

The content of this book was eye opening, disturbing, horrific, and challenging, but handled masterfully by Harris. Four teenagers are abducted and held at the mercy of a sadistic rapist/ killer, and made to satisfy his every desire. I was on pins and needles for the entire read, and even recoiled from the brutality on occasion, but I just had to know the outcome. It’s a book that you love to hate. You don’t want to turn the pages due to the savagery bestowed upon the characters, but morbid curiosity keeps you going.

The characters were distinctive, true to self, and each offered something to the narrative. Harris captured the differences in their approach to dealing with the horrific situation they were faced with, at the same time tackling the dynamics in their own relationships as friends, and not just as captives to a perverse torturer. We even get a peek into the antagonist’s back story. This only makes him more formidable, and in regards to his perversions and mental health, believable.

 I’m looking forward to book two 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.