K.J. Chapman's Blog, page 79

What’s Your Name? Letter L

Today’s ‘L’ name randomly selected from the first ‘L’ page of my naming book is:

Lacey: A surname meaning ‘from Lassy in the Calvados region of Normany’. Used as a masculine or feminine first name (Old French).

Lacey

Owen stood on the balcony, staring down at the dark patch that stained the concrete below- blood.  The police tape had been left in place, but he paid it no heed. They had rang him in the early hours of that morning to tell him that Lacey had jumped to her death whilst holidaying with friends. Not suspicious- a suicide- a troubled drug addict. He flew to Spain on the next available flight, needing to see for himself, to play detective if need be.

Just the thought of Lacey balanced on the thin railings, contemplating ending her own life, was a hard pill to swallow. He tucked his hands back into his pockets to avoid touching anything. Disturbing a crime scene was the last thing he wanted to do. It was undoubtedly a crime scene. He knew it as soon as he arrived. Lacey would never have committed suicide; knowing what it would have done to Owen would have stopped her. He was sure of that much.

Ryan placed a hand on his shoulder. “Come on, mate. It’s no good for you to be here. It’s not helping-“

He rang his best friend as soon as he got the call. Ryan was at his house in mere minutes with a holdall and booked flights. They had known each other since childhood. Ryan knew Lacey as well as anybody.

“Don’t touch anything. This is a murder scene.”

“If she was in trouble she’d have called you? Did you check your voicemails? What about your email? ” asked Ryan.

Ryan’s reluctance to accept another scenario irritated the crap out of Owen. Why would he even come if he thought it just a suicide?

“Of course I checked them,” Owen snapped.

Ryan held his hands up in submission. “Sorry, silly questions.”

Owen’s eyes found Lacey’s keys instantly. His heart missed a beat as he crossed the room, and his hands shook as he picked up the ornamental keyring. “Not silly,” he whispered. “She would have let me know.”

The miniature Russian doll felt cool against his sweating palms. “We’d write messages to each other as kids and tuck them inside this.” He showed Ryan the keyring. “I didn’t know she still had it.”

He unscrewed the top and retrieved a small, rolled up piece of paper. Ryan was at his side in a split second. They both caught their breath as Owen unravelled the note.

The black scrawl spelt out three words: ‘Don’t trust Ryan.’

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

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Baring Your Soul Tag

I was tagged by Holly Evans to answer her ‘Baring Your Soul’ post questions. This tag has been created by Holly herself. Head on over to check out Holly’s blog.

Carry on reading if you want a little insight into the life of KJ…

What’s your biggest fear?

Losing someone I love. Oh, and moths. I hate those winged, buggy freaks.

What’s your happiest memory?

I have two. The day my daughter, Sophie, was born, and the day I married my childhood sweetheart.

What’s your five year plan?

Writing related: Completing my EVO Nation series, and the second series I have in the works.

What’s your favourite non-sexual intimate contact?

I like a good hug. You can tell a lot about a person by the way they hug.

What’s your dream date- money no issue?

Going to see the Aurora Borealis. I desperately want to see it. I know the hubby would love it too.

What’s your song?

I’ve never really thought about it. I guess, everyone’s song should be ‘I am what I am’ by Shirley Bassey. Check out the song here.

What’s the most amazing thing someone has said about you?

On my hen night we played the Mr & Mrs game. My hens had pre-asked my hubby questions, and then I had to guess his answers correctly. They asked him to pick one word to describe his wife to be. I chose bubbley, but no, he chose perfect. Needless to say there was a resounding ‘Awwwwwww’ as all the women in the room melted. *blushes*

If you could have any possible super power, what would you chose?

I have answered a similar question to this before, and the answer is still the same. The ability to bring my characters to life.

What’s your guilty pleasure film?

Dirty dancing EVERY time.

What’s your best physical feature?

I always get uncomfortable answering these sorts of questions. I’d say my eyes, but my hubby always says my smile. The best smiles end in the eyes, anyhow.

If you could be remembered for one personality trait, what would you want that to be?

Kindness. If this was Divergent, I’d be in Amity.

What are your non-writing/book related hobbies?

Spending time with the family. If I’m not writing, I’m being Mummy and wife. We are always out on rambles, discovering new walks and beaches etc. The joys of living in Cornwall, England.

What does an ideal night out look like to you?

Meal and/or cinema, followed by a night of drinks and dancing.

What’s the biggest risk you ever took- did it pay off?

I lost my job (a job I hated and where I was made to cry on more than one occasion). So, I needed a new job urgently. I applied for the only vacancy available in my area- health care worker. I got the job, started work, and absolutely loved it. It was supposed to be temporary, but I was there for nearly four years until I had my daugther. I made it to Senior Carer (supervisor). I’d have never known how rewarding that type of job could be if I didn’t make that call.

I’m not sure who has been tagged in this tag, so I shall offer an open invitation to anyone who wants to join in. Remember to link back to Holly’s original tag when you do.

 

World Book Day- What Are You Reading?

World Book Day is here and I couldn’t let it pass without a quick post about my current reads.

I have just finished beta reading Sarina Langer’s debut novel, ‘Rise of the Sparrows’. What a thrilling, entrancing read. I shall say no more… okay, I will- Loved it! Keep your eyes peeled for publication dates for this gem of a book.

Colossus by Jette Harris

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.

Nowhere by Jon Robinson

Blurb: 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 . . . ?

 

 

What are you currently reading this World Book Day?

The Series Finale: Plotting Not Plotting

I’m a pantser. It’s how writing rolls for me. If I plot, I force my character’s to fit the narrative and not vice versa. I enjoy character development and this goes to shit if I’m not letting them develop organically. This is just my experience and how I get my drafts finished, but I have to admit that I’m having to partake in some minor ‘plotting’ for the series finale.

After two books with massive progressions in the narrative, it’s understandable that I have a vision/direction, but it’s my characters who have shown me that vision along the way. Book three, the series finale, is a culmination of every vision, narrative arc, character arc, sub plot, plot twist- ahhhhhh.

I’ve had to ‘plot but not plot’. I’ve written timelines of loose ends, lists of character’s histories that interest me, brainstormed ‘possible’ scenarios, but there I draw the line. As long as I have a visual list to refer to to make sure nothing gets forgotten, I think I will be alright. Bullet points, but no further descriptions is the way forward for this author. I can’t have too much plotted in my mind or on paper for fear of everything I have stated above not coming together.

I’ll let you know how I get on…

 

All written content is the property of K.J.Chapman

GIF sourced from GIPHY.COM

Review: The Final Empire: Mistborn Book One by Brandon Sanderson

 tThe Final Empire: Mistborn Book One by Brandon Sanderson 5/5

 Blurb: 

A thousand years ago evil came to the land and has ruled with an iron hand ever since. The sun shines fitfully under clouds of ash that float down endlessly from the constant eruption of volcanoes. A dark lord rules through the aristocratic families and ordinary folk are condemned to lives in servitude, sold as goods, labouring in the ash fields.

But now a troublemaker has arrived and there is rumour of revolt. A revolt that depends on criminal that no-one can trust and a young girl who must master Allomancy – the magic that lies in all metals.

Review:

I shall start off by saying… ERMAHGERD, this book is bloody fantastic! I went in with high expectations as it was my husband’s suggestion that I read it (he loved it too). It met my expectactions, and then some.

Read this book. Read this book!

The world building is… out of this world- literally. The social heirachies, histories/myths, religions, the allomancy, and rebellion fully submerges you into Sanderson’s world of Mistlings, Mistborn, Inquisitors, criminal gangs, noblemen, and the Lord Ruler to name a few.

The characters were believable and flawed, and some of my favourite characters I have read this year… okay, EVER. Back story for the characters was skillfully drip fed throughout the entirety of the book. Vin is an absolute favourite of mine. She was a strong female protagonist, but naive in many ways. You can’t help but grow fond of her and want to see her succeed. The same goes for Kelsier, the sometimes arrogant, but always loyal, intelligent, and brave male protagonist. But the problem when you love characters so much is that your heart is always ripped from my chest at some point *sobs*.

Sanderson could have made this an ‘us and them’ book, but he showed humanity and humility in the ‘them’ side. Relationships that grow between the two add another level to the narrative, and this only helps to garner more love from the reader in regards to Vin’s decisions and moral compass. Vin and Kelsier bounce off of each other, and teach each other a few truths. The duo are simply superb.

Kelsier’s multi-layered plan, that Vin and the gang all play a part in, is testament to Sanderson’s storytelling skills and imagination. The reader never knows what exactly is coming. We know that Kelsier is always two steps ahead of the game, but every revelation is a shocker. The ultimate shocker *no spoilers* was both ingenius and heart breaking.

My summary- READ THIS BOOK! I can’t wait to get started on the rest of 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.

 

EVO Shift: It’s Release Day!

Today is the day!

EVO Shift is now available on Amazon Kindle. Get your copy here!

Blurb: She killed him, but did it make a difference?

Her kind has been exposed, abused, and segregated, and now Teddie Leason is top of Britain’s most wanted list at just nineteen. Teddie has to decide whose side she is on, what she fights for, and whether it’s worth her life.

How can she protect the man she adores, the Uncle who has taken her under his wing, and her unfaltering friends, when she can barely take care of herself? Dealing with new power and a history that has long since been forgotten, has rendered the world’s most powerful EVO vulnerable and at risk.

When will she be dealt a winning hand? Could a clandestine, renegade group of EVO change not only her fate, but that of everyone affected by this unprecedented war? And how does Teddie fit in a world bracing for a shift of unfathomable magnitude?

Thank you to everyone who pre-ordered. I hope you enjoy EVO Shift as much as EVO Nation. I have already received a message from one reader who has dropped everything to read EVO Shift today. This makes me feel all giddy inside- seriously, I love my readers!

If you haven’t read book one, EVO Nation, you can get your copy here!

Reviews for EVO Nation:

ARC reader reviews for EVO Shift:

Cookie Break: ARC EVO Shift Review

Alias Faith Rivens: ARC EVO Shift Review

I am grateful for the continued support of my blogging and Twitter community/ family! Your encouragement and amazing comments really inspire me- thank you all.

The content of this post is the property of K.J.Chapman

Picture Prompt #8

I’ve been slacking in these posts of late… are you surprised? *Puppy dog eyes.* I missed last week’s post altogether, but I’m so on the ball this week that I’m posting this one a day early. Also, I have big things taking precident tomorrow… oh, you know…EVO Shift’s release!

The purpose of these posts is to write a short story each week based on a picture I have taken during that week. I plan to do a year’s worth of posts which may take a little longer than 52 weeks knowing me. However, I promise to complete my 52 posts!

Field Trip

Petra reluctantly leaves Beth’s side and heads over to Tobias Franley. He watches her approach through his greasy fringe; neither acknowledging her or totally ignoring her. She can smell him before she is within fifteen feet of him, and the sight of the dirt under his finger nails turns her stomach, but she won’t be that girl. She won’t be like the others who laughed when her name was called to partner Tobias; the ones who have relentlessly bullied Tobias for as long as she can remember.

“Hey, I’m Petra. I hope you’re good at orienteering because I’m useless.”

He brazenly studies her entire form. His face reveals little of what he’s thinking, and she coughs nervously. No, she never made a conscious effort to speak to Tobias or to include him in anything ever, but he never showed an interest in making friends. She didn’t like him, found him a little creepy even, but she wasn’t one to be mean for the sake of being mean. After all, everyone has their struggles, right?

Tobias extends his hand for the resource pack that Mr Gregg had handed to her. Even the teachers avoid Tobias where possible. He makes everyone feel uneasy. For a quiet guy, he can outright stare at you and not show any shame. He is a watcher- watchers make Petra edgy.

“This way,” he grunts, wiping his nose on his sleeve.

Petra composes herself and follows. Unable to keep a good distance without appearing rude, she takes shallow breaths to try and avoid smelling the stench of old sweat. Beth throws her a look laced with pity before heading out with her own, less socially awkward partner.

***

“So, you live by the bowling alley, right?” Petra asks, making conversation. They have been walking for the best part of an hour- Tobias trudging ahead, following the map, and Petra writing down the letters at each marker.

“Yes.”

“Did you know I work there on the weekends? I’ve never seen you in there before. Is bowling not your thing?”

“No.” He stops suddenly, examining a fork in the footpath. “This one,” he says, not bothering to glance back at her.

Petra looks to the mine chimney in the distance. “Are you sure? Mr Gregg said that if we get lost we should head to the mine. This path takes us back on ourselves.”

Tobias doesn’t stop. “The map says this way.”

He clearly wants this ordeal over as quickly as she does, so she doesn’t protest.

The light dims as black rain clouds gather overhead and fat raindrops drench them through. The gorse gets thicker and the ground muddier. The further they walk down Tobias’ route, the more dense the trees become. An anxious feeling grips at her gut. Mr Gregg said the orienteering would only take about an hour and a thirty minutes. They were no closer to the mine chimney, and they had been walking for nearly two hours.

“Tobias, no offense, but I think we’ve taken a wrong turn back there. This can’t be right.”

He huffs, spinning in his wet trainers. “There’s a marker,” he says pointing to a pink tag tied around a tree nestled in the overgrowth.

Relief washes over her. “My bad. Nice navigating,” Petra says, setting off through the brush towards the tree. As soon as she steps from the beaten track, her foot sinks into the mud. Her boots disappear beneath the sludge that runs down her legs, pooling around her feet in a gooey mess.

“Shit. This is a bog, Tobias.” She tries to pull her foot free, but is sunctioned further into the mud. With each movement she sinks further. “Tobias, I can’t move. You’ll have to help pull my legs free.” She looks to Tobias, but he stands motionless. The mud drags her down further. She’s up to her knees, now. “Tobias, help me!”

Tobias watches with a sick intensity that chills her to her core. He smiles with his eyes. Petra looks to the marker. It’s pink like the rest, but the wrong shape. The others were square, laminated bits of card. This one is a rectangle parcel tag. She starts to scream as realisation washes over her body like ice water. This was set- up.

“Tobias, stop playing. Please, help me!”

He chucks the map into the mud beside her. He neither smiles nor panics, he just watches her the way you’d watch a ready meal go around in a microwave, or the way you’d watch clothes spin in the washer. She’s dying and he’s observing.

The mud shifts around her, sucking her in up to her waist. “Please, Tobias! I’m sinking. Help me. I’ll do anything.”

He removes the flare gun from the resource pack and fires it into the air. The red glow does little to appease her fears. By the time help arrives she’ll have been sucked under.

“What did I ever do to you?” she cries at him. The mud bubbles around her, and she slides further into it’s grip. “Why, Tobias?” The mud continues to suck her in deeper. One shoulder is totally submerged, and she flails the other arm helplessly.

“Because I wanted to see what would happen?” he says, casually.

He greedily watches the mud swallow her into its belly like a snake swallowing it’s prey, and as her mouth and nose disappear under the mud, she sees him shrug.

Written works and images are the property of K.J.Chapman

 

Character Dialogue: Cutting The Fluff

I have a new character straight off the bat in book three. This character was ‘properly’ introduced to the narrative at the very end of EVO Shift. I love this character, and have great things planned for them, but their dialogue hasn’t been gelling with the image/ idea in my head. I’ve re-read certain chapters time and time again to try and figure out what was so… off. I never usually re-read during drafting, so this alone told me that I needed to sort this ASAP. I couldn’t move forward without finding their true voice and it was frustrating to say the least.

I was re-reading for the millionth time, when out of the blue I highlighted the last sentence of a piece of their dialogue and pressed delete. I moved to their next line of dialogue, read through, highlighted two sentences, and again, pressed delete. Something was happening… yep, their voice rang clear in my head. It was a kind voice, a wise voice, and a voice that would be to the point. I just had to cut the fluff- the gumph- the dead weight. Basically, I had to cut the bullshit.

They have their voice! *Inwardly screams ‘YAAASSSSSSS’*

This one is under my skin and I don’t want to let them down. I’m so relieved that I can finally get back on the drafting train with a clear voice in my mind. After all, this is the series finale and it’s the strong voices who WILL be heard…

Written content is the property of K.J.Chapman

GIFs sourced from GIPHY.COM

My Current Muse-ic!

I’ve have been listening to a lot of ‘Panic! At The Disco’ this week. I’m currently about 15k words deep into the first draft of the final book in my EVO Nation series. This book is a story of epic proportions: war, love, power, and more importantly, comeuppances.

This song is perfect for reminding me that my MC deserves to dish out some just desserts. I haven’t been all that nice to her in the first two books, but now it’s payback time…

The Emperor’s New Clothes by Panic! At The Disco

(Finders keepers, losers weepers)

Welcome to the end of eras

Ice has melted back to life

Done my time and served my sentence

Dress me up and watch me die

If it feels good, tastes good

It must be mine

Dynasty decapitated

You just might see a ghost tonight

And if you don’t know, now you know

I’m taking back the crown

I’m all dressed up and naked

I see what’s mine and take it

(Finders keepers, losers weepers)

Oh, yeah

The crown…

So close I can taste it

I see what’s mine and take it

(Finders keepers, losers weepers)

Oh, yeah

Sycophants on velvet sofas

Lavish mansions, vintage wine

I am so much more than royal

Snatch your chain and mace your eyes

If it feels good, tastes good

It must be mine

Heroes always get remembered

But you know legends never die

And if you don’t know, now you know

I’m taking back the crown

I’m all dressed up and naked

I see what’s mine and take it

(Finders keepers, losers weepers)

Oh, yeah

The crown

So close I can taste it

I see what’s mine and take it

(Finders keepers, losers weepers)

Oh, yeah

Mortal kings are ruling castles

Welcome to my world of fun

Liars settle into sockets

Flip the switch and watch them run

Oh, yeah, oh

(Finders keepers, losers weepers)

I’m taking back, back, taking back, back

The crown

I’m all dressed up and naked

I see what’s mine and take it

(Finders keepers, losers weepers)

Oh, yeah

The crown

So close I can taste it

I see what’s mine and take it

(Finders keepers, losers weepers)

Oh, yeah

(Finders keepers, losers weepers)

(Finders keepers, losers weepers)

Watch the official Video here: Emperor’s New Clothes

What’s Your Name? Letter K

I’m posting this writing exercise on time for once- shock horror! Miracles do happen- ha!! The last few weeks have been hectic, so here’s to getting back into my blogging swing.

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

Kady: An Irish feminine first name, perhaps influenced by Katie, but the name could stem from Ceadach meaning ‘first’. (Irish Gaelic).

Kady

“Where has that girl gone? Princess- pah. She’s a brat- an unruly, disobedient brat.”

I swing down from the tree, landing steadily in front of Howell in the soft grass. “Were you saying something, Howell, because I didn’t quite catch it?”

“Oh no, Princess,” he squeaks, flushing red. “I was simply asking the guard here after your whereabouts. You really mustn’t wander, Your Highness. Look at your dress, your mother will be furious.”

“I wasn’t wandering, Howell. I was climbing- there is a difference. And my mother is dead. Deidra is not now, and will never be my mother. You needn’t have come along at all. Father never used to mind my being in the gardens alone. Once he returns, he shall tell you so himself.”

Howell sighs loudly, adjusting the stupid sash he wears. None of the other wards wear their sashes day in day out. They only make exception for functions and ceremonies. Howell is a pompous oaf, and would happily crawl up Deidra’s backside if there was room enough.

“I am aware that Deidra wants you to watch my every move. She believes me to be part of the uprising, does she not?”

Howell trips over his robe, pulling at his collar; the tell tale tick of a worried man. “Ludicrous accusation, Your Highness. Your father married the Queen out of love. The stories of magic and sorcery are the talk of simple folk. Why would anyone believe that you would be part of such a charade? The uprising is nothing more than outlaws using myths to destroy the Monarchy.”

“I think it’s all quite fascinating- the adventure- the spirit. Outlaws must live extraordinary lives.” I skip away, swinging the picnic basket as I go. The orchards are beautiful at this time of year. As a child, I would spend hours playing with my father’s ward’s son, Jago. We would even pick apples and help the cooks make crumbles for all of the palace staff. “Do you not think, Howell?”

“Yes, if by extraordinary lives you mean homeless, feral, and unhygienic. Please, Princess Kadlynne, we really must be returning to the palace to prepare for the ball. The Queen permitted you to one hour of freedom only.”

I chuckle. “Freedom? I am not free, Howell. I have your hawk eyes on me every minute of every day.” I carry on meandering through the trees. “Anyway, I thought you’d be interested in the new edition to the vineyard crop. You did say that the exotic berries are the Queen’s favourite. If you would help me pick some, I’m sure the cooks would be more than happy to make up a pie. The Queen would be grateful, I’m sure, and I’d get an extra fifteen minutes of ‘freedom’.”

He rolls his eyes, but takes the basket from me all the same. “Lead the way, Your Highness.”

I allow him to walk two paces ahead of me, eagerly eyeing the crop of grapes. The scent in the vineyard is heavenly. I could get tipsy just thinking about the quality of wine this harvest will produce. Howell continues to search for the infamous berries, but there are only grapes for as far as the eye can see. I use the distraction, and the dense coverage of the vines, to slip out of my dress.

“I think you are mistaken, Princess?” He squats down to examine the leaves on the vine.

“Mistaken about what, Howell? The berries or the uprising?”

His heads whips in my direction, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. I know he eyes my leather trousers and the blades sheathed to my hip, thigh, and calf. My red vest with the infamous black logo, sears into his eyes. I kick my dress away from my feet.

Howell staggers, falling to the ground in a bundle of robes, and calling to the guard. I unsheath my blade, edging closer to the weasle in the grass. The weight on my shoulders lifts, and I can finally drop the act. After seven long months I can stop pretending.

“My father won’t be returning, will he, Howell? He never went away in the first place. You poisoned the King on the Queen’s orders, didn’t you? I know what you did, and I know that my ludicrous accusation isn’t quite so ludicrous after all.” He shouts to the guard again, scrambling away from me in fear. “You’re a smart man, Howell. You know what this logo means, and you know that I won’t let you or Deirdra take what is mine.”

There is movement behind me, and Howell relaxes at the sight of the guard. “The Princess is threatening the Queen’s ward,” he shouts, but the guard doesn’t look to stop me.

“I was going to conveniently fall from the balcony tonight, wasn’t I, Howell? The perfect murder; all those aristocrats to bare witness to the tragic accident of a silly Princess.” I grab at his hair, pulling him right into my face.

“No…no…Your High- Princess, please. I.. I..I’m sorry.”

“This is for my father,” I say, and I slit his throat open. I throw his head back down to the ground and watch the blood stain the grass.

An arm wraps around my waist and I turn into the embrace. My guard- my protector. He kisses me. He still smells the same as he did all those years ago- spearmint and apples.

“This is it. It has begun. Take his sash back to base as proof. I shall meet you all where we agreed.”

He kisses me one last time, and then rips the sash from Howell’s lifeless torso. “Make sure you take care, and I’ll see you at dusk. I love you, Kady.”

“I love you too, Jago.”

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!