K.J. Chapman's Blog, page 82

The Launch is A’Coming!

EVO Shift (EVO Nation Series Book Two) is bursting onto the indie scene on March 1st 2016. How I have longed to post this. Finally, my second baby is ready for the world. I hope the world is ready for my baby. I feel like I want to hold on to it for a little longer, let it be just mine for a tad more, but if you love something you have to let it go, right?

What can you expect??

More EVO. More abilities. More war. More heartbreak. More love.

Blurb:

She killed him, but did it make a difference?

Her kind has been exposed, abused, and segregated, and now Teddie Leason is Britain’s most wanted EVO 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?

EVO Nation will be on a free three day promo during the week before the launch. So, if you haven’t already read EVO Nation, you can get that one under your belt before EVO Shift makes its dramatic entrance.

I would appreciate the support of my blogging and Twitter family during the launch week and there after. You have been fabulous in helping me promote EVO Nation, and EVO Shift will need you guys too.

Picture Prompt #5

I have been a busy busy bee as of late, but I will not slack on my writing exercises. I will, however, shorten them just for a week or two. Editing EVO Shift is all consuming, and I MUST finish.

Today’s picture is of my tattoo. I had this tattoo for my twenty first birthday, nine years ago. *Cough* I am a fan of tattoos, and have one in honour of my daughter on my other wrist, and some kind of tribal symbol on my lower back. Yep, I have a tramp stamp. I was eighteen at the time and they were all the rage, so don’t judge. I don’t regret my tattoos at all. They’re like snap shots of where you were at during that time in your life, and I will definitely be adding to my collection at some point.

The Curse of the Marked

The symbol appeared only yesterday. Grandmother was ecstatic. I, however, was less than pleased. With the symbol comes great responsibility; a responsibility I neither want nor can live up to. They’ll see tomorrow. The ceremony will be two short, and Kyas and I will be long gone. I’ve heard rumours of a place where the marked live freely, protected by enchantments and magic. If we can make it there, we can escape our cursed future.

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

EVO Shift Editing Update #3

It has been three days of hard slogging, but the second read through has been a success. The changes made in stage #1 of editing flow well and tie up all the loose ends. I am more than a little relieved. There was quite a bit of tying off that needed to be done and I kept all apendages crossed that it wouldn’t affect the narrative in an adverse way, but I’m happy to say- phew!

Stage #2 consisted of polishing narrative, and more importantly adding a few scenes to flesh out certain plot points. Those scenes have been added, and edited, and are sitting pretty.

As you can just about see in the picture, I changed the font and colour to give myself a fresh perspective. I went for a red this time, and highlighted with a dark blue. It really helped me see it through new eyes. I would suggest trying this if you edit on screen and find you’re missing mistakes etc.

So, what are my processes for Stage #3?

Stage #3 is… yep, you guessed it, the third read through. This read through is to catch anything I may have missed. I have already sent a copy to my friend/ proof reader for any glaring mistakes that they may see.

Again, I will change the font and colour. I will reiterate how well this works for me. Once I am happy with stage #3 and have feedback from my proof-reader, then I will send out my advanced reader copies. Which shouldn’t be long.

Stage #4= formatting. This is tedious, and time consuming, and makes me go cross-eyed, but it is a necessity for ebooks. I will go into this in a little more detail once Stage #3 is completed.

I shall leave you with another excerpt because I’m in a sharing mood:

The tantrum was fruitless. It did nothing other than tire me, and leave my knuckles swollen and split. I pace. It’s all I can do to stop me going insane. I’ve run over every possible escape scenario, but I can’t pull anything off with the cuff on my wrist. I scream in frustration as I move from the window to the door from the window to the door.

GIF sourced from GIPHY.COM

Image & written works are the property of K.J.Chapman

 

 

My Favourite Page in My Favourite Book

I have many, many, many favourite books, and many, many, many favourite sentences, chapters, descriptions, dialogues etc, but there is one that affects me every time I read it.

For some reason, I have three copies of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, but I won’t give them away just in case something terrible happens to my go to copy. I think I would palpitate if I didn’t have a copy at hand, so three it is. I have read Jane Eyre more times than I can count, and each time I get a giddy feeling when I know I’m about to reach my favourite page. In my go to copy, it is page 302.

Read it for yourself and tell me it isn’t the perfect surmise of love:

“Because,” he said, “I sometimes have a queer feeling with regard to you – especially when you are near me, as now: it is as if I had a string somewhere under my left ribs, tightly and inextricably knotted to a similar string situated in the corresponding quarter of your little frame. And if that boisterous Channel, and two hundred miles or so of land come broad between us, I am afraid that cord of communion will be snapt; and then I’ve a nervous notion I shall take to bleeding inwardly. As for you- you’d forget me.”

“That I never should, sir: you know-” Impossible to proceed.

Does that not give you a fizzy tummy? I’ve come over all goose-pimpled again; the sign of a brilliant book and author.

I just wanted to share one last thing with you- my Christmas pressie from a few years ago that was handmade by my best friend. She rescued a copy of Jane Eyre from the rubbish bin, and put it to amazing use.

Now, isn’t that a beauty to behold? All the most poignant lines, and my favourite paragraph is included in this, and it is made all the better knowing that I can still get joy out of a book that would have otherwise ended up in the bin.

Do you have a favourite book, or line of dialogue, chapter, paragraph etc? I would like to hear your stories.

 

All images are the property of K.J.Chapman

What’s Your Name? Letter G

I’ve just had a crazy thought… I am already on week 7 of these posts! Where have those weeks gone? Anyway, back to business. Today’s name, randomly selected from the first G page in my naming book, is:

Gabrielle: a feminine form of Gabriel ‘man of God.’ Diminutive forms inc Gabbie/ Gabby.

Gabrielle

I stand at the edge of the forrest looking into the gloom of the shadows. The voice still calls to me. It sounds like the wind, but it defintely calls to me.

“Gabrielle. Gabrielle.”

It draws me closer still. A part of my brain screams at me to stop, to run away screaming, but that part feels locked away; unable to access my body that is hell bent on following the voice.

“Gabrielle. Gabrielle. Gabrielle.”

“I’m coming,” I reply, taking a step into the black of the woods. The shadows lick at my skin, leaving an icy chill in their wake. ‘Wake up, Gabrielle,’ I scream at myself. ‘This is a bad idea!’

I can feel myself tearing out of my trance like state. Fear consumes me, and the shadows reach out with more ferocity, every touch draining me, sucking the life from me. It’s too much to fight. The chill eats into my chest, squeezing everything warm and good from me.

In the next instant, I’m tackled to the ground, and dragged from the forrest.

“GABRIELLE!” the forrest voice screams. Birds scatter from the trees, and the cold that was filling every inch of my being retreats and warmth takes its place. The body pinning me to the floor is a welcome source of heat. I hold myself to it, wishing the chill away.

“Are you okay?” says a husky, male voice.

Brown eyes search my own, and then he rolls off of me. The man stands, holding a hand out to me, and helps me up. He has harsh features, and a permanent scowl on his face, but I know he’s a good man. Call it intuition if you must. He wouldn’t be bad looking if he just smiled.

“I think we need a chat,” he says.

“Who are you?”

“Just call me a good samaritan.”

Written works are the property of K.J.Chapman

EVO Shift Editing Update #2

The changes have been made.

As you can see from the picture, I not only have a love of highlighters, but I have also worked my way through my whole list of notes and amendments.

It was quite a feat. It was only when I made it through half the notes that I finally started to feel confident that I was heading in the right direction. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

So, what is in store for stage #2 of editing?

I have approximately three chapters/ scenes to add. The story flows, but I feel these scenes will flesh certain areas out a little bit. Once, the chapters are added, I will go back through my processes in stage #1 again to highlight anything I need to amend in the new writing.

Then, I will be ready for the second read through. I change the font style and colour for the second read through as this helps me see it in a fresh way. This genuinely works, or at least it does for my brain. I always pick up things I have missed when I get to this read through. I will pick a different colour from stage #1, but yep, I do highlight anything I’m still not happy with. I usually don’t need to make notes during this stage. It’s more of a narrative polish-up than anything else.

I will post another up-date when I have completed stage #2, but for now, here is another excerpt:

Cooper has spent the entire day working out. At one point he asked Bo to count his crunches, but she told him to do it himself in not as many words. I know why he is doing it, I want to be occupied myself, but there is nothing for me to do other than pace.

“I need to lift,” Cooper says, panting. He looks to me, but I turn my back on him and continue pacing. Then, he looks to Bo.

“Lift this,” she says, flipping him the bird. “Will you quit with the strong man routine. We get it- you work out. Now, do us a favour and give it a rest. I’m done with your grunting.”

Cooper spits into the piss bucket and comes to stand beside me at the bars. “And I thought you were bad,” he mutters.

Images and excerpts are the property of K.J.Chapman

EVO Shift Editing Update #1

My draft of EVO Shift has been sitting untouched for the past eight days and I couldn’t refrain from editing any longer. It has been hard to leave it and I had to distract myself with the usual means- Netflix, Pinterest, and reading. I know some writers like to leave their first drafts to sit for much longer, but it has been seven months in the making for me, so I have pretty much not seen the first chapters in just as long.

So, how do I start my editing process? 

Highlighting! I don’t print out my work. All editing happens on screen, and I have quite ritualistic methods for the beginning of my editing process. I re-read my entire draft, marking anything to keep in one colour, and anything I don’t like for whatever reason in another colour.

During this read through I will jot notes about anything that jars with me, that I need to add, find figures or facts on etc etc. These notes take up pages and pages. When I draft I don’t worry about time scales and statistics, and instead I will do a ‘__’ , so I know I need to research it at a later date during editing. I’m a forward plowing drafter which I think stems from being a ‘pantser’ and not a plotter.

Here are my notes so far (there will be many more!):

When I have read through the entire draft, I will make the necessary amendments. I find it easier to work methodically through my list and check off everything as I sort it. For me, that is stage one of my editing process.

I will post again once I have finished the above mentioned. Until then, here is an excerpt that I had forgotten about, but still very much like:

“What is Cooper’s problem?” I ask under my breath. “I don’t have him down as the equality, peace, and harmony type of guy.”

Jude smirks. “But you can see it of me?” He’s got me there. “Cooper’s alright. Yeah, he has some anger issues, but it all stems from Daddy issues. I like him.”

I laugh out loud. “You like him? I’ve been half expecting you to kill each other since we got on that yacht.”

“What is it with women? You can’t appreciate a decent argument for what it is. You’ve always got to turn it into a drama. Men say what they got to, scuffle it out if they have to, and get over it.”

How can I even respond to that sexist nonsense?

 

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

Picture Prompt #4

Picture prompt #4 was captured whilst visiting my Mum yesterday. My Mum lives in the neighbouring village to me, in a little fishing port. The hotel you can see on the cliff was built in 1883, and as you might imagine, holds many ghost stories with the locals. I even used footage of the hotel in a media project I made whilst at school and it is that experience that has inspired this story.

The House on the Cliff

“We can’t just take photos of someone’s house. We need their permission and for them to sign the form I drew up.” The sea spray dampens my paperwork instantly, and has already soaked through my jacket.

Lisa pulls her sleeves over her hands and hops from one foot to the other. “You and your forms. Well, you can knock because this place gives me the creeps.”

It’s getting dark, but I can’t see any lights inside. The only sign of life is the smoke rising from the chimney. I bash the knocker against the weathered wood of the door. The sound echoes like that of haunted houses in cliched horror films. Lisa snickers, and leans against the wall at the end of the driveway.

No one answers. I’m a little gutted. The light and the weather are perfect, and the house holds a beautiful quality that I doubt I will be able replicate at any other time.

“Come on, let’s go. I’m drenched through to my knickers,” Lisa says, opening the gate. “Plus, this place gets freakier the more I look at it.” She looks to the top window, clasps a hand to her mouth, and staggers backward.  I jump around, almost dropping my camera. “Got ya,” she says, laughing.

I hit her with my rolled up paperwork. “You’re evil, do you know that?”

She races ahead, not waiting for me to pack my camera away. As I lean against the garage, the side door swings open into me. I scream and stumble over like a stupid girl, cursing myself for letting Lisa rile me.

“Can I help you?” asks a male voice. A hand takes my elbow, hoisting me off the ground with little elegance..

I straighten myself out and swipe the hair from my face. Jonah Hamill towers over me in greasy overalls, his long hair held out of his face with a head band. I don’t think I have ever heard Jonah speak before. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him speak either. He is a loner at school, but I’ve never been sure as to why?

“Hi, do you live here?” I ask. He nods. “Oh okay, that’s cool. Would it be alright if I took some pictures of your house?”

“Why?” He eyes me suspiciously.

“I’m doing a photography assignment, and the brief is architecture. I’ve always thought this place was beautiful. You’re very lucky to live here.”

Lisa has appeared once more. “Jonah Hamill? Is this your house?” She doesn’t mask her shock, or her distaste. “Of course Jonah Hamill would live here.”

“Lisa,” I scold her. She just shrugs, and picks at her nails.

Jonah pulls the headband from his hair, and shakes out his scruffy, dark mane. “Do what you like,” he says, walking toward the house.

“I’m Bridie by the way,” I call after him.

“Yeah, I know who you are,” he replies without so much as a backward glance.

He disappears inside, and Lisa scoffs loudly. “Ever the charmer,” she says. “But he said yes, so hurry and get your shots. I’m freezing, Bridie.”

I can’t work under pressure. Lisa’s huffing will only aggravate me. “Why don’t you go and get ready for your date with Dan. I’ll be fine.”

She scrunches her nose. “Are you sure? I suppose we know Jonah… kind of. Oh, I don’t know, Bridie?”

“Just go. I might even ask Jonah for a lift home.” I throw her a wink, and she laughs out loud. “Text me later and let me know where Dan took you.”

She blows me a kiss and jumps the gate. I love Lisa, but she’s all consuming and high maintenance. She has little interest in my photography unless I am photographing her for her modelling portfolio.

I prefer to work solo. I can do what I always do- I can look. Some photographers prefer to snap everything and anything that takes their fancy, but that isn’t my style. I like to take my time and study everything. If it draws me, I will snap it.

Walking around the house, I take in the slanted guttering, the way the weather vein leans a little to the left, and the large windows streaked in sea water and rain. I make my way around the back of the house and I’m instantly drawn to a large shell on a window sill. It looks so out of place that it feels perfectly positioned. Yep, my brain works in mysterious ways. The whites and pinks of the shell stand out against the dark stone sill. I adjust the focus and take the shot.

“I thought you said the brief was architecture?” says Jonah from behind me.

I jump feet, almost slipping again. “It is, but I can’t force it, you know? When I look through the lens it has to feel right. I can’t explain it, but I feel it in here.” I tap at my tummy. He has cleaned up, and now wears jeans, a jacket, and black boots. “I won’t be much longer. I was just drawn by the shell.”

He picks it up, and rubs it dry on his jacket. “I found this on the cove this morning. Last night’s storm washed it up.”

“You mean the storm is over,” I say, grinning.

A smile plays at his lips. “You can take it if you’d like. I’m not even sure why I picked it up.”

I take it from his outstretched hand. “Thank you. This is going on my dresser. When I look at it, I’ll think of you.” My face flushes scarlet. What the hell am I saying? “I mean… oh god, that sounded really creepy, didn’t it?” He actually smiles this time, and my breath catches a little.”Change of subject. What were you fixing in the garage?”

He looks at his hands, black still under his nails. “Oh, yeah, um, not fixing- making.”

“You take metal work, right? Is it a project or something?” I head back toward the garage. He follows apprehensively. “Can I see it? I’ll show you mine, if you show me yours.” I wave my camera at him.

“I guess, but it’s not finished.” Instead of heading in the side door, he opens the main door, and switches on the light. The sculpture is beautiful, taller than me, and consists of angular metal of different textures, tones, and finishes. He watches me whilst chewing on his lip.

“Oh wow. It’s stunning, Jonah.” I lift my camera to my eye. “May I?”

He nods. “Just keep them to yourself. I’ve never shown anyone my work before.”

“Then, the rest of the world is missing out,” I say, clicking away. “I feel privileged. Thanks for showing me.”

“I doubt you would have given me much choice,” he says, jokingly. A weird moment passes between us and my tummy swoops. His dark eyes bore into me through his shaggy, damp hair.

The sound of tires on gravel grows louder, and a car screeches to a stop outside the garage, blocking us in. A tall, muscular man with the same dark hair and eyes as Jonah, gets out of the car. He saunters toward me with a grin on his face that sets my teeth on edge.

“Hello, I’m Lyall, and what’s your name, beautiful?”Lyall takes my hand, raises it to his lips, and kisses it.

Jonah steps in front of me. “This is Bridie. What are you doing back?” He reaches back, taking my wrist in his hand. The hairs on my arms stand on end. I can sense the fear seeping from Jonah.

“Someone has to keep an eye on you, little bro,” Lyall says, smirking. “Is Bridie staying for dinner? I would much prefer her pretty face to that ugly mug of yours.”

“I’m just taking Bridie home,” Jonah snaps. He takes my hand and drags me out of the garage.

Lyall watches us with an air of mild amusement. “Very well. I’m sure she’s bored to death of looking at your tin man.” He kicks at the sculpture, but thankfully it doesn’t fall. “I apologise for my brother, Bridie. JoJo doesn’t get any female attention, and when he does he shows them scrap metal.”

“Actually, I asked to see it, and besides, I think it’s beautiful,” I retort. Lyall’s face drops a little, and his icy stare eats into my gut.

Jonah is practically forcing me into the passenger seat of his own car. Before I can say another word, he has slammed the door, and is jumping into the driver’s seat. He speeds up the driveway, and onto the road without so much as a goodbye to Lyall.

“What the hell was that?”

Jonah shakes his head. “Did you get your photos? You can’t come back here, do you hear?” I gawp at him, my head reeling from whatever that encounter was. “Bridie, promise me you won’t come back.”

“Why are you scared of your brother? That was… unnatural.” He doesn’t reply. The unsettled feeling in my stomach takes a firmer hold. “Jonah, what’s going on? Tell me.”

“It’s none of your business. You are so pushy, Jesus!”

I don’t know where to look, and if I’m honest, I feel a little silly for the feelings I had before. “You can let me out here,” I say, struggling to keep the bite from my words.

“No, I’m taking you home. What’s the address?”

I take off my seat belt and open the door whilst the car is moving. “I was going to walk anyway. Stop the car.”

Jonah leans across me and slams my door shut. “What the hell, Bridie? Are you insane.”

“No, just pushy.” Oh god, I sound like a five year old child.

Jonah smiles to himself. I’m glad I can be of some amusement. He pulls the car to the side of the road, and then turns in his seat. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean what I said, okay? I just need you to promise that you won’t come to the house. Not without me at least.”

My tummy flutters once more. The spark instantly reigniting. “You want to see me again?” Probably not the first question I should be asking.

Jonah’s face softens. “Yeah, I do. That’s if you’re happy to be seen with me?” He rolls his eyes, making light of the comment that clearly causes him pain.

“Yes, please,” I say, grinning like the Cheshire cat. Another moment passes between us, and the energy bouncing around us is charged and full on. He pulls back onto the road with a smile plastered on his face. “But you still haven’t answered me. Why can’t I go to your house?”

He sighs loudly. “No more questions for now. Just trust me on this.”

The funny thing is- I do.

 

The image and written work in this post is the property of K.J.Chapman

EVO Shift: Cover and Blurb Reveal!

The publication of EVO Shift is fast approaching. A date hasn’t been set in stone, but it soon will be. I am still editing and have to send out copies to my A.R.C readers, however I do have some reveals for you today.

The cover for EVO Shift: EVO Nation Series Book Tw o:

EVO Shift blurb:

She killed him, but did it make a difference?

Her kind has been exposed, abused, and segregated, and now Teddie Leason is Britain’s most wanted EVO 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?

Book one, EVO Nation, also has a NEW cover. I hope this will give the series covers continuity:

I will post further updates as and when they’re decided. Thank you for all your support.

Images are the property of K.J.Chapman

Written works are the property of K.J.Chapman

 

Sometimes, It’s Okay to NOT Write

I know that this title might drive fear into the hearts of many writers, and yes, the idea of NOT writing can bring me out in a cold sweat, but let me explain. I don’t mean give up writing. If you’re like me, giving up my writing would be like giving up a piece of what makes me me. No, I mean that sometimes we need to take a break, and life shouldn’t be seen as a distraction.

December was a busy month for me. I got married, attended school plays, played chauffeur to my daughter, taking her to Christmas parties, discos, school parties. I caught up on a back log of Christmas shopping, then took my Nana shopping for the best part of six hours. As a family we went out for meals, watched films, and so on, and so on. At first, I told myself that these were just excuses, that if I really tried I would have fitted in my writing time. Perhaps this is partly true, but it was only when I told myself that writing was a big part of my life, but not my whole life that I finally saw the light.

Sometimes, it’s okay to NOT write. It’s okay to enjoy my life without having that nagging word count in the back of my mind. The world won’t end, and I won’t spontaneously combust from sheer lack of typing. I’m ambitious, and I want to achieve things, but I set the deadlines, the time schedules, the goals, and I need to set my limits.

After all, it’s life that gives us writers rich experiences to draw upon, and life is the best form of research.

 

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

GIFs sourced from GIPHY.COM