Kim Knight's Blog, page 98

Code Redhead Authors Feature: USA Today #charity #cancer

Afternoon all,

From a wet and rainy London, I’d to share with all blog followers the Code Redhead Authors feature in USA Today in the Happy Ever After section. We came together from a great cause, to help raise money by just doing what we love … writing. I’m proud of us all.

Click the below link

‘Code Redhead’ authors share their inspirations for helping to raise money for cancer research

 

 

PRE-RELEASE DAY GIVEAWAY: CODE REDHEAD-A SERIAL NOVEL. 13 AUTHORS, 13 GREAT STORIES OF ALL GENRES #amreading #romance #giveaway #newrelease

Just a reminder about this give away … three days until release day! But you can grab a free  review copy. We’ve had 5* reviews on Goodreads so far, apparently  one reviewer felt  ” we all brought our A game, when writing.”  #badass!! Go gang  

Daily Writing Prompt: Lovingly Does It #motherhood

Lovingly

Today’s WordPress writing prompt word lovingly, describes exactly how I went about my day today.  It was filled with love. I recently reduced my working hours in my day job from full time to part time, so I can spend more quality time with my son, and of course write more novels. Today is  our day off work and nursery. This morning, I told myself I’m not  a writer, teacher, or anything else today but a busy mum, trying not to get lost as I navigate my way through  central London’s traffic, to get to London Zoo, with a  three year old strapped in the backseat, clapping his hands and singing Old Mcdonald a had a farm at the top of his voice.

We had a great time! He has a love for all animals  but he is crazy about wild animals like lions, tigers, giraffes, elephants and hippos etc. Basically any wild animal you’d find on safari in Africa, rather than farm animals. Today for the second time  he saw  real wild animals up close  from different parts of Africa, at a different zoo. Of course he freaked out with happiness when he saw them. I even had a tantrum on my hands when it was time to leave the hippos, he did not want to leave LOL. But he lovingly made up for his mini tantrum when we had lunch, he gave me the biggest, wettest toddler kiss and hug ever. I assume  to show his enjoyment, and thanks for the day out to see the animals.  So today’s writing prompt response for lovingly  is dedicated to my beautiful son Blake and the day filled with love we’ve had at London Zoo.

 

Little boy blue, mama loves all of you! Your

Oval face, and big brown eyes. To see you smile makes mama’s heart go wild,now you’re starting to speak to hear your little

Voice is such a treat, it makes mama feel warm

Inside a feeling  she  just can’t hide,

No regrets at all, now I have you, I feel like I have it all,

God blessed me with you, so I ‘ll do my very best to raise you, I’ll always take care of  all of you, from the tips of the curly hairs on your head to your little hands and feet, to mama you are  such a gorgeous  treat!

Now I will  lovingly prepare one of his favourite dishes he loves, sausage pasta bake  

Haiku Horizons Writing Prompt: Rain Poem #sunday #inspiration

In response to this week’s Haiku Horizon’s writing  prompt: Rain I’ve come over all poetic.  I imagined how the rain can compare to some kind of heartache…Not often  that I even see this side of me! Thanks for the prompt Haiku Horizons. I’m way over the word limit for Haiku but, hey oh well .. I was in the zone.

 

 

Realistically, it was over before we even got started, I never thought I’d feel this broken hearted.

Apart from this broken heart, where do I start? What have I gained from our time apart? Some perspective, strength,better health and a couple more dollar bills to add to my wealth.

Intuition, I should have listened to it, I should have followed it, when  just like the rain it beat at my door. Finally, my intuition inside of me, forced me to stand on my own two feet, forced me to say there must be a better life for me.  At one point I was too weak, so chance after chance was yours to reap.

Now in solitude I feel peace.  And just like the rain slowly I’ll wash you away.

Writer’s Block: One Author’s Experience & How to Overcome it #amwriting #writerslife

This writing prompt is inspired by some questions posed for Goodreads authors to answer. I thought about my response, and thought it be great to share with you all aspiring authors out there! And anyone interested in how I went about writing A Stranger in France, Not Just for Christmas and Code Redhead- A Serial Novel.

So when I think of writer’ block in the traditional sense, I think of a writer sitting behind their lap top with a blank page, with a blank mind- they don’t know what to write or how to start. I don’t personally experience this type of writer’s block. I don’t mean this in a cocky way either, it’s because I’ve personally found a way to avoid it. But I’ll be honest I do experience lack of discipline/ sticking to my own writing schedule I set, this is mainly due to life and being  a busy mama. But when I do sit down to write, in between being a mama and work I’m never blank. Generally speaking, the former experience is what I’ve read and heard most writers experience. How do I avoid this common type of writer’s block, that is so damaging to a writer’s productivity  and even decreases their chances of finishing  their novel or short story? Simple…

 I have some form of detailed plan, I know what you’re thinking we all plan our storytelling ideas, hmm yes but the key is detailed.  Before I even write “Chapter One” at the top of my blank page  when I have a novel or short story idea I do the following:

A detailed mini synopsis of EVERY chapter.
A detailed character profile for EVERY character, especially those who take centre stage.
Drum up two possible endings for the story.
Drum up a few shockers/surprises/ OMG I never saw that coming twists. (this step depends on the genre I’m writing. I do this for romantic suspense and thriller a lot).

Every writer finds their own way and their own voice, but for me in order to avoid that “shit what do I write now?” Feeling, or find myself at a dead end with my story, I have a full idea of how the story will play out in the start, middle and end,  and an idea of what will happen in EVERY chapter for EVERY character. It’s quite a detailed plan. This is step #1 this way when I sit down to write I know what direction I’m going in, just from glancing at my synopsis of where I am with writing. Now don’t get me wrong my detailed chapter synopsis is not set in stone, when I wrote A Stranger in France  for one of my characters a scene I wrote  just came to me that very night I was writing. It was a creative  thought on the spot but  and it tied in with the story (lucky), so I went off the track I set out on. Another thing I find about this approach is it helps me to  think about possible word count, as I know what will take place in each chapter before I have even write it and how long  certain scenes may play out for.

#2 is just a personal thing, many writers have an idea in their head of who their characters are, but I’m a little OCD. Mainly as I enjoy writing from first person, and try to make my characters pop on the page. (Which can be  a challenge as you need to become that character and react to situations as they would, not yourself). Due to my personal writing style, I like to sometimes use I NEED  to know my character’s view points, attitudes, likes and dislikes to a T,so I can be consistent when I am writing their POV. But generally I’d say this is good practice.

#3 this is my plan B, in case I decide to move off my detailed chapter plan, just back up! But it also helps me to move in the right direction when writing, to know what to write and when so I don’t experience writer’s block.

#4 I love this part! And it fits with genre I write in and my personal enjoyment of writing. You can’t have a romantic suspense, without the suspense or even a little surprise. You can’t have a thriller without some kind of thrill

Daily Writing Prompt: Let’s Keep Love Simple #amwriting

via Daily Prompt: Simple

Simple

In response to a WordPress writing word prompt posted a few days ago… the word simple.

Is anything ever simple? Life, money, work, sex… love? Nope it never is. But somethings should be more simple than others in life… love should be one of them.

I’ve used this song above  as part of my response to this writing prompt, as the song by Alicia Keys is called ” Simple” and it is one of my favourite songs from the album  ” The Diary of Alicia Keys.” The lyrical content is clever.  If you have read my blog for some time you know I’m a massive music fan. It inspires me when I write, I use it in my writing and I listen to it when I’m writing. In fact, I can’t actually think of a time apart from when I’m asleep, that I don’t have some form of music on.This album might be maybe about nine or ten years old, but I still love it and still listen to it.

 The song (the lyrical content) is about a complex relationship that is never simple, but needs to be simplified in order to work. Which is my point.  People in general may think that relationships and love are complex things, and never simple or  shy away from them. Or if they are in a hard relationship walk away as it’s too much hard work. One thing I have learned over the years, is that relationships and love are actually not complex things, they  could be one of the most simplest things in life that bring you as a person the most joy in your day to day life. What makes them complex are PEOPLE and their  wants, needs , desires and sometimes there can be mismatch  in expectation which creates a feeling of a complex /hard work relationship, that is never simple. Have you ever had a non -simple relationship?

  I have and it took me in all honestly about almost seven years to come to this conclusion on relationships/love and that really they should be quite simple. It it’s hard work, it’s toxic.  I learned by looking back at the relationship, and realising love should never be this hard/complex. Loving someone and being in love, should be a simple, easy feeling. 

As a romance writer, I like to write about complex relationships and show how two characters over come their complex difficulties, with a happy ever after. That’s what romance  and love is about, a happy ever after feeling, not complexity and hard work.  Romance and love should be simple. And most importantly, I have learned it can be. If you just keep it simple.

How?

Listen   2. make an effort 90% give 10% take 3.compromise  = simple.

GIVE AWAY ALERT!:CODE REDHEAD-.A SERIAL NOVEL. 13 authors, 13 page turning stories…. #amreading #romance #newrelease #charity

 It’s your lucky day, would you like a free copy of Code Redhead A Serial Novel to read and review? I have ten copies to give away, to the first ten readers who do one of the following to enter to win.

Add a comment with “me please Kim” below on this post.
Give this post a like.
Send me an email via the contact Kim page above.

To enter just do ONE of the above.

 

Terms and conditions- the boring bit! This give away  is in exchange for a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. This means if you enter, please be prepared to do an honest review.

Good luck!

 

Book blurb:[image error]

Thirteen of your favorite Best-Selling authors have come together to be part of a fundraising project called Code Redhead – A Serial Novel.

Each writer has their own interpretation of the title ‘Code Redhead’. There’s a story to satisfy and entertain most every reader in Code Redhead.

Sharon Kleve & Tammy Tate & Kim Knight-Contemporary Romance. Jennifer Conner-Romantic Suspense. Chris Karlsen-Historical Romance. Angela Ford-Mystery. J.R. Wirth -Suspense/Thriller. Sibelle Stone-Victorian Romance. N.D. Jones -Science Fiction Romance. Tina Donahue Erotic Romance. Carol Ann Kauffman & Laura Strickland-Time Travel Romance. Ella Medler-Dystopian.

Books To Go Now http://bookstogonow.com/ will donate the proceeds from the sale of the Novel to The Children’s Cancer Research Fund. http://www.childrenscancer.org/.

When children are affected by cancer it is heart wrenching for them and their loved ones. You can make a difference in their young lives by purchasing a copy of the Code Redhead Project.

Avalible on Amazon also for pre-sale if you want to support the cause

 

 

 

Novel #3: “In The Name of Love” Preview…. #amwriting #preview

 

This week, I shared with you a little flash fiction, it was a snip-it from the current novel I’m writing. The genre is thriller! ( Yeah baby!), I introduced you to Charlotte Price- Smith the main female lead in my story. Here’s a little background on the story itself. I have named the story ” In the Name of Love.”

Charlotte, (thirty- five in the present day) has been convicted for the murder of her ex- lover’s wife five years ago. Both she and her ex-lover were on trial for the murder at the time. They both had a motive for murder. Her ex- lover   Joseph, is actually an old school friend.  She met him years later  when the affair started, he has a shady background also. He is actually one of London’s notorious drug dealers, trying to make his money and leave that life behind. He spends a lot of time between London and Amsterdam. The two go on trial.

Due to some incriminating evidence the jury leaned toward Charlotte as the guilty party. That and the fact that she is sadly, mentally ill she was diagnosed a paranoid schizophrenic at the age of eighteen, but hid it well from her lover and everyone else who did not know her well, when she was in the free world.

At thirty, she’s trialled for murder, and sentenced to time in a mental institution as apposed to prison due to her mental ill health. The Judge thought she was at the time criminally insane.  Charlotte has pleaded not guilty from day one, and in fact feels she was framed by her lover.   Five years later, aged thirty -five she has a score to settle and wants to clear her name. While  fighting to have her case reopened and heard in court again,which she does manage to achieve due to advances in DNA matching five years later, she falls in love again… I won’t give away all the details. 

Readers will learn who the real murderer is….And have a some what shocking surprise!

I won’t say too much! But I will say, this is not a predictable story, the  “who-done-it” will surprise you, the character line up is diverse, and you will be transported between London, Amsterdam’s Red Light district and the Caribbean as a reader. You know me I like to keep it suspenseful, modern and engaging so I hope it will be an enjoyable story.

I’ll do another flash fiction snip-it soon so stay tuned! But for now here is the one I did earlier this week. Click here.

Exclusive U.K. Competition!!!

Supporting another UK author! You have some time left to enter for a free signed copy of this book. If you’re in the UK take a look.

Michelle Diana Lowe

If you’re in the U.K. and are a book lover, enter my free competition to win a signed copy of my bestselling YA Urban Fiction novel Broken Roots. I’ve teamed up with blogger, Madeline Ojo Wilson, to run this exclusive giveaway, just for you.

Daily One Word Writing Prompt: When I am Fluent – Then I am Successful #learning

Successful

As the title suggests in response to today’s WordPress writing prompt, the one thing burning within me that I would like to achieve, and then I’ll feel  like a success, is to move from conversational/intermediate level in my reading,writing and general comprehension of the French language to  somewhat fluent.

For about two to three years I’ve studied the language, and some might say by now I should be fluent. Maybe so, but I’ve never really been in a rush to be perfect, it’s always been just a general interest of mine. That changed in 2016, something shifted in me and I have a new level of motivation. It could be  as  I have three French  exams in May speaking,listening,reading and writing! I need to pass if I want my language certification, and to feel some kind of success, no one sits an exam and wants to fail or gain a poor grade.

If you’ve ever tried to master a new language you may be able to relate to how I feel, when learning a language for me personally one skill always outweighs my ability to do another. For example my problem is I can read and write so much more better in French. (Well, my French speaking girlfriend and penpal in Paris may disagree with me, she may  laugh her head off at my bad  French in my letters). But I feel that my confidence in the language is via reading and writing, more so than listening to spoken French. It might be all the years of practice I’ve had via writing letters  in French why my skill is better in this area. If someone speaks to me in French quite slowly, I’ll pick up most of it and understand, but maybe not straight away depending on what they say. But if you write it down I will understand straight away. To back this point up even more, I have downloaded some French easy to read young adult books from Amazon and I understand, but when I listen to the audio I have to pause and go back and listen again and so forth. So I have really started to work on my speaking and listening skills. I’ve started to watch some TV shows in French I’ve found on Netflix and You Tube. 

So as they say, slow and steady wins the race right? OK well here I go, I’m preserving with my learning and spending a lot more time on Skype talking  with language partners and listening to French by having general conversations with others, rather than hiding behind my pen and paper to practice. This new way of language mastering is  in hope that by May I can say yes I am successful, I have moved up a notch in my fluency, and no longer need to say  as often” ah can you repeat that for me again, please” so many times, before I understand ! Once this has reduced, I can then say yep I feel much more a success in my language skills.

Have you ever tried to learn a language or new skill? What did you do to master the language? And feel successful in your learning attempts?