Kate Willis's Blog, page 62

Messy Desks and Drafts

I found a mini cookies ‘n cream candy bar while cleaning my desk today. I had a cute little note written on it that said, “Good job wording!” I was touched and vaguely wondered what it was a congratulations for.

I was sick almost all last week, so not a lot of “wording” happened recently.

My sister Anna was cleaning her desk as well, and when I pulled out the chocolate bar she burst into laughter.

“Oh, yeah that was for you. How long has it been there?”

I shrugged. “What was it for?”

“It was for when you did the book club.”

We did some quick math and realized that was three weeks before. Cue more laughter. XD (Thanks for the congrats, Anna!)

Getting back into things is a little messy apparently, and my desk is proof of it. (I also found an entire $5 and some papers to throw away, so wow.)

Similarly messy is my novel I’m drafting. I got to write again this weekend, and while I’m very happy to be back to it… I can see just how not perfect it is. So much I should have set up earlier or remembered from my notes or even thought about in the first place. What does this one character even look like? How should I make him stand out from my other male character? What even are words?

Fortunately, I don’t have to sort through it all yet. First drafts are just about putting down words, right?

Book Review: Reversal Zone

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“Nothing is as it should be.

After weeks of boredom, Andi is excited when the Surveyor is called upon to rescue a freighter that mysteriously vanished in uncharted space. Excitement quickly turns to unease when the ship encounters an unknown phenomenon—a cloud that appears not to exist. But with the freighter’s crew in danger, the Surveyor has no choice but to venture into unknown territory.

As soon as they enter the cloud, its unstable effects wreak havoc on the ship. They’re flying blind. Every piece of equipment is malfunctioning. And every member of the crew is unable to think straight or act like themselves—except Andi.

Now she’s expected to guide them through the predicament with no previous command experience and no one to turn to for support. And with each passing hour, it becomes clear that if they don’t escape the cloud soon—they won’t escape it at all.” (from Goodreads)

So, this was amazing. It tied together all the strands that had been set up in the previous books and just blew my mind. (I stayed up too late reading. I have almost no regrets.) Almost like a series finale, actually, though fortunately for us there are more books.

Author Down

I’m on day three of the flu.

I’ve watched more movies than I should number. XD (And part of a vlog webseries and skimmed a little fanfiction.) Some of them have been really good and some of them have been really cringey.

I have a delightful buddy read waiting for me to kick my headache and start reading it. (Thanks for your patience, Mikayla!)

All I want to eat is Oreo ice cream, a.k.a. the last thing I need right now. XD

I know I’m feeling a little better when my creativity grabs me by the collar of my pajamas and demands I do something with it. (Seriously, last night I was getting tons of ideas for blog posts and the next few scenes in my WIP.)

Not my favorite update to give, but I’m grateful I seem to be on the mend and I thought you should know why I’m not keeping to my blogging schedule.

Prayers for anyone else who is sick!

Halfway, HOORAY!

I’ve been working more on my fantasy novel, and I’m so happy with how it’s going so far! Something weird just happened and somebody evil probably did it, and the MCs are low on food, and also they’re finally talking to each other a little more which is nice. XD

By my nearest count, I just hit 25/26,000 words, and that’s halfway!!!

Book Review: Machiavellian

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“On their way back to Earth from the newly discovered world of Kainus Ge, the Surveyor rescues the personnel of a malfunctioning science station. Young medical assistant Andi quickly befriends the newcomers, particularly the charming captain, but things get complicated when the scientists offer the impossible–a way to improve the barren planet and the lives of all its inhabitants.

There’s only one problem: their solution requires the Surveyor to enter the one area of the galaxy which is off-limits to travel.

As the Captain struggles with his decisions, Andi and her father become suspicious of the “accidents” that keep happening on the ship. Could it be coincidence, or is someone trying to sabotage their mission? Can they uncover the truth in time to stop the Captain from wrecking his career and losing his ship forever?” (from Goodreads)

I have a confession to make… I wasn’t sure I was going to continue reading this series, and then I forgot about it entirely… Until the Indie Black Friday sale when I picked up a couple more of the books.

Y’all, this was sooo amazing. I loved how it tied into the last story, and the intense, twisty mystery all within the confined space of the ship was awesome.

10 Random Facts About Sincerely, Jem

1. It’s a quadruplet. This novella is one of four originally published in the limited edition anthology A Very Bookish Christmas last year. (Thanks so much to Sarah Holman for coordinating this! This book exists because of you.) 

2. It’s loosely inspired by a classic. The pen pal relationship, Jessie’s aspiring writer-ness, and their pen names are inspired by Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster. 

3. There are two Doctor Who references–one was intentional. See if you can spot them.

Short Story Review: Right Number

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“Cousin Beth and Izzy bring Christmas to Emily’s apartment even though it’s August and over 100 degrees! Brent has disappeared and Emily hasn’t been able to reach him by phone for several weeks. She guesses he’s off on an assignment and can’t make contact for safety reasons… or can he?

This short story takes place a few weeks after the end of Book 6, Once Upon a Dime and can be read for free on my blog at perrykirkpatrick.com.” (from Goodreads)

Okay, this was the absolute cutest thing ever! I loved Emily’s dynamic with Izzy and her cousin Beth, and it was fun to see more of Brent’s POV again.

Batteries and a Book Club

I got batteries for Chanukah (eight nights x one gift per night = eight traditionally practical gifts), and it’s been so amazing.

Book Review: Kate's Christmas

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“Can they save Christmas for a town?

Kate and the team couldn’t be spending the holiday season in a more picturesque town. They are in Franklin, Tennessee to find the person setting off bombs at random. Or could it be that the explosions aren’t as random as it appears? Can the team stop the bomber in time for Franklin’s big holiday festival? Kate herself is having a hard time dealing with the fact she can’t go home for Christmas… or can she?

Patrick is finding this case difficult. Promising leads just end up leading into dead ends, and Brian is getting on his nerves. On top of his own problems, Kate asks for his help to get home for Christmas, and it isn’t going to be easy. Can they solve the crime in time for everyone to have a merry Christmas?” (from Goodreads)

I have been eagerly awaiting this book, and it has the honored privilege of being the first one I’ve ever preordered.

My 2020 Bookish Goals

Happy New Year, again!