Kat Green's Blog, page 2
August 28, 2015
##### VIP TICKET COMP #####
#####HELP!!!!######
Please help… The Black Eagles have lost their tour bus after having one too many drinks.
They have a gig in a few hours and if we don’t find it soon, they won’t make it. The fans will riot and it won’t be pretty. If you succeed they will give you a VIP Ticket – All Access.
There are 2 clues to find first..
Clue 1
Find the Eagle with the purple Rose.
Hint: Check my words, inside my mind because it’s all about me.
I know you can help!
Davida Lynn’s; Patience & Temperance review.
I have given both these books 5 stars.
I really like the way both books are written, easy to read and the story is clear. They both flow perfectly and keep you reading.
They tell the story’s of different members of the Biker pack, The Rising sons, who’s love for a women is strong, and they will do whatever it takes to keep them safe. They become part of the biker gang, and are classed as family who they will defend and protect without question.
I loved the connections both couples had in each book. The chemistry was hot, hot, hot. Can these bikers be real, please…. They are hard, powerful men but underneath it all they are loyal to their women.
I won’t give to much away but Davida mixes love & passion with mystery and suspense, that has the heart pumping. Great reads, loved them both.
Grab a copy via Amazon
August 14, 2015
Kat’s Tips: Chapter naming
I’m sitting here thinking about what to write in this blog. I should be writing the final book of my series but my characters are playing up. I will sort them out in a minute.
I thought that everyone needs a bit of help or advice no matter what it is you’re trying to do. When I made the decision to start writing I had no idea where to start, I did it anyway and learnt as I went along.
One thing that I came up against was how to best name my chapters.
I’m in no way an expert, or think my way is the right way but I’m happy to talk about what worked for me. I was stuck with my first novel when it came to the chapters.
I didn’t want to give anything away but wanted to title them. I didn’t want just chapter 1 etc. Not that it’s a bad thing but I decided I wanted them to have an identity. So, after searching lots of other sites for advice and tips I came across a very helpful article.
What I decided was simple. I looked through the chapters and picked out something at complete random, a word or a quote from a character.
Example: Chapter nine of Strings ‘Hit the shelves’ was a reference to the band being featured in a magazine. It wasn’t a big part of the plot. A small part of a bigger picture. It gave nothing away.
It could also be a bit of dialogue from a character. Nothing too much it can just one word. Chapter 10 is titled idiot but who was an idiot, who said it and why.
It worked for me and it will be a system I will continue to use. Of course, this is just how I do it. There isn’t a right or wrong way, just what works for you the writer.
I hope this helps and good luck to all writers out there.
Kat
xx
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Kat’s chat: Chapter naming & what worked for me.
I’m sitting here thinking about what to write in this blog. I should be writing the final book of my series but my characters are playing up. I will sort them out in a minute. I thought that everyone needs a bit of help or advice no matter what it is you’re trying to do. When I made the decision to stop saying I am going to write a book and actually do it I had next to no idea what to do. I just began the process and stumbled a few times, cried and almost talk myself out of it on many occasions.
When I published Strings I nearly vomited after hitting the upload button and wanted to run back and cancel. I didn’t and I’m glad I didn’t. I’ve had people asking me for advice when writing, I can’t have done too bad a job ha ha. I’m in no way an expert, or think my way is the right way but I’m happy to talk about what worked for me. If I can help others on this mad journey we have chosen to go on I am happy to try. I was stuck with my first novel when it came to the chapters as I didn’t want to give anything away to my readers. I had seen a few posts/comments over various blogs/chats etc that some readers didn’t like it when the chapter name told them what was going to happen. I read this and thought ‘Damn’ this was exactly how my chapters names had been done.
I sat back and thought for a while and read up on some tips and came across some fantastic advice. What I decided was simple. I looked through the chapters and picked out something at complete random, a word or a quote from a character.
Example: Chapter nine of Strings ‘Hit the shelves’ was a reference to the band being featured in a magazine. It wasn’t a big part of the plot. A small part of a bigger picture. It gave nothing away but that the mag had hit the shelves but wasn’t part of the main plot. It could also be a bit of dialogue from a character; Nothing to much, it can just one word.
Chapter 10 for instance ‘Idiot’ who was an idiot and who said it and was it a big plot detail or just a passing comment.
It worked for me and it will be a system I will continue to use. Of course, this is just how I do it. This is not me saying it is the right way, as I don’t think there is a right way. It is that of the writer to decide on how they want their book to work. I am just giving some tips to those who are looking for ideas.
I hope this helps and good luck to all writers out there.
Kat
xx
August 3, 2015
Kat’s Crusade – The Final
Congratulations to our two finalists.
Vote to crown our winner!
Voting ends Aug 8th @ Midnight (UK)
GOOD LUCK! X
Take Our Poll
July 29, 2015
Kat’s Crusade – Cover War
Firstly, thanks to the great entries.
6 Amazing covers to vote for on a daily basis. The first stage of voting will run until midnight, Monday Aug 3rd.
The top 2 will go into a final which will run until Midnight, Sat Aug 8th.
PLESE NOTE – I work on UK time for all timescales.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL ENTRIES :)
Take Our Poll
July 26, 2015
Kat’s Tips: The Box..
I’m a firm believer in doing things from your heart. I tried with my first novel to write how I thought it should be done. I’d read up on tips and guidelines, the dos, the don’ts and eventually decided after starting my novel again from scratch after three weeks that the only way I could do this was to just let the story I held inside, out. I’m often asked by people how I do it. ‘I wouldn’t even know where to start’ is a common statement.
One way I describe my writing to people is ‘The Box’
‘What’ I hear you say.
My imagination is like a box packed full of loose ideas that float around in my head. I have to decide from that box what I need. I’d take the box and empty it out, meaning I write whatever is floating around inside my brain. I don’t worry about it until the first draft is done. The content is tipped out and scattered around. The next step is to tidy up, rearrange and keep the good stuff and bin what you don’t need, or store away for a later date.
Write, edit, read, repeat until that moment when you sit back and say ‘Hell Yeah’ I’m done.’
I tried planning it out beforehand but once I begin to write it takes on a life of its own. There have been many times I’ve began with a certain idea and it isn’t what I write. It comes from within and for me it’s the best way. If you as a writer feel deep in your heart that what you’ve written is the right thing, chances are it probably is. I can’t add something that I don’t feel belongs there and so far my technique seems to be working for me. We are all different so find your style and own it. You won’t please every reader, it’s impossible, if it was easy we would all be best sellers. I’m working on that part, my focus is doing the best I can and staying true to myself, my readers and my beloved characters.
Always read your work through more than once to ensure you’ve got the flow correct and it all fits. If you have to do this a hundred times, so be it.
Most important things:
Enjoy it
BE YOU!
The Box ….
I’m a firm believer in doing things from your heart. I tried with my first novel to write how I thought I should do it. I’d read up on tips and guidelines, the dos, the don’ts and eventually decided after starting my novel again from scratch after three weeks that the only way I could do this was to just let the story I held inside, out. I’m often asked by people how I do it. ‘I wouldn’t even know where to start’ is a common statement.
One way I describe my writing to people is ‘The Box’ I can hear you saying ‘What?’
My imagination is like a box crammed full of ideas and I have to decide from that box what I needed. I’d take the box and empty it out, meaning I write whatever is floating around inside my brain. I don’t worry about it until the first draft is done. The content has been tipped out and it’s scattered around. Next step is to tidy up, rearrange and keep the good stuff and bin what you don’t need, or store away for a later date.
Write, edit, read, repeat until that moment when you sit back and say ‘Hell Yeah. I’m done.’
I tried planning it out beforehand but once I begin to write it takes on a life of its own. There have been many times I’ve began with a certain idea and it isn’t what I write. It comes from within and for me it’s the best way. If you as a writer feel deep in your heart that what you’ve written is the right thing, chances are it probably is. I can’t add something that I don’t feel belongs there and so far my technique seems to be working for me. We are all different so find your style and own it.
Always read your work through more than once to ensure you’ve got the flow correct and it all fits.
Most important things:
Enjoy it
BE YOU!
June 27, 2015
Book Blog Tour & Review : Marie C. Collins, A brief stay at Earth Human Camp
AUTHOR BIO
Marie C. Collins lives in Lambertville, New Jersey (USA), with her two dogs, George Eliot and Henry James, who — in spite of their snoring and a tendency to sniff horrifying things — are very good company (and in return, willingly endure Marie’s insistence that they love being kissed on their snouts).
Marie holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism from Douglas College at Rutgers University and a master’s degree in English Literature from Temple University. She has held sundry jobs throughout her life, like caregiver, cook, waitress, newspaper reporter, and even a brief, misguided stint as a ballroom dance teacher. However, for most of her adult life she has written for hire, usually on topics related to education, as writing is the thing she likes to do best.
Marie has a daughter she adores, Laurel Pellegrino, who is now a doctor in Seattle.
Throughout Marie’s life, she has at times felt like an alien — mostly because she was extremely shy and didn’t react to things the way other people did. When she decided it was time to try to write a novel, she found herself wondering what it would be like to actually be an alien — then it struck her that that might be a good place to start. But since she’s also intrigued by the way cultures blend to make each of us feel a bit “different,” she decided her aliens should be half Earth human as well.
Marie is currently writing the second book in her Secrets of Farbookonia series: The Quest for Normal. Her goal is to publish it at the end of 2015.
Character Interview With Maylin Sòng (Anne’s Bunkmate in A Brief Stay at Earth Human Camp)
Q. Welcome, Maylin! Thanks for agreeing to talk to us. Should we get started? What is your favorite thing about yourself?
A. Oh. Well, that’s kind of an embarrassing question. So-o-o … hmm. Okay, I guess I’m — wait, really? I mean, I hate to use up my pass on the first question but … Yeah. Pass.
Q. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
A. Much easier! I would be more — patient? When I have something on my mind, I can’t think about anything else. Even if there’s nothing I can do about it. Like right now, for instance. Anne’s father gave me Anne’s email address, but I have to wait until they get moved into their new house and someone sets up her computer and hopefully a phone. Right now we can’t video or talk or even write because Dark Ages! How did people even live before technology?! It’s only been one day — and I probably only have to wait a day or two more — but I can’t take my mind off it. It’s a problem. I need to talk to her. When she finally logs on, she’s going to see about 50 emails from SO-not-patient me!
Q. You talk about your mom in A Brief Stay at Earth Human Camp, and we meet her at the end of camp. Who else is in your family?
A. *shrugs* My dad’s not really in the picture, you know? It’s okay that you asked, but I don’t really want to talk about him. And I totally hate it when someone gets all “oh I’m so sad for you” over that, so please, don’t be sad for me! I’m not sad so I don’t really know who you’d be sad for. I live with my mom and Aunt Mingmei (my mom’s younger sister) and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Q. No judgment! Sounds cozy! So what’s your favorite thing to do together as a family?
A. Yay! Another easy one: Watching movies together at home. All three of us love it. If competitive analyzing and talking was a thing, my mom and Aunt Mingmei would be the world champions. When I was little, they sat on either side of me and talked to me through every movie we watched to make sure I got stuff! I loved it then, but when I got older it got annoying because I wanted to get stuff on my own. So get this: Now they take notes so they don’t forget what they want to talk about! After the movie’s over, I just sit back at let them go at it. I can barely listen as fast as they can talk! The thing is, they’re super interesting. And I totally love it when I say something they didn’t think of. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, they go quiet for about 10 whole seconds, then take off again, only on the reboot they include what I said! Okay, so it’s nerd joy …
Q. In A Brief Stay at Earth Human Camp, Anne and Atticus go to camp for the first time. But you’ve spent other summers at the same camp. How was this summer different?
A. Wow, how wasn’t it different? Did you ever do that thing with two magnets where they snap together? That’s how Anne and I became friends. It was instant. I never had a friend like that before. But really, everyone was different — and not just because we were a year older. I think because Anne and Atticus were new and questioned everything, we all started asking ourselves the same things. Like yeah, why is so-and-so always so mean? And why do I hang out with this person and not that one? You know? It’s like we all suddenly realized we had choices — then these invisible gears rotated, shuffling people I already knew into this perfect group of friends! Who knew that was even possible?! Amazing. And that doesn’t even touch on the bad stuff (which Marie said I shouldn’t talk about by the way). So the short answer? Before and after. My life will be forever divided into what it was like before this summer and whatever comes after it.
Q. It’s pretty clear from A Brief Stay at Earth Human Camp that you really like science fiction. A. You can say it. It’s okay: I’m a little obsessed. No, wait — you can’t be “a little” obsessed – obsessed means “a lot,” right? So okay, I’m just obsessed. I don’t skip meals or not do my homework because of it or anything, but I’m definitely into it. Wait – what was the question?
Q. I haven’t asked it yet! If you could be in any science fiction movie ever made, what would it be.
A. Wow. Okay. Right back to before and after. Up until this summer, I would have said Star Wars. I wouldn’t want to be a character though. I’d want to be a techie behind the scenes — the one in charge of the robots. I kind of have — had — a thing for C3PO and R2D2. Dream job: Keeping the robots in line. But that’s all changed. You do get that my very own life became science fiction this summer, right? For as long as I can see into the future, I think reality’s going to be enough for me — it might even be more than I can handle.
Q. What would be the perfect gift for you?
A. *big smile*
Q. I sense that you are thinking about your perfect gift …
A. *bigger smile*
Q. Okay, you’re right. This is a no-brainer. A robot?
A. * huge smile while nodding vigorously*
Q. All right, Maylin. Thank you so much for talking to us today. In A Brief Stay at Earth Human Camp, you promised Anne and Atticus you’d send them a sci-fi watch-list after camp, and I understand you’re going to share it with us, too. Is there anything you want to say about it?
A. Oh, yes! Thanks. Well, first of all, this list could easily have been 100 titles long. It was SO hard to keep it to 20! To make it work, I tried to define science fiction as our relationship to science, space, or the future. This eliminated paranormal and horror, which is an arguable distinction, but definitely helped me stick to the limit. Also, I tried to choose an early representative of what you might call each subgenre, then didn’t repeat other examples in that category. For example, I included Gozilla, but left out Mothra and King Kong. The way I see it, if you love Gozilla, you’ll be motivated to seek the others out. As another example, I included The Thing From Another World, but left out The Blob. (Heehee, notice I just secretly added some titles to the list?) There are definitely some places where this gets blurry. That probably just reflects my personal taste. The only other thing I would say is that, in terms of how sci-fi has evolved so far, you can’t leave out sci-fi books! But that’s a topic for another day.
My Review:
Firstly, I would like to say that this book is wonderfully written and fits well with the age group the book is aimed at. It isn’t what I would usually pick up and read but I’ve got to know Marie and not only is she a fantastic writer but a lovely lady. The story centres on Anne & Atticus who have lived a very humble and sheltered life. The only people they’ve ever known are their parents and their dogs. They know nothing else until one day their parent’s secret is revealed and suddenly everything changes. Their mother isn’t from this planet. I mean growing up is hard enough for us humans but when your mother tells you she’s actually an Alien and not from earth its mind blowing. They are sent off to a camp where they have to mix with human children in order for their parents to continue with their work. They are helped along the way by some tiny friends that only they can see.
I felt for the two main characters as being a kid trying to make friends is terrifying but when you’ve never encountered any other life form and you have certain aspects of yourself that you have to hide that just adds to the mix.
I think this will be a great read for kids of all ages and adults.
I really enjoyed taking a chance on reading something new.
Thank you Marie for a great story that was not only lovely to read but written brilliantly.
Kat
Book Blog Tour: Marie C. Collins, A brief stay at Earth Human Camp
AUTHOR BIO
Marie C. Collins lives in Lambertville, New Jersey (USA), with her two dogs, George Eliot and Henry James, who — in spite of their snoring and a tendency to sniff horrifying things — are very good company (and in return, willingly endure Marie’s insistence that they love being kissed on their snouts).
Marie holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism from Douglas College at Rutgers University and a master’s degree in English Literature from Temple University. She has held sundry jobs throughout her life, like caregiver, cook, waitress, newspaper reporter, and even a brief, misguided stint as a ballroom dance teacher. However, for most of her adult life she has written for hire, usually on topics related to education, as writing is the thing she likes to do best.
Marie has a daughter she adores, Laurel Pellegrino, who is now a doctor in Seattle.
Throughout Marie’s life, she has at times felt like an alien — mostly because she was extremely shy and didn’t react to things the way other people did. When she decided it was time to try to write a novel, she found herself wondering what it would be like to actually be an alien — then it struck her that that might be a good place to start. But since she’s also intrigued by the way cultures blend to make each of us feel a bit “different,” she decided her aliens should be half Earth human as well.
Marie is currently writing the second book in her Secrets of Farbookonia series: The Quest for Normal. Her goal is to publish it at the end of 2015.
Character Interview With Maylin Sòng (Anne’s Bunkmate in A Brief Stay at Earth Human Camp)
Q. Welcome, Maylin! Thanks for agreeing to talk to us. Should we get started? What is your favorite thing about yourself?
A. Oh. Well, that’s kind of an embarrassing question. So-o-o … hmm. Okay, I guess I’m — wait, really? I mean, I hate to use up my pass on the first question but … Yeah. Pass.
Q. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
A. Much easier! I would be more — patient? When I have something on my mind, I can’t think about anything else. Even if there’s nothing I can do about it. Like right now, for instance. Anne’s father gave me Anne’s email address, but I have to wait until they get moved into their new house and someone sets up her computer and hopefully a phone. Right now we can’t video or talk or even write because Dark Ages! How did people even live before technology?! It’s only been one day — and I probably only have to wait a day or two more — but I can’t take my mind off it. It’s a problem. I need to talk to her. When she finally logs on, she’s going to see about 50 emails from SO-not-patient me!
Q. You talk about your mom in A Brief Stay at Earth Human Camp, and we meet her at the end of camp. Who else is in your family?
A. *shrugs* My dad’s not really in the picture, you know? It’s okay that you asked, but I don’t really want to talk about him. And I totally hate it when someone gets all “oh I’m so sad for you” over that, so please, don’t be sad for me! I’m not sad so I don’t really know who you’d be sad for. I live with my mom and Aunt Mingmei (my mom’s younger sister) and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Q. No judgment! Sounds cozy! So what’s your favorite thing to do together as a family?
A. Yay! Another easy one: Watching movies together at home. All three of us love it. If competitive analyzing and talking was a thing, my mom and Aunt Mingmei would be the world champions. When I was little, they sat on either side of me and talked to me through every movie we watched to make sure I got stuff! I loved it then, but when I got older it got annoying because I wanted to get stuff on my own. So get this: Now they take notes so they don’t forget what they want to talk about! After the movie’s over, I just sit back at let them go at it. I can barely listen as fast as they can talk! The thing is, they’re super interesting. And I totally love it when I say something they didn’t think of. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, they go quiet for about 10 whole seconds, then take off again, only on the reboot they include what I said! Okay, so it’s nerd joy …
Q. In A Brief Stay at Earth Human Camp, Anne and Atticus go to camp for the first time. But you’ve spent other summers at the same camp. How was this summer different?
A. Wow, how wasn’t it different? Did you ever do that thing with two magnets where they snap together? That’s how Anne and I became friends. It was instant. I never had a friend like that before. But really, everyone was different — and not just because we were a year older. I think because Anne and Atticus were new and questioned everything, we all started asking ourselves the same things. Like yeah, why is so-and-so always so mean? And why do I hang out with this person and not that one? You know? It’s like we all suddenly realized we had choices — then these invisible gears rotated, shuffling people I already knew into this perfect group of friends! Who knew that was even possible?! Amazing. And that doesn’t even touch on the bad stuff (which Marie said I shouldn’t talk about by the way). So the short answer? Before and after. My life will be forever divided into what it was like before this summer and whatever comes after it.
Q. It’s pretty clear from A Brief Stay at Earth Human Camp that you really like science fiction. A. You can say it. It’s okay: I’m a little obsessed. No, wait — you can’t be “a little” obsessed – obsessed means “a lot,” right? So okay, I’m just obsessed. I don’t skip meals or not do my homework because of it or anything, but I’m definitely into it. Wait – what was the question?
Q. I haven’t asked it yet! If you could be in any science fiction movie ever made, what would it be.
A. Wow. Okay. Right back to before and after. Up until this summer, I would have said Star Wars. I wouldn’t want to be a character though. I’d want to be a techie behind the scenes — the one in charge of the robots. I kind of have — had — a thing for C3PO and R2D2. Dream job: Keeping the robots in line. But that’s all changed. You do get that my very own life became science fiction this summer, right? For as long as I can see into the future, I think reality’s going to be enough for me — it might even be more than I can handle.
Q. What would be the perfect gift for you?
A. *big smile*
Q. I sense that you are thinking about your perfect gift …
A. *bigger smile*
Q. Okay, you’re right. This is a no-brainer. A robot?
A. * huge smile while nodding vigorously*
Q. All right, Maylin. Thank you so much for talking to us today. In A Brief Stay at Earth Human Camp, you promised Anne and Atticus you’d send them a sci-fi watch-list after camp, and I understand you’re going to share it with us, too. Is there anything you want to say about it?
A. Oh, yes! Thanks. Well, first of all, this list could easily have been 100 titles long. It was SO hard to keep it to 20! To make it work, I tried to define science fiction as our relationship to science, space, or the future. This eliminated paranormal and horror, which is an arguable distinction, but definitely helped me stick to the limit. Also, I tried to choose an early representative of what you might call each subgenre, then didn’t repeat other examples in that category. For example, I included Gozilla, but left out Mothra and King Kong. The way I see it, if you love Gozilla, you’ll be motivated to seek the others out. As another example, I included The Thing From Another World, but left out The Blob. (Heehee, notice I just secretly added some titles to the list?) There are definitely some places where this gets blurry. That probably just reflects my personal taste. The only other thing I would say is that, in terms of how sci-fi has evolved so far, you can’t leave out sci-fi books! But that’s a topic for another day.
I will post a review at a later date as I am still currently reading this book. :)
