Kat Green's Blog, page 4

Tips: How to name your chapters.

Hi,

I have decided to make more use of my blog. I’m letting it slip a little as real life is getting in the way. I’ve had people asking me for advice when writing and I’m happy to help. I’m in no way an expert, or think my way is the right way. It worked for me and I’m hoping it will help others in their journey.

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. At the time this was exactly what my chosen names would have done if I had stuck with them. I read  tips from other writers and found some useful ones. How I chose mine in the end was simple.

I didn’t name them with titles that gave anything away, or even came close to what the main part of that chapter was about. 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’ that 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 ‘hit the shelves’ it wasn’t relevant to what was actually happening.

It could just be a bit of dialogue from a character; Nothing to much, it can  just one word. Chapter 10 was ‘Idiot’ but again, who was an idiot and who said it. You don’t know until you read it. And, it could be 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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lori Schafer – On hearing of my mothers death six years after it happened..

BOOK REVIEW:

Rating: 

Blurb:

It was the spring of 1989. I was sixteen years old, a junior in high school and an honors student. I had what every teenager wants: a stable family, a nice home in the suburbs, a great group of friends, big plans for my future, and no reason to believe that any of that would ever change.

Then came my mother’s psychosis.

I experienced first-hand the terror of watching someone I loved transform into a monster, the terror of discovering that I was to be her primary victim. For years I’ve lived with the sadness of knowing that she, too, was a helpless victim – a victim of a terrible disease that consumed and destroyed the strong and caring woman I had once called Mom.

My mother’s illness took everything. My family, my home, my friends, my future. A year and a half later I would be living alone on the street on the other side of the country, wondering whether I could even survive on my own.

But I did. That was how my mother – my real mother – raised me. To survive.

She, too, was a survivor. It wasn’t until last year that I learned that she had died – in 2007. No one will ever know her side of the story now. But perhaps, at last, it’s time for me to tell mine.

 

My Review.

This true account of a girls struggle is nothing but inspiring. Lori had to struggle to survive as her mother became the victim of mental illness; her illness became Lori’s nightmare to. The story itself is heart-breaking to read but what surprised me was the author’s lack of self-pity. Your heart goes out to the young girl who had to escape and ended up living alone in a car to avoid the horrors of home; facing other setbacks along the way. Another incredible element of this story is how you feel towards her mother; cruel at times. Only Lori explains her mental state in such a way you can’t fully hate her mother. You feel for them both. Those acts were not done out of malice but an illness she couldn’t control and no help was given. 

It is a true account of mental illness from experience and Lori opens up some very painful memories. I’ve been inspired by this story; no matter what life throws at you in the end it is down to you. It is you that can change things around. I personally think Lori Schafer is a very brave and strong woman. I’ve always had a loving home, yet still moan at trivial things, I shouldn’t. This story made me realize it isn’t about money or material things that make you rich. What makes you rich is having a safe and happy place to just be. I’m sorry this wasn’t the case for her, but I hope life is better for her now. 

Thank you for sharing your story. 

Please read this and support this wonderful lady. 

On Hearing of My Mother's Death Six Years After It Happened: A Daughter's Memoir of Mental Illness

Lily Paradis – Ignite Blog Tour.

 

 

Author Lily Paradis  Bio 

Lily is 22 and recently graduated from the University of Colorado where she earned a degree in English Literature. She lives with her family and loves reading, running, and hiking. Although she’s a Colorado native, New York City is her favorite place in the world and fosters her borderline unhealthy obsession with the Empire State Building and F. Scott Fitzgerald. IGNITE is her debut novel.





Book Blurb
After her father’s untimely demise in a mining accident and her mother’s abandonment, Lauren Lindsay is no stranger to loss. She’s used to living life for one person: herself. That is, until another family tragedy thrusts three children into her care and uproots her life in ways she could never imagine.

Lauren’s first instinct is to run, until she meets their striking, mysterious neighbor Dean Powell. Their immediate chemistry and his connection with her late father just might be enough to keep her in town long enough to uncover pieces of her past that she never had answers to. Dean’s shady past and her reluctance to trust him could cost her the life she’s always been searching for, but will she run back to her old life?

Or will she choose to stay and live the life her father always imagined for her?

MY REVIEW WILL BE POSTED ONCE I HAVE FINISHED THIS AWESOME BOOK! 

Links

Amazon Kindle
IGNITE Goodreads
Lily’s blog

Facebook

Twitter

instagram

Goodreads

‘Strings’ Soundtrack

‘STRINGS’ Soundtrack:

Arctic Monkeys – I wanna be yours

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4NGoS330HE

Paramore – Anklebiters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnZTgYbdMdI

Green Day – Do you know your enemy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IclmVdWNbI

Muse – Hysteria

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwhjlNvF-4Q#t=112

Tonight Alive – Come Home

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr_8-bAuiko

Marcus Foster  –  I was Broken

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI_pPEysgYQ

Sam Bradley – Passport

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNO_XMtpUdU

 

The following Bands are who I have/will feature on my blog. They are mostly unsigned and I really think people should hear them.

 

Sabella – Leave

https://soundcloud.com/sabellamusic/leave

https://www.facebook.com/sabellaband/timeline

https://twitter.com/SabellaBand

 

Pheonix Calling – Bring the roof down

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugW0taTkfTg

https://www.facebook.com/phoenixcalling?fref=ts

https://twitter.com/phoenix_calling

 

 

 

White Clouds and Gunfire – Since you’ve been gone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnhQC2KwfXk

https://www.facebook.com/wcagf?fref=ts

https://twitter.com/wcag_uk

 

Knaves – Stalemate

https://soundcloud.com/knavesuk/stalemate

https://www.facebook.com/KnavesUK?fref=ts

https://twitter.com/KnavesUK

 

The Novatones – Living for the weekend

https://soundcloud.com/thenovatones/living-for-the-weekend-2

https://www.facebook.com/thenovatones?fref=ts

https://twitter.com/TheNovatones

Double Decker Books… Thank you.

Hi Double Decker Books,

Just a little post to say Thank you for everything you have done so far. It is people like you that help indie authors. It is a big sea out there, all trying to gain readers. It is hard and challenging to make a mark with so many other talented writers. But, when people like you give your time to help push our work, support and give us confidence it makes life a little easier.

They don’t promise 1000s of sales but the do provide amazing service, and they clearly love doing it. And, I have had increased sales during promotional times with them.

Any authors out there needing  a small team in numbers but massive in their kindness, Double Decker books are the team to join. I wish you all the luck in the world with your site and hope other authors hear about you. I will be passing people your way.

http://doubledeckerbooks.blogspot.co.uk/

https://twitter.com/doubled_books

THANK YOU AGAIN, FOR EVERYTHING..

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Krysten Hager. Blog Tour: True Colours…

 

 

Author Post: Large Coffee

Krysten Lindsay Hager is an author and book addict who has never met a bookstore she

didn’t like. She’s worked as a journalist and also writes middle grade, YA, humor essays,

and adult fiction. TRUE COLORS is her bestselling debut novel from Astraea Press. She is

originally from Michigan and has lived in South Dakota, Portugal, and currently resides in

Southern Ohio where you can find her reading and writing. She received her master’s in

American Culture from the University of Michigan­Flint.

 

Book Blurb:

Every day I walked down the sidewalk to school and wished I were one of the interesting popular girls who ran up with exciting news. Just once I’d like to be one of those girls instead of the being the one who didn’t get invited to things because people “forgot” about me.

Landry gets pushed into trying out for the American Ingénue reality show modeling competition with her two best friends. She doesn’t think she stands a chance, but she advances to the next level in the competition and her friends ignore her when they get cut.

Enter the gorgeous Devon, who also makes the first cut and includes Landry in her clique. Devon becomes the perfect best friend, but can their friendship survive the competition?

Landry hopes her big break could come at any moment, but soon sees there’s much more to modeling. She begins missing out on being with friends and has the chance to have a boyfriend when she meets a boy named Vladi from another school.

Part of Landry wants to be famous (and have her hair look good for once), but part of her just wants to be accepted. She learns about friendships, being true to yourself, and that a good hair conditioner doesn’t hurt.

 True Colors Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=96jxcUH54hU

 

Character Interview with Landry Albright from True Colors.

What’s the worst thing that’s happened in your life? What did you learn from it?

When my friends all got mad at me—first when Ericka and Tori stopped speaking to me after we all tried out for the American Ingénue reality show modeling competition and I made it to the next round and they didn’t. But I learned who my true friends were after that.

Tell me about your best friend.

I have two or three besties. Tori used to be my best friend, but after she got mad at me over that modeling thing…I just don’t trust her the same way. Ashanti Russell is one of my closest friends. We became closer after getting to know each other better. She always has my back. Peyton Urich is another of my best friends. We met when Tori and Ericka weren’t speaking to me. She’s been such an amazing friend. And Devon and I have best friend bracelets together, but…sometimes she gets a little controlling.

What is one strong memory that has stuck with your character from childhood? Why is it so powerful and lasting?

I was in a dance recital when I was four years old. We were supposed to be little ballerinas and have scarves attached to our tutus, but my mom was still in school at the time and she came home late and forgot to give me my scarves. So all the other little girls pulled out their scarves, and there’s a video of me looking on either side of my tutu for my scarves and then bursting into tears crying “Mommy!” as I ran off the stage. My grandmother said I was adorable, but I don’t think it was any coincidence my grandfather died two weeks later.

What is your greatest regret?

That I messed up my introduction during the American Ingénue competition. All I had to do was say, “Hi, I’m Landry Albright from Grand Rapids, Michigan,” and instead I said, “Chicago, Illinois,” my old state and when I went back to correct it, I totally slammed into the next contestant, made the microphone shriek and embarrassed myself. If I could go back in time, I’d totally choose that moment to change.

Do you ever lie?

Well, I don’t outright lie, but when my dad asks about my math grades, I do point out how awesome I’m doing in English and hope he changes the subject.

What do you like best about yourself? Least?

Best? I think I’m a nice person and a good friend. Least? My hair. I’d much rather have Devon’s dark, curly hair or Peyton’s dark red hair.

What is in your refrigerator right now?

Leftover butterscotch and vanilla pudding from the variety packs my mom and I eat all the chocolate out of.

What’s on your bedroom floor?

Dirty clothes—like my Hillcrest school uniform that makes me look like a dead goldfish, my mom’s favorite sweatshirt that I borrowed and got something blue on (when did I have fruit?), and some magazines.

What’s on your nightstand?

Magazines, YA mystery novels, gum wrappers, and my favorite lip gloss.

Imagine you’re doing intense spring cleaning. What’s easy to throw out? What is difficult to part with?

Did my mom put you up to asking this? I hate cleaning my room, but whatever. I guess the easiest stuff to throw out would be all the candy wrappers and to put my soda cans in the bin to take back for a deposit. What’s difficult to part with would be my magazines. I like to hang onto them and look at them at night before I go to bed. And I would never part with my stuffed animals—especially the blue mouse my dad got me when I was little.

If you could spend the day with someone you admire (living, dead or imaginary), who would you pick?

Talisa Milan, my favorite model who won the American Ingénue competition. She’s so busy that I doubt I could keep up with her, but I’d love to see what it’s like to be her just for one day. She hosts a video show, does makeup and hair care commercials, goes to school, and she’s dating a member of the band, The Puking Baby Dolls.

Are you upset your name is not in the title?

Not really. Krysten almost used it for the title of the sequel, but at the last minute she changed it. She told me she might use that one for the third book though.

Did your story end too soon?

I’m getting a sequel and she’s working on a third book, so I’m okay with it as long as she lets Vladi call me and stuff.

Did you and your author agree on the storyline?

Well, at first she told me I had no say in any of it, but she can’t really control what I say or do. I’m just me and she has to figure out what to do with that. She calls it, “frustrating,” but hey, I told her, “You’re the one who became a writer. What did you expect, genius?” So whatever. She’s got to deal with it.

 

 

 

Krysten’s Link:

Website:

http://www.krystenlindsay.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/KrystenLindsayHager?fref=nf

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/KrystenLindsay

True Colors Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22444090-true-colors?from_search=true

Krysten’s Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8298036.Krysten_Lindsay_Hager

Google+

https://plus.google.com/u/0/+KrystenLindsayHager/posts

Amazon Link:

http://www.amazon.com/True-Colors-Krysten-Lindsay-Hager-ebook/dp/B00L2G0YJS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412131104&sr=8-1&keywords=True+colors+by+krysten+hager

Thank you!

 

Hi,

This post is a thank you to all involved in my recent Book blog tour.

It was a great success and I loved all your posts. It helped get my book out there a little more and I gained new readers along the way. I still haven’t sold a million, but I am happy with every one that sells. You are amazing for being involved and for giving me a chance.

I am not really sure what else to say, wish I could do more. I understand the blogging world as I have a music blog outside of my writing that I use to review bands.  So, I totally get what the blogging world is like when you are choosing to use your time for someone else, a complete stranger most of the time.  If there is ever anything I can do for you in the future, don’t hesitate to ask.

Thank you, once again.

Lots of love

Kat

xxx

 

 

 

 

Character Bio: Luke Black

CAREER: Front man for The Black Eagles.

Full name: Luke Black

Gender: Male 

Age: 22

Birthday:  Sept 7th 1991

Nationality: English

Religion:  Music

City or town of birth: Portsmouth UK

Currently lives: London 

Relationship Status: Taken 

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Height:  Short but has presence bigger than Goliath 

Hair colour: Jet Black

Hairstyle: Short with a lightening strike fringe 

Eye colour: Sapphire Blue 

Tattoos: Eagles on Left side and both arms 

Piercings:  None 

Preferred style of clothing: Jeans and Hoody

Frequently worn jewellery: Leather wristband given to him by his Girlfriend

HEALTH

Smoker? Too much

Drinker? Too much

 

PERSONALITY

Personality:  Perfectionist, Loving but fierce if messed with. 

Likes: Guitars, Eagles and his girlfriend 

Dislikes: Vanity, Liars and Death Wishes.

Fears/phobias: Losing his arms so he can’t play guitar

Favourite colour: Black

Hobbies: Music, Music and Music 

SKILLS

Talents/skills: Guitarist, Lyricist, Singer and Leader. 

Ability to drive a car?  Yes 

EATING HABITS

Favourite food(s): Homemade 

Favourite drink(s):  Beer, Whiskey and Coffee 

Disliked food: Nothing, eats anything. 

Disliked drinks: Water 

HOUSE AND HOME

Describe the character’s house/home: Top floor Apartment in London 

Significant/special belongings: Chloe, his acoustic Guitar

Parents names: Debbie and Stuart Black

Siblings? Only Child 

Other Important Relatives: Ray his manager is like a tour dad to him. 

Partner/Spouse: Melissa Webb (Girlfriend. Soul mate)

Best Friend: Dale Baxter (Band member) 

Other Important Friends: Toby Maxwell and Tom Lawton (Band members) 

Thank you..

 

Hi,

This is a little personal thanks to you, one of those lovely people who not only took the time to read my book, but gave your time to review it. It was a long process which took the best part of 2 years. To have people read it is one thing, enjoy it is another but to have it put on a blog is something that happens to others, not me. That was what I thought when I first started this project.

I could go on for pages and bore you to death, telling you about every detail of the journey but I won’t other than it was exciting and terrifying all at the same time. I know some of you are trying to do the same and finding it hard, believe me I have been there, still there as I work on the sequel. But, I was there once and I never gave up. I cried a few tears and lost sleep but I did it.

I know it isn’t perfect, but what is in this world. All you can do is your best. Do what your heart tells you, its the only way to be happy.

So, Thank you, and your posts have been saved in a file for me to keep forever. I will follow your blogs as I admire what you do. I do the same on a completely separate blog, for bands. I blog for bands outside of all this, so, I am not just a writer, but a blogger just like you.

Keep up the good work and if you ever need anything, shout.

I will be happy to help in whatever way possible.

Kat

:) XXX

 

 

 

 

 

Music that inspired me while writing strings. A 2 year project..

Hello,

You may or may not know, Music is a passion of mine. It inspired me during the writing, reading, editing process. Some inspired certain plots, others motivated me, kept me going when I doubted everything. Some just opened up emotions in order to write the scene in a way I intended.

I also love to run, so combine the two and most of the book came from these two loves. It has been a long journey, putting them in any kind of order will take time. I won’t even try, some bands/acts you may have heard, others maybe not. I blog for bands sometimes from another account, and mainly focus on unsigned or lesser known talents. You might just find a new band to love from this post. Who knows!

Note: I am a rock/indie/pop punk girl, also those guys/girls with their acoustic guitars just writing beautiful songs, with the odd random things thrown in now and again. I’m not a boy band girl, and never really have been, but I have nothing against them, just not my thing. I will never diss what others like, music is the key to each and every individual. What makes you happy is your treasure. I started my music blog after penning the first draft so my musical loves did begin to change as the book got to the editing stages. Some of the bands mentioned have become some really good friends. I wish them all the success in the world.

These were on my playlist from the start.. I have pick only a small selection as there are a lot and I can’t fit them all in. No order but I wonder if you can guess who/what they may represent?

It is a bit of a mix but I like variety. My moods decide the music I listen to, and can change how I write a certain part in a book.

WARNING: SOME MIGHT CONTAIN BAD LANGUAGE! (SORRY) ;)

 

This next selection gradually ended up on my radar as my blog got started. I haven’t stopped listening since. They are hard working, lovely talented people and I love them a lot. Please go and check them out. All such hardworking bands who deserve the support and have always been so lovely to me.

This last band are very recent to my playlist. I was just weeks away from publishing when I was introduced to them, by the above band Sabella who supported them a few times. but I am now such a massive fan of them. After seeing them back in May and meeting their Front Man, Van McCann, who is the nicest, sweetest person I have meet in a long time. My best gig so far, brilliant show, and lovely people.

There are more but it would make a very long post. I will talk music more another time, but for now enjoy this cheeky lot.

Kat

:) x