Who is in on some more writing prompts and challenges? …Me please.
Monthly Archives: August 2016
My Official Book Release Date Reveal…..
Just got an email from my publisher, my official release date for A Stranger in France is
Tuesday 20th September 2016
Daily Writing Prompt: Youth – 6 months of labour I’ve given birth
Today’s WordPress writing prompt is a nice fit to what’s occurred today and how I feel after doing some reflection . About an hour ago I thought to myself I might live until I’m in my 80’s that’s 40 odd years of writing books. The thought thrills me! I’m still young(ish) and have a lot of years in me to go and time to write and create. (God allowing of course). For the first time in ages I felt really young in a good way.
For the last 6 months I feel like I’ve been in labour with no pain relief LOL, writing and editing, and just give birth. Tonight I finished editing all 28 chapters of A Stranger in France and sent it off to my publisher. I’m sorry to everyone who I have not returned a call to, emailed back, text back, or engaged with promptly it’s been a mad 6 months. And now I am catching up with everyone- sorry.
I reflected further once I pressed Send and watch my email turn from draft to sent, I’m at the very start of my career as a writer/author or ambition to become one, I still don’t know whether to call myself a ”writer/author” it does not come easy to say it for me as yet ….. even though I still have a day job I’ve signed two publishing deals this year. I still feel very young and youthful in my journey. Maybe I need take myself more seriously as I still see this whole journey as I’m just doing something I really enjoy and have done ever since my school days. I don’t see it as a fame or fortune thing or having a massive street credit as a published author. But I need to realise I guess I am one or becoming one minus the ego!
So what have I learned now that I have completed the whole process of writing and editing a book 93,000 words long originally now 89,500 long to make sure it is ready for commercial sale? It’s bloody hard work, dedication is needed, focus is a must and a lot of late nights will be included if you have a family to juggle and a day job. But it’s all worth it 100% if you enjoy it. What experience will I take with me for editing book #2 for Christmas release and writing #3? Learn from my experience of making sure things are consistent it saves time. It’s so easy to just, well, write but little things like tense, dialogue writing and use of point of view (POV) need a ton more of attention if you want a speedy editing process. Writing a character’s POV can be a challenge at times, as you ( well I) think it is fine, and then an editor says ” show don’t tell how the character is feeling” or ” you’ve slipped into the wrong POV.” I’d also rest my work a lot longer before I go back and edit as I’ve found my eyes, brain and overall writing skill and sharpness are more on point with longer breaks. But in all my excitement I just kept reading and editing, doing my 3rd and final read through and edit I still noticed little things I’d missed as I was not as sharp.
So here’s to being 33 years ” young” and starting my long journey to hopefully a successful international author. I have a tough crowd to crack over in the USA in the books stores to convince them this English chick is worth a shot! And lot of work to do to convince the rest of the world who hit up Amazon and look for a great romance story that my book is worth a read. But I hope during my young years I continue to get better at doing what I love.
Here’s to being young! Fresh and shiny brand new.
Miracle Challenge Week #10: #1 Meeting You – Sweet Romance Story
My favourite day of the week to write has rolled around again, Miracle Girl’s writing prompt challenges are up for week #10.
Write a short story using sentence prompt” meeting you was the best thing that ever happened”
A smile creeps across my face, he’s such a sweetheart today he surprises me with a huge bunch of long stemmed pure white lilies. Forget roses, there’re old school and dated there’s nothing like the beautiful fragrance of long stemmed white lilies filling the room. Lillies are much more chic and stylish much more” me”, than a bunch of roses – he’s the only man that’s taken the time to think outside the box when surprising me with flowers.
” Girl you are so lucky.”
Gloria my co-worker snaps me out of my day dream as she approaches my desk, and places her large behind on the corner then sits down.
”Yeah I feel lucky.”
” After all you’ve been through you deserve a good man.”
“Thanks Gloria.”
After 10 months of the single life and unsuccessful dating I never thought that I’d meet someone after Mark, he broke my heart. After five years together he just stopped trying, stopped playing attention and eventually we drifted apart. I refused to let go. I’d invested so much into that relationship I desperately tried my hardest to make it work. Eventually I told him to leave, I got fed up of giving and not getting anything back in return. The break up was messy and painful, for months I withdrew from everything. It felt almost like I’d lost myself and who I was.
I tried every dating site out there! Getting attention from men was not the problem it was finding the right attention from men, finding one who I saw a future with. Then came Mr X, he sent me a message late one night while I was online browsing – window shopping I call it. Of course I was doubtful that it would lead to anything, but I played the game and returned his messages and smiley faces he sent me. A 91% match we had according to the websites questions we both answered, one message led to another, then we spoke on the phone and eventually met up.
” So tell me, how did you snag this romantic soul and does he have a twin brother?” I let out a small laugh and look up at Gloria.
” Hmm well, no brother but we met online.”
”OK, and details? Girl don’t keep me in the dark!” I throw my head back and try to hide the cheesy grin on my face.
”OK, about a month ago I joined this new dating site, we got talking and found out we have a lot in common he likes to eat, I love to cook, he likes dessert and has a major sweet tooth and I love to bake. One sunny Saturday lunchtime we met up, in Leicester Sq central London and head to the ice cream store.”
”And…?”
” Gloria!’
”C’mon don’t hold out on me now, I love to hear sweet romantic stories of people hooking up. It keeps me young and hopeful. How did the date go?”
I smile and look over at my lilies, the sight of them warms my heart further.
”His conversation was mind blowing Gloria my God, we discussed everything from politics to the best flavour ice cream. He truly made love to my mind that day. Looks wise, his picture on his profile done him no justice. In real life he’s better looking I was quite surprised- tall, well dressed, he had great swag to him. Inside I was doing back flips over how cute he looked that day.”
” As simple as that right, you two just fall in love….?”
” No, not really he did have to work hard for my attention, I just kinda gave up after so many bad dates and Mark, but something was different about him from that first date, and he tried so hard to win me over, so I gave him a chance.”
” Aww so sweet, well I wish you both the best of luck.I better get going, this photocopying won’t copy itself, I catch you later Sam.”
I turn back to my computer screen and try to focus on work, my phone beeps with a message”
From: Mr X
To: Sam
Hey, how’s your day?
I hit reply instantly
From: Sam
To: Mr X
All the better now I’ve received this beautiful flowers, I have them on the corner of my desk.
Just as I place my phone down on my desk to get to work, it beeps again
From: Mr X
To: Sam
Glad you like them, Sam I promise you I will treat you right. I know a lot of guys may have said this to you in the past, but I mean it I have a good feeling about us and honestly meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me after months of searching. We click and I like it.
I bite back a smile and hold off on my response, inside I feel giddy with happy feelings and butterflies you get during the honeymoon period of dating. I take a deep breath, I want to be honest about my feelings and let him know how I feel, at the same time I’m full of nerves learning to trust again is a big thing for me after Mark. After an internal struggle over honesty and holding back I decide -it’s time I moved on, and stop letting my past govern my future,I hit reply.
From: Sam
To: Mr X
Just keep looking after me, and I’ll keep baking you cakes to feed your sweet tooth. After 10 months of unsuccessful online dating you’re like a breath of fresh air. xx
Mr X over the last month has made me feel special, alive, like I’m truly the only women in the world he has his eye on. He cuddles me non-stop, showers me with affection and makes me laugh. Could this be it? The true love I’ve been seeking after a one sided dead end relationship that was heading no where fast. I hope so, as in my heart meeting Mr X was the best thing that ever happened to me in the last 10 months of online dating.
Kim’s on WattPad
Hey,
Just a short note from me to say I’ve finally got around to checking out Wattpad. I’ve signed up as a writer on here also. Via Wattpad you’ll will find the free chapter preview I placed up on my author site for A Stranger in France. (Note that next month the chapter preview will come down, as my book is officially published). I will also post on Wattpad all the short stories that I write for challenges, and any I write that are not part of a challenge….. The ones I write just ‘cos I feel like writin’
If anyone knows how to embed a ”follow me on Wattpad” button in a Wordpress widget please do give me a shout, I’ve been sitting here for well over an hour racking my brain. Nothing seems to work.
Here’s the link to my Wattpadd account
https://www.wattpad.com/user/KimKnightAuthor.
Kim
Daily Prompt: Complications of an Author’s Genre Specialism
- Difficult to understand, analyse or explain ( dictionary definition)
What a word! Today’s WordPress writing prompt word describes exactly my situation today. I’M 23 /28 chapters into editing my final draft of A Stranger in France good news is I’ll make my publisher’s due date for next month’s release. Bad news, or the downside is today started to think about my current book I’m working on; if you’ve been following a while you’ll know it’s a story with crime/murder (and love) involved, and was originally the first ever book I started to write before A Stranger in France and certainly way before my creative idea came for my #2 novel due for release after A Stranger in France – later this year at Christmas.
The my dilemma or complication is, as a writer /author do I pigeon hole myself to just one genre romance-suspense writing or do I do what I love, and what I feel I’m also good at writing crime also. From research I’ve done I’ve read so many conflicting views. Some say YES! You must just stick and specialise in one genre it is suicide to gain readers and then write in another genre and build up a readership from the ground again, some say go for it, do what you love to do, your brand is not your genre it’s your own unique story telling voice and ability to engage others in a story – your readers (or potential readers) will follow you regardless of genre. Hummm a complicated and hard choice for a new or even established author.
Personally, I have some authors I love to the bones I wait impatiently for the next book to be released, and I buy their new release the day it is released, without even reading the blub or questing what it’s about. Just because I love their writing style and stories in general. From this personal view as a reader, I’m tempted with this story I’m writing with an element of crime/murder to just do what I love and write in both genres. My professional head who wishes to build a nice readership and allow some form of consistency for my potential readers says Kim – don’t be a fool girlfriend stick within the genre you will be published in first…. romance suspense. It’s so complicated!
I thought about the story I’ve been working on and I did some further research there is in fact thriller sub genre under romance I read about. No, not suspense, thrillers are a lot more darker think of the book ” Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn an excellent book and example of a thriller. When I read about this the creative side of my brain ticked, that’s it! Re-craft the story a little so that the crime and romance blend so it does not come across as essentially a crime friction story that just so happens to have 2 people that (once) loved each other… surely I can do that right? …. but what about the ” brand” I keep reading about? Would I confuse potential readers with writing a romance story with an element of crime- especially as by the time it’s ( hopefully) published, I will have 1. romance suspense book published and 1. romance story published, can I really throw MURDER or crime in with it too? … Like I said it’s complicated. I also changed my tag line on the blog from romance-suspense & crime fiction writer to romance-suspense and thriller writer to keep it broader in genre and creative outlet.
I never realised that writers who end up published are faced with such hard decisions that may impact their future career. I honestly (maybe naively) thought you write what you want, go where ever your creative juices take you, after all it’s not ( for me) about the money or fame that’s lovely but firstly it’s the fact that the story is out of my head, on paper, in print and I achieved something great that I’m proud of. And secondly, I’m just writing, as that’s what I do and what I enjoy it’s part of me.
So my questions are
Readers: Would you abandon an author you liked because they wrote in a genre that is not your first choice. For example you found a great author read a few books or a book and then they wrote something else or throw in a red herring in a genre? Or would you still read along?
Authors: Are you brave enough? Have you done it? Have you committed ” suicide” and wrote in more than one genre. Who has big balls out there?? Is it wise in your experience?
At the end of the day, as a reader I love both genres I write, as a writer I really enjoy as well as love to write in both genres I have chosen . So I think I will grow some balls rework book #3 slightly and now ”pigeon hole” myself as Kim the romance-suspense and THRILLER writer rather than crime. This way I (think) I can get away with romance & a bit of murder *wink.
Man that decision was COMPLICATED!
Complicated
Daily Prompt: Reach
- To reach out one’s arm
- To arrive at, to get as far as
(Dictionary definition for the word prompt: reach)
For today’s WordPress writing prompt, my response is a personal one…This morning, at 8:00 a.m I was in the pool, the water is one of my favourite places to be. I went for a swim! I learned that residents in my area now can swim and use the gym for free, at certain times. This is a great thing and new health incentive in my area.
Now, I can (maybe) reach my long time fitness goal of going for a swim once a week by myself (with my son there’s no swimming or work out for me, more like splashing and teaching him how to swim and float). I hope to go each week, now that it’s free I have absolutely no excuse after I drop off my boy at nursery school, to not and head to the pool and swim before work, or go after work. No excuses- none what so ever. Starting from Friday next week, I will work toward reaching my long term goal of swimming maybe 20 laps (straight, no stopping). I’ll start with reaching 5 at first, and work my way up slowly to reach 20 laps. I am not the fittest person in the world so wish me luck!
Do you have a health or fitness goal, or any goal that you’d like to reach? What is it let me know?
Haters
Haters! They will always be lurking…. Feed them to your creative and focused self for dinner and keep pushing forward. Great post.
No matter what you do with your life – there are always going to be haters, those that want to put you down even when they should be your greatest supporters, and people that just plain piss you off.
It really will not matter if you are not doing much with your life, if you are playing small or if you are living large and stepping up in the best way possible. They will still always be lurking.
I had one such incident today where there were just plain mean comments on social media from someone who I would have said were among my greater supporters… I read it and I hurt, badly, I wanted to cry and lash out just so she could feel a little of what she just did to me. I wanted to go find a corner and just hide.
I allowed myself to…
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Selling Books the Write Way
*Kim cackles behind her laptop*…
I love this guy’s straight talking. True.. if you get turned off by promotion, you were never really ”turned on”. I too will blog ” Kim’s way”.
Daily Word Writing Prompt: Paint
Paint can be used to mask or decorate so many things, the colour of walls, graffiti, finger and toe nails- like my picture above. I have no idea why I took a picture on my phone when I painted my nails these pretty shades a few weeks back. Anyway, the list of what paint can be used for is endless. It can also be related to colours. What would we do without it? More to the point what would we do without colour?
Think of a world where everything is colourless or just one colour- What colour do you imagine? Look around the room you’re in now, could you visualise it in just one colour? or what about colourless- see through?
I’m sitting in my favourite writing spot at my glass kitchen table right by the window, I can see trees, the next building where my neighbours live, the main road etc. In front of me on the table as always is a large vase of flowers, this week I have yellow and purple ones. It’s hard to imagine this room, my view from the kitchen window, the flowers or life just one colour, I can’t even decide on a ONE colour to imagine it as there are so many pretty colours out there.
Short Poem: Paint
If I had to paint you, you’d be full of colour vibrant, alive and bold, caramels, browns, dark browns, blues, I’d really make sure I did a good job at capturing you my baby boo,
If I had to choose a colour to describe you, I’d choose yellow,
Like sunshine, that’s what you are to me , my ray of sunshine,
In my mind, you’re one of a kind, so choosing one colour for you just won’t do,
Yellow, as you’re so bubbly and cute, blue as you’re just a tiny baby boy of only 2,
Green as you’re like fresh pine scented air to me, when you run into the room,
Stamping your tiny sized feet, laughing and shouting, then jump up and down on the seats,
Grey for your ” terrible 2’s tantrums” when you have them it’s not often but my god you have them!
I try not to be mad at you when you’re in a tantrum, remember your mama’s baby boo, and after all you’re just a teenie tiny 2.
A little poem for my 2 year old son, who I can see from the kitchen area where I am sitting asleep on the sofa, taking his afternoon nap. Looking gorgeous (as always) with his curly Afro out of his normal braids- it’s hair wash day today he looks so cute 🙂 He’s my inspiration for today’s writing prompt.
Author, Kim Knight 