I ‘m up late tonight doing what us writers do! This song came on Jazz FM radio, here in London just now. I felt so proud, this song was a writing prompt for Didi and I when we created one of the bonus stories, It’s A Man’s Man’s World, for The Suspenseful Collection Volume One. As soon as the dun dun duuunnnn! Kicked in on the beat, I did a wicked cackle of laughter, smiled and shook my head. When the song finished I headed straight to You Tube, to listen again to his voice.
What a song, what a legend he was… and what a story we have for you :). Thank you for the inspiration Mr. Brown, your legacy lives on fifty one whole years after you performed this! You inspired us in 2017.
Let’s go back to 1966 y’all! Give it up for James!
Blurb:
Contemporary Fiction: It’s A Man’s Man’s World:
A beautiful modern tale showing the love and appreciation of a woman. James Brown said it right when he said, “it’s a man’s man’s world, but it would mean nothing without a woman or a girl.”
Okay so I did a throwback Thursday post with Beyonce. I LOVE THIS SONG!! YOU HAVE TO PLAY IT LOUD! The lyrics toward her husband ( Jay-Z) are …. well, what made me look at Beyonce, a little differently. I guess I had a new level of respect for her, and her spunk.
You tell ’em B!
One of my favs on the Lemonade album, I listen to this track over and over the beat is sick, I love the rifts. I love her style, the “Jackie Brown” 70’s retro with the fur coat vs urban fashion with her braids, and those killer heels. Work it B!
Have a great day! I better get to work I am procrastinating.
It’s a grey cloudy one in London. I’m sitting here about to crack on with the final touches on my first, of two published books this July. You know me by now right? The music is going, coffee is being made, I’m in the zone. This song came on the radio as I was in the kitchen waiting for the kettle to boil, giving it so much attitude as I sang along, doing my best Beyonce impression. (Not a very good one, but plenty of attitude though).
This song came out in 1999… Woah I was sixteen years old ! How old were you in 1999? Do you remember singing along to this song?
It set me in a good mood to work. I like Beyonce’s work ethic too. Eighteen years she has been a successful woman since this first song came out. Inspirational being the same age too.
Music will always be my saviour in life! And what I write to.
So here we are ten days into National Novel Writing month, and I’m getting into my groove I think. I did some research on the Jazz scene in the 1950s as that’s where I’m at with writing. You can see what my project is about here. Today I wrote less than I would have hoped. That said I did start late and it’s already just after 11:00 pm London time. And I was reading for research. But the good thing is as you can see, I still only need to write less than 1,000 words a day, for my next addition to my romance series. When I look at it like that, life really does not seem that bad actually. 🙂 I can knock out under 1,000 a day no probs… all I need to do is be disciplined and do it! No You-Tube, or messing around. Just park my ass and write .
Tomorrow’s another day, I’ll try this theory of park it and write it tomorrow.
How are you doing fellow #nanowrimo writers?? Is the word count coming along? What’s your camp like online? Mine is really lively actually, I can’t keep up with all the conversation. Some lovely writers though, I seem to be the only one writing romance… I can work with that it’s okay. Quite a few crime and fantasy writers in my camp.
Is it Friday yet in your part of the world? If so that’s right, we’ve made it through another week guys. It’s only 8:00 a.m London time, but to quote the Russian Femme Fatale, I really enjoyed writing so much for writing for week 5’s short story…
” vhere vodka an’ shot glass?”
Already I feel like celebrating the fact, I made it through a very busy week, with a shot. I’ll try and hold out until midday at least 🙂 . It’s been a crazy week of trying to meet deadlines, working, caring for the family, trying to de-clutter / clean the house and in between to sleep. Noticed I used “try” only half of this I actually got done.
How do you feel? What’s your week been like?
What are you up to this weekend? What’s on the to – do list? Here’s mine
Finalise the last chapter ofLover’s Retreat, hand the manuscript to my editor and beta readers. I’ve done it! Knocked out 30,000 odd words whoop whoop! .. now vhere vodka?
It’s Sunday my reading day, and now early afternoon. I’m slowly making my way through all the author review copies of books I have. I’m about to dip into this historical romance, before I start cooking. It was a pleasure to interview the author. You can meet Sara here. I really look forward to meeting her characters, as I cosy up to read one of my fav genres. What are you reading?? Let me know
Happy Sunday! Have a great start to your week tomorrow.
This week I’m thrilled to be using a line from one of my favourite artist’s songs, as inspiration to write. Thank you personally from me if you voted in the prompt “we only said goodbye with words I died a hundred times” from Back to Black. I’ve written stories using lyrics before as a prompt, but never by someone as dear to me as this artist.
It’s so hot in London tonight I couldn’t focus on writing a chapter for my next release. So true to form I started messing around looking at make-up videos, thought about painting my nails and then I re-watched the performance of Back to Black I posted today when I announced the winning writing prompt, the actual concert I went to. Probably one of the best Amy did as shortly after she started to decline with drinking and drugs. It brought the whole night back to me with a smile … my girlfriends and I crammed in my car, driving along to the venue excited to see her show, buying our cheap drinks, dancing in the crowd to her songs as a group and singing along very badly!
I remember the day I heard Rehab the first song she released from Back to Black. I already knew Amy’s work as I have Frank the first album she wrote. When I heard Rehab I kid you not I stopped, looked at the TV showing the music video, and turned it up loud. I went out to do whatever I had to do that day, and bought a copy of the album. Played it and got on the phone to one of my girlfriends who is as much as a fan as I am. I played it almost every day her lyrical content is witty, and I get her British humour and banter, amongst the heartache.
All the awards she won I think are an amazing achievement at such a young age, she’s just a few months younger than me, well she would be if she was still with us. When she was alive in her early thirties doing so well, I felt really happy to have her represent the UK with her talent. And don’t let me get started on her style too, when she was healthy she looked great. I like how she personalised her style representing an era that sometimes I think I should have been born in rather than the eighties, as I love the music of the fifties and sixties and fashion myself. My mum shows me pictures of her back in this time, I think she actually looks really cool LOL To see Mum with her beehive hair, thick eyeliner and false lashes, red lips and nails. To see the look Amy recreated as it originally was done, on Mum always makes me smile. And get this Mum still has her platforms and stiletto heels… of course I’ve worn them. Back then women looked like women, and it was all about being feminine heels and nice dresses or flares and a cute blouse I really like it. Amy resonates with me so much as she represented an era of music I grew up on soul and Motown one on my favourite genres, but she made it modern.
The day I heard on the BBC News she passed away in her sleep in her flat in Camden Town, I honestly did not know how to take it. I went along the week she passed to Camden Town, I placed flowers down with other members of the public. It’s just the other side of London from me. And then I wondered how someone who experienced so much heartache in a relationship with a man, who then went on to write an award winning album about all that he put her through can be taken away and never have the chance to really shine. She was just warming up with Back to Black! A bit like other iconic artists that died really young Curt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix etc. It’s so painful when you think of how talented they were. If only they could have freed themselves from their demons and let go of the drug/ drink abuse.
Anyway, Amy is not the only star to crack under pressure, be it the relationship or media pressure. I did a post about strong female artists that seem to have lost their way last year. Amy of course made a feature. You can read it here.
So tonight as a prepared myself for next week’s writing challenge mentally, to drum up a good story with Didi, and reminisced on Amy’s work on YouTube I just felt like writing a small blog on my thoughts around her and her death, music and talent. I found these two clips of her . One is the moment she actually recorded Back to Black… like the actual moment! You see her with Mark Ronson the producer in the recording booth just singing like it’s breathing. And an interview with her when she looked fit, health and glowing. Her broad London accent and honesty in her interview, about her as a person made me smile.This is how I want to remember her. Not the terrible performances due to drugs or the weight loss, messed up make-up and hair as she is was in such a daze. I look forward to writing this next story for Kim and Didi’s Suspenseful Collection using her lyrics to inspire us.
Okay I’m about be real honest, state how I feel about what I’ve just read, post this and that’s that. If I offend anyone too bad! I’m sticking up for what’s right and authors all around the world. I’m too old to be walking on egg shells and not speak on what I feel passionately about. On top of that, I’m being real here.
Seriously, I’m just sitting here minding my own business catching up on blogs and stuff, with a glass of wine. I just clicked onto a book reviewer’s site and read “I don’t review books from self-published authors…blah blah blah.” I’m what you’d call a hybrid author I guess, I’m both traditionally and self published. I was traditionally published before self published. And let me tell you as a traditionally published author, publishers can still f*ck up your s*it, and you can be left rather unhappy with it. Don’t think for a moment because an author is self published they are any less of a writer, author, creator and kick- ass person, who can keep up the stamina to write a good book. Around work, families, drama and all kinds of things. Self published authors are made of some strong stuff, they are determine, they are titian and the world is a better and more diverse place with them. I’ve met some great ones.
Yes honey, I did say that! People out there think that being traditionally published is some kind of “gold standard.” Get with it, and move forward. I am so glad I found out all the benefits of self-publishing good well written stories. Yes I would be traditionally published again, but not because it is the be all and end all. Or I need that seal of approval. It’s nice sign a contract of course … I’ve done it three times and loved it but it’s not what makes me “an author” or another writer “an author.” I’m so fed up with the stigma and stick that self- published authors get, for going their own way. Handling their own business and doing what they love. Self published authors have heart,have hustle and keep going!
Stop/Do not discriminate! And don’t hate!
*Resting bitch face in full swing*…. You heard me.
I made a visit to a lovely book blogger’s page this evening. I read her random post on her reading habits. Inspired me to keep the post chain going. I love to read, I was (and still am) an avid reader before writer. Here are my habits what are yours?
Do you have a certain place in your home for reading?
Not really, I read anywhere. Including public places. Normally when I’m at home I read in bed or in the living room on the sofa. Curled up with a cup of tea or coffee, sometimes something a stronger. Okay, not sometimes most of the time.
— Bookmark or random piece of paper?
Bookmark all the way! I have collected some pretty ones over the years. It annoys me if they slip out or I lose them.
— Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop reading after a chapter / certain number of pages?
Most of the time I aim to finish the chapter. I find it hard to cut off and disconnect. If I’m really tired I may stop part way through, but I always aim for the long haul and finish a chapter.
— Do you eat or drink while read?
All the time! The crumbs on the E-reader is unbelievable.
— Multitasking: Music or TV while reading?
Ahh, hard one I always have something on in the background, the hard decision is music or TV. If I have the TV on it’s always the news channel I place it on, I have no idea why. If it’s music, something easy going is playing.
— One book at a time or several at once?
Just the one thank you! I give it my full attention.
— Reading at home or everywhere?
*Raises an eyebrow* what do you think?
— Reading out loud or silently in your head?
Silently in my head… what am I? Five years old?
— Do you read ahead or even skip pages?
No. Never. It’s a sin.
— Breaking the spine or keeping it like new?
Keeping it new…
— Do you write in your books?
Who? What? … Hell No! Why would you? When I was at university I didn’t even like making notes in my text books. But reading books? My escapism?.. You’ve lost ya damn mind.
I’m fashionably late and behind again, with the romance writers’ #52 week blogging challenge *sighs*. But I’ll jump back in on week #23. I adore food, this is probably one area of life that I’m so versatile, and will try almost anything. My parents originate from the Caribbean, growing up I ate mainly this type of food. I guess even though my mum immigrated here to London years ago, she has never left her roots. Even English dishes she cooks are sprinkled with some kind of Carib twist.
The other day I made this dish, I was so proud of it (I do love to cook also) I took a snap. It’s Caribbean chicken using my mum’s secret recipe. If I could eat one last meal I think it would be this. Well marinated, slow cooked, chicken, rice and beans with a coconut flavour and of course can’t forget the salad.
When my mum cooks this dish it tastes ten times better than mine, I can never quite get it the same, but mine is still yummy. She also likes to add Plantains to the dish. These are like bananas but not quite, and they are so sweet! You can fry them, boil them and even make crisps or potato chips if you’re from the USA from them. You’ll find them in many hot countries. Sometimes she’ll throw in a lil’ potato salad too.
The Caribbean is such a wonderful part of the world when it comes to food. Food is like a way to celebrate, and to bring people together. Flavour and spice is a big part of the culture. Never boring and never bland. Caribbean food is cooked with love, care and passion. I’ve heard this said about Italian culture and food also.
What’s your favourite dish to eat? Are you adventurous when it comes to food? Are you a great cook? If I came over to your house for dinner, what would you cook for me?
Author, Kim Knight 