…a prosperous New Year to you all!
Archive for December, 2012
Dear diary…conumdrum
Posted in General with tags characters, conumdrum, kill your darlings, new personalities, plot on December 30, 2012 by Kate Jack
What to do, what to do? All my characters, being my creations, are dear to me – even the bad ‘uns. You’ve heard the phrase: “kill your darlings?” Well the time’s come for me to do just that. Er, not “kill” exactly, but extract from the rest of the story.
I really don’t want to do it, however this character, dear though he is to my heart, no longer has a part to play in the unfolding saga of my wip. So in order for the plot to move on he has to go, partly for the reason given above, but mostly to make room for new personalities.
It strikes me that being a “creator” isn’t all fun and games, one sometimes has to be quite ruthless. That said, perhaps this particular character can make a spectacular return in the final book.
Now there’s a thought.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Land-Midnight-Days-Katrina-Jack/dp/0957412649/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356112665&sr=1-1 (Hardback UK)
http://www.amazon.com/Land-Midnight-Days (Hardback US)
http://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Silver-Flute-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B008Z10Y3E/ (Kindle US)
Dear diary… not doing too bad.
Posted in General with tags amazon co uk, books, dear diary, guilt trips, midnight days, rethink, speeding train, tricky chapter, word count on December 29, 2012 by Kate Jack
Not done too bad today, 1549 words and another chapter added to my wip. I would’ve done more, but got my characters into a situation I’m not sure I can get them out of. They’re stuck on a speeding train, with no way off and the baddies are getting nearer and nearer… Hmm, might have to have a rethink.
Anyway, no nagging conscience today, no guilt trips and and best of all, a smug sense of achievement. Ain’t life great?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Land-Midnight-Days-Katrina-Jack/dp/0957412649/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356112665&sr=1-1 (Hardback UK)
http://www.amazon.com/Land-Midnight-Days (Hardback US)
http://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Silver-Flute-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B008Z10Y3E/ (Kindle US)
Dear diary… a writer writes.
Posted in General with tags achievement, books, diary of a writer, procrastination, time, word count, writing on December 28, 2012 by Kate Jack
What is a common fault amongst authors – no matter what genre they write in? Procrastination. There are very few of us, I should imagine, that can write at a steady pace each and every day. Some, like myself, lack self-discipline, or simply don’t have the amount of time we would like to devote to our work. However, be that as it may, there really is no excuse, beyond life threatening situations or family emergencies.
Yes, we have to work or look after children, pets and so on, but every minute not spent doing these things should, in theory, be devoted to getting on with whatever work in progress we have in hand. But what do we do instead? We tell ourselves one more minute watching TV or ironing, or whatever – anything other than simply getting on with writing. Is it worth it? Hell no!
The constant nagging of your conscience, the frustration at not writing, all build up and up, but still we persist in shying away from achieving our goal of completing our word count for the day. Yet when we finally give in and settle down, the feeling of having accomplished what we set out to do is wonderful.
So I’m not waiting for New Year, I’m making a resolution right now. I will write every day, at least 2,000 words and I will stop faffing about – life’s far too short.
Watch these pages and see if I succeed. 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Land-Midnight-Days-Katrina-Jack/dp/0957412649/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356112665&sr=1-1 (Hardback UK)
http://www.amazon.com/Land-Midnight-Days (Hardback US)
http://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Silver-Flute-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B008Z10Y3E/ (Kindle US)
2013 – here I come!
Posted in New Authors section with tags 2013, amazon uk, amazon.com, book two, books, feedback, midnight days, peter straub, proud on December 25, 2012 by Kate Jack
The New Year is nearly upon us and so is my latest offering, book two of The Silver Flute Trilogy, Through the Gloaming.
It’s not been such a hard slog this time round, since I’ve learned so much from writing book one, Land of Midnight Days. I’m very proud of Midnight and I think I’ve every right to be. Time and again I’ve been told how unique, how different it is, with a truly original storyline and characters, as illustrated below from when I first posted a couple of chapters, a while back on Harper Collins writers site, Authonomy.
“I’m a huge fan of urban fantasy, so I decided to check this out. Glad I did! The opening immediately pulls the reader into the story, and the way you introduce elements of backstory gradually makes for a fast-paced read. The descriptions are vivid and you do a really good job of building up a picture of the setting. The idea of the flute with unknown powers is intriguing, as are Jeremiah’s other abilities, and the fact that he’s viewed as an outsider engages our sympathy.
Throughout your uploaded chapters, your atmospheric world… vividly comes to life. The action scenes are fantastic, almost cinematic in style. This is brilliant, compulsive reading, and I’m sure young readers will love it.”
Well this time round I think I have a real chance of making book two even better. It seems I’ve made a good start from the feedback I had from the same site, when I posted part of Gloaming some time ago:
“In some ways I hear hear echoes and see shadows of Stephen King and Peter Straub’s “The Talisman” in this.
Strong visual imagery and an appealing if not flawed character in Jeremiah Tully. Great job bringing his appeal to the forefront.
Your imaginative construct and originality is also to be commended. It’s always great to see an original concept on here and not re-hashed garbage.“
So 2013 will see the advent of my new book and, hopefully, I will continue to evolve and grow as a writer.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Land-Midnight-Days-Katrina-Jack/dp/0957412649/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356112665&sr=1-1 (Hardback UK)
http://www.amazon.com/Land-Midnight-Days (Hardback US)
http://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Silver-Flute-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B008Z10Y3E/ (Kindle US)
The Spirit of Christmas – Part II
Posted in Children's short fiction with tags dark night sky, dreams, faerie dance, fleeting images, midnight breeze, moonlit forest, spriti of christmas on December 24, 2012 by Kate Jack
Talia tossed and turned, as fleeting images of her mama passed before her inner eye. Her mother wandered through the moonlit forest, dressed in purest white and her wings, which Talia had never seen before, glittered with myriad hues.
The silver notes of a flute sounded amongst the trees, leading Talia towards the centre of the forest, a dark place she dared not go to in the waking world.
As she got nearer, she could see a clearing lit by the glow from lamps hung in the branches. A gentle breeze set them in motion and the light swirled and glittered. Talia gazed up at the lamps, filled with wonder. Dozens of fireflies flew in and out of the trees, adding to the beauty that surrounded the child.
The music grew louder and winged figures began to emerge from the forest. In a swathe of colour – pinks, blues, oranges and greens – the merry company filled the clearing. Talia clasped her hands together – the Seelie Fey!
One last figure entered the clearing. Tall, stately and beautiful beyond measure, Talia’s mother looked like a Queen. Snowflakes sprinkled her hair and were girded about her neck and wrists. Her white gown shimmered with colours, as she moved.
‘Mama!’ Talia cried and held out her arms, filled with such longing it hurt. But her mother looked neither left nor right, her gaze fixed on a tall and handsome male sprite, who held out his hand, which her mother took. Tears filled Talia’s eyes, when she how happy her mother seemed to be.
Beware the Fey, for they don’t care. Their heart with you they’ll never share.
‘Mama!’Talia cried, still holding out her arms, as she was pulled up and away into the dark night sky. Below her, all the gathered figures began to dance, swirling about the clearing, their garments flowing in the midnight breeze, like the petals of flowers in springtime.
***
Outside, the Spirit heard the child’s sobs and bowed his mighty head in sympathy with her anguish. One long slender leg lifted, as if to carry him nearer the cottage, but he paused, still unsure whether the child’s heartfelt wish should be granted. For surely it would break her heart even more…
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Land-Midnight-Days-Katrina-Jack/dp/0957412649/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356112665&sr=1-1 (Hardback UK)
http://www.amazon.com/Land-Midnight-Days (Hardback US)
http://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Silver-Flute-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B008Z10Y3E/ (Kindle US)
Why not make a New Year’s resolution to…
Posted in New Authors section with tags amazon uk, amazon.com, hardback, kindle, New Year resolutions, read more on December 24, 2012 by Kate JackThere’s nothing like…
Posted in New Authors section with tags amazon uk, amazon US, ebook, hardback, midnight days, reading, silver flute on December 23, 2012 by Kate Jack
…holding a book in your hand and now you can!
Land of Midnight Days is now available as both a hardback, as well as an e book.
Miss it – miss out.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Land-Midnight-Days-Katrina-Jack/dp/0957412649/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356112665&sr=1-1 (Hardback UK)
http://www.amazon.com/Land-Midnight-Days (Hardback US)
http://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Silver-Flute-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B008Z10Y3E/ (Kindle US)
To all my friends and family – the biggest Christmas card in the world!
Posted in General with tags christmas on December 23, 2012 by Kate Jack
Season’s greetings to my family, my friends, Cath and Laila, to all the members of The Alliance of Worldbuilders, with thanks for their sterling support,
and to my publishers.
The same to my fellow bloggers and all the followers of this particular blog; may you all thrive and prosper.
For all my Facebook friends, I wish you everything you wish for yourselves. May all your ambitions and dreams come true
May the coming year bring peace, prosperity and happiness to all.
***
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Spread the magic this Christmas! An epic new fantasy to fall in love with...
Posted in Uncategorized on December 22, 2012 by Kate Jack
*****
Am I thrilled that White Mountain is doing so well? ...Hell yes! But still...tis the season to spread a little magic...
Though White Mountain - Book 1 of The Darkling Chronicles, has a growing and very loyal following, it's time we spread our dragon wings and heralded our presence to the wider world!
*****
A dying world hidden from our own.
