Guest Blog Post & Review Split Second by Sophie McKenzie (Young Adult, 10/10E, Short 'n' Sweet review)

September 2013, Simon and Schuster, 228 pages, Paperback, Review copy, Short 'n' Sweet review

Summary from Simon & Schuster

Bound together by the devastating consequences of a terrorist attack on a London market, teenagers Charlotte (Charlie) and Nat appear at first to have much in common. But, as Charlie gets closer to Nat and his family, she begins to wonder if perhaps he knows more about the attack than he has let on. Split Second is an action-packed thriller that shifts between the perspectives of its two main characters as their courage and their loyalties are tested to the limit. - See more at: http://books.simonandschuster.co.uk/Split-Second/Sophie-McKenzie/9781471116001#sthash.7ppXhzeV.dpuf

Bound together by the devastating consequences of a terrorist attack on a London market, teenagers Charlotte (Charlie) and Nat appear at first to have much in common. But, as Charlie gets closer to Nat and his family, she begins to wonder if perhaps he knows more about the attack than he has let on. Split Second is an action-packed thriller that shifts between the perspectives of its two main characters as their courage and their loyalties are tested to the limit. - See more at: http://books.simonandschuster.co.uk/Split-Second/Sophie-McKenzie/9781471116001#sthash.7ppXhzeV.dpuf

Bound together by the devastating consequences of a terrorist attack on a London market, teenagers Charlotte (Charlie) and Nat appear at first to have much in common. But, as Charlie gets closer to Nat and his family, she begins to wonder if perhaps he knows more about the attack than he has let on. Split Second is an action-packed thriller that shifts between the perspectives of its two main characters as their courage and their loyalties are tested to the limit.

Nayuleska's thoughts 

As expected Sophie has created another epic I-don't-want-to-breathe read. Knowing how Sophie turns everything on its head (from reading several other books by her) made the plot twists not so much of surprises as welcome whoohoo moments. Charlie is a really strong character, hiding her fears even when they are about to come true, being extremely curious and fighting for what she believes in, like Nat in a way.

Find out more on Sophie's website. 

 

Suggested read

You must read Sophie's best books *coughfangirlbiascough*  Girl, Missing

 (old edition cover - I read it, but didn't review it)

Sister, Missing (Children's, 11 years +, 10/10)

 and Missing, Me (Children's, 11 years +, 10/10)

Guest Blog Post: Planning and Plotting

It is with a mega fangirl SQUEE that I present the post which Sophie kindly wrote for NRC about planning & plotting, a top topic for writers. *happy sigh* 

Some writers plan. Some don’t. Personally, I like to work out the outline of a story before I begin, then fill in the details as I write. For me, a strong story features a main character (or characters) with a desire or need. Once I know what that desire/need is, I try to throw as many obstacles in their way as possible. 

A lot of the plot twists just pop into my head as I write. I try to make sure that every scene has a clear action which moves the story on and that the main character is at the centre of the action. My aim is that every time anything happens the action should be in some way unexpected yet also convincing. I don’t always achieve this, but that’s the ambition.

With Split Second, I knew the main plot twist before I started but lots of the smaller ones developed as I wrote.  I always try to give the reader plenty of shocks as they make their way through the story and I aim to leave every scene on a bit of a cliffhanger – such as when Nat and Charlie are attacked at the meeting place in Featherstone Road.

Whenever I’m coming to the end of a scene like that, I try and work out what I need to write to give the reader a pay off for sitting through that chapter – and what I can leave unexplained, as a hook to make them want to turn the page and read more.

Thank you for this insight Sophie - I vaguely plan in my head but rarely on paper. Plenty of shocks is an understatement! It's what I love most about your books, that and the awesome characters. Roll on your next book!