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Know the Novel - Part One: Introduction {A Writers Linkup}


Today, I'm joining in the linkup, Know the Novel, hosted by Christine Smith. It is directed at those who are doing NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), but you don't have to be doing that to do the linkup (I am one of those people). It is in three parts. So expect another in November and in December.

So, I am going to use my current WIP, Our Scattered Ashes. Since I am working on that one the most right now.

And onto the amazing questions:

1. What first sparked the idea for this novel?

Well, it all started when I had an image of my protagonist, from my first novel, as a cyborg soldier. He was running around in snowy woods, possibly scouting for any threat. Everything kicked off from there.

2.  Share a blurb (or just an overall summary if you'd prefer)!

This reminds me I should update the blurb on the blog. Things have changed. But the main idea is still the same. Which is...

A young cyborg male has his purpose stripped away when the war ends. Not only that, but his kind are forced to be put asleep - a state where they are still alive but unable to wake up again. His base commander has other ideas though. Instead, he finds himself and his kind are made either to hide away or hide in plain sight - he is the latter.

While still adapting to his new lifestyle, he learns that his twin sister is alive and well - when she should be dead.

This is the rough draft of my new blurb. 😊 When I have polished this up, this will be my official blurb. 

3. Where does your story take place? What are some of your favourite aspects about the setting?

It takes place in a dystopian Japan, probably in an important city besides Tokyo (I haven't figured out the details yet). Favourite aspects of this setting is that (1) it has a really different culture from my own, (2) it will have a Japanese style in the worldbuilding, and (3) it is futuristic as well as dystopian, so I can invent and destroy a bunch of things (within logic of course). 

4. Tell us about your protagonist(s).

I have only one protagonist, who is a Japanese boy called Smoke. He has been a cyborg soldier for two years, since he was seventeen (he is now nineteen). Being a cyborg is big part of his identity. He is a good fighter, introverted and loves a girl called Blossom. 💕    

5. Who (or what) is the antagonist?

I have two antagonists, and they are basically characters who (1) get in the way of the protagonist's goals, (2) and provoke him to anger and frustration. One of them is the villain but I'd rather not say which one it is. I feel I have hinted at who it is around this blog somewhere, but I don't really know if that's the case. If you have no idea, cool. If you do have an idea, I won't confirm it for you. You'll have to live to not knowing (hopefully not forever).

Antagonist 1#: Lon, who is super smart in politics, science and warfare. He is a hard foe since he can argue nearly any case you throw at him and is very logical. He cares deeply for cyborgs and their  wellbeing, making it his life goal for them to have a good life, to be more than just weapons or tools in the war. (He is one of my personal favourites. He's been so fun to develop. 😀)

Antagonist 2#: Kayo, who happens to be the younger brother of Lon. He is a cyborg soldier but is also a scientist-in-training. Recently, he was so badly injured in a battle that he can no longer hide the fact he is a cyborg. Which is a huge deal. He personally hates Smoke with a passion for two main reasons, which have actually affected his whole life. So... he has a good reason to hate. (Good job, Smoke, you not only ruin his life once but twice.)         

6. What excites you the most about this novel?

It is so many little things. I can't think of just one main thing that makes me excited. I think that using the old, but beloved, cast from my previous novel is exciting. I love that I get to do dystopian, a new genre that I have fallen in love with. I am so excited to create my own take on cyborgs and their situations. And having Japan as a setting will be such an exciting journey to explore and discover. 

7. Is this going to be a series? standalone? something else?

It is going to be a four-book series called FHE. It also has a prequel short story that has gone through two drafts already and needs a rewrite (again). And it now has an alternative flash fiction piece too. Who knows what other extras it may have in the future. I have some ideas.

8. Are you plotting? pantsing? plansting?

I am doing both at the moment. I did an outline, wrote, changed the plotline, took a break to brainstorm more, wrote again. Now I need to do another outline but I haven't gotten around to it yet. I have been writing (mostly fixing the scenes I wrote before taking the break). I've been all over the place, but that's part of experimenting the process. I wasn't so chaotic with my first novel, and hopefully I won't be with my next.  

9. Name a few unique elements about this story.

I'm not sure if this is unique, but it is set just a little after the big war that changed the whole world and made it reset. My characters are the middle of the reset instead of centuries after the reset. There is no such thing as Utopia in this world. There are barely any rules or laws or a proper society. People who have power are fighting for control rather than they have control. There is no big lie or a huge flaw that everyone accepts. The revolution is morally grey. I haven't read a lot of dystopians yet, but so far none of them have this approach.

It is set in Japan. I have never heard of a book being set in Japan.

There is a disease that can turn people into a cyborg (still figuring out the logics behind this idea, but I love it so much. It's so terrifying cool.)   

10. Share some fun "extras" of the story (a song or full playlist, some aesthetics, a collage, a Pinterest board, a map you've made, a special theme you're going to incorporate, ANYTHING you what to share!).

I have a Pinterest board and a playlist (technically two, but the second only has the instrumental songs from the first).

The Pinterest board is a work-in-progress. So it is a bit of a mess. The sections are organised by the most important to the least important.  https://www.pinterest.com.au/ribbonash/fhe-wip/

Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3YEbvP6dDVoTrLFoFuVGUs?si=OvfIg2oETrOXqFoJIR2OOQ 

And lastly, I want to share my main theme of the series: the value of humans.

And that's it. You can also check out the characters page (also a work-in-progress) if you want a little more information about the characters in this series and the writing projects page for also a little bit more detail about the WIP.

Have a great afternoon.

 So what do you think of my current WIP?

Comments

  1. DYSTOPIAN. CYBORGS. JAPAN.

    THIS
    SOUNDS
    AMAZING!!!!!!!!

    And this does seem like such a unique take on the dystopian genre! I LOVE that it's right in the middle of the big change instead of way after. That's fascinating. And it's a DISEASE that turns people to cyborgs??? :O EVEN MORE FASCINATING!

    This sounds amazing all the way around! Thank you so much for joining the linkup and sharing! I LOVED reading about it! :D

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much!
      Yes, setting the story in the middle of the big change has been very interesting so far.
      There are three different types of cyborgs. The classic made into a cyborg through an operation one. The made the same way as the first but emotions and the brain have been changed a certain way one (which is now illegal to make this type). And the made to be a cyborg through a disease one (which is one that hardly anyone knows about...for now).
      You're welcome. Your linkup is awesome. <3 Aww, I'm glad you enjoyed reading it. <3

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  2. Oh my gosh! This story sounds so epic!!! I love how it's not a utopian dystopian and instead is showing the reset. Your antagonists sound so interesting! I love all the characters' names! <3 I've heard of a few books set in Japan but haven't read any before (sorry, can't think of the titles at the moment), so I find it very cool that that's where yours is set. I've always loved Japanese culture and artwork. That blurb is killing me, I want to read this story so bad! :D Thanks for sharing about your WIP! I hope writing goes great for you!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! I'm glad you liked that it is "not a utopian dystopian" and is showing the reset. That was the part I was nervous about... since it hasn't really been done before (as far I know). I may have freaked out a bit when I had the idea. XD
      Yay, I'm glad you like my antagonists! And awww, thank you, the names are pretty dear to me. I'm happy you love them. <3
      Yes, I knew they exist somewhere. Thinking about it, I think heard of one too? If you remember them or hear of them, you can always tell me about them. I would need Japanese books for research. :)
      Thank you! And yes, Japanese culture and artwork is so fascinating. I love too many things about Japan, so it's no surprise that I am writing about it. :D
      <3 <3 <3 Sorry, but not sorry. XD I'm so glad that you loved the blurb! And my story for that matter! <3
      Thank you for your sweet and kind comment. <3 Thank you! I hope that yours goes well too!

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    2. If I remember them or come across any Japanese books, I'll be sure and let you know! ^_^

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  3. Your WIP looks great! Are you going to be writing it in November specifically or are you just writing it at the moment?
    Smoke sounds like a fascinating character! I don't think I've ever seen a male cyborg before. For some reason they're always female!
    And the setting looks awesome. I've read a couple of books set in Japan (Warcross by Marie Lu was the last one I read) and it's a great setting for futuristic dystopian stories!
    good luck with your writing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I am just writing it at the moment. The plan is to write it whenever I can.
      Thank you! I'm glad you like them! ^-^ *thinks* I know of one cyborg male (who is actually the inspiration for my own design of cyborgs), but there does seems to be more female cyborgs out there.
      Thanks! I have Warcross on my TBR, but I don't remember it being set in Japan. But it is hard to remember all the details of every book when you have a huge TBR. Thanks for bringing it to my attention (again).
      Yes, it is! I don't know what it is, but something about Japan makes a pretty good setting for those sort of things.
      Thank you! And you too! Thanks for commenting! <3
      (Also, if you like, you can give me more book titles set in Japan. I'll be happy to hear about any that you have come across!)

      Delete
  4. This sounds really interesting! I hope you end up publishing it some day (though I do know that would likely be far into the future), because I'd love to read it. ^-^

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    Replies
    1. Aww, thank you. I hope I will publish this too (haha, yes, far into the future). If I had to pick one story to publish, it will be this one.
      And it means so much to me that you want to read it. <3 Thank you for your kind comment, and for commenting!

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  5. I know I'm a little late, but I LOVE your story idea. Smoke sounds like an awesome protagonist. I know I'm already LOVING him!!!!!!!!!!!!! ��

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's fine. You can comment any time!
      THANK YOU! <3
      Aww, thanks. He is awesome. And it means so much to me that you are already loving him!! So good to know that your protagonist will be loved. <3
      Thank you for commenting.

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  6. DUUUUUUUUUDE! Oh my goodness, this book sounds incredible!! Cyborgs and Japan and A GIRL NAMED BLOSSOM OH MY GOODNESS, I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS!!! I'm greatly intrigued by the way you're setting this story up--how the book takes place DURING the big reset rather than after it. I definitely have not read a book like this before, so I'm really excited for this one!!! <33

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    1. Thank you!! Yesss, Blossom is honestly one of my favourite names that I gave to my characters in this story. I'M SO HAPPY THAT YOU'RE EXCITED. *squeals*
      Thank you. :) I love that part too. It is really interesting to write about.
      Aww, just thank you for your kind words! <3 And thanks for commenting! :D

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