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Know the Novel - Part Two: Within the WIP {A Writers Linkup}

Wow, I didn't noticed that I had been writing "Know Your Novel" instead of "Know the Novel". Cool.

I also have been absent longer than I had planned for. It looks like there will be only one post this month. It's funny. I wasn't even that busy or anything. I tried to write a post that was a monster to write, but then I burnt out and gave up for a week or two. Then I wrote another post that won't be out until early December.

Hence why one post this month.

But, the one post here is the amazing part 2 of the Writers Linkup! I'm sure that you guys have been eager for this one to appear. 😉

So let's jump into this!

1. How's the writing going overall?

It is going slow, but it's also going good. Most days sitting down and writing it have been fulfilling. It's just that I haven't been writing this story consistently (skipping many days) so that's why it is going slow. 

2. What's been the most fun aspect about writing this novel so far?

Smoke's voice. He was originally written in third person past tense, but in this story he is written in first person past tense. And let me tell you that he is just so much fun and full of surprises in this style of POV. I am so glad of the idea that dropped into my mind one day cause he is so much better that way. I am really getting the feel of his thinking and it's so crazy. How can you be even more personal with a character? Cause we were close before this story but now... so much more. 

3. What do you think of your characters at this point? Who's your favourite to write?

I haven't met all of the characters yet (introductions I have forgotten to do), but so far the ones I have met are just awesome! It's been great to see them on page and think about them off scene too!

   And my favourites (yes, I can't choose) are Smoke, Blossom, Kayo and Lon. Smoke is more sarcastic than I thought he was so that's fun! Blossom is just brilliant cause she's so cute and caring around Smoke! Plus her wisdom/logic. Ahh, love that about her! (Seriously, Smoke would be dead or at least would have done something stupid without her). Kayo is just great to write because of his antagonistic force. And Lon, oh boy, he just shines every time he's on scene. His brilliance makes me happy.

Also I enjoyed writing Gum, a secondary character of mine. I just finished writing her first appearance today (yesterday)!     

4. Has your novel surprised you in any way?

It has surprised me in every way 😂. It has not gone to plan, from plot to character to scene to chapter. My original thoughts do not align with the path it has taken. Maybe a few pieces here and there, but really nothing in the grand scheme of things.

5. Have you come across any problems areas?

Oh, yes, definitely, 100%. Worldbuilding does not exist at present, characters need tweaking with how they are showed on screen (as in better show who they are and how they act/react base on that) and scenes need revising (for both reasons mentioned above). Basically it needs to be fleshed out, which the job of second draft 😀. (Brain will die if it had to worry about these things in first draft.)

Also, I need fix how Smoke is being vague about being a cyborg even though everyone already knows that. 

6. What's been your biggest victory with writing this novel at this point?

You know that thing mentioned in the blurb, the one about a dead sister being not dead? Well, I wrote a scene that helped me figured out why that moment was so important for not just the protagonist, or for book 1, but the whole series! Like, it is so important, and now I know why. I always knew it was, but I didn't know why.  

7. If you were transported into your novel and became any one of the characters, which one do you think you'd be? Would you take any different actions than they have?

I would be Blossom, and, yes, I would take different actions than her for sure. All of the ones I am thinking of right now are spoilers.

8. Give us the first sentence or paragraph then 2 (or 3!) more favourite snippets!


I crept into the room, even though I knew the guards wouldn't lay a hand on me. They would just stare at me as usual. But still. This place was meant to be silent. I made sure it was quiet as possible.

 

Well, that was kinda of boring. I mean, if I was reading this with the huge possibility to continue, this would be intriguing. But since it is one sad little paragraph, it is boring I think (an author is always harsh about their writing 😂).


But I didn't have the ability to cry. So, I buried my face into my hands and trembled.

"Was it so bad?" Blossom asked as she kneeled beside me. She placed her hand slightly on my back.

"I could lose my father... forever. And it can't be stopped by anyone."

She inhaled, her breath getting stuck in her throat.

"I can't lose anyone else."

"I know."

"But what I can do? He's "government property". He's not seen as human. And I doubt that the presence of a son makes a difference. It didn't with my grandfather."

She was silent, probably thinking of a good answer. "I know that you'll hate this answer, but... treat your time with him as if he's dying and you know that he will be gone soon."

I lifted my head and glared at her. "That is not helpful or comforting."

Her arms fell limp before she crossed them loosely over her chest. She shifted to sit directly on the ground. "I'm sorry."

I softened my expression. Though it could have been an apology for her choice of words, I knew it wasn't about what she said. It was about losing my father in a way that might as well be death. He would never be seen again once they come for him.


Haha, there is so much here that you don't understand about. I only understand cause I've been in his head for way too long. The only problem is getting him to reveal his secrets and stuff (it's a bit difficult when he has the reins, oops). 

You know how I mentioned that he was being vague about being a cyborg? Well, he is being vague about everything at the moment 😂.

Also, I keep on thinking that Blossom is sitting in the snow, but it is actually summer, almost autumn. Originally it was set in winter and my brain hasn't accepted the fact yet.


"Do you mind?" I asked, keeping my eyes closed. "I'm trying to sleep here." Without any success. It's a good thing that I don't need sleep.


Yeahh, he is an insomniac, but that last line was funny to me at the time cause I didn't expect it. His thoughts, his dialogue and his general voice has this sort of sarcasm that I'm like, "Where is this coming from?!" But really he was always like this. I just didn't noticed it in third person.


We just didn't believe it would end this way.

 

I don't think I need to say anything for this one. 😉 

9. Share an interesting tidbit about the writing process so far! (For example: Have you made any hilarious typos? Derailed from your outline? Kill off a character? Changed projects entirely? Anything you want to share!)

I don't know... Oh, here's something interesting. A lot of characters introduced in this book don't play a big role until book 2 or 3. So you will meet a lot of characters and then might not see them again for the rest of the story. This is because my protagonist takes a direction that is apart from their directions for a while. 

10. Take us on a tour on what a normal writing day for this novel looks like. Where do you write? What time of day? Alone or with others? Is a lot of coffee (or some other drink) consumed? Do you light candles? Play music? Get distracted by social media (*cough, cough*)? Tell all!

When I write? 😂 Well, it is so inconsistent right now. When I first started writing this novel, I started at about 8 and wrote about for an hour (until 9). Then I moved it to about 9 to 10. Then I wrote whenever I had time in the morning or the afternoon/evening. Now, recently, I've been following writing sprints (still at random times) on YouTube and Discord. (YouTube were live-streams but I missed them so I've just been doing them on replay.)

Also when I first started, I wrote every day except for the weekends. Now I write at random days. Sometimes I write in a row, sometimes I skip many days, or I write every second day. I still don't write on weekends (too busy then).

Again, when I first wrote it, I wrote in the lounge room because it was too cold in my room. But now that summer is approaching, it is now quite warm to write in my room, at my desk. 

Most of the time I listen to music while writing (only instrumental ones) but sometimes I find it so distracting that I go without. And I definitely get distracted by blog posts (that is a form of social media, right?)

I don't really eat or drink while writing. I am more focused on eating if I do. And I just don't drink while writing. I think it is better for my brain to do nothing but writing to be the most productive at it.

 Well, that's it. Enough about me, Smoke and my little project (it isn't little, but I want to call it that). How about you, fellow writers reading this post? How is your WIP project going?

Comments

  1. WHAT??!! YOU CAN'T JUST LEAVE ME WITH THOSE LITTLE SNIPPETS. I. NEED. MORE!!! And HOW did you find that opening boring? It's NOT boring...I MUST KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!!!! THIS BOOK IS JUST SOOO GENIUS! I LOVE IT! Also, those snippets have me seriously concerned for Smoke and what you're going to do to him (you know, 'cause authors have to be mean to their characters), so I'm just gonna take him and keep him safe until you wanna start being nice to him. XD In return you can have my MC, he's annoying. Also, YES blog posts should be consider some form of social media, and they are the VERY THING that ALWAYS distracts me from writing. TOTALLY relating over here!! Sooo my WIP was going great and then it didn't go very good, but now it's going great again. I'm almost done with my second draft and I'm already looking into agents to submit to in a coupleish weeks. Genie's definitely the best part of my story - not Colin. He never wants to do anything fun. *pouting* Colin's way more mature than me. (Hehehehe...)

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    1. Haha, I just left you with the best. :D I'm sorry that there are so little, but I didn't want to spoil anything. Seriously, it is hard to weed out snippets without telling something I don't want to tell (even though Smoke is being vague XD).
      Oh, I'm glad you liked my opening paragraph... I guess it is just me being too critical.
      AWWW, THANK YOU, YOUR COMMENT IS MAKING ME SMILE SO MUCH. I'M SO HAPPY THAT YOU THINK IT IS GENIUS.
      Well, in my defense, Smoke has mostly put himself into these situations. It is not all of my fault. XD Haha, he won't let you. That would mean that he would have to leave his loved ones behind and he can't do that. He would rather fight than be safe from me (see it is his fault). XD Um, thanks? I don't know what I'll do with him, but okay, if you want to, I can take him in. :)
      Oh, that's so cool that we get distracted by the same thing! It is at least a good distraction, right?
      Oh, I'm so glad that your WIP is now doing great again! Go you for getting out of the slump! OH MY GOODNESS, that is so exciting! I'll pray that it will go well for you!
      AHH, Genie. I feel I know her a little more better from our comments. XD Hehehe, bad Colin. You're not meant to be not fun or way more mature than the author. XD

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    2. YOU'RE SO WELCOME!!!!! Aww, I'm just glad you liked my comment. Sometimes I worry that I get too crazy.

      Hahaha, I'm sure most of it is Smoke's fault. Ooh, I like how he would rather fight than leave his loved ones. I LIKE HIM EVEN MORE NOW!!!! (Actually, I'm not really sure that's possible, but oh well!) XD Yeah, I don't know what you'll do with Colin, either. I'M NOT even sure what to do with him.

      Oh, yes. Blog posts are DEFINITELY a good distraction!!

      Thank you! I can sooooo use all the prayers. I'm WAY NERVOUS about all of this. I mean, I've been through all of this submitting/rejection things before, and it's SUPER hard. But, yeah, we'll see what happens.

      Genie's definitely the fun one in the bunch. Sometimes Colin will be a little immature, but for some unknown reason he seems to make smarter choices than I would. He doesn't get that if he's going to be the protagonist, he's got to be exciting. I think he could learn a few lessons from Smoke! Maybe the two of them should meet sometime. Then Smoke can teach him how to be an AWESOME PROTAGONIST!!!!!! That'd be fun. But I doubt it'd be as fun as Smoke and Genie's fight. THAT I REALLY WANNA SEE!!!!!

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    3. No, your comments aren't too crazy! I love them a lot actually.
      Yay, I'm glad you believe me about that (cause it is totally, mostly his fault what is happening to him now). Yeah, it is a precious thing. (He is actually kind of adorable when it comes to loved ones but you didn't hear that from me, okay? XD) Haha, I think it is possible to like someone more! And no offense to Colin, but he is hard to know what to do with. He's not one of those characters who you have a bunch of PLANS and PLANS for. I might put him in the closet, feed him three times a day and give him a pat on the head for being a good boy. XD
      *Nods in agreement to your statement*
      I can imagine how hard and difficult and just plain nerve-racking it can be. I hope it turns out okay!
      Haha, yes, protagonists need to do stupid (I mean exciting) things! (Woah, Smoke glared at those lines, "he could learn a few lessons from Smoke" and "Smoke can teach him how to be an AWESOME PROTAGONIST". Haha, he is offended that he is considered a good protagonist. He knows what it means to be one so I guess it is fair. XD But otherwise I think he wouldn't mind meeting Colin, as long as doesn't have to teach him that XD.) Yes, it would be fun! And, yes, the fight between Smoke and Genie would be even more fun! YES, I THINK WE NEED TO CONSIDER THIS CAUSE OTHERWISE WE'LL BE RAVING ABOUT IT FOR FOREVER.

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    4. I'd believe it. Totally Smoke's fault. Ha! I bet he is kind of adorable. (My lips are sealed.)
      Hehehe...Colin would absolutely dislike that. But I seriously laughed out loud when I read your response. Maybe, that'd teach Colin to listen to me.
      THANK YOU!!!
      Oh, sorry 'bout that Smoke. Lesson learned. XD
      Anyway, back to the fight with Smoke and Genie. YES WE WILL BE GOING ON ABOUT THIS FOREVER IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING. I have absolutely no idea how to make it all work, so I'm open to suggestions on how we're gonna do this. It would be REALLY FUN, though. LIKE AAHHH THIS IS JUST MAKING ME WANNA SEE IT EVEN MORE!!!!! WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO DO THIS!!!

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    5. Yes. *Nods* And yes, he can be so adorable... (Good, so he won't kill me XD.)
      Well, fair enough. What character wants to be shoved into a closet? Haha, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Yes, Colin, listen to her if you knows what's good for you...
      Haha, I think he is a good protagonist, but he hates that. XD
      I'll have to think on it. I'm not sure either! Yes, It would be SO FUN. THIS IS SO MAKING ME EXCITED FOR THIS. YES, WE HAVE TO.

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  2. EEP. This was so much fun getting a closer look at your writing and hearing how it's all going!!! And oh my gracious goodness, it just sounds so FUN. All your characters seem like just an absolute and pure DELIGHT to write!

    And excuse me but that opening paragraph totally intrigued me! :O AND THE OTHER SNIPPETS. It looks like there are so many feels going on aaaahhhh!!!!

    I'm with you on my novel surprising me in every way. Seriously, I never know what's going to happen from one scene to the next. AND I've had characters crop up that won't really be big deal until the next books in the series toooo! XD Ah, pantsing is always interesting. But also so fun!

    Thank you so much for joining the liknup and sharing this goodness with us! I hope the rest of the writing goes WONDERFULLY! <333

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    1. Aww, thank you! I'm glad it was! It has been both really fun to write this post out and my story! And, yes, they are a delight (or a pain, depending on the situation XD).It makes me so happy to hear that my story sounds fun to you!
      Aww, yay, I'm glad you liked that opening! That means so much to me! THANK YOU! I'M SO HAPPY THAT YOU LIKE THEM! And, aaahhhhh, yes, there are feels... so many feels.
      I'm so starting to relate to pansters. I had a plan, which my characters are sticking to, but then they throw something new in-between or changed how the planned scene turns out. GRRRR. OH MY GOODNESS, that's so awesome that you have minor characters who are "unimportant" in book 1! And, ah yes, pantsing is so interesting and fun that you just don't care about the craziness (well maybe a little, but what can you do?)!
      THANK YOU FOR HOSTING THIS LINKUP! And for your kind words. Aww, thank you! I hope your writing continues to go wonderfully too!
      You're welcome! :) I'm having a blast so far with these linkups!

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  3. EEEEEEE!!! YOUR CHARACTERS AND THESE SNIPPETS!!! ^_^ I love them all! That opening paragraph was not boring, I am hooked! I am so glad Smoke is easier to write in first person! That is so funny his sarcasm is coming out stronger now, I love snarky characters. ;D Okay, now I really need to know how the dead sister isn't really dead. O.O I loved reading this!!! I hope the rest of your writing goes great!!! ^_^

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    1. AWWW, THANK YOU SO MUCH! I'm glad you loved them! And it is so encouraging to hear that my opening is interesting!
      Yes, me too! He is so fun and annoying in first person! XD Definitely funny! Oh, cool, you will probably like him!
      Oohh, I never explained that? *silent for a moment* Wait... Smoke hasn't explain that either!!
      Again, THANK YOU! Thanks for reading this post! And the well wishes! I hope the same with you with your new project!

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  4. This sounds fantastic! Keep it up.

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    1. Thank you so much! :D Aww, this is so sweet and encouraging! Thank you for leaving a comment here! It means a lot to me. <3

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