Know the Novel Part 3

I have a bunch of random blog ideas in my head right now, but since I failed to sort my thoughts out on any of them. I decided to do this link- up before I forget to.

Once again this link up was created by the infamous and wonderful Christine make sure you follow her, she is writing a Midas story and it sounds amazing!


Onto the questions.

1. Firstly, how did writing this novel go all around?

Fine...

2. Did it turn out like you expected or completely different? And how do you feel about the outcome?

It turned out horribly, and I'm still trying to figure out how I wrote 50,000 words about nothing. There was a lot of food though.

3. What aspect of the story did you love writing about the most? (Characters, plot, setting, prose, etc.)

Characters, I love writing the characters. Establishing their nuances and quirks.

 Prose would be a close second. 

4. How about your least favorite part?

I guess the actual act of writing and to keep writing.

5. What do you feel like needs the most work?

 All of it! It's a complete mess if I'm being honest.

6. How do you feel about your characters now that the novel is done? Who’s your favorite? Least favorite? Anyone surprise you? Give us all the details!

The feelings are mixed most of the characters are killers, drunks, and out of their minds. I'm not sure how to feel about them. So far my least favorite is Cynfael's step mother she is a piece of work. My favorite is still Cynfael, though his motivations are questionable.

7. What’s your next plan of action with this novel?

To completely rewrite it.

8. If you could have your greatest dream realized for this novel, what would it be?

To have it published! That would be amazing.

9. Share a snippet of one of your most favorite scenes!

I picked at my fraying sleeve, "I don't want it, it changes people."

She looked confused, but she didn't have the horrors of my childhood to serve as an explanation.

I sat up. "Power corrupts you. It clouds your judgement. Makes you think you're doing the right thing. That you are somehow capable of making that call. My mother was the way she was, because the system demands it. If she had been kind, they would have eaten her alive."

Snow stilled, her face drawn.

"I hated her, but I can't say I didn't understand her, she survived. She did what she thought she had too."

10. Did you glean any new writing and/or life lessons from writing this novel?

I learnt that I much rather take my time with my books, then try to write them quickly.
Oh and...

Know the Novel Part 2- Linkup

This is a link-up created by the magnificent and ethereal Christine  

Go follow her!

I didn't really have a post planned for today so this worked out splendidly.

1.How’s the writing going?

*Blinking wildly and laughing* Ummmm. Not good! I don't think I will ever do Nano again, simply because everything I'm writing is horrible. I'm not being modest or anything it's bad. I also feel like I'm dying, so there's that. That sounds really negative, I have had a few really good days. Writing everday has actually been a great habit, and it does get easier the more you do it.

The quality of the writing itself has been consistent though.

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

Oh, these are hard. Probably the sarcastic inner monologue I have with myself as I'm writing. Like...

Oh so your going with that cliche how original.

How many times are you going to use the term 'seems to be' to add to your word count?

You don't even know your own characters names! This bodes well for your plot.

That has never been used as motivation for betrayal before.

Bloody Freaking Frick Frack Fantastic!

3. Has your novel surprised you in any way?

It's incredibly cliche, which was a surprise. Despite my best intentions, I can't seem to fix it.

4. What do you think of your characters at this point? Who’s your favorite to write about?

I'm a bit annoyed and delighted by all of them. They all have different personalities so that's been fun. Cynfael, he is my favorite. He is always plotting and vying for Snow's attention which has been fun to write. He's horrid, but we get along. 

5. 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 guess I would be Snow, because she's the only human. I would probably never have gone to Rookshire. The Fae are not to be trifled with.

6. Give us the first sentence or paragraph and then 2 (or 3!) more favorite snippets!

-Smoke filled the air, and my lungs. A slow poison I chose to indulge, among a few other vices.

I didn't want to even look but I actually found some.

-I snatched the pearls back, fracturing her pleased face into one of surprise and shock.

"Cynfael." Her tone held a warning, like the edge of a sharpened knife.

I tilted my head, rubbing the pearls like a rosary, "Mother." My voice matched hers in severity. I was putting all of her admonishments and lessons to good use. I took in her perturbed expression with pleasure. I had never been able to catch her off guard.

- Despite what she thought, I wasn't worth saving and I never had been.

- I poured her a glass of whiskey, the last thing I needed was another distraught woman on my hands.

- I kissed her cheek. Her tears were salty and cold, I took my cigarette back from her. I knew all her uses and they had run their course, but I wasn't going to tell her that. In this state she might throw herself out the window, and that would be more then I could deal with.

7. Have you come across any problem areas?

Pretty much the whole thing!

8. What’s been your biggest victory with writing this novel at this point?

When I reached 25K that was the moment I realized I could do it.

9. Be honest, have you killed any characters off yet?

One, kinda she is a side character. There is still time...

10. Take us on a tour of a what a normal writing day for this particular novel has looked 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!

I usually don't start writing till noon. I let myself be a bit lazy in the morning and try to prepare for all the writing. I usually down a large coffee. I don't have a desk so my bed or the floor has been my places lately, or sometimes in the car in a notebook or in my phone notes. I can write with others around as long as I have headphones. I write better alone. Oh gallons of coffee or tea or soda! I haven't lit candles yet, but that sounds nice. Music is a must, I usually listen to like 4 songs on repeat. Pinterest is distracting but also useful.

Sorry if this all came across as cynical or self deprecating... I am small and angry.

The Language of the Worlds Link-up-October

You guys enjoyed this one last time, so I thought I would do it again. We have the lovely Liv to thank for it. Make sure to check out her blog.

I am supposed to be prepping for Nano, but since that mostly involves me lying on the floor and eating. I thought I would write a post. I am going to use Cynfael again because I will be writing his story for Nano.

1. What does your character fear the most?

Wow, so this one was harder than I anticipated. Because it's not what do they fear but what do they fear the most, and I think being helpless again, is one of Cynfael's greatest fears. Because for a long time he couldn't help anyone not even himself. 

2. How would they handle it if they were to face their fear?

Not well, he might even become completely unhinged.

3. Do they want to get married? Why or why not?

Suffice it to say he did once...

4. What is their love language (i.e. words of affirmation, physical touch, gifts, quality time, acts of service)?

Physical touch. * Trying not to roll my eyes* 

5. On a scale from 1 (messy) to 5 (organized), how do they rate?

Probably a four.

6. How do they feel about debates/disagreements?

He enjoys them.

7. What do they bring to a battle (figurative or literal)?

He can fight fairly well, but prefers to charm and manipulate people. If that fails he can always poison them.

8. What's their favorite thing to eat for breakfast?

Mimosas with a bit of everything that could be considered breakfast food.

9. How do they treat themself after a long day?

I don't want to know and you probably don't either.

10. What do you most want readers to glean from this story?

Still trying to figure that out. Stay away from Fae maybe...

The Language of Worlds // July-August

Doing this on time for once. So this is created by the amazing Liv go check out her blog and the other ones who participated. Especially Maddie's cause her's is awesome!

1.Where does your character live, and how does that impact them?

I haven't quite figured out where it's located but somewhere in a fantasy version of late 1920's Europe. The Rookshire estate is located. It's isolated and bordered by some stunning mountains. It's practically a palace.

2.If they could book a vacation to anywhere in the/their world, where would they go and why?

Paris is a favorite. England too. 

3. On a scale from 1 (low) to 10 (high), how ambitious are they?

Incredibly, but he likes to appear carefree. A solid 10

4. What do they want to achieve long-term?

He claims to want the crown, but his true goal is to destroy his family's empire. Even if he has to die in the process, I'm sure.

5. Who inspires them?

His Father's ruthlessness, His Mother's disregard, and his sister's determination.

6. How would they handle seclusion?

Not well, Cynfael is a social creature. He doesn't like being left with his thoughts.

7. Are they a cat person, or a dog person?

Either or, like most of the fae. He has an affinity with animals.

8. What's their favorite type of weather?

Anything warm, it's always cold where he lives.

9.When they're hungry, does it show? How?

Only if he wanted it to, he's adept at hiding his emotions. 

10. What's one Bible verse your character would identify with?

 Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!

Proverbs 23:31