Beautiful People - Favorites Edition {And the FINAL Beautiful People!}

My absolutely favorite blog linkup is ENDING. And I’m a blubbering ball of sadness. *cue the waterworks*

I’m sure most of you know about Beautiful People—a linkup hosted by Sky @ Further Up and Further In and Cait @ Paperfury, in which each month they ask questions for us to answer about our story characters. Talking about my characters (or, ya know, ANY fictional characters) is my favoritest thing on this earth, so naturally I was alllll about this linkup! And GUYS, I’ve been doing it since my first year of blogging. Since before Cait was one of the hosts and instead Sky did it with her friend Georgie. I’ve joined in on almost every BP for the last 7 years. AND NOW IT’S ENDING. I am much sadness, but I absolutely understand. Sky and Cait are busy people, I totally get that. I’m just feeling all nostalgic. *sniff, sniff*

BUT. Before saying farewell for an undetermined amount of time, our ever illustrious hosts have cooked up an extra special Beautiful People to say goodbye with a bang. This one is all about FAVORITES. And I do love favorites, so I am excited!

Though a lot of the questions are centered on my writing in general, some still ask about a specific character. It was hard trying to decide which of my (maaaaany) characters to end BP with. I had finally narrowed it down to Rose and the Dragon (the “beauty” and “beast” from Burning Thorns). Buuut I couldn’t pick one sooo…I’M DOING BOTH. ‘Cause hey, it’s the last BP. Let’s go all out!

 

Visit Sky @ Further Up and Further In or Cait @ Paperfury to join the (FINAL!!!) BP linkup!

BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE
FAVORITE’S EDITION

 

1.) Favorite genre to write in?

FANTASYYYYYY!!! (Is anyone surprised?) The ability to literally create anything I want with absolutely zero real-world limitations appeals to my creative-loving soul like no other.

Also fantasy involves DRAGONS. So, like, why would I write anything else???

Okay, but if we’re being specific here, YA speculative fiction is my niche. I’ve written a couple of steampunk stories, time travel, dystopian, high fantasy, modern fantasy, a retelling, and…yeah. I really like spec-fic. But pure fantasy is my #1 BFF.

 

2.) What book (a real actual published book!) do you think your character would benefit from reading?

The Dragon: Wellll, I supposed it’d be amusing if he read the original Beauty and the Beast fairytale or any B&B story period. Since his story is a Beauty and the Beast retelling. Eheheheh. Buuut I think I’m going to steal Skye's and Kendra's answers and say the Bible. He could…probably use it. Ahem.

Rose: I think she’d absolutely love Lord of the Rings. She probably needs that reminder that the smallest, seemingly most insignificant person can make the biggest difference, and that there is always hope no matter how dark things become. Plus she just loves reading and good stories so win-win here.

 

3.) Favorite piece of dialogue you’ve written?

Good gracious. I’m supposed to choose one scene of dialogue out of the over a dozen stories I’ve written? *pokes through stories*

OKAY. I do not have a favorite favorite, but I did find this one from my dystopian novel, Fallen Matter, that made me chuckle.

“Redness caught my eye, and I found a splotch of blood covering Lykan's upper right arm. "You're hurt."

"That's what happens when you don't wear your seatbelt and let an idiot drive."

I bristled. "You told me to!"

"That was before I knew how incompetent you were. Really, is it that hard to keep your eyes on the road?"

"You shouldn't have been hanging out the door of a speeding vehicle!"

"It's called saving your life, so I think the proper response would be a thank you. Those authoritaters were never going to give up."

Man, I haven’t looked at this story in aaaaages. It was fun revisiting it and these characters (mainly Lykan *COUGH*).

 

4.) What did your character want to be when they grew up, and what did they actually become?

The Dragon: He was honestly so busy avoiding what he didn’t want to be and just surviving, he didn’t really take the time to think about the occupation he would have pursued if he had had the choice. But when he was a child he always admired the high life and dreamed of living in the castle. So something prestigious would have been his choice, though, as a peasant, it was an impossible dream. And he became…a beast. Eheh. But he does in fact live in a castle now but ahahahaha it’s not exactly the life he dreamed of…

Rose: Though Rose’s situation is far different from the Dragon’s, she, too, has always had her life set out for her, not leaving her much room to dream of any other options. Really, she just wants to please her father, no matter what. (And yes I’m being vague because #SPOILERS) Althooough I suspect being a librarian would be something she’d leap at the chance of. But what did she grow up to become? Mmmm. Spoilers! *grins*

 

5.) Favorite character name(s)?

UGH. So many characters!

I think my top favorite is proooobably Iavin (from the Colors of a Dragon Scale series). It’s like Ivan but with an UH in the middle. Eye-UH-vin. No clue why I like it so much, but I do! I’ve always loved names starting with vowels.

I also really like Eryth (AIR-rith), Calgora, and Eldoren from the same series.

Ethryl is from a trilogy I have called The Traveling Library and may be my favorite female name. (Except it looks too much like Eryth and I think I need to respell one of their names…?)

Annnd I’m very fond of Karis (from The Nether Isle). That’s such a pretty name.

Okay I’m stopping now I promise. I just have SO MANY CHARACTERS and am totally named obsessed so yeah.

 

6.) What makes your character feel loved, and who was the last person to make them feel that way?

The Dragon: Words of affirmation is his love language. Harsh words and disgust is all he has experienced for many, many years, so praise and reassurance touches his heart deeply. He’s also not-so-great at expressing kind, meaningful things vocally, and admires those who can and do. And, naturally, Rose was the last person to show him this kindness. (BRB SOBBING.)

Rose: For Rose, it’s all about quality time. She values spending time with people, and when someone, in turn, wants to spend time with her, she’ll basically instantly make them her BFF. It means so much to her when others show they like her enough to want to use their valuable time with her. Though a kind word can definitely go a long way with her as well. And who made her feel loved last? Ummm…that depends on what point it is in the story. In the last section I edited it was a random guard. XDD Buuut also the Dragon, obviously. Sort of. Mostly. (Let’s just pretend I’m not ruining all of their lives. Eheheheh.)

 

7.) Favorite character you’ve ever written?

AHA! You thought I’d agonize over this question, didn’t you? WELL. I’m actually a terrible person and tooootally pick favorites between my children. *smile, smile*

The answer would be Cael from the Colors of a Dragon Scale series. He’s probably the most complex character I’ve ever written. He’s an antagonist and not. Literally the worst but also kind of totally nice. Very charismatic and fun while also driving everyone craaaazy. He’s sort of snarky, but really not in a nasty way. More fun-loving, honestly. He cares about people buuuut also sometimes has, erm, warped views about things. And just…I DON’T KNOW. He is a conundrum and I LOVE HIM SO MUCH! He also has an extremely complicated and fascinating backstory and just yeah. Cael. He’s something.

 

This looks sooo much like how I imagine him.
(Pic found on Pinterest)

But he also has a big head and if he knew he was my favorite character I’d never hear the end of it GAWSH.

My secondary favorite is Iavin, who happens to be Cael’s best friend…and enemy. (I TOLD YOU IT’S CONFUSING.) Iavin is a little shy, awkward cinnamon roll and my absolute faaavorite character to write the POV of. His nervous, adorable thought-process gives me life, honestly. Also he’s a half-elf which is always fun!

 

Totally Iavin
(Pic found on Pinterest)

Honorable mentions go to: Airen (Colors of a Dragon Scale), Lark (Burning Thorns), Lykan (Fallen Matter), Karis and Jonah (The Nether Isle), annnd…literally every single one of my characters ever because even though I say I choose favorites I REALLY JUST LOVE ALL MY BBYS SO MUCH!!!

 

My babies that I seem to take pleasure in
torturing but hahahaha details.

 

8.) If your character were permanently leaving town, what would they easily throw out? What would they refuse to part with? (Why?)

The Dragon: He really has no prized possessions and would be pretty much fine going with only the clothes on his back. He’s used to living with nothing. Though I suppose the clothes on his back would be the thing he’d refuse to part with, because he has to cover himself fully to hide his, erm, deformities. The idea of people seeing his true form horrifies him. He would probably also take a certain iron dagger because of…reasons. (Gotta love my vague answers!)

Rose: Well, she sort of did leave town and she was in her nightgown and had literally nothing. Buuut in normal circumstances, she’d probably pack plenty of gowns and lots of good reading material, and maybe something special to remember her mother by, like a rose from the gardens where her and her mother spent so much time. She’d press it in a book to preserve it. That way she’d have a piece of home and her mother with her forever. I don’t know what she’d easily throw out. I think as long as she had enough clothes and books, everything else could go.

 

9.) Favorite tropes to write!

I totally love the rags to riches trope! Giving my poor, struggling characters like…an entire kingdom is way, way too much fun.

I’m also a total sucker for amnesic characters. Yes, I know it’s sooo overused but I LIKE IT. Something about having a character who literally has NO CLUE who they are and then watching them slowly get their memories back is so, sooo fun! And can also add a lot of wonderful emotion. (I mean, BUCKY. COME ON!) It’s great!

 

Because you needed Bucky feels today. You’re welcome.

The bantering male and female ships also give me life. As do snarky dudes with hearts of gold hidden deep, deeeep inside them somewhere.

Tropes can be fun, guys! Usually they’re overused because they work.

 

10.) Which story has your heart and won't let go?

…All of them? Seriously, I adore ALL my stories. Each and every one has such a special place in my heart. Most of them are total embarrassing disasters that need complete and utter rewrites BUT I STILL LOVE THEM. I love the characters, I love the concepts. I just love writing!

Right now Burning Thorns has me wrapped around it so tightly I can barely think of anything else, and I’m totally okay with that. But that really happens with any story I’m working on at the time. My favorite story tends to be the one I’m working on at that moment.

 

11.) Favorite relationship between characters you’ve written?

Another question you’d think would be extremely difficult but NOPE. I can say, without a single doubt, that Cael and Iavin’s friendship is 100000% my favorite relationship I have ever written. It’s sooo complicated and messy and tragic and ridiculous and fun and makes me laugh and cry all at the same time. The bromance is STRONG.

Cael is so flighty and sure of himself and charismatic and the total leader, where Iavin is the scared puppy who barely knows how to use his own paws and is both fascinated and horrified over Cael but is too timid to speak up and tell Cael that no he in fact doesn’t want to go on death-defying, world-ending quests thankyouverymuch. Basically Iavin risks his life on a constant basis because he’s too shy to tell Cael no. He does eventually get a smidge of backbone and learns how to handle Cael, but the growth of their friendship is so entertaining to watch.

“Come on now," he stood and grabbed Iavin's arm, "you really should be sleeping."

"But—"

"We've got another full day of traveling tomorrow. You need your sleep." Cael pulled him to a stand, dragged him back to Nemayn, and practically tucked him to bed, carefully making sure Iavin's cloaks covered him sufficiently. "You sleep well now."

Iavin watched the boy walk off, not entirely sure what just happened but far too sleepy and cold to figure it out.

Sometimes Cael mothers Iavin and it amuses me endlessly.

 

12.) Toni Morrison once said, “If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” What are the books that you want to see more of, and what “holes” do you think need filling in the literary world?

Well how convenient that I literally published an entire post about this last week! Completely on happenstance too, because I had written last week’s post weeeeks ago, long before this BP came out. I’m just psychic I guess. *puts on sunglasses*

Anyways, you can read the post HERE.

 

13.) Favorite pinterest board / aesthetic for a book?

I LOVE THIS QUESTION. Pinterest = LIFE.

I think my favorite would have to be the Burning Thorns board, mainly because I’ve put the most effort into it. Plus I just adore the dark forest-y feel of it.

Though I’m also very fond of the dark, whimsical feel of the The Nether Isle board, even though it’s pretty small right now.

 

14.) Favorite time periods & settings to work with?

Medieval fantasy has aaalways been my go-to. It’s my comfort zone. BUT, at the same time, I quite like occasionally slipping out of it and trying something utterly new.

The grungy, futuristic, dystopian world of Fallen Matter was so, so, sooo different. Basically the complete opposite of my usual setting, but I loved that. I loved working with technology and futuristic buildings and contemporary speech. I utterly adored the strange, 1920s-esque, steampunk setting of The Nether Isle. The McGuffin Book, another story I have that…I never got far with at all but still plays in my head quite often, was a set in modern times buuut had mythical beasts and magic which was fun.

But, I still always fall back to a medieval, European, fantasy setting. Still though, I think in general as long as it has fantasy or, ya know, not strictly real world elements, I love it. Being limited by real world things bores me to tears. XD

 

15.) When people are done reading your book, what feeling do you want them to come away with?

With every single one of my books, I want the reader to close it with a spark of hope igniting inside them. With a satisfied smile, a content sigh. With the unshakeable truth stirring inside them that there is always light in this world, it’s just a matter of finding it, holding on to it, and never letting the darkness reign.

And I want them to feel as though they just experienced a wild, emotional, amazing journey with a cast of characters they don’t want to say goodbye to.

Whether I achieve this ahahahahahaha! WHO KNOWS. But this asked what I want, not necessarily what I accomplish, SO.

And with that, we reach the end of my last Beautiful People post for the unforeseeable future. *sniffity sniff*

Thank you, Sky and Cait, for the delightful linkup. Every single one brought me a better understanding of my characters and stories, and was just a blast all around. I do hope it returns one day, but if not, I sure am glad for the time we did have with BP!

 

TALK WITH ME!

Have you joined in with this last Beautiful People? (If you haven’t, you shoooould!) But I’m super curious, what is your favorite time period/setting to write in? Annnd what’s your favorite ever character name you have? (I told you I’m name obsessed.) Come, let’s chat about all the writerly things!

Beautiful Books - How’s the Writing Going? {NaNoWriMo 2017}

We’re nearing the end of Week Two of NaNoWriMo, guys! WHICH MEANS WE’RE ALMOST HALFWAY THERE.

My second week of NaNo was slightly less crazy than the first. I only had work one day this week, I got to spend a lot of time at home just purely focusing on writing, I didn’t have to battle any monstrous spiders (thank goodness), annnnnd Friday night I got to see THOR: RAGNAROK AND I 10000000% RECOMMEND IT FOR ALL MARVEL FANS. IT WAS THE MOST HILARIOUS, EPIC MOVIE I’VE EVER SEEN. It is officially one of my top favorite Marvel movies. Which is saying something, because I basically love them all. But yeah wow this movie.

Oh wait. I wait talking about NaNo. Ahem. (But seriously, go see Thor 3 you won’t regret it.)

Since this week was sliiightly less eventful, instead of doing a daily log like I did last week, I’m going to join in the second installment of Beautiful Books and babble more than I should about my novel that way! FUN STUFF.

 

Visit Sky @ Further Up and Further In or Cait @ Paperfury to join the linkup!

1.) Overall, how is your mental state, and how is your novel going?

Welllll, I’ve been going to bed at 1 in the morning basically every single night (and that’s late for this old lady), I’ve been writing 4k-5k almost every day, and I’m so behind on blogs/email/social media sites/my own life by December it’ll probably all just collapse on top of me and kill me.

………..

I’m doing great!

No, seriously. I’m having THE. BEST. TIME. All that stuff happens every NaNo, so it’s just another November for me. What’s new? XD Yes, I’m literally only running on caffeine and get extremely overwhelmed when I look at all the things that need doing. But I’m also so utterly in love with my story I don’t even care!

Last week while, yes, I was having fun with my story, it wasn’t quite yet my absolute precious child. THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

Now that I’m way past the beginning and right in the midst of it, I JUST WANT TO HUG IT.

Saturday I finished up Act I of the novel and slipped into Act II where things start to get SERIOUS. And FEELSY. And also super creepy, with much higher stakes. AND I COULDN’T BE MORE THRILLED. The deeper and feelsier (we’re pretending that’s a word, don’t argue) a story is, the happier I am. Writing lighthearted stuff is fun buuuuut I thrive off the emotional scenes. Not that this story has been lighthearted until now. The characters have almost died like 53 times, but now things are getting really dark and personal and and and *CACKLES* I’m loving writing this thing!

(I may also have utterly destroyed Karis’ world but ya know.)

Though I am kind of bemoaning the fact that it appears the novel is going to be much longer than I anticipated. So my plans of taking this NaNo a little slower are slowly crashing away as I realize I really need to buckle down if I have any hopes of finishing this thing before December. We’ll…see how that goes.

But otherwise, I’M HAVING SO MUCH FUN.

 

2.) What’s your first sentence (or paragraph)?

“Of all the many things Karis Levine imagined doing with her life—and she did like to imagine numerous possibilities—being flown to the most dangerous place in the continent of Ilderwind had never once occurred to her.

 

3.) Who’s your current favorite character in your novel?

THIS IS AN IMPOSSIBLE QUESTION

I love my Karis and Jonah bbys EQUALLY. Honest to goodness, I don’t think I could ever choose between them. I feel a liiiittle closer to Karis only because the whole book is in her POV, so I’ve spent the last two weeks solely inside her head, which gives me a special bond with her. But that doesn’t mean I adore Jonah any less! I’ve just only experienced him through Karis’ eyes.

But AAAHHHHHH!!! MY PRECIOUS CHILDREN.

Truthfully, my favorite is both of them together. The other day I was just sitting there grinning and squealing while writing because their awkward, growing friendship gives me life.

“A thought struck her. “Hey, Jonah.”

He paused, swerving back around to face her, eyebrows raised. “H’m?”

“Thank you for saving me.” She grinned. “Again.”

His face relaxed, a hint of a smile reaching his eyes. “Any time.”

Those two simple words were like the burst of flames coming to life on the torch, bringing to light a realization. Jonah wouldn’t hurt her. In fact, he’d do anything to make sure she, or probably anyone else in the world, was safe. In less than a day, his actions spoke louder than any promises ever could. Any doubt about him vanished at that moment.

She may not know his past, why he had been sent on the Isle, but she knew the present Jonah. And he could be trusted. She thought she was sent on the Isle to die alone. Instead she found a friend.

She sidled up to him, laughing at the loud squishes of her boots. “Let’s get out of here.”

(Let’s just not talk about how I’m currently destroying everything. *cough, cough, cough*)

 

4.) What do you love about your novel so far?

I bet you can’t guess. I’ve made it suuuuuch a mystery. I love theeee…..

*drumroll*

CHARACTERS!

*GASP* RIGHT???? Such a plot twist!

Okay, okay. I’m totally enjoying other aspects too. The characters will always be my favorite part of any novel, but there are so many other things as well!

One thing that’s shocked me is how much fun I’m having putting a 1920s feel to the story. Yes, it’s steampunk-fantasy, but the world is very much based off the 1920s, just a steampunk version. I honestly didn’t even realize how heavily I was going to do it. I thought most things would just be made up, with maybe some 1920s undertones? But as I’ve been writing, the 1920s-esque setting has really been popping. AND IT’S FUN. This coming from a girl who vowed she’d never write a historical fiction. So…yeah. New surprises everyday, guys! Obviously, it’s not historical fiction in the least, but basing the world off of ours and putting a steampunk twist on it has been super fun! Which is shocking for me. Because creative settings is something I struggle with, but this go ‘round I’m very much enjoying coming up with the world.

Really, the overall setting is a BLAST. The Isle itself has soooo much crazy stuff like pathways that move and a magical library and a suuuper creepy forest area and just thiiiings. I don’t know if I’ve ever had so much fun in a setting as I have with this one!

Like I said, settings is not always my strong suit. This book is giving me new realizations on places and things I like to write about. And it is GOOD. VERY GOOD.

Goes to show, every single book we write is important in our growth as writers!

 

5.) Have you made any hilarious typos or other mistakes?

Well, there was that one day where I realized I had typed “cereal killer” instead of “serial killer” because that’s just how hard I fail at life. Good times.

Then another time this happened: “They went downstairs and opened the front doors. A rush of wet hair hit their faces.” That was supposed to be a rush of wet air. The Isle is weird, but it’s not so weird that wet hair just randomly flies through doorways. That’d be awkward for everyone.

 

6.) What is your favorite to write: beginning, middle, or end — and why?

Well, I’ve already mentioned multiple times now how beginnings aren’t my favorite because it takes me a bit to really get the feel of my story and accustomed to being inside my characters’ heads. It’s like that awkward stage of new friendships where you want to be friendly and enjoy time with them but like WHAT DO YOU SAY? HOW DO YOU WORD THIS? THIS IS HAAARD.

Climaxes used to be my favorite because HELLO. Everything is happening and there’s probably explosions and the story is almost over and YES. CLIMAXES. I still adore climaxes with all my being.

Buuut, honestly? These days I kind of think middles may be my favorite? The middle is where ALL THE STUFF HAPPENS. Where you’re watching the procession of the characters grow and getting deep into the root of it all. Not the beginning where everything is unfamiliar and awkward and hard. Not the climax where people are probably dying and you’re about to say goodbye. The middle. The CORE.

So yes, middles are awesome. They’re my favorite to write and read. (But I do still think climaxes are loads of epic fun.)

 

7.) What are your writing habits? Is there a specific snack you eat? Do you listen to music? What time of day do you write best?

My writing habits during NaNo?

……….

Write until my eyes bleed?

All right, all right. I have been taking it sliiiiightly easier this year. Maybe? We’ll pretend? I usually get started right after lunch, with a cup of coffee in hand, and then continue writing as much as I can throughout the day. I don’t really do anything special to write. Just open my beloved Scrivener file (and yes, I’m looooving using Scivener this year) and write. Then feel guilty about the 234 things I abandoned that day. Sometimes I wave at my pile of Stuff That Needs Doing before going back to writing and ignoring it. (I think it’s plotting to kill me though? So…gotta keep a close eye on it. <.<)

By do I have a specific snack you mean coffee, right?

I absolutely listen to music! I detest writing in silence. This year, though, I don’t actually have a playlist. o.O IT’S WEIRD. But nothing I could come up with was working. So instead I’ve taken to using YouTube for songs to fit the specific moods I’m writing. Such as yesterday I was writing a super creepy scene, so I searched for something like “soft haunting music” and got this, which was perfect for the scene. This is my first time to do this—not have a playlist and just randomly search for “mood music”, but it’s turning out really well!

I get the majority of my writing done in the afternoon, buuuut I think my best writing comes at night. When everyone is asleep and it’s all dark and quiet, I can really disappear in my story and feel the emotions of it. But I do value my sleep a liiiiittle, so I try to write during the day when I can.

 

8.) How private are you about your novel while you’re writing? Do you need a cheer squad or do you work alone (like, ahem, Batman)?

Cheer squads is my fuel! I honestly think I would have given up long ago if not for all my absolutely precious, amazing, utterly FRABJOUS writing buddies encouraging me every. single. day. (That’s YOU GUYS, by the way. <3333)

Here on the blog and over on Twitter are my favoritest places to connect with other fellow writers and readers and cheer each other on.

Writing DOES NOT and SHOULD NOT be a lonely career path. Social media saves writers’ lives! (And makes us procrastinate writing our books, but ya know…)

 

9.) What keeps you writing even when it’s hard?

Mostly my obsessive urge to get the book done. Not even kidding. XD On those days I just want to be lazy and not write, I remind myself it’ll never be done unless I WRITE. So that makes me push on.

And, as we’ve discussed, my spectacular cheer squad motivates me like nothing else. <3

Lastly, I just love stories! Yes, writing is stressful and overwhelming and 87% of the time I just want to stop writing and go on a Netflix binge. But I always push on anyway because my love for stories and burning desire to get the thousands of ideas in my head on paper won’t let me stop.

(But if we’re talking about what keeps me writing this novel specifically, mostly Jonah and Karis, let’s be real here.)

 

10.) What are your top 3 pieces of writing advice?

I’m not even halfway through this book yet, and it has already taught me so much! I will repeat what I said earlier: Every single book we write is important in our growth as writers, no matter what you are writing.

So let’s go with some things I’ve learned thus far:

• Don’t be afraid to try new things. Like basing your story setting on the 1920s even if you’re not much of a history person. *wink* You won’t know ALL the things you love to write until you’ve tried your hand at each of them.

 

• Don’t forget to also write things you know you love. I know, I love contradicting myself. But, see, for a while with this story I had so much action going on, I forgot to write the quiet but emotional scenes. Those scenes where the characters have meaningful talks or consider their lot in life or pause to have existential crises. You know, good stuff. THOSE are my favorite scenes. The deeply emotional ones, when the battles have settled and the characters think on things, have sweet and/or heartbreaking conversations or inner thoughts. The ones that really makes the characters grow. The more emotional a story is, the more I enjoy writing it (and the better my writing gets, I think). Just the other night it hit me how few of those types of scenes I’ve been adding in The Nether Isle. It’s been lots of action, near death experience, and some lighthearted fun. Which I love, but the heart-aching EMOTIONS is what I’m here for. So ever since that realization, I’ve been adding in more moving scenes, and not only is it helping my story become richer and deeper (I hope), it’s helping me enjoy writing even more. So ALLLL that to say, if you’re struggling writing your story, take a moment to remember what types of stories and scenes make your heart soar and fingers fly, and try to integrate those more in the novel.

 

• You’re probably going to change everything during revision time anyway, so just slap those words on and keep going. I’ve been a little upset with myself at how dull and messy my sentences have been. Like 90% of my dialogue action beats has merely consisted of “he smiled” “she laughed” “they nodded”. Like wow, Christine, creative much? But as I’m writing, I realize…what does it matter? I’m already seeing a lot of scenes that probably will be changed and maybe even removed come rewriting time. But I’ve first got to get the whole story down to see what I like and what works and what will be changed and taken away. So I’m trying to push past my annoyances at my gross writing and just GET THE STORY DOWN. It’s eventually going to be all changed anyway, so why worry about perfect and original sentence structure now? And yes, this is basically the “first drafts are supposed to be messy” speech we’ve all heard a thousand billion times, and something I’ve talked about on this blog about a hundred billion times. But for some reason with this book it really hit me? I’ll probably rewrite every single bit. Why spend hours perfected a scene that I very well may just cut anyway? But I won’t know until it’s written, so right now I’m just writing!

. . .

Overall, I’d say this NaNo is going very, very well! (My sanity and ability to go to bed at a decent time is gone though, but that’s fine. I’m sure I won’t regret it later. Right? Right??? Yeeeah.)

NEARLY HALFWAY THERE, PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!

 

SPILL IT, GUYS. How has your second week of NaNoWriMo been? (Can you believe we’re almost to the halfway point like wut even?????) Is everyone surviving? Do you need motivational cookies? What do YOU love about your novel so far? I would absolutely love to hear about it! (Seriously, discussing stories with you guys is my fave. <3) And am I the only one who likes writing middles over beginnings and climaxes because I feel like I am…?

Beautiful Books - The Nether Isle {NaNoWriMo 2017}

Today is the day you have ALL been waiting for. And by that I mean…probably none of you have been waiting for. But, like, let’s all just pretend? Yes? YES.

So what even is today about???

*drumrollll*

I’M TELLING YOU ALL ABOUT MY NANOWRIMO ‘17 NOVEL!!!

FINALLY. Here two days before NaNo. Took me long enough. Sheesh. (But can we also pretend NaNo is not the day after tomorrow for the sake of my sanity? K. Thaaanks!)

This NaNo is going to be wildly different from all the past 7 NaNos I’ve participated in. As I’m sure you alllll know by now since I constantly babble about it (seriously, I think I sound like a broken record sometimes), for all my 7 NaNos I was writing a 7 book fantasy series, one book for each NaNo. Which means, for me, “NaNoWriMo” has always just been synonymous for “continue my Colors of a Dragon Scale” series. NaNo was just the time for me to immerse in that world. I can’t even think about NaNo without thinking of my CoaDS series.

But, last NaNo, after years and years of working on it, I wrote the finale for CoaDS. Which meant…no more CoaDS for NaNo. And that feeling is WEIRD. You do get accustomed to something after doing it for 7 years straight.

It’s really, really strange for me to not be plotting the next CoaDS book this month. To not be working on it at all. But you know what? I’M ALSO REALLY EXCITED. I’m going to miss disappearing in the CoaDS world every November like I have for the past 7 years, but at the same time…I’m kind of really ready for something new. It thrills me to think I can now write absolutely whatever I want for NaNo. I adored writing CoaDS and making it my NaNo journey. But those books are written, and now it’s time to tackle something new and fresh. AND I AM PUMPED. SO VERY PUMPED. (Though I’ll still probably totally be feeling nostalgic over CoaDS for the duration of November. I love new experiences, but I’m also a sentimental person. YOU JUST CAN’T PLEASE ME SHEESH.)

The one lovely thing about writing a series for each NaNo is I never had to worry about what I was going to write each year. I had that figured out for 7 years straight. At first I was thrilled at the prospect of getting something new to write this year. On the other hand….WHAT WAS I GOING TO WRIIIITE???????

After much hemming and hawing and sleepless nights and a list or two, I finally settled on something. AND I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS STORY, GUYS. SO SO SO SO SO SOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s completely different from anything I’ve ever written and yet has so many elements that are familiar to me and I love. AND I CANNOT WAIT TO WRITE IIIITTTT!!!!!!

Oh wait. You want me to stop rambling and ACTUALLY TELL YOU WHAT IT IS??? Fiiiiine.

Lucky for us, our dear Sky and Cait have brought back Beautiful Books, a linkup much like Beautiful People, but instead we get to talk about our novels! And you absolutely do not have to be doing NaNoWriMo to join in!

 

Visit Sky @ Further Up and Further In or Cait @ Paperfury to join the linkup!

 

Introducing…

THE NETHER ISLE

Mock cover I made just for fun. Image not mine.

 

1.) What inspired the idea for your novel, and how long have you had the idea?

That’s a complicated questions because it just kind of…evolved over the past few months. Near the beginning-ish of this year, I was thinking about NaNo (yeah, that early on, I may be a bit NaNo obsessed…). It hit me that, hey, I’ll be writing a new book for NaNo this year and I HAD NO CLUE WHAT IT’D BE. As we discussed, this hasn’t happened in 7 years.

One thought I had was to take every type of story element I love and throw it all into one novel. Because WHY NOT? After that idea, I kept a list on my phone of any cool story elements that popped in my head. And I continued to add to it ever since. (I still add to it now and again.)

Somewhere amidst this I was thinking how I’d like to write a story that completely takes place in some sort of mysterious, creepy forest where all sorts of strange things happen. I don’t know, guys, I just really love creepy forests. That thought kept staying with me and I couldn’t seem to shake it.

Then, one day a few months ago…

I got this random idea of a camera that took pictures of the past. As in, you take a picture, and the picture that comes out is of some past scene, not the present. I FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS IDEA. I knew I had to write a story involving this.

The creepy forest idea was still at the forefront of my mind, so I decided why not combine that with the magic past camera idea? I was still thinking about adding all the story elements I love into one thing, although once this story idea started taking shape, that plan fizzled out a bit. Though it still has plenty of things I love in it. But it was the magic camera idea that really pulled things together.

Though, strangely, I didn’t have any semblance of a plot and no characters. Usually I get character ideas first or right with plot ideas. But this idea was so vague. For months all I had was the thought of some mysterious forest area and a magic camera… But I really wanted to write it anyway! Who needs a plot and characters, right? Right??? Eheheheheh…

Then, one morning at the end of July, everything clicked. It was like the flood gates burst open. All the ideas came in at ONCE. Plot, characters, setting, EVERYTHING. Within the span of about 30 minutes, I knew who my characters were and what my story was about. AND I WAS SO EXCITED. To the point that I was doing a jig I was so thrilled over this story. #truestory I had work that day, but thankfully it was quiet so I spent the work day on my phone making a list of alllll my ideas.

After that, the ideas kept coming and coming and I knew I had to write this for NaNo. It’s one of those things that will make me burst if I don’t write it!

And good gracious, that was a ridiculously long story and WAY more information than you all needed. MOVING ON!

 

2.) Describe what your novel is about!

Well, well! I just happen to have a (pretty rough) blurb handy.

“The Nether Isle—a mystery, a danger. And a prison.

Seventeen-year-old Karis Levine had only ever heard stories of the infamous island where the most savage of criminals are taken. Never in her life did she suspect she'd be flying on a prisoner airship, doomed to live the rest of her days on the island herself. What few days she has left. For the Nether Isle is not a kind one.

The moment Karis is dropped from her cage into the Isle's clutches, she is swept up in all its oddities—from doorways that transport a person to different sections of the island, to ruins of a formerly thriving town, to items imbued with magic, to a redheaded phantom girl. Then there is Jonah, a young man who doesn't appear savage at all. With his help, she might just be able to stay alive.

But why does the Isle exist at all? And who once lived in such a place?

With the aid of a magic camera that produces pictures from the past, Karis and Jonah work together to discover the riddles of the Isle's forgotten days. But the closer they get to answers, the more Karis begins to question everything—including Jonah.

Because on The Nether Isle, nothing is safe.

As you can see, my “creepy forest idea” turned into a whole creepy, overgrown island. AND I LOVE IT.

This story will be a young adult steampunk-fantasy. The world, technology, infrastructure, and clothing are very heavy on the steampunk side. Though standard steampunk usually is based off the Victorian age, I feel like my world is closer to the 1920s? Technologically speaking at least. But, really, the majority of the story takes place on this mysterious island where the “fantasy” aspect takes over. Lots of magic, lots of weird stuff happening. Buildings that move. Doors that change colors. Possibly a super scary beast running around. The island may or may not be alive. JUST FUN AND CREEPY FANTASY THINGS. It also has a bit of a mystery vibe, too. But, come on? Having a camera that reveals things in the past is the perfect setup for my characters to be sleuths and discover the the Isle’s mysteries. And it’s both really creepy but also with fun, hilarious stuff too. Because why have one genre when you can have ALL OF THEM???

So I guess I did end up mixing a bunch of story elements I love. I love steampunk. I love fantasy (duh). Mysteries are great. Creepy stuff is awesome. I love funny stories. It also have a convoluted plot because I’m incapable of keeping things simple buuuuut, in truth, the more complex plots get, the more I love them. (It just hurts my brain when I’m the one writing them…) I AM ALL THE EXCITED.

 

3.) What is your book’s aesthetic? Use words or photos or whatever you like!

I love this question!

Creeping mist. Whispers in the night. Gnarled, swaying trees. Crumbling buildings. Dark shadows. Twisting vines. Crunching leaves. Morning sunlight filtering through the hazy woods. Creaking cages. Karis’ mirthful laughter. Jonah’s soft smile. Water ripples. Cracked stone steps. Overgrown gardens. Cogs and screws and old tools scattered around dusty rooms. Rainy days in an ancient library. The whir of airships. Phantoms, lost things, found things, doom and hope and family and sacrifice and friendship.

Okay, I need to stop. But if you want a more visual peek at the story I have a PINTEREST BOARD. And I’m quite in love with it. ^_^

 

4.) Introduce us to each of your characters!

MY FAVORITE SUBJECT! :D

There’s essentially only two main characters and two side characters. And one or more of those is a villain but I’m not telling you whoooo. *cackles* This is, to date, my smallest cast I’ve ever done. And…it’s kinda great! I mentioned in a post recently that I purposely chose a small cast because my last two NaNos involved like 20 main characters. O_O Sometimes I can’t even remember my own name. Why did I think I could keep up with all of those people??? Needless to say, I was ready for something manageable. It’s kind of a relief to have such a small cast! And I only have one POV even though it’s in third-person. Which is strange for me. I pretty much always have multiple POVs. But, again, I was trying to make this book more manageable than my last two NaNos. XD

But GUYS. I’m kind of head-over-heels for these babies!

KARIS
Karis is the POV character and my adorbz baby girl. She’s bouncy and energetic and smiles a ridiculous amount and laughs at just about everything. She struggles to stay still and focus—her mind a constant buzz of wandering thoughts and ideas. She hates when she’s forced to follow rules and practicality, much more thriving on spontaneity. But her heart is a big one. She deeply desires to help anyone in need. Even if her methods are sometimes a little…unorthodox. Overall, Karis is a kindhearted, creative, free spirited soul that just wants to bring goodness (and perhaps a little fun) to the world. She’s a mix of the fun-loving and whimsically chaotic personalities I talked about in this post. AND I CANNOT WAIT TO SPEND THE NEXT MONTH IN HER HEAD. I adore the fun, energetic characters!

 

JONAH
My other precious baby child. Jonah is quiet, calm, and caring. Putting others’ needs before his own is just second nature. Though at first he can be very shy and reserved, once he’s comfortable with a person his chatty and enthusiastic side comes out. He has a passionate personality, and oozes warmth and comfort. He’s a sensitive type, to others and his own emotions, as his emotions run deep, especially due to him holding them in most of the time. His tendency to be awkward causes him a lot of embarrassment. He’s also a planner, and gets frustrated when things don’t work the same way twice. He’s obviously a bit taken aback by Karis’ nonsensical methods of handling things. But with her creativity and his logic they end up work so well together. THE BABIES. <3 Jonah is absolutely a precious cinnamon roll.

Of course. They each have their secrets... *CACKLES*

My other two characters are Elisabet (“Bet” for short) and Darya. Buuut you’re not supposed to know anything about them, so. *zips lips*

 

5.) How do you prepare to write? (Outline, research, stocking up on chocolate, howling, etc.?)

It tends to be different with each book. But for NaNo I always write a ridiculously detailed chapter-by-chapter outline so I know where I’m going and can focus on the words instead of getting stuck with the plot. For me, personally, it just works better that way when I’m having to write a whole story in only 30 days. If I’m pantsing, I like to have more time.

But ANYWAYS, as usual, I completely outlined this story. I started out making character sheets for each of my characters and really digging deep into their personalities, down to their Myers-Briggs types and love languages because I’m obsessive like that. Once I got them and their backgrounds all figured out, I then spent about two weeks feverishly working on my outline. Annnnd it ended up being 16k words. Just the outline. O_O Like I said…I like to make them detailed. I don’t even know, guys…

I also definitely like to assure I have ample supplies of caffeine and am not caught up on other life things before I basically ignore life for a full month. Very important. *nods*

OH. And this year I’m using Scrivener for the first time AND I AM SO EXCITED. It is the perfect writing program for a list-obsessed, OCD writer like me. I have everything organized on it, with sections for my character sheets, an outline (all sectioned off into chapters), my actual draft, ideas, reminders, everything I need all right there! I am soooo pumped to be using it this NaNo for the first time! :D

 

A screenshot of The Nether Isle’s file on Scrivener.

 

6.) What are you most looking forward to about this novel?

BASICALLY EVERYTHING. I’m thrilled to be writing something new and different. Between editing Burning Thorns and writing a CoaDS book for each NaNo, it feels like it’s been a while since I’ve just written something utterly new. I cannot waaaaait to tell Karis’s and Jonah’s story because I adore them. And then just the plot itself is wild and crazy and kinda dark and creepy but also with some really fun and (hopefully) unique things as well. Plus feels. Lots of feels. Because feelsy stories and making my readers and myself scream and cry is my fave. (#ActuallyEvil) I think it’s gonna be a wild, amazing ride all the way through. I’m grinning just thinking about writing it!

 

7.) List 3 things about your novel’s setting.

 

• A huge part of the story is these ruins of a weird city. There are buildings built on cliffs and upper levels with bridges running from one place to the next and river on the bottom. The buildings are cracking and a little overgrown by vines and things, but still mostly functioning. Annnd sometimes there’s weird stuff happening in the city ruins, such as the pathways moving like conveyer belts and all sorts of odd and magical items inside the buildings. The style of the city was heavily inspired by this picture…

 

• There are “Doorways” which look like square archways placed around the Isle that will randomly deposit you on another place on the Isle.

 

• Karis is from the High City of a continent called Ilderwind. The High City is the thriving capital of Ilderwind with a jumble of buildings, stoned streets, a big City Hall. Just a booming steampunk-style town. We get the occasional glimpse of it throughout the story.

 

8.) What’s your character’s goal and who (or what) stands in the way?

Karis and Jonah’s first goal is to not die on this crazy Isle that seems bent on killing them. Because, ya know, not dying is cool. Karis later is determined to discover (due to some spoilery circumstances) why the Isle exists at all and who once lived there. But her digging up its secrets leads to…lots of other things which I cannot tell you.

Who or what stands in their way?

 

9.) How does your protagonist change by the end of the novel?

*points to above gif*

Come now. I’m not giving everything away.

 

10.) What are your book’s themes? How do you want readers to feel when the story is over?

Even though I have a 16k outline, theme is something that always happens more prominently while writing. I never really choose a theme. It just…happens. I do know there’s a lot about sacrifice. (Because that theme pretty much always crops up in my novels. It’s just so important to me.) Despite appearances, there’s not all that much in the way of romance. *GASP* In a YA novel? I KNOW. CRAZINESS! Instead, there is a lot of focus on family because I feel like there is not nearly enough of that in the YA genre. But, come on, people! Family is amazing! Family, sacrifice, and standing up for what is right no matter how hard it may be would be the core themes I think. …For now. Who knows what it’ll all be once it’s written!

When my readers close this book I want them to feel like they were taken on an amazing, wild ride. I want them to have laughed and cried and maybe howled a time or two, but, by the end of it all, feel like it was worth it.

. . .

And there we have it! You probably now know waaaaay more about The Nether Isle than you ever wanted to. If it wasn’t obvious, I’m REALLY REALLY REALLY EXCITED TO WRITE THIS. Annnnd I’ll continue to be talking all about it throughout NaNo. #SORRYNOTSORRY

The day after tomorrow, guys! O_____O The next time you hear from me, we’ll be nearly a week into NaNo. And, for any of my newer readers, I’m going to apologize now. The posts I produce during NaNo tend to be my wildest, most incoherent, lack-of-sleep-caffeine-induced posts ever. So…yeah. It’s gonna be fun! *runs away cackling madly*

 

TELL ME YOUR THOUGHTS, O’ READERS. What do you think of my NaNo novel? Are you in shock NaNo is the day after tomorrow????? (notpanicking notpanicking notpanicking) And for those of you not doing NaNo, would you consider setting up a donation for some of your sanity to the rest of us? Because we’re gonna need it! HAPPY NOVEMBER, EVERYONE! *throws glitter and confetti and fall leaves*

Beautiful People - Larke {August 2017}

 

Visit Sky @ Further Up and Further In or Cait @ Paperfury to join the BP linkup!

Guess what I’m doing today? No, really, guess. I now it’s sooo hard to tell. It’s not like the post title and giant banner there gives anything away.

You’re stumped, aren’t you? All right, I’ll tell you. I’m doing…

BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE. Aren’t you surprised????

And today I’m excited because I’ve chosen the ever mischievous and snarky fae boy Larke from my Beauty and the Beast retelling, Burning Thorns. (It just hit me…Larke the Snark!!! XD Ahem…sorry.) The last time I did a BP for him was back in MARCH 2016!!! OVER A YEAR AGO. He was having none of that. He does so like attention. So we’re back today to answer more questions. And yes, I’m allowing him to help answer them even though that never ends well…

(His answers will be in normal text, mine are in italics.)

__________________________

The steady footfalls behind Larke hesitated, and he turned to find [Marigold] looking ahead, the before redness in her cheeks now drained. He halted the pulling vines.

“It’s big,” she said.

He followed her line of sight to the castle tucked between the trees before them. “Unlike you humans, we fae aren’t small minded.”

“No, just big headed.” And the fiery spirit returned. Good, she’d need it.

He moved on, waving at the vines to follow.

“Is he in there?” Marigold skipped up next to him, moving ahead of the vine’s pace and causing them to drag along the ground at her sides.

“Hopefully.”

“If he eats me, I’m going to strangle you.”

“Well, that’ll be an interesting occurrence.” A patch of white and green stood starkly above the black ash, and Larke frowned at the bush of white roses blooming defiantly in the midst of the dead. “I don’t think you have to worry. It seems our Dragon has gone soft.”

“Why are we even here?”

“I thought it’d be a nice gesture to visit.”

“Visit? The Dragon? And do what exactly?”

“Chat.”

“Oh, that sounds like a great plan. Why don’t we have tea with him as well? And what for dessert? Charred flesh? Human eyeballs?”

“Their tongues are much tastier.” He cast her a glance from the corner of his eye, and had to bite down on his own tongue to fight back the laughter at her horrified expression. Grabbing one of the vines, he gave it a tug. “Come on.”

__________________________

. . . LARKE . . .

 

1.) What are they addicted to/can’t live without? 

Mmmm… Myself.

Larke, seriously??

Think about it! How could you live without yourself? It’d be impossible. And you’re always with yourself, so obviously we’re addicted. Why else would we spend so much time with us? Besides, I like myself.

Yeah, well, I think you’re in the minority there.

 

2.) Name 3 positive and 3 negative qualities about your character.

Oh, let me start! Negatives: Controlling, manipulative, and stubborn.

Positives: A good leader, charismatic, and I stand firm in my beliefs.

Did you just turn the negatives into positives?

Yet another positive—turning the bad into good.

Pffffft. That’s literally the opposite of what you do!

That’s your opinion. It’s all about perspective.

 

3.) Are they holding onto something they should get rid of?

Like this strawberry pastry in my hand? Well, you can’t make me get rid of it, so there!

*rolls eyes* How about your bitterness towards a certain someone?

That “certain someone” deserves exactly what they got.

Like I said. Bitterness. Needs to go.

 

4.) If 10 is completely organized and 1 is completely messy, where do they fall on the scale?

I don’t know. 5? I like to keep things semi-tidy but messes don’t bother me all that much.

Obviously not, since you’re always making horrifying messes across the kingdoms!

*he grins* I like to refer to it as organized chaos.

Psh.

 

5.) What most frustrates them about the world they live in?

Rules. Why does there have to be any? People are so set in their ways and following order. But why can’t we just do what we want?

There has to be rules, Larke. Otherwise people like you go around causing your “organized chaos”.

You just don’t know how to have fun.

 

6.) How would they dress for a night out? How would they dress for a night in?

Oh, let’s see here now. If I were to dress up I’d choose a tunic with gold thread that’d blind everyone who looked at it. My shining smile already blinds people, but may as well give the added bonus of blinding clothes. I’d want a cloak, too. Obviously. A big bright one. Probably gold also. Oh no! Red. Yes. A gold tunic and red cloak that makes a satisfying whooshing sound when I walk, of course. And obviously some shiny black boots to finish off the look.

*snorts*

What?

Sorry. I just had no idea you were so into dressing up.

Everyone deserves to get fancy now and again.

I suppose you do like attention.

I wouldn’t want to be dressed like that all the time. Most of the time I’m perfectly comfortable in my green tunic and worn boots. It blends in nicely with the Forest.

So you can be sneaky and cause trouble?

 

7.) How many shoes do they own, and what kind?

Currently…one pair. The aforementioned worn boots. I used to have quite a few pairs before my life took a very…unexpected turn.

 

8.) Do they have any pets? What pet do they WISH they had?

Why yes! I just recently acquired one. She’s quite a handful, but what is one to do?

“You can’t just drag me along like a dog!” Marigold said, shaking her bound wrists at him.

Larke’s lips stretched into a wide grin. What a wonderful thought. Not exactly the ideal pet, but he could make it work. “Come along, Goldie.” He tugged on the vines and she stumbled forward.

She opened her mouth and spewed out what he was pretty sure were very unladylike words, but he didn’t pay much mind. Nothing but yaps of an unruly puppy after all.

-Burning Thorns

That does not count! You can’t have a human as a pet!

But why not? They’re such amusing creatures.

LARKE. What sort of pet do you really want? Excluding humans!

I don’t know. I like puppies. Having a faithful dog follow me around could be fun.

Really? No Forest creature?

For shame! Forest Folk aren’t the type you have as pets. How degrading.

Oh, but having a human as a pet is fine?

Of course.

*grooooans*

 

9.) Is there something or someone that they resent? Why and what happened?

Oho, do I have a story to tell you! You would resent a person, too, if they forced you down into the—

NOPE. SHHHH. SPOILERS. We’re skipping this question!

But for 100 years I was—

LARKE, STOP.

But—

NO.

 

10.) What’s usually in their fridge or pantry?

I…have no clue what a fridge is. But as for my pantry, I don’t actually have one. I just hunt and scavenge for my meals now. I did have all the food I could ever want before that thing happened that I’m apparently not allowed to talk about. *he shoots me a glare*

Yep. We’re leaving it there. I think you’ve subjected yourself to the people enough.

Everyone loves me.

*coughing, choking noises*

. . .

So…there we go. What did you guys think? (Though please don’t give him a bigger head than he already has, gracious.) Do you have any more questions for Larke? I’m sure he would be happy to answer them… Also, have you joined in the Beautiful People linkup this month???