Know the Novel - Part Two // within the wip & behind the scenes

*Bursts into room breathlessly* Annnd, I'm back! This time, with Part Two of the Know the Novel blog linkup. I'm excited for this one because I wrote it a few days ago, and reading through it just to make sure everything's in line has given me a healthy dose of motivation XD. That said, I hope you enjoy it, and let's dive into the questions!

1. How's the writing going overall?

It's going alright! There have definitely been days when I've neglected to write in this WIP, but it's actually going along pretty fast, which I'm happy about! I've been wanting to write at least 1k in it everyday, but . . . life. It happens. *shakes my head* Therefore, I've been taking my time and honestly, that's probably for the better XD.

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

The characters! They are SO fun and quirky and are brimming with personality! When writing them, I hardly know what adventure they'll take me on next. Stealing some rare coins? Getting a job and regretting it later on? Buying their favorite friend a new dress with the money they earned, perhaps? I just love them so much! <3

Besides that, I've also really been enjoying the setting. Like I said in the first Know the Novel post, I'm stuck in the middle of the United States, so getting anywhere (unless I book a plane) is hard XD. Hence, I've never been to the desert, so every time I enter this world of mine, it always gives me a thrill of pleasure. So, no, I can't say I've been to the desert, but in a way . . . I have. :D

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

Ooh good question! To answer the first one, simply saying, I think I'm more attached to them than I was when I first started writing it. And as for favorites, that IS hard hehe.

Honestly though, I'm going to have to go with either Kal or Jarek. Kal is my favorite, for sure, but Jarek? There's just something so mysterious and deep about him that makes me want to know more and uncover his every secret. He's still a mystery to me. I'm still figuring him out. Which makes him all the more intriguing.

4. Has your novel surprised you in any way?

Besides the part where it strayed from the plot? Uh . . . *mind blanks* not that I can think of!

5. Have you come across any problem areas?

Short answer: yup!

Pretty much, my characters haven't been . . . working. And for all my writer friends who are reading this, I'm sure you know what I mean. A character has to do a certain thing and act a certain way but also that character has a mind of their own and doesn't want to do ANYTHING the author tells them to do. *glares at a certain roof-jumping desert boy* I'm on to you, Kal . . .

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

Honestly, probably the amount of words I've written in such a short time! I started this novel back in January during Crazy Writing Week, and now I'm almost to 60k words! Which might not be a lot, but for me it is! It took me around a year to write Where the Tunnel Ends . . . and that was like, 44k words. (Y'all, I'm literally so excited for this project 🤭)

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?

Noooo this question is so hard XD.

I think I'd have to pick Savannah. Mainly because she's so much like me when it comes down to the little things in her personality trait. The friends that she has are like siblings to her. She cares (though, unlike me, maybe too much). She's sweet. And so, so relatable. <3

And yes, I would definitely take some different actions than her XD.

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

First sentence:

It never left me.

~ * ~

Snippet #1: (featuring Kal doing his duties as a pickpocket)

Scanning the crowd, I picked my target. A gloomy-looking middle aged woman was deep in conversation with another woman about her age. Both were obviously rich. It was easy to tell from their clothing and the way they carried themselves. The gloomy woman's bag was swung over her back, making it an easy target. Perhaps too easy. Cautiously, I walked closer. As soon as I was within reach, I quietly started fumbling with the smell metal latch that kept the bag together. Several long, agonizing moments passed, then I finally had it open. I reached my hand inside, careful not to pull on the bag straps. My hand enclosed around something. I started to pull it back out but the other woman nudged her partner. My hand froze. The gloomy woman suddenly turned around, eyes locking with mine. Her expression was a look of shock that quickly turned to anger.

~ * ~

Snippet #2: (this is a scene where my boy Kal was captured by some guards)

I cursed under my breath but allowed them to help me down. As soon as my feet touched the ground, I backed against the nearest wall and glared at them indefinitely. "I'm not going with you." "Oh, yes you will," Gravels said as he stepped off the ladder. "And when we're finished with you, you'll wish you led a more . . . honest lifestyle." My stomach turned, but I couldn't let them see that. Instead, I held my chin higher. "You can't make me." Gravels snorted. "Isn't that right?" When he approached me, I had no choice but to admit defeat. He had a weapon, I was in shackles. He could punish me, all I could do was glare at him. "Whatever, Gravels. Take me." Gravels wrinkled his nose. "What did you call me?" "Gravels." I cocked my head and smiled, playing innocent. "Isn't that your name?" The older soldier rolled his eyes. "If you're trying to get on my nerves, you're failing." "Am I trying, though?" I smiled and tossed my head to move my hair off my forehead. "Sorry if I offended you, Gravels." "That's enough." Gravels grabbed my shoulders and shoved me to the younger soldier, whom I'd decided to call Skinny. "Keep an eye on 'em." "Obviously, it'd be a bad idea not too." I sighed dramatically. Skinny grabbed me by the shoulders and faced me. "Listen, kid. I don't know what you're up to, but I don't like it. Don't cooperate and you'll face the worst of what's coming for you. Got it?"

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

Welp, I certainly HAVE plans to kill off a character . . . though I have yet to set that plan in motion. As for an interesting tidbit, I may or may not have added in an extra character . . . *coughs*. Everyone get ready for an over-the-top enthusiastic and sarcastic twelve-year-old boy also known as Trev! *grins and bounces*

10. Take us on a tour of 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? Tell all!

I wish I could say I had a daily routine for this novel and all the writing that I must pour into it, but unfortunately, I don't. I do tend to write in the evenings, though, when I'm the least busy. I pretty much make a mug of tea (*whispers* I've discovered I love more than coffee . . . ehehe) and sit down with my clipboard and a stack of college-ruled paper to write. This is usually around 8pm/9pm/10pm (with the occasional 11pm, cuz ya know. Writers). If I'm feeling super motivated, I'll read the previous chapter I've written to get into the flow of my WIP. Then, I pretty much either let my inspiration flow or force the words out XD. It depends on how tired I am from school and work and such, and how much I can get done before bed.

Once every blue moon I'll get up at like 5:45am to make myself a mug of tea/coffee/hot cocoa and churn out some words. I wish I could do this more, because the progress I make during those early mornings is crazy! My brain is refreshed and there are no distractions. I guess I just have to start going to bed earlier so I can get up earlier . . . only I don't want to XD. 😅 (*sigh* us midnight writers LOL.)

Conclusion

What are your thoughts on the novel so far? Do you prefer coffee or tea? What do you think tLH stands for? Let me know in the comments below!

And again, thanks so much for hosting this blog linkup, Christine! I've been having probably way too much fun with it ehehe. Can't wait for part three!

Until next time,