NaNoWriMo Know the Novel: Part 2: Within the WIP (2020 Edition)

Hi again! I'm not sure about you, but I'm tired. This month has been one giant over-caffeinated, chaotic dream. I wasn't sure if doing NaNoWriMo amid four classes was a good idea, but here we are on day twenty and I'm still making the word count for the day. 

Without further ado (and before I fall asleep on the keyboard. Seriously, what is sleep?) let's dive into the post. Here are my answers for the "Know the Novel Link-up" hosted by Christine Smith.  

Q 1: How's the writing going overall?

A: Well, my little brothers already have been commenting that I've had more than I need of caffeine this month and have probably gone a little insane, but that's normal writer behavior. Right? 

 Writing has been going great! Despite crazy amounts of schools and wacky deadlines, somehow I've been meeting my word counts every day (sometimes I've been able to exceed them. Seriously. What is this magic?) 

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

A: 

• Definitely reuniting with these characters. Some of these characters have been in my head for going on six years now. I haven't realized how much I've missed working on them. Their story's a mess, but I'm so proud of how much they've grown in their story and in the writing process. 
• Getting to delve more into the setting. I was paranoid of writing too much description the first time around, and so the areas the characters walked through were pretty bare bones. This round, I'm fleshing the settings out more and they are taking on a life of their own. Remember that poison garden I mentioned in October's post? That has been a BLAST to write. 
• Remembering that certain characters are alive during this timeline and for heaven's sake, Julia, please make sure you mention them because it will be important later on.

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

A: You mean I have to pick my favorite child?? You realize how much trouble I'm going to be in, right? Fine, but we'll do this blind-folded. *blind folds self and spins in a circle* *is dizzy, but that's perfectly normal, right?* *points* Okay. So apparently, it's Sybil.

 Sybil is a sweet, cinnamon roll of a character. During my first draft, I worried she lacked a spine. She seemed too much of a pushover. This draft, she's roared to life. She may be sweet, but she has a large dash of hidden spunk and curiosity which makes her get into trouble and act irrationally when she's scared. Which, at this point in the story, she's terrified. Somebody give her a hug. 

    So besides the cinnamon roll *pats Sybil on the head*, I love all my characters. Even the villain who really needs to learn how to parent properly. I'm seeing sides of them I haven't before, and I'm excited to learn more about them during editing/rewriting/writing this draft.

Q 4: Has your novel surprised you in any way?

A: Oh, you mean that extra pet the villain just had to have? Or my other villain who literally only had three parts during the entire trilogy decided to have a cameo appearance? Or what about that scene that made me cry for two days straight? No way! I totally saw it coming. 

Q 5: Have you come across any problem areas?

A: Probably. It's likely. Okay. I confess, I probably need to do a little more foreshadowing at one point, but I will get there. 

Q 6: What's your biggest victory with writing the novel at this point?

A: Well, considering everything else this month? I'm not dead. I haven't exploded from a caffeine overdose. AND...I've written every day so far and keep on top of the word count. 

Q 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?

A: Oh, this is easy. I'd definitely be Sybil. We're both INFJs (which I didn't know when I first wrote her), we're both curious and have a flair for the dramatic. Would I do anything differently? Oh geez. Yes. I'd probably explode from being overwhelmed by everything. Which, I mean, Sybil is close to, but she's braver than me. I'd probably be hiding in the library and doing everything to avoid being found.

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

First sentence (no context. Muhaha): [The water quavered around her, warping reality.] 

Here. Have a snippet: 

If you follow me over on Instagram, you might recognize this one.

Have one from my villain's perspective:

[There was a draft somewhere or else the darkness in this place was tangible, a harsh, wintry breath that chilled the soul. Serena noted the puffs of breath that wound their way up to the ceiling far above. Her heart thrummed within her, sending the red blood through her veins to merge with her icy hands. Even the sparse candles in the alcoves seemed swallowed up by the dark, their light a smudge against the canvas of black stone.] 

Last one. This one from another main character, Sabrina's perspective: 

[A storm was coming, but this one felt sentient, a malevolent presence that haunted these waters. Glancing up toward the top of the water, Sabrina saw the sky. It looked like a watercolor painting of dark storm clouds.

Great big thunder heads crowded together and elbowed each other for room as lightning laced across the sky like a jealous brother separating the clouds down the middle. The deep echoed with the crash of muffled thunder and up above the waves started to rock back and forth like a wicked mother rocking her child’s cradle.  A green light flew through the ocean, illuminating the cobblestone road. A thick wall of swirling air dropped from the heavens and reached its fingers down like tendrils of doom to kiss the waves above.]

Q 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 projects entirely? Anything you want to share!]

A:

• At this point, I drink about four cups of coffee a day. I'd be a hibernating writer otherwise.
• There's one scene that made me super depressed . I cried for two days and Spotify was a traitor and found all the sad songs.
• My villain has another cook who popped in to train the younger one.
• Spotify loves to inspire other projects. Hence, I suddenly have a lot of playlists for several WIPs and have added very little songs to my playlist for this book.
• I write mostly in the evenings after school because that's when I find the time to write. Sometimes I have to lock myself in my room and plug in my headphones, even if I'm not listening to anything. The very act helps me to focus.
•  I've kept to my subject pretty well. The fact that most of this is rewrites and I also have a timeline/outline this time that keeps me on track is very helpful.

Q 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? Get distracted by social media ( *cough, cough*)? Tell all!

A: First off, know there is no normal writing day. The only thing normal is that words get written. The time often change, but mostly, I've been writing in the evenings after school.

 I've been able to listen to music this time, though. I found a Fantasy Writing Playlist that has been excellent. I listen to mostly choral or instrumental music. Music with words, most of the time, is too distracting. 

 Usually, I've had two cups of coffee by 10 a.m. . Another cup follows by 1 p.m. and I usually have the last cup by 3:30 p.m.. Most of the coffee is to get through school, though. However, that last cup helps me get in words for my WIP. 

So, that's all for today, folks! Hope you've enjoyed the behind-the-scenes of my crazy month of magical writing. Now... I want to hear from you. Are you a fellow writer? How's it going? Are you doing NaNoWriMo? Have you been able to keep on track? No? Let me know either way so I can cheer you on. 

 Just stopping by? It's nice to have you. Thank you for keeping with me so far. 

I'll catch you all next month for the aftermath of November and NaNoWriMo. Until then, thanks for reading and happy writing!

-Julia Garcia/Arysta Henry