Beautiful Books: NaNoWriMo Progress

I am fairly behind in NaNoWriMo this year. I have been struggling a bit with my word count and story in general. I am catching up though. I am going to do part two of the Beautiful Books Link  Up series hosted by Cait and Sky.

http://paperfury.com/beautiful-books-2-the-writing-process/

Is the book turning out how you thought it would be, or is it defying your expectations?

It has changed a lot. But I am happy with it for the time being... I know that there is going to be a lot of stuff I will need to fix. over the course of writing, I have had to go back and kill a couple of characters, then merge two characters. (all the dirty work if you know what I'm saying.) But I have loved watching my characters grow closer cause of the changes being made.

I have also began writing it on TABLO, which is an online word processor where you can publish your books. I am not publishing mine, I'm just keeping it on private. But like how it I can preview my pages in a clean and easy way to read. And you can separate your story into chapters, so it is easier to find where you are writing from, and you can go back. Also it keeps track of your word count, and how far you have to go to reach your goal. 

What’s your first sentence (or paragraph)?

So I thought I would be cool and wrote a Prologue. So here is the prologue. 

All the greats fell in the end, suffering more of the most tragic deaths than the ones of more average people. But I guess that is the cost one must pay for being special.  And in the end, we are all just humans, drunk on the idea that love, only love, could heal our brokenness. But we are wrong, cause nothing but death can really tear us from the cruel reality of what we call life.  

A Lot of things happened last summer. It’s a summer I both don’t want to, and can’t remember. That summer I woke up in a hospital, my mother gone. And I couldn’t remember anything. Even that part I have tried to forget.

Are you a plotter or a pantser? Have you ever tried both methods and how did it turn out?

Ummm yeah. I am kind of both to an extent. And I went into this year with out a proper outline... *grimaces* 

This happened; One. Cause I didn't have any time. Two. Cause I thought I could wing it... Guys. I made a big mistake. Lucky for me, just the other day I came up with the thread that tied my novel together. And last night I made a proper timeline to follow. And I am happy with it... 

What do you reward yourself with after meeting a goal?

Coffee obviously... (I've started drinking it black) Ohhh and red liquorice!!! 

What do you look for in a name? Do you have themes and where do you find your names?

I like to find my names in things relevant to my story. Metophors, quotes, words that have a meaning to the over all plot and theme...

What is your favourite to write: beginning, middle, or end — and why?

The end or close to the end. I hate writing the start. Getting into the middle and the climax is always so much fun. Cause I know what I am writing about. And stuff really starts to happen! 

Who’s your current favourite character in your novel?

I like the way Kenna thinks. So Kenna. But I also love Miller (Kenna's cousin) he is so much fun, and such a good friends to Kenna. He doesn't judge her for who she is. He looks through the bad stuff. He is also a very different character to what I have written before. 

What kind of things have you researched for this project, and how do you go about researching? (What’s the weirdest thing you’ve researched?!)

I have researched sooo much for this project. And I feel I need to voice some of my findings...

• I have looked into to just about every romance and summery movie and book there is. (I have covered nothing. Before I started writing it all seemed to be swarming about me, and when I go to look it up I have nothing!? But still. I have been trying to pick apart other stories for the slightest of inspiration. 
• I researched/ing PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Amnesia.. (If you read my prologue you will have gotten why) 
• I researched how to write a mystery. And elements of a mystery. All that stuff. 
• I researched how to write a bitchy character. (know... it's weird... but I'm serious) I researched and read about the characteristics of a mean girl/bitch. And taken into consideration a lot of the information. Trust me, it is an interesting thing to have knowledge on. 
• I looked into small coast towns. And beach types. And things you can do over a summer vacation. (If you have any ideas for cool summer activities. That would be cool :)) 

Do you write better alone or with others? Do you share your work or prefer to keep it to yourself?

I do like being on my own. I could write so much faster and more efficient if there was no one around. Cause it is in those moments where I come up with my best ideas. And my characters speak to me. (Also I get very distracted.)

I prefer to keep it to myself. Though I am always very exited about other people reading my work. It took me almost a whole year till I gave my first draft to some people to read. My writing always ends up very personal. And I would feel better knowing that no one had to read it.

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? Feel free to show us a picture of your writing space!

• I don't know whether I have a habit. I mostly just open up google docs, Pinterest, and sit on my bed. 
• I drink coffee. I don't really eat when I'm in a very busy mode. So I will think about it, then be like Na, I'll have something later. But the thing is I get very distracted by food. So No. No snacks. 
• I listen to a lot of music when I write. It depends on the scene. Some times I need music, and other times I have to have nothing playing. 
• I write best at night, but that is only because it is more quiet. 
• I don't have a picture... Sorry

I'm working on another NaNoWriMo related post. I just want to share more about my characters, the setting and the family. Look forward to it! I am still 10,000 words behind. So I am trying my best to catch up. 

-Rachy

Beautiful Books: An Introduction

I have been taking my time to post about this.
It is NaNoWriMo next month. Once again I am participating this link up hosted by Sky from Further up and Further in and Cait from Paper Fury. I loved doing this link up last year. 

Beautiful Book: NaNoWriMo Editing Questionare

Hey! So I'm back with the last lot of questions to answer for the 'Beautiful Books' link up!
The Notebook sisters/Now: Paper Fury (which I love by the way)

So here we go. After a week or so of not touching my unfinished draft of Clandestine; I am feeling more confident to finish it up, and move on to the editing stage! EXITING!

Link up to Beautiful Books #3 Here


Question one: On a scale of 1 (worst) to 10 (best) how well do you think this book turned out?

Well, considering the fact that I am so close to finishing it: I can rate it. To be completely honest Clandestine turned out alright for a fist draft! It's just a first draft, its aloud to be bad!
So I am rating it a 7 out of 10. Cause as stressful as it was, I still really like it!!!  


Question two: Have you ever rewritten or edited one of your books before? If so, what did you do to prepare yourself? If not, whats your plan? 

I have never edited or rewritten any of my novels. (Mostly, cause I have never finished on!) So I have thought over my game plan.

Game plan: First I plan to finish the novel! Then I am going to have it printed off, so that I can read it over. I feel like reading something on the computer, to reading it on paper is very different. So I am going to read through my entire novel. And while I do that, I am going to take notes, highlight paragraphs due to how they need to be edited. Etc. The game plan will come as it needs!


Question three: What's your final word count? Do you plan to lengthen or trim your book?

I stopped NaNoWriMo bang on 50,000 words! But its now on 50,635 words. I do plan to add more. It is going to be about 60,000 words on the finished first draft! I plan for the second draft to be about 80,000 words (that's a goal)


Question four: What are you most proud of? Plot, characters, or pacing?

For me this is going to have to be plot. I love my plot, and my world. When I fist came up with my plot, all I could think was "You my girl, are a genius!"
But I still love my characters. But they need loads of work. (Like a lot!)


Question five: What's your favorite bit of prose or line from this novel? 

I had good feed back on this quote! So I am going to share the chapter of this on
Right here! Quotes Chapter 

Question six: What aspect of your book needs the most work?

Characters! They need the most work. I need to work on their voices, gestures and movements. Their everything. I need to work on the way I'm writing. And getting points across. So on and so on. It needs lots of work! :)


Question seven: What aspect of your book is your favorite?

My message. I explained it in one of my Na-No-Progress. Every time I go to write something, it always gets really deep!!! Oh and I love my plot and some of my characters!


Question eight: How are your characters? Well rounded, or do they still need to be fleshed-out?

I don't know. I think most of them are half fleshed-out. But there are some that really need work. Especially my MMC and FMC.


Question nine: If you had to do it over again, what would you change about the whole process?

I would have posted and read more in the NaNoWriMo forums. But other wise, I think I would do it all the same. Cause the way I wrote, was the way I write.
Oh and one more thing: I would write more than before. I would try and indulge myself fully in it, and just write!!!

Question ten: Did anything happen in your book that completely surprised you? Have any scenes or characters turned out differently to what you planned? Good or Bad?

Yes this did happen. Characters that were small, became huge parts for the other books, and in the lives of Iris.
To my surprise, there is a lot going on in the back ground. (But that would be spoiling the story!)
Like I had said earlier, I created a character at the very start of the book, them killed him. Yeah, that happened. But I don't regret that! (I'm so evil)


Question eleven: What was the theme or message? Do you think it came across? If not, is there anything you could do to bring it out more?

Like I said in question seven (with the link) I love my message. But I can say it here. The message comes down to human depravity. No matter what we breed, we still are made of greed -Imagine dragons. That no human is ever going to be perfect. That even if we try to create a perfect race of human, they too will fall. And that is what I see coming through with my story. :) :) :)

Question twelve: Do you like writing with a deadline? (Like NaNoWriMo) or do you prefer to-write-as-it-comes? 

Writing with a deadline helps me get it done! Simply cause if I don't have one, I will just drift. But sometimes, I like to just write as it comes.


Question thirteen: Comparative title time! What published books, movies, or TV shows are most like (EX: Ink heart meets X-men, etc)

This is so hard, cause I have no idea what my novel matches up to. Its so different to anything I've ever read or seen. My book is about a school girl who finds out her true identity, and the truth of the world she lives in, and what she really is!
So world wise, I think Under the Never Sky inspired the 'safe city' and 'dangerous out side.' But other wise, I really don't know! 

Question fourteen: How do you celebrate a finished novel?!? 

Well I have not finished a novel yet. But after I finished NaNoWriMo, I have slept a lot since then (thank you school holidays)
When I do finish writing Clandestine, (hopefully soon) I want to go and see MockingJay part one! Oh and Chocolate! But seriously, I think finishing a novel is the best feeling, so for me that would be the greatest reward!


Question fifteen: When people are done reading your book, what feeling do you want them to come away with?  

I want to them to want to read the second book! And I them to still be able to breathe after finishing. I want my readers to come away with knowing that there is more to a person than you see on the surface, that everyone has there secrets. That the world that we live has a lot of underlined things going on.
  
-Rachel

Beautiful Books: NaNoWriMo Writing Questionare

This is the #2 lot of Questions for the Beautiful books run! The last one I did with them was #1 Plotting Questionare (check that one out). Beautiful Books is run by Bloglovin/NoteBookSisters (they changed their name!)


Question one: Be honest: How is your writing going?

Its been a hard road over the last 16 days. I have really doubted my chances of ever being a good writer. I do the bad thing, and go and compare myself to other writers, and the way that all their words just flow so beautiful on to the page.
And I just cant do that! But what I have have to think, is that my ideas are beautiful, and I love them no matter what. And also, this is my first ever book to really ever write. I have attempted other stories in the past, but never finished a first draft. And the fact that I am almost half way through my first daft, is just the best feeling in the whole world!

Question two:  What's your first sentence/paragraph?

"I walk along the scuffed dirt path; its mixed with last nights early snowfall. I cant believe he's dead! The wooden coffin is carried by the group of Iciest council members, that includes my Father, Levi Mistral."

Question three: Do you have a book cover, and/pictures that reflect your book?

I have this dream cover. One that I would really love if I had it published. But I am yet to create it. I will draw it out and post it on this blog sometime.
I have played round with covers, and pictures.

This one is just a rough cover, more like a place holder. 

Nothing like the one I want though. But I like the picture.

I have so many pictures that inspire and reflect my novel. But I keep most of them on My Pinterst.   

Question four: Do you have pictures of each of your characters? If not describe them to us! 

Iris Mistral: my MC. She really has white hair. 

                          Priss Mistral: Iris's twin sister            

Jack Heron: My male MC. 

Alice Mistral: Priss and Iris's mother 

Sister Ana: Iris's flame 

I do have other characters. Though I don't have pictures of them yet. So the other characters are...

Jolene, Loy Griffiths, Christophe, Griffiths, Levi Mistral, Fray, Silvia, and that's all I can think of at the moment! 

Question five: What scenes are you most exited to write? 

I'm looking forward to getting to the climax of the story. So when Iris finds out the TRUTH! And everything really goes down hill from there. Emotions, deviation, and I know I can write that! 

Question six: Share snippet of a scene that you really enjoyed writing.

All of a sudden I feel the presence of someone in aisle. I keep my pencil moving on the page, not wanting to make eye contact with the person. Although, who wouldn't notice notice a girl sitting on the floor in the corner of a bookshelf?

I can’t take it! I look up.

“Oh my God!” I scream, slamming my sketch book closed.

“Don’t scream for Gods sake! Where in a library!” says the Shadow boy. His hood is still over his head. Why does he have to have it like that? It’s freaky.

“Take off the hood!” I demand. I see his smile through the shadow. He removes it, reveling his full face. A mess let of brown hair lies all over him head. His face is handsome, but I try not to let it distract me.

I hug my book close to my chest, pressing my back hard into the corner. Hard enough to hurt.

He looks behind himself, then to me.

“What do you want?” I shiver; the question seems to bring revelation to his face.

He crouches down in front of me. “What’s your name?”

“Mistral…” I don’t want to give him my first name. He nods. He taking a deep breath, running his finger through his hair.

He leans right into my face; there is nothing but inches keeping us apart.

I wonder if he can hear my heart beating! I’m locked in his eyes. They are beautifully dark like my own. But dangerous.

“You should be more careful next time!”

My stomach turns as he waits for my answer. But the words don’t come. I can’t bring myself to speak. I just nod my head vigorously in reply.

“Good!” He says as he pushes himself back. 

(That was the one I liked writing the most. Although, I know it needs lots of work, its the one I am most proud of...) 

Question seven:  Now that you're writing, have you any plot details or the process itself, turned out different than you planned or imagined?

Yes! I always had the door unlocked, so if I ever needed to change form my original outline, I could. And I am so glad I did, cause so much as changed. 

The back story is still remaining the same, cause that is the one that makes the story what it is. But the relationships and other events have been moved around and played with. 

After putting in the death of Griffiths, I realized that there was going to be a bit of a change. But it was one of the best things I ever did, creating and killing that character. 

So yes, things have changed! 

Question eight: Is there a character of aspect of your plot that is difficult to write?"

 Yes, they are strewn all about the place. Though its hard to name specifics. My hardest character has been Jack, cause I want him to be one thing. but he turns out to be another, and I really cant understand him sometimes! 

Question nine: What's your favorite aspect of your novel so far? Favorite character?

Favorite aspect: would be watching Iris. She is so much of me, everything she is, is what I am on the inside. She is the figure of my feelings. And its frighteningly beautiful. 

Favorite character: Alice, (i love them all) but I love Alice. 

Question ten: Have you drawn off any life experiences or people you know to create your novel and characters?

Like I said in question nine, Iris is a figure of my feelings. So I can write as Iris. Most of the characters are just out of my imagination. 

I have never been to high school, or any school for that matter. I am not in the Catholic religion, I have never lived, or even been in a big city like the city in my setting. I don't have a twin sister, I'm not in wealthy society. Etc 

But I am artistic like Iris, and all crazy feeling. 

Jack can reminds me sometimes of a guy I know. 

Sister Ana, character was inspired by one of my Youth group leaders. 

Question eleven: Do you have a playlist or certain song for your novel and/or charters?

I have a list of music on Spotify that I listen to. Mostly The Civil Wars, and Ellie Goulding. It all really depends on what mood I'm in on that day, or the scene I'm writing. 

I am starting to find theme songs for my characters. 

Priss's song is Little House, sung by Amanda Sheyfried. 

Iris's song is Lights, by Ellie Goulding. 

Question twelve: Lets have some fun for a moment: imagine you are somehow transported into your books world. Which character are you most likely to be found hanging with?

It would be Fray. I carry the traits of a shadow, so it would be safest for for me to do. I trust Fray. 

Question thirteen: How do you keep yourself motivated to finish your daily word count? 

Mostly Pinterest and Music. They are my drive. And also the pleasure of having hit that word count. 

Question fourteen: What is your favorite writing quote or piece of writing advice?

"We have to be continually jumping of cliffs and developing our wings on the way down."Kurt Vonnegut

Question fifteen: How does this book make you feel so far? Are you laughing? crying? Frustrated?

There are a lot of mixed feelings, so I cant really be sure.   

Beautiful Books: NaNoWriMo Plotting Questionare

So with all this NaNo stuff swinging into action, there is a lot of help out there. I am so grateful to all the bloggers and YouTubers that made this so much easier!
What I am going to do on this post, is answering some questions regarding my novel planning! That the amazing blog Notebook Sisters have set up. They have set up a challenge, or something like that; for bloggers doing NaNoWriMo, or just writing in general. The description about it is on their blog here. The thing is that they will post a series of questions once a month for three months. (October: Planning (November: Writing (December: Editing! 15 questions about ones work in progress. Here is my October one (seeing that November is only 4 days away)

Question one: What came first: characters or plot idea? Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I am most definitely a plotter! I like to have my ideas mostly ready before starting something. Well to be fair, my characters came first. After signing up, I went straight into the planning. I didn't really know what I wanted. All I knew, was that it had to be a beautiful tale. But my character came to mind first thing. A girl with white hair. And it all started from there!

Question two: Do you have a title and/or a "back-cover-blurb"?

Yes I have a title. It took me a while to come up with one. But after a decent amount of planning, and outlining, I stumbled over a word that became my title. It works in every aspect to the story than I could ever imagine. Blurb is yet to be properly written out. Doing that seems like less of a priority at the moment, and would proffer to do it at the end. (Title: Clandestine)

Question three: What word count are you aiming for when your novel is finished?

The goal of NaNoWriMo is to hit the 50,000 mark. But after all the editing is done, I hope to have over 80,000 words. I can see that after going over everything, there will be a lot to fill in.

Question four: Sum up your novel in three sentences.

Iris finds out the dirty secrets of her past, the secrets her father has vouched to hide for so long. Iris and her sister set out to find the evidence of what really happened. Iris founds out who she really is, and has to understand that as dark as the secrets may be, they make her who she is!

Question five: Sum up your characters in one word each.

Levi: Cold
Alice: Broken
Jolene: Stunning
Jack: Straight forward
Iris: Concealed
Priss: Extrovert
Loy: Humorous
Fray: Protective

Question six: which character are you most exited to write? Tell us about them!

To be honest I would have to says its Alice. Its weird, cause she's dead. But her letters and Journal tell the situation from how she saw it. I really grieve for her! Even in her death, she holds so much.

Question seven: What about your villain? Who is he, and what is his goal?

Hard one! I don't really have a "Villain"! Levi is the closest I have to a villain/bad guy! The thing that makes him bad is what he did in the past. And keeping Iris from her true self. He his not overly nice to Iris (hard on her). But what makes him really bad, is his pride. I watch men fall from their pride all to often.

Questions eight: What is your Protagonist's goal? And what stands in the way?

I don't really know for sure. I think the main goal Iris has is to find out who she really is. And the thing keeping her from having it is her Father.

Question nine: What inciting incident begins your protagonist's journey?

Meeting her mother!  (screams internally)

Question ten: Where is your novel set?

A fictional city (am yet to name) I am going to have to say (if I have to name a country) Europe!
Future time unknown. But much later on...

Question eleven: What are three big sense in your novel that change the game completely?

1. Jack seeing Iris in a shadow Jacket!
2. Seeing her mother
And I'm unsure of what else at the moment!

Question twelve: What is the most dynamic relationship your character has? Who else to they come into contact with or become close to during the story?

I would have to say Iris and Priss. Their relationship is the one that goes through the most. She becomes very close to Jack, the shadow boy. Their relationship starts to take a romantic turn later on in the story.

Question thirteen:  How does your protagonist change by the end of the novel?

I don't know for sure! I don't know her well enough, to know how she will change along with the truth. Though I think she becomes stronger.

Question fourteen: Do you have a ending in mind? Or do you plan to see what happens?

For a matter of fact, I do have an ending in mind! But I am flexible enough to change it if needs be!

Question Fifteen: What are your hopes and dreams for your book? What impression are you hoping this novel will leave on your readers and yourself?

Excellent question! I want to have it published one day... I feel like it has a great potential! It will not just finish with the one book. I have already organized the general idea for the second and third book. Impression: I want it to move people. But the main dream is to get it finished! And for it to be amazing! And for people to love it!


-Rachel