Know the Novel, what Novel?

Yesterday at work, the lady signing me in said it felt like the month had begun only a day ago and I really feel that. This month has just disappeared and I have been distracted. I’ve had fun too though and I’m not going to quit writing this book.

It’s time for my periodic near miss of the Know the Novel submission deadline. Know the Novel is hosted by the lovely Christine Smith. Do look up what other people are writing by clicking over here. And now, onto the questions.

1. How’s the writing going overall?

I have made some progress. I haven’t kept on with my consistency though and I have had to back track instead of continue to move forward. It’s been hard to find the beginning and Litlasha isn’t being an easy character to write. But there’s some

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

Probably the world building and research I did about dwarf cities. Though yesterday I really got into the fun of daydreaming while I worked and writing the book in my head. Not trying to puzzle out problems, but just having the character banter and unfold the story.

(looking back over what I’ve written I discovered one of the first bits that features a conversation that’s in no one’s first langugage. THat was hilarious.)

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

I haven’t gotten to write much with the characters that I had planned because we don’t meet them until a little after the beginning and I’ve not gotten that far. I’ve decided that I love Zidannar, Litlasha’s father though and I’d love to keep him in the story if possible.

4. Has your novel surprised you in any way?

Litlasha was not going to have a sidekick of her own people. There’s just been more nice people than I expected.

5. Have you come across any problem areas?

Have I come across any non-problem areas? I’m not trying to complain, but that’s how it’s been. I still don’t know the ending, the beginning isn’t quite sorted out, and I often can’t remember what I was excited to put in the middle. Finding the drive for the story and the antagonist is probably the biggest problem.

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

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?

This implies that I’ve actually written enough for my characters to take actions. I’d probably be Annagi and I’d probably have put up with things and been unhappy, rather than getting myself into the predicament she’s in.

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

Here’s a beginning:

Litlasha had always been told to avoid the woods. It was one of the few simple rules. Avoid bright sunlight, don’t bargains with strangers, don’t mess around with boys from your own clan, beware the trees. She was late though and it was such a little way through the trees.

A different beginning:

Another baby was born, another room filled, another girl found a mate, and Litlasha scurried up into the daylight to search for new materials.

Meeting strangers:

“Good,” he proclaimed, ” I am Fifthri. May I know you?”

“Ninsha,” Litlasha said, “Ninsha si Ambashula.”

Conversing in the trade language:

“City not good, is dangerous to young girl,” the woman said, “Why do you want to go?”

“I do,” Litla said, “I am strong. “I will trade with you for favour.”

She reached back into the pouch and pulled out a [name] stone, one of three she had found and polished. “I will trade this too.”

“No, not. You not go to city. Stay here. We trade you cloth, we trade treasures. We have treasures from the city.”

Litla shook her head. “I don’t want treasure, I need travel to the city. Will you trade? I will not be trouble.”

Spoiler: she will be trouble.

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!)

I’m already writing it in two different notebooks despite getting nowhere. And I’ve got a mix of third person and first person for the same character.

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!

Part of the trouble is that I haven’t really got a schedule for writing. I think I’d like to write in the mornings, but most days I’m off to work. A few times I’ve done some writing before I come home, but a lot of this month it’s been raining too much to make staying out pleasant and other days it’s been so sunny that it’s hot in the car. So it tends to be afternoons and evenings. I have been having my herbal teas on occasion (coffee is for early work mornings) and I’ve had music. 

Really, though, I’ve been distracted and undisciplined so much. Too many good books on Kindle Unlimited. Also this has been the last month of super discounts for Lord of the Rings Online which has become my game of choice. So there was the constant pull to play, earn points and get expansions while they’re cheap.  I also went to the movies once, worked a couple extra days and found a few other random ways to procrastinate. It was fun. So is writing.

You all have a happy Christmas period, if you celebrate Christmas. I’m going to be keeping busy with my work, mixing up my podcasts with Christmas music, baking yummy things, and writing a bit each day.

2 Comments

  1. Christine Smith

    I LOVE your opening paragraph. That hooked me right in! Litlasha sounds like she gets into QUITE a bit of trouble. I love it. XD

    That’s great you’ve made progress too! There is nothing wrong with making progress while also just living life! I…probably ignored life a bit TOO much during November. *cough, cough* I definitely need to find a balance. I’m glad you did a lot of fun things during November!

    Thank you so much for joining the linkup again. I do hope your December is an amazing one! <3

    • Brielle Andela

      Thank you!

      Lisha (No, I don’t have one consistent way to shorten her name) is pretty good of getting herself out of trouble too, so she’s got that going for her. I on the other hand need to put her in trouble and keep her there and I’m back in planning again. I’ve been listening to some Realm Makers talks and figuring a few things out. Hopefully not overthinking it, just being intentional.

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