Life Update // How's Your Novel Going?

 

Okie doke, for those who don't know I've been hard at work on my brainchild -- the book I keep telling everyone about, the stellar idea I just had to take on and now my perfectionism is threatening to eat me alive (thanks me) (it's fine). As a result, of course I get a lot of questions from my friends and family, and everyone in-between who knows me, about said novel idea, more often than not being the same singular question time and time again: "How's the novel going?"

And more often than not, I have no earthly idea how to answer this question on the spot. There are soooo many answers I could say - particularly the problems I'm facing (each different at each time I'm asked the question) but usually I just say, "eh, it's a'goin'"

But with that said, I thought I'd take the time today to a) answer FAQ about how my novel is going b) discuss what I've learned so far and c) take this time to just rant for a bit...

FAQ 1) What's it about? 

A: Without revealing too much I'll just say it's about the stars, sea, and the moon.

You'll have to read more to find out

2) So how's it coming?

A: Usually this answer varies at different times I'm asked this question. Sometimes it could be going great (hahahahhahahahahahaha), others I've either hit a road block, or I'm letting my perfectionism get to me, or something's dragging the story down, or I don't know where I'm going next. Sometimes I wish I could have it in my hands to chuck it at a wall. But in short... 

3) When you're not writing, what is it you do to keep up the inspiration and keep the story going?

A: Brainstorm. Brainstorm, eat chicken nuggets, cry, then brainstorm some more, before watching free willy and crying over how cute the whale is (okay not really)

Brainstorm, read, and work on homework from my classes.

4) Oh, speaking of that how's school going!?

A: hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaha!

5) What have you learned so far about writing a book, continued narrative or story?

A: I'd say that first, it's very difficult and unless you have an idea that sets your mind on fire with possibilities (quoting Laini Taylor here), then I'd wait a bit longer until your ideas are just brimming full of life that needs to be put on paper. Once you have that idea, the road may seem long, but my advice would be brainstorm, and 

write!

Write. Write some more. Write write write write write. Your hands will hurt after so much, your brain will ache from the pain of pushing out so many ideas and brainstorming all the time and you'll question everything there is to life and the novel itself, you may even question reality (time to take a break there) but what's important is that you write. Write write write. If you don't like where the story is going, find something that excites you, that brings your mind to a place where it's full of excitement and ideas and characters and memories and life; never stop writing. 

6) How much have you written so far? 

A: Officially -- I'd say the official number going into the rough draft manuscript would have to be at least 30-50 pages so far. At least. I've free written more but more for free writing and something that's going into the final product.

7) What are your major inspirations for the story you're writing? First, I'd say me, because you're going to need to be your official cheerleader all the way through your developing narrative. Then I'd definitely say anything by Laini Taylor, Greek myth, Norse myth, my astronomy class (true story though) (really no joke), Avatar The Last Airbender (but I'm avoiding too many references because I do want to write my own story), Harry Potter (before JK's tweets), Shingeki No Kyojin (Attack on Titan), and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

8) How long before we get to read it!? 

A: ehhhhh wait about four more years...

But in truth, I hope it'll be less than three, maybe two but I can't make those promises while I'm still in school and my perfectionist mind threatens to eat me alive.

okie doke! Back to writing whatever comes my way! Thanks for reading, have a good day!