“What’s Your WIP” Tag — Meet My Fantasy Novel

It’s about that time to switch gears on projects again (now that my book-baby Kiera is successfully out in the world!), and I thought this tag would be a great way to share what’s been brewing… *evil laugh of authoriness*

THE RULES:

• Thank the person who tagged you & link to their blog.
• Link back to the creator, Katja @ Little Blossoms for Jesus, & add the tag graphic. 
• List the rules. 
• Answer the questions. 
• Feel free to add snippets!
• Tag as many or as few people as you wish & let them know they’re tagged. 
• Add a clean copy of the questions at the end of your post for the “tagged.”

Thanks for creating this tag, Katja!

Has your WIP a working title? If so, tell us! If not, have you any idea of what it might be?

Yes! I’ve chosen the final title of “Awake”. It’s a reference to an important line in the story, a subtle nod to the themes, and is honestly just a beautiful word. 😉

Have you a synopsis for your WIP? If so, give it to us! If not, can you give us a blurb on what your WIP is about?

We do not speak of blurbs at this time. (That horrific institution is something we leave for the very last minute. *glares in author*) Nevertheless, I will be brave and give you a taste of the concept…

In a world where stars tell the Maker’s plans and men study years to read them, King Harbor and Queen Marinne receive a terrible prophecy at their son’s christening. Elite palace guard Arrow is chosen to accompany the Queen and prince to a place of safety no one is even sure is real.

Chaos descends on the kingdom. Wolves and traitors roam the night, and soon even the earth itself begins to crumble.

Have you a working/mock cover for your WIP? If so, show us! If not, have you an idea in mind?

I have a slight idea in mind, but I’m doing a little more market research and head-banging brainstorming before I come up with one. 😉 I often don’t have very clear ideas for my covers until my designer sends mock-ups. 😬😭

How did you get the idea for this story?

This story idea came from me dealing with the problem of religious leaders misrepresenting God and downplaying His love and mercy for us. A bit of a sequel to some of the issues in Kiera, really. I also wanted to write a full-length novel in the fantasy genre and had a couple beautiful world-building ideas I wanted to use. 😉😎

How long do you think it will be? Is it longer or shorter than you thought it would be?

I originally plotted it for 50k words (hey failed attempt at NaNoWriMo!), but in rewrites, I’m hopeful and fairly certain it’s at least going to hit 60k. We’ll see. 😉

Who’s your favourite character so far?

My favorite character currently is Arrow. He comes the most alive to me, and his dog (or the dog that chose him, rather) is pretty amazing too.

What’s your favourite memory related to this WIP?

I have a really beautiful brown and copper notebook I first outlined and brainstormed this story in. Every time I see it, it reminds me of the excitement and anticipation of planning my sophmore novel. 🤎

Any special person(s) who helped create it?

Since I’m really only draft two, I haven’t opened it up to a lot of feedback yet, but my sister Emma and my bookish friend Mary have been so encouraging and enthusiastic. ❤️ Their excitement fuels me on to get this story done. 😉 (And I text Emma when the characters are not behaving. #theyhaveissues)

What’s your favourite scene so far (if you can tell about it without spoilers!)?

Almost all of my favorite scenes are spoilers, oops. 😎 But there’s one where Marinne and Harbor are doing some relief work (because crazy world goes to kaput), and the sweet unspoken support between them is just heart happy. 🥺🥰

Can you give us a snippet? 

Absolutely! It is draft one material, so be kind 😉

Arrow walked down the corridor to the Great Hall, the black dog following at his heels. The day had been long, and he still had dinner to eat and paint to remove from his face. Mace had a look in his eye that said there would be a long, worrisome meeting in the guard shack later.

He threw a glance at the dog. The animal had stuck with him all day, whether Arrow wanted him to or not, and he knew that somewhere in the days following their meeting the dog had decided to be his.

When he entered the Great Hall, the cook handed him water and ash to clean his face, then traded these for a bowl of stew. He swung his legs over a bench and leaned over his bowl, losing himself in the comforting food.

The dog nudged his foot, and he threw him a scrap of meat. Sooner or later, the animal would need a name. 

Is the story still what you thought it would be or has it thrown you a couple curveballs?

In some ways it has stayed very close to my original plot, but in others it has really blown my mind. One of the characters has a secret identity, another demanded an entire POV of their own, two are falling in love maybe (??), and I realized I need a kingdom map, a castle map, and a sky map. #sendhelp #allthemaps

Is there a Bible verse, poem, hymn, picture, or quote that helped shape this story?

Honestly, none so far. I did take inspiration from a scene in one of my favorite movies, though. 😉 Also, I stole how two of my male characters look from a Marvel show and a BBC show…

When and where have you done most of the writing so far?

I began writing this story in 2019 and finished draft one in 2020 (it’s been a little bit of a long road), so it’s likely that I wrote it mostly sitting on my bed, the floor, or the couch at my parent’s house.

Where do you get inspiration for this story?

I have a Pinterest board I collected a few things on very early on, but mainly it’s just letting my mind play and enjoying how much I love medieval fantasy. 😉

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

For longer projects, I’m a plotter and then let the smaller details (see above) take me by surprise. 😉

Do you have a little ritual before you start writing?

Not really. I just tend to get social media out of my system, grab a snack or drink, and get to work. Lately, I’ve been lighting a candle for the vibes. ❤️

Are you thinking of publishing this story?

Yep, that’s the plan! Indie publish sometime before next summer! 🙏😍

What things have you learned while writing this story?

Just how key worldbuilding is and how bad I am at it. 😂 Also, if I want to have a plot twist, I need to work hard to keep all you smartworms from guessing it. *disappears into brainstorm lair*

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Tell me about your WIP!

1. Has your WIP a working title? If so, tell us! If not, have you any idea of what it might be?
2. Have you a synopsis for your WIP? If so, give it to us! If not, can you give us a blurb on what your WIP is about?
3. Have you a working/mock cover for your WIP? If so, show us! If not, have you an idea in mind?
4. How did you get the idea for this story?
5. How long do you think it will be? Is it longer or shorter than you thought it would be?
6. Who’s your favourite character so far?
7. What’s your favourite memory related to this WIP?
8. Any special person(s) who helped create it?
9. What’s your favourite scene so far (if you can tell about it without spoilers!)?
10. Can you give us a snippet? 😉
11. Is the story still what you thought it would be or has it thrown you a couple curveballs?
12. Is there a Bible verse, poem, hymn, picture, or quote that helped shape this story?
13. When and where have you done most of the writing so far?
14. Where do you get inspiration for this story?
15. Are you a plotter or a pantser?
16. Do you have a little ritual before you start writing?
17. Are you thinking of publishing this story?
18. What things have you learned while writing this story?

Happy weekend and happy writing. ❤️