I have two writing modes and they are: wildly writing everything all at once OR laying on the carpet like a dead fork.
See I do have an off-switch!! I just don’t have a medium switch and I am like that blender that is either blitzing your milkshake like Morder would if Morder was in your kitchen. Or else I just don’t work. Obviously I achieved a lot of writing last year (1 million words, mate, I’m proud) but I write in short and violently productive bursts. Then I go catatonic on the carpet for, you know, a half dozen years or so.
Currently I’m neck-deep in edits, but you couldn’t tell because mostly I’m crying and laying around like a dead fork. Edits are hard. This post is absolutely procrastination.
So in honour of my whingeing, I’m throwing some random writing questions at myself!
This should be fun or terrifying. Standby.
Also before I dash on, I will say three things and they are: (1) my debut comes out in exactly 6 months ummm holy heck and (2) I’m expecting my first ever bound proof in the mail LIKE ANY DAY NOW, and (3) the edits I’m wailing about are for a secret project and my hair is on fire and the void has started screaming back at me. So. That’s going well.
I’m filching my questions from twitter so thank you to @mrhodimer and @simmeringmind! If you want to also filch (I freaking love that word) these questions for your own blog, make sure you credit these two as well.
1. WHAT GENRE DO YOU WRITE IN? IF YOU WRITE IN DIFFERENT GENRES, WHAT’S ONE YOU’D LIKE TO TRY THAT YOU HAVE’NT YET OR ONE YOU’D NEVER BOTHER WITH?
I think the biggest surprise to the various humans and squirrels that read my blog is the fact that my debut, A Thousand Perfect Notes, is a contemporary. I always go on about how much I love fantasy. And I still do!! I just happen to love contemporary as well now!
MY DASTARDLY OPINION OF VARIOUS GENRES:
- Contemporary = I love it but it is very hard not to end with everyone dead and 90% of people who’ve read my contemporaries first comment back is, “CAIT WOULD YOU LEARN TO CHILL OUT.” Rude.
- Epic fantasy = This is like my home-ground because I began writing here and I always go back. Magic and murder and mayhem. It is my heart.
- Magical Realism = I actually haven’t written here yet BUT I WANT TO. I have projects planned. I really love mixing modern things x magic. And I want some monsters to crawl out from under your bed and eat you.
- Historical fiction = I tried. NEVER AGAIN.
- Sci-Fi = I have 2 (dead) sci-fi WIPs and: never again. Did I mention I nearly failed science in highschool?! I don’t know what I’m doing. Someone send me back to the pantry where I nest.
- Thriller = Never tried it! Some of my contemporaries dance around it but I beat them back. I hate reading thrillers so I don’t plan to write them.
2. HOW DO YOU PICK YOUR CHARACTERS’ NAMES?
BY WEEPING AND THEN SEEING IF MY TEARS FORM WORDS.
No really naming characters is my bane. But I do love names. I collect them in little sticky-notes all over the place. Like you turn up to write a shopping list but BAM — that scrap of paper is covered in the 32 variations of the name Jonathon.
But in real life I’m extraordinarily bad at remembering people’s names (still forget my nieces’ names) and unless a character struts into view with a name, then I sweat and yell and set things on fire until I find it.
I do like to use nameberry.com and also stare at my bookshelf and steal author’s names. My character named Lee is obviously NOT INSPIRED BY LEIGH BARDUGO. THIS IS FINE.
3. TELL ME WHAT YOU CAN ABOUT YOUR CURRENT PROJECTS.
I can’t say much so I’ll just yell some vague things:
ONE OF MY BOOKS IS ABOUT DRAGONS AND SAD BOYS WHO DON’T BELONG.
ONE IS ABOUT OBSESSION AND PIANOS AND VIOLENCE.
ONE IS ABOUT AUTISM AND LOST BOYS AND CARAMEL CHOCOLATE.
ONE IS ABOUT TRICKERY AND THIEVING AND MONSTERS.
4. WHAT NUMBER BOOK IS THIS?
Yay time for some number facts! I love number facts. Just pretend you do too.
- I’ve written 29 novels.
- (I think that’s in the past 7 years??!? Give or take. I don’t math.)
- A Thousand Perfect Notes is my 16th book.
- My novel coming out in 2019 is my 22nd book.
- The book I’m editing now is a sECRET but it’s my 21st book…but also a rewrite of my very very very first ever book.
- Which goes to show that you can shelve your first project and then 7 years later COME BACK TO IT.
- Oh wow I have emotions about this.
5. WHAT ARE YOUR WRITING GOALS FOR THIS YEAR?
I want to write 4 books and edit 2, which obviously seems like a ridiculous amount buuuut I have the time and I am somewhat of a violent writing machine. We’ve established that.
But some little goals:
- I want to write about pirates!
- I want to edit and sort out my heist book because it’s a HOT MESS but I love it.
- I want to write about libraries.
- I want to do a gender-bent reverse contemporary Sleeping Beauty retelling and if that hurts your head, haha it hurts mine too.
- I want to write about autistic girls.
- I want to write messy big families.
- I reeeeally want to write a magical realism but I DON’T ONE YET.
6. WHAT ARE YOUR WRITING STRENGTHS?
Oh I have so many haha. I’m extremely strengthful and clever and nothing defeats me.
Usually.
Anyway.
I think dialogue is one of my strengths. Witty banter! Sassy quips! Salt spilt everywhere! My books usually end up something like this:
Character 1: *has a deep vulnerable moment*
Character 2: *laughs and laughs and laughs at them*
Me: Oh I am such a heckin’ poignant writer
I’ll be an emotional bestseller for sure.
I’d also like to think I’m good at taking stories in interesting, maybe unexpected, directions. This is because I can’t follow directions and once used salt instead of sugar in a cake. It was a horrible cake BUT also a metaphor for writing wild and unusual content which is very very useful.
For my writing.
Not my kitchen skills.
Please help my kitchen hates me.
7. DO YOU ENJOY ANY OTHER CREATIVE OUTLETS?
I LIKE TO READ. Bet that’s unexpected ha! But truly my life is reading vs writing vs sometimes I fold origami and throw it at people in exchange for money. I also sometimes draw and use it as background for my bookstagram photos.
8. YOUR BEST TIP FOR PUNCHING WRITER’S BLOCK?
I’ve started off 2018 with a BANG! And by “bang” I mean I ran straight into a brick wall with the worst block I’ve had in years. Editing. Love it.
I tackle it usually by (a) keeping on going…because if you’re on a deadline you gotta, and (b) refilling my own creative tank with other stories/movies and then going for a walk or run to just think really really intensely.
If you get STUCK and you don’t put aside time JUST TO THINK — there’s your problem mate. Cakes don’t bake themselves. And cakes shouldn’t be baked by me, also, we’ve established.
9. WHO DO YOU WRITE FOR?
Selfishly, myself. I am my #1 fan. No truly!! And I don’t think this is vain, I think it’s crucial. Because writing is a long term commitment and it’s not fast and people reject you or don’t understand your story or you fall down a plot hole and end up chilling with Hades and eating pomegranates and IT’S MESSY AND COMPLICATED AND FRUSTRATING.
So you have to love it the most yourself.
Last year, for the first time ever, I found myself rereading my books…for fun. Because I love them. I wasn’t always here, but get to that point, okay?! It’s worth it.
I also write for, ya know, anyone who wants emotional and dark and stabby books with bursts of sass and anger and ridiculously tear-filled cries for forgiveness. #TeamLetsBreakReadersHearts
10. LIST 5 THINGS YOU VALUE IN A STORY.
Ooh I so so like this question!! I always attempt to write these:
- Morally grey questions. So many bad things can be done for “good” and good things can turn out damaging. I love exploring it and you’ll notice I do it in both my first two books. A LOT.
- Contrasts in characters. I love writing soft boys who cry but also have a dark side. I love writing feminine and pretty girls who also like knives and magic. I FRIKKIN LOVE THIS.
- Humour! I am an absolute bucket of appreciation.
- Inclusivity. Honestly this means a lot to me, as someone who’s part of several minorities. I want books that feature disabilities and mental illness and different sexualities and races and cultures. I value it so much I may fall over.
- Wanting things. A lot of stories are about doing, and obviously I love that, but I think a story’s heart comes from the wanting. This so captivates me when I read and it’s 100% what my writing is built off too.
I value very similar things to you:
Portrayals of people who are “different” to me.
Stories that portray different and often difficult themes.
Retellings that stay true to the original story, but keep it’s essence whilst adding new material, new surprises and a freshness to an old story (I Seriously LOVE a good retelling)
And good characters and arcs too. They are the centre of the story for me.
I haven’t got Writers block, but I do feel like I’m wandering around on an empty moor with nothing to write. So I guess I’m a dead fork until my beta readers finish off my novel.
YESSS I LOVE YOUR LIST!! Retellings are incredible and also I love it when you can see all the origins BUT it’s still got some surprises. Without the surprises, it’s just too bland.😂
Eep, I hope your betas get back to you soon!
Retellings are basically my writing life. I don’t think I’ve written anything but retellings since April last year.
They’re giving me some really good feedback so far! And granted, it’s only been a week since I recruited them 😀
“I found myself rereading my books…for fun. Because I love them. I wasn’t always here, but get to that point, okay?! It’s worth it.”
Wow, Cait! I’m not quite there yet, but can I just say that I admire you for this. 😉
Just a couple things I value in stories: dragons, socially awkward characters, witty characters who aren’t socially awkward (yeah, I know), cloaks, pessimistic characters, as little romance as possible, plot twists I didn’t see coming, and excellent themes like accepting yourself for who you are not pining about who the world wants you to be.
I know I’ve said this before, but I can’t wait to read your debut novel!
Azelyn Klein recently posted…Poem: Silent Words
Aww thank you! And honestly I’m amazed I even got to that point.😂 But it’s really really good not to always be unhappy with your own writing. I mean, I obviously still want to improve but yeeears of work have paid off and it’s NICE.
I love love LOVE your list too!! Socially awkward characters ftw. (And why aren’t there more dragon books?!) And also self-acceptance. <3 One of my favourite messages in books.
“weeping and then seeing if my tears form words” – mY NEW ADVICE FOR NAMING CHARACTERS THANK YOU CAIT
I’d love to read a book about big (and obviously messy because let’s be real here) families! and pirates! and heists! …now I want to read a book about a big family that constantly argues …while they do heists. NOO. *chases story idea with fluffy slippers, thumping indiscriminately*
Jem Jones recently posted…9 Truths, 2 Lies (a short post?? who’s writing this???)
YOU’RE WELCOME. I’M A PROFESSIONAL, AREN’T WE ALL GLAD. And dude, combining all of my wishlist would make a fantastic book.😂*scribbles on to do list*
I haven’t gotten to write anything yet because I have essays. They’re due in tomorrow and they have been a nightmare.
I’m very interested in character dynamics, especially when I’m writing. I think how we treat the different people around us says a lot about who we are.
Ivyclad Ideas recently posted…Ten Books I Meant to Read in 2017 But…Ooh! A Butterfly!
Ohhh good luck for your due essays tomorrow!! I hope they go well. (Honestly that sounds so stressful.) And it’s extremely true about the how-we-treat-people reflecting on us. That’s a really interesting thing to explore in books for sure.
ABSOLUTELY A DEAD FORK. It’s hard to juggle school, reading, and writing. School I can hardly handle but I always find time for reading. Writing? Kill me now. I haven’t made any progress. Examinations are coming up too so that means less chance to read and impossible to write. Things are a little bit dark now but I sure hope they’ll lighten up a bit.
Anyway, I have many things to value in a story. If I say them all, I’ll probably still be here till midnight so I’m just gonna list the things at the top of my head.
1. RELATABLE CHARACTERS. Crazy introverts? Stressed out teenagers? Dragon lovers? If there is a character in a book I identify with, chances are I’m really going to get crazy on that book. It just increases the feeling of really being in the story if a character is an awesome weirdo like me.
2. UNPREDICTABLE PLOTS. Let’s admit it. There are hardly any original plots anymore that’s why I value stories that are actually unpredictable. It really bums me out if I already know where things are going halfway through the book. I hunger for books which can surprise me and can make my adrenaline rush.
3. POTENTIAL BOOK CRUSHES. I value characters that can actually capture my heart (even though they actually trample on it quite a lot). They don’t necessarily need to be perfect but I am more encouraged to read a book if there is a character I can admire and can make me say, “Bummer. Why aren’t there guys like him in the real world anymore?”
So there you have it. The last one was actually quite unusual but I just felt I had to include it. What can I do? Book crushes complete my life. 😅
P.S. JUST HOW MANY BOOKS DO YOU HAVE? I DARE YOU TO COUNT THEM ALL.
I totally understand!! Finding time to do ALL THE THINGS is so impossible and I shall weep piteously with you. Also omg good luck for the exams coming up. *SENDS CHOCOLATE*
Also I freaking LOVE your list. That whole thing is perfect, but especially 1. I think a book is like way better if it’s relatable.
(I own about 600 books.😂)
I’m a dead fork right now… but I wanna be a professional when I grow up. I read your blog to procrastinate, which is awesome but still is procratination, and then I feel so sad with myself. And, by the way, THERE’S ONLY 6 MONTHS LEFT, AJSKDFHGHASH. I have a lot of problems with names, either I forget them two seconds later (even with my own characters) or I don’t know how to pronunce them… And those projects sound so COOL! If I can rewrite my very first book, it would be really nice, actually, I wouldn’t cry anymore, doesn’t matter if I have to wait for 7 years. And I LOVE PIRATES. I LOVE JACK SPARROW. When I get writer’s block, the only thing I do is watch movies and eat cookies. “Selfishly, myself. I am my #1 fan.” I LOVE IT. You’re so right! We gotta believe in ourselves if no one else does. I’m #TeamLetsBreakReadersHearts, except when it comes about MY heart. The world is so weird,why don’t we just go to Wonderland? I’d like some tea. And here it goes, the things I value in a story: Just like you said, soft boys who cry (I LOVE WRITING THIS) and strong women who are really good with guns and don’t need a boyfriend (though I love romance..!); a character’s background, I just like knowing the whole past life of the characters because I always wanna know everything; also, different and heartbreaking themes, that only a good writer can write. Okay, it’s my fault to love reading heartbreaking books.
*hi fives for our procrastination skills* 😂 But hey that’s awesome you’er going to be a professional dead fork when you grow up! Same! We have so much in common!
I don’t even know how to pronounce any names.😂 I thought “Sean” was pronounced like “Seen” … not Shawn. For AGES. I need to go sit down. Most people mispronounce my character’s names, and be “Mispronounce” I mean they say them write while I’ve been saying them wrong the whole time hahha. Oh dear.
I am a dead fork. I’m plotting a thing (jewel thieves!), and I plotted a couple of things at the end of December, but every time I sit down at the computer to write I just end up staring at it and then watching an old episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Because I’m PRODUCTIVE.
Not really.
But I agree with you that morally gray characters are the BEST. I think that’s why I was always attracted to the books about spies and thieves when I was younger. Also the whole inclusivity bit. I think it’s so, so important to get rep, especially intersectional rep. Most LGBTQIAP+ romances are between two white, cis people, and being queer is the only minority they’re apart of. But that doesn’t really reflect in real life.
Hello dead fork, I relate so much I can only cry in the cutlery drawer with you. But jewel thieves are FAB so excuse me while I get excited about your book already ahhh. (Also I just started watching Brooklyn 99?! And it’s hilarious and kind of dumb and yet I want to see it all.😂)
Oh yes and I think any sort of diversity IS wonderful, but it’s time inclusivity was taken more notice of. I also REALLY want to see more disability rep because the invisibility of it in real life is so disheartening already. We need more in books?! (And obviously we need more of these authors to step in and write their own experiences too. <3)
I answered it here: https://www.zarahoffman.com/blog/10-writing-questions-to-ask-yourself-from-paperfury!
Yay look forward to reading it!
Whenever i read one of your bookish posts, I leave wanting to read all the things.
Whenever I read one of your writerly posts, I leave wanting to write all the things.
Cait, we talked about brainwashing people for an army…..we’ve talked about this. *sighs*
Dude my brainwashing tactics are ON POINT. I’m actually so good at this. *throws cake at you because you know you love it*
I absolutely love this and will for sure be filching it for my blog later this month! My only writing goal (which I think I already told you about) is to write at least 2,000 words a month.
I’ve been thinking about revisiting an old story that I wrote for a creative writing class to expand and edit it. But I’m so nervous!! Any tips?
Yesss, I can’t wait to read yours! And yes I love that you’re doing a consistent writing goals. You are QUEEN.
So when I go back to an old manuscript to revise, it’s like different every time. 😂 Usually I want to 100% rewrite it so I just spend a lot of time imagining new scenes and look at options of where the story could go. I explore them and then experiment basically! I’m sorry that’s not more helpful!
Who doesn’t love a good procrastination post every once in a while 😉 I absolutely agree that writing for YOURSELF is key. Sure, it’s great to share it with others, to get that feedback and know your words and ideas resonate with someone else, but it has to start with you first. Yeah, it’s major cheese-ville over here, but I think realizing this has really helped me to grow confident in what I do.
And I’m actually pretty pleased with my 2018 writing so far! Of course it’s just begun, but still! It was a slow couple of first days because I had this sort of dreading or fear, I don’t know, something about “starting over” was really getting to me, but now I’m back in the swing of things and I’m pretty happy 🙂 I’m finally going back to my first novel I completed last year, Fairytale, fleshing out a bunch of stuff and then I’ll get to my first round of edits!
I know right?! It’s literally PART of being a writer. If you’re not procrastinating are you even truly a writer. :’)
And yes! I mean writing is not a solo expedition by any means, but we the writer are the only reason it’s going to fly or explode, so we really have to be in love with what we do. I think that’s the same for most types of artists. And pfft, we SHOULD be proud of our work! None of that self-depreciating *humbleness* I believe in being excited and cheering yourself on!!
I’m so glad 2018 is treating your writing well!! I LOVE finding that groove. And omg best of luck for edits.
1. I’M SO EXCITED FOR YOUR BOOK
2. How in the world do you write so many books? that’s amazing! And here I’m still procrastinating with writing my very first, oops
3. My friend’s writing a gender bent reversed sleeping beauty retelling as well!
1. OMG THANK YOU THIS MAKES MY DAY.
2. I literally have no life.😂😂
3. TWINS!!!! My only has like 3% of a plot so far so I’m crossing my fingers and wishing best of luck to your friend!!
I haven’t had a successful writing start to the year because I have a lot of other obligations in my life right now which is hard but…. Anyway, I’m hoping that I can do some editing and maybe write a short story in February? I don’t know. But I am reading a book which is about something that I really want to write a novel about so that’s something I guess. I value unexpectedness and examination of tropes ( like It Only Happens in the Movies if you’ve read that)
Shanti recently posted…Science non fiction mini reviews
Sometimes January’s are hard to get things started, I totally hear you! I’m actually sort of way behind on my reading due to editing all day.😂 And oooh I’m glad you’re reading is inspiring your next book!
Oh my god, I tried writing historical fiction once as well and HOLY HECK I do not want to do that amount of research EVER AGAIN. Nope. Nope nope nope. Did not work.
I can’t figure out anything about my characters unless they have a name first, even if it’s just a placeholder name. Same with my books. It has to have a title.
I cringe at the thought of the first books I ever wrote, so kudos to you that you were able to salvage some of it. xD Quite the accomplishment.
Writing for yourself is so important but so hard to do, especially if you’re naturally the kind of person who wants other people to be happy/like you, because then it’s time to paNIC about whether or not people are going to like it.
Morally gray questions are super tricky to write but so much fun to read about! Especially when you can discuss those questions with other readers.
Kate @ The Magic Violinist recently posted…Book Review: Double Edition (LOVE, HATE & OTHER FILTERS and EVERLESS)
I know right?! Like give me fantasy and I can make up all the details.😂 Historical fiction is bizarrely hard without, like, a time machine for research purposes.
Ohh my books have to have titles though. Like names I can work around (I have a whole book outline where a huge character is just called “the queen” 😂) but I can’t start a book with it being Untitled. TITLES ARE IMPORTANT. (And then they always change but whatever.)
Omg yes agreed. Also the problem with writing for yourself AND writing things that are personal and passionate to you…it’s 500 x harder when someone else doesn’t like them. It’s actually terrifying. 😂😂
I can totally get behind #9. I think that’s how some of the best books come about. If you’re writing something you love, it shows!
La Coccinelle @ The Ladybug Reads… recently posted…Review – Lumberjanes
Absolutely! Plus you end up reading/editing it so many times that you need to love it or you go insane.😂
I’ve hit a hard-core idea that I like and has gripped me, and I’ve been writing about 1,000 words a day since before Christmas (took a break over Christmas) so this has been going on for nearly four weeks now.
Values:
Showing strong friendships that aren’t romantic (in every gender combination)
Healthy romantic relationships
Strong family relationships
Well, that seems to have a running theme.
Omg I’m so happy for you!! I love it when ideas just really really bloom and we don’t lose interesting with them. <3 And LOVE your values too. Absolutely yes to the friendships (plus it's so underdone).
I need to begin the rewriting process of the first draft of the novel I finished on December 30… The beginning is a mess because I wasn’t as good at writing at that time, and the ending is a mess because I was trying to finish it before the end of the year, and then it just kind of came out that way?
So yeah, I’m also procrastinating. 😂
Oh I hear you with beginnings! Honestly I just have spent 3 weeks rewriting and then REWRITING AGAIN my first 10 chapters.😂 So procrastinating is understandable. I will come procrastinate with you.
Okay, but I need to read the book with autism and lost boys and caramel chocolate. Or I might just want to eat caramel chocolate, but let’s just go with both.
Aha, yes! Chilling with Hades and eating pomegranates…. nice mythology reference. *tips hat*
Also, I’m kinda surprised that you didn’t include FOOD in your list of things you value in a story. I mean, I think you did a whole post about it. But you know… things like inclusivity and humor are important too I guess 😉
LET’S DEFINITELY GO WITH BOTH. *throws confetti and cake crumbs at both of us*
I have so many random references, I’m glad you got that one.😂
And duuude, I could only list 5 but I feel like I have failed by not listing food. Obviously a book shouldn’t exist unless it’s extremely foodie.
TWENTY NINE NOVELS aafghdfasghd WHO ARE YOU???????
also pirates + big messy families + autism rep + libraries + magical realism + retellings = 6 things i really like and i only like about 11 things in all the world so. quite impressive and exciting honestly. (book 82 in my infinitely long series entitled “I Really Want to Read All Your Books.”
SOMEONE WITH NOT MUCH OF A LIFE GOING ON.😂😂 Also omg you and I share some likes when you only like 11 things I FEEL I HAVE MADE IT HERE.
Ok now I really want tout read those 26 books ! Can I have the one about trickering, thieving and monster please ?
Hopefully one day I get to finish writing it right!? 😂
Haha, no. I got so desperate yesterday and today that I harassed people for prompts (although I did come up with a very nice thing about a somebody recruited to be a dreamweaver and what was basically the first dreamweaver just kind of showed up at their house as a little girl with creepy black eyes and said “You work for me now, have fun never sleeping again.”, so that was fun).
I really value strong female characters and that doesn’t limit itself to a) princesses with big loud opinions on what is expected of a princess, b) assassins who are morally grey because they have to be, c) ordinary girls who throw out the rulebook to do what they want, d) ANY FEMALE CHARACTER THAT’S NOT BELLA FREAKING SWAN. I also like stories with boys that actually know how to feelings because for some odd reason they don’t exist in real life? Like, guys, you know chicks dig the dudes in touch with their feelings HOW BOUT YOU TRY THAT. I will also probably read anything with a romantic subplot because I am a huge and hopeless romantic and I’d kill for a romantic subplot in my own life tbh.
ANYWAY
Your thing about the gender-bent reverse contemporary Sleeping Beauty? SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT IDEA! My mind actually first went to, like, some dude who’s been in a coma since he was a small bean and his best friend just kind of visits him every day because, y’know, best friends. And then you just mix in some flashbacks of small children being adorable and such until you eventually build a way for the whole “True Love’s Kiss” shtick. That’s my impression, anyway.
I too, enjoy morally gray decisions. Like seriously my villain is all “So, you can either be the general of my army or watch love interest(tm) die and then I’ll kill you” and my hero’s all “Pft, you didn’t have to try so hard smh I’m literally the #1 wanted criminal in the country”. And then there’s the whole Villain-Turns-Good-But-Sorta-Not-Really-Because-She’s-Still-A-Jerk-To-Everyone-She-Meets. My entire favorite thing about my book is BLURRED LINES BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL. Seriously, that’s my book kink. Oh, you have a hero that routinely makes not-very-hero-like decisions because that’s not necessarily their style? SIGN ME UP! Is your villain not really a villain because they were emotionally manipulated as a child and convinced that what they were doing would save the world (and the reasoning behind it is pretty convincing and makes legitimate sense)? MY GUY, I’LL BUY IT. So yes gray morals are my kryptonite. That and, like, carefree jokester character really being emotionally damaged and hiding behind a thin wall of duct tape (*cough* Leo Valdez *cough* MY GUY BRIAN *cough*).
Dialogue is my superpower tho. One of my writing assignments was write a scene only using dialogue and I was like “YES I ALREADY DID THAT, SEE?” *whips out writing journal*.
Man, I write for me too. I’ve been telling myself stories since I was little. Before I even knew that you could get paid for making books, I was game for that because I wanted other people to see the stories like I did. Then I got older and found out that THAT WAS ACTUALLY A JOB. WOAH. (even though it doesn’t pay good ((unless you’re jkr))). So yeah, you always need to be your #1 FAN!
My characters names were legit “Oh, those names sound nice together. I’ll keep them.”
Ah hah you make me laugh! I LOVE writing (and reading) boys with emotions. And also tough girls with emotions?! Like let’s stop with all the characters who are limp pieces of bread, pls and thank you. It’s not shameful to cry!
Also your ideas are great ah haha I hope you write these too.😂 Morally grey characters just get me in the feels every time because life is not generally so easy as good vs bad decisions.
(I also spent my childhood “rewriting” fairy tales and telling everyone I invented them. So hello, yes, I am terrible from a young age but at least I tried.😂)
Limp pieces of bread are horrible unless it is drenched in spaghetti sauce with boatloads of parmesan cheese. That is the only reason that limp pieces of bread are good.
My list of stuff to write is waay too long for my own good, but 90% of the time I just don’t have any inspo. YES EXACTLY THAT.
(Haha, I was writing fanfiction before I knew what fanfiction was. You’re not alone. XD)
Naming characters is literally my FAVORITE part of a story. Names can have such deep and beautiful meanings. They’re just so special to the story.
I don’t think I could ever write a thriller. Like I’m not into reading them, and I’m not that wild and scary? I want action but not like horror stuff happening.
Reading and Writing takes ALL my creative energy. How am I supposed to find time to do other creative stuff? Ok, I try. I splatter paint on paper. And scribble pencil drawings. But they’re pretty awful.
Because all my good creative stuff goes to my book.
Ohh they are special! I mean, I don’t generally go into name meanings but I generally have something *about* my character’s names that happen in the book. Like in my debut, my protagonist is hiding his true name.😂 So I like making names important, I just SUCK at coming up with them haaha.
I find thrillers aren’t even that…thrilling.😂 So I don’t think I’d ever be able to write one.
UGH I KNOW RIGHT?! We don’t have enough time/energy for all the sparkly creative things there are to do in the world.
OH MY GOODNESS CAIT, I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOUR BOOK!!!
As for myself… I haven’t written since August or September… I really want to write, I just can’t seem to motivate myself to start. It also doesn’t help that I’m worried my family will see it, and want to read it, and I REALLY don’t want them reading my writing yet. To the degree that I may have failed to mention that I even like writing… It’s sort of a problem, but my whole family are writers, so I feel like there would be so much pressure… There’s sort of already some pressure about it, and I feel like if they realized I liked to write it would just get worse… They don’t mean to pressure me, I know, but I still feel like there’s too much pressures and ARGH it makes it so hard!
Ohh I tOTALLY understand the family-reading-it-thing. I struggle with that so much it’s not even funny. *weeps with you* I think it’s okay to just say “no” though. Tell them it’s not ready? But don’t let them scare you off writing!! It is scary to share, but you won’t get better without practise. *sends encouraging cake* (Also I get worried about what my parents think of my writing because I don’t write like “cute fluff” or anything.😂 So the pain is REAL.)
Loved this post! I love hearing about your story ideas and honestly it inspires me to start writing a book of my own! I like your new story ideas even though there vague 🙂 Great post!
Aww thank you!! And I’m really glad we can all inspire each other, we writing bloggers. <3 It's so helpful and fun.!
So… can we get an autistic Sleeping Beauty from a big family?! BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE FREAKING AWESOME.
Also, I usually end up choosing names for characters that are easy to type/nickname. I once chose to name my main character Emmaline, because I could just call her “Em” throughout the book #winning (I got lazy around halfway through and had her brother call her M instead) (yes, I’m a genius too I know)
I’M WORKING ON IT.😂😂 Well, sort of. In two parts ahem. And actually I SO agree with choosing names that are easy to type. I have a character called Valentin and about halfway through the draft I just wanted to cry.😂 Also writing in 3rd person means you use names a LOT more so that totally backfires.
Prepare yourself for a tidal wave of happy, excited ranting…
A. YOUR BOOK IS COMING OUT! I want to read it now, and read all the others that are going to come out now as well… Why is waiting so hard?
B. Names… I have so many names written on so many things… But they’re just so amazing! When you finally find the name for a character…
C. A book… about dragons… is the best kind of book… always!
D. Morally grey questions are amazing – the way they make you have to think about what YOU would do in a similar situation…
E. Leigh Bardugo is amazing. ‘Nough said 😛
F. YOU’VE WRITTEN SO MANY BOOKS! You are an inspiring Queen!
<3<3<3
LOVELY COMMENT IS LOVELY, BETHANY. <3
And omgggg I'm freaking OUT about my book being out and about. Like what is this life. *screaming* I'm excited though ahah.😂
Honestly all books should have dragons and cake, this is something I'm very passionate about (pls ignore my debut ah haha no dragons) and morally grey questions that make me think also make me remember the book. Which is helpful.😂
My start-off to the year hasn’t been bad. Hasn’t been as good as I’d like it to be, but it hasn’t been bad. I’ve gotten some editing done, some writing, and Indie e-Con has been launched.
What do I value in a story? Well, something high-concept – an ingenious twist. A story with heart, a story with humor. And I want a story that lasts with you a long time, even after you’ve closed the book. I also want a book with readability. Which is why I sprinkle my stories with foreshadowing in-jokes.
Editing is totally kicking my head in😂😂 Buuuut the year hath just begun so fingers crossed we both get our productive hats on. And OOH yes I love ingenious twists too!! Humour catches me every time though. I’ll look past a lot of I’m laughing.😂
Heyo!
I’m putting together a page for blogs I like/follow.
You don’t mind if I put your button on, right?
Aw I’d be honoured thank you!
These are some awesome questions! I’m still in awe of how much you’re able to write, I struggle with getting my ideas out, I’ll write about 200 words during a week and then move on to a “new” idea…. Oops. (WHY CAN’T I JUST FINISH ONE, I HAVE TOO MANY IDEAS AND I REGRET IT)
Naming characters is a fun process but it can be hard! I like to make up names by just mashing up words in unusual combinations (Auraeyl/Aurayel for example, I’m not sure others would approve of my systems)
I’m definitely a dead fork. I have written some amount of words, but the quality is questionable. I’m just… Stuck. And also, it’s so hard to juggle writing and school! I want to prioritise writing but I find myself withdrawing further and further into the shell of never writing anything.
For me, I really love relatable characters, they just make me enjoy the book that much more. Plot twists and shocking reveals also add to my experience for sure. When I write, I try and ensure my characters have lots of emotional depth and the story doesn’t turn into me blabbing about whatever it is the book is about.
Cas @ Lovely Paranormal Books recently posted…Minority Representation in Books (Midnight Jewel Discussion)
Aww I do understand the pain of not being able to finish, but sometimes you reeeally have to discipline yourself and just FINISH. I even finish books I know are crap because I think completion is really important.😂 And rewriting is always possible haha.
Ooh I like that you mash up names! I’ve done that a few times but I’m really bad at it.😂 But hey at least we can be mutual dead forks together. *deceased cutlery hi five*
*returns deceased cutlery hi five enthusiastically* My naming system is basically just me mashing up a whole bunch of my favourite alphabet letters, and I use this for place names in fantasy too 😂 I really need a new method.
And true, I really need to just finish something. It’s been two years since I’ve written a complete work and even then, it was on paper and I’d estimate it’d be around 10-15k words long.
I CAN’T WAIT TO READ YOUR DEBUT, CAIT! Can I still get an ARC or is it too late for me?
Fantasy and magic and dragons are my home ground, too. I’ve got a few ideas for urban fantasy but I can’t get my head around h0w people write about real places and make them sound interesting. I’m much happier making shit up from scratch.
I’m in awe that you’re rewriting your first ever book. I don’t even want to remember mine exists?? If I rewrote it, I’d probably just start over, it’s that bad o.o (like, eyeball-melting bad)
I agree, writers should first write for themselves. I’ve got a blog post about that somewhere.
I’M SO EXCITED THAT YOU’RE EXCITED! If you’re in the UK you can apply to Hachette Children’s for an ARC. They’re going out now!
Ah ahaha. Omg I relate.😂 I really like magical realism because I love modern settings but it’s SO hard to write modern settings sans anything magical.😂 I mean, yes my debut is a contemporary, but it’s hard work haahah.
love this! tx much for posting 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I need the pirate story and the dragon story~ This was fun to read. 🙂
Annemieke recently posted…My Year in Books
Aww thank you!! And I need to write those.😂
I haven’t actually done any novel writing this year yet…..whoops! My writing plan for the year is to focus on my underground tunnels f/f fantasy story, which I’m super excited about, I started it during NaNoWriMo last year, I have the first six chapters and the last three or four, so this year will be about fleshing out the middle and then revising the hell out of it! I haven’t written anything but fantasy yet, I have an idea for a contemporary that I might want to write, but I’m a bit nervous cause I’ve never written anything without magic before! Things I value in a story, hmm….women being treated right is one of the biggest ones for me, I hate seeing sexism in books, we have to deal with that enough in real life. I also really value sibling relationships and friendships and I wish that both were shown more. I love it when books focus more on friends and family relationships than on romance. Inclusivity is a big one for me too, I’m not part of any minorities but I want people who are to be able to see themselves in books too. I also love morally grey characters. Oh and all the sass. I need all the sass.
Jo recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday #141
Eeeep I think your book sounds fabulous and I hope you get a chance to work on it! (Middles are HARD.) Also writing without magic for the first time is super weird.😂 But also challenging in a good way!? Not having dark villains in black cloaks though…that’s a real downer.😂
Agreed about the women and sexism!! I HATE sexism in books and most of the time it’s unnecessary. Sure it’s great to read about women rising up, but the fact is, if the book is about a boy, he gets a TOTAL plot. Women deserve that too, without their full arc just having to be to prove they’re even human. Sigh.
I haven’t really been writing a lot honestly, I was asked to work on a game and my boyfriend is doing most of the lore stuff since he knows things. I put one of my other stories on hold which was a real bummer because it had dragons in it, but now I have a new shiny that is short enough for me to realistically finish a first draft of. So here’s hoping it’ll happen!
And honestly I just want to see more healthy, already established relationships, that don’t end halfway through because the MC found their soulmate or something. I wanna see the soulmates already together and happy and pushing through.
Awk I do love dragons. I hope you might get back to it eventually? But it is hard to figure out what to focus on that will have the best chance of working. Still!! Cheering you on!!
Also I’d LOVE to see more established-relationships too. Mostly everything (in YA at least) is that falling in love for the first time?! It’d be nice to have some variation.
I love dragons so much I made my self-insert character from when I was a kid turn into two dragons and a fox. I think I talked about that story on another post of yours, but I do plan on finishing all my dragon stories. It’s just I’ve never finished a first draft before and those stories were big epics so they weren’t really the best thing to start with. Thank you though!
ooohhhh I want to read your book!!! !!! !!!
Let’s see…what I like in a story.
-A GOOD RETELLING
-Believable/noncliche characters
-Noncliche plot
-Noncliche things in general
-As little romance as possible (if it’s not completely necessary: if it’s necessary, than go for it!)
-Homeschooling families/big families/writers/stories that I relate to (although I guess there’s not a lot of drama/stuff to write about for homeschooling families so I can see why there aren’t many?)
I’M SO GLAD YOU DO. I HOPE YOU’LL LIKE IT!! (No pressure though haha.😂)
Also I love your list! Let’s just kick out all the cliches.😂 Also why aren’t there more actual GOOD books about homeschoolers?!
Meh. I basically abandoned writing at the start for this year xD I plan on writing 2 first drafts myself (that I haven’t finished. One of which is a mystery/thriller… Lord help meee).
The thing that I’m best at doing is dialogue, which I appreciate but I suck at description. Take this for example:
“Some people claim to have never suffered from depression?” I snorted. “Good for them.”
“I’ve only suffered from depression once,” the boy replied. “It lasted a lifetime.”
Then me and the boy laughed and walked out of the room only to run into a brick wall.
SEE WHAT MY PROBLEM IS? (okay, I only used an extreme example to try to make you laugh. Did it work? It probably didn’t)
I value dialogue, of course.
Good description (especially good, pretty description).
Well developed protagonists.
Interesting love interests only if the romance is necessary, please. (aka Nick Hidaka from Geek Girl. I’d like to be best friends with that guy. Please read this series. The guy is a biracial Australian. AUSTRALIAN!).
Awesome plot twists
Relatable beings. I’m grateful for the amount of bookworms and introverts in YA. But I’d like to see more Nigerians in YA? Especially in Western countries? Who are shy as well? Which is what I’m trying to write. But I guess if I get published I’d be some sort of ‘representative’ of my people? Which is kinda awkward for me? ‘Cause being a black author in Ireland is hardly heard of? Even the authors here don’t make that much. Sad…
Diversity. Especially racial diversity. I’d like to see some people of poorer backgrounds and of different conditions as well.
And also good pacing. My go to genre is Contemporary but you don’t need it to be more than 400 pages WITHOUT GOOD REASON, FOLKS. One thing I learned from Wattpad is that when a story is over, it’s over.
Also PURELY PLATONIC boy/girl friendships. Goshh, how did I leave that out?
Dialogue can be hard to get right!! The book I finished reading today, I felt, struggled with making the dialogue authentic enough. eeek. I think a huge good way is to avoid dialogue tags and use action beats instead. It makes the book way more real putting in body language instead of just telling what’s going on!
AUSTRALIANS ARE AWESOME. I APPROVE OF GEEK GIRL.😂
I think that’s super awkward you’re filling the gap though! It’s really sad when people don’t feel or get represented in books, so yesss pls write and be published, Grace! *cheers for you* (And haha yes agreed about the contemporaries that are over 400 pages. I mean there are SOME I really love, but usually I think 300-350 is a better range.)😂