I prattle on about dragons a lot for someone who has NEVER WRITTEN A BOOK ABOUT DRAGONS. It’s shameful. I am ashamed. So when I signed up for NaNoWriMo this year, it’s basically only* to rectify my shame and fix the dragon shaped hole in my writing life.
* Also last year was ridiculous fabulous and I wrote The Dead Boy and the Paper Cut and had the most fun of my life. That too. That teeny tiny little thing too.
Today I’m introducing you to my NaNoWriMo novel! I’m linking up with my own link up, Beautiful Books, because a) it’s fabulous, and b) the questions are seriously awesome, and c) I’m absolutely modest and humble about Sky and my abilities to host a link up. You DON’T have to be doing NaNo to join in, though! Jump over here and grab the questions and link up whenever you want!
You can also friend me on the NaNo website if you like. Although juuuust so you know I will be finished my book in the first week. I AM ANNOYING LIKE THAT.
1. HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE IDEA FOR YOUR NOVEL, AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD THE IDEA?
It was a dream! Which makes no sense, because the dream was about 3 siblings on a roadtrip and contains no dragons, no Japan, no wars, and no snow. SO BASICALLY THE DREAM = NOTHING LIKE MY BOOK AT ALL. It doesn’t even have three siblings in it anymore. What is my life. What is inspiration.
Apart from that — my idea also sparked from the shame that I had NOT written a dragon book. I love dragons. They like shiny things, they like to eat annoying people, they live in caves…what is not to love here? There’s a 98.9% chance that I am a dragon.
Once I get an idea (aka: dragons) I just start layering in things that amuse me until I have a book.
I conglomerated:
- dragons that breath ice and frost
- set in a sort of dystopic Japan after a dragon war
- an abundance of sushi
- a roadrip
- a murder mystery
- so. much. sushi.
And here we are.
2. WHY ARE YOU EXCITED TO WRITE THIS NOVEL?
BECAUSE DRAGONS! Is there anything cooler?! And I’m excited because it’ll be my first murder mystery. I have studiously studied a LOT of Sherlock Holmes, Elementary and Psych episodes and am totally prepared.
3. WHAT IS YOUR NOVEL ABOUT, AND WHAT IS THE TITLE?
I’ve unaffectionately called it Did You Lie About The Dragon? because I’m horrible at titling. Now, as a massive surprise, I’ll tell you what it’s about — there are LIES and DRAGONS. (You did not see that coming!)
You can read my full blurb on my NaNo Profile, but if you’d like it briefly and badly summed up:
It’s about 16-year-old Matsumoto Mo who wakes up to his family frozen to death by an ice dragon. Since he is an ice dragon and looks guiltily suspicious, he decides to be an idiot and runs away, taking his little brother and BFF with him. Teenagers are smart and make good life decisions, don’t you think? It’s a roadtrip to find the murderer. Everyone is an unreliable narrator. I am an unreliable writer. You will not see the twist coming because, if you ever read this book, you’ll close your eyes 99% of the time because it’ll be scary and terrible.
4. SUM UP YOUR CHARACTERS IN ONE WORD EACH.
- MO (16YO PROTAGONIST): lost
- PATRICK (5YO BROTHER): imaginative
- RUBY (16YO NEIGHBOUR AND CHILDHOOD BFF): hiding
- RUBY’S PA (WHO NEEDS NAMES?): duty
- TARK (FATHER OF MO): vengeful
- SUMI (MOTHER OF MO): devious (also dead)
- GRANDPARENTS: deceived (yup, dead too)
Look, half the cast is dead after the first few chapters. I’m sorry. These things happen.
5. WHICH CHARACTER(S) DO YOU THINK WILL BE YOUR FAVOURITE TO WRITE ABOUT? TELL US ABOUT THEM!
It’s by the point-of-view of Mo, who will be sassy (I HAVE TO WRITE THEM ALL THIS WAY, IT JUST HAPPENS) but also incredibly awkward and clumsy. I always look forward to sassy/awkward characters.
6. WHAT IS YOUR PROTAGONIST’S GOAL, AND WHAT STANDS IN THE WAY?
His goal is to find the murderer. Everything stands in his way — including not knowing who the murderer is. And also, he has like half the country trying to track him down. Also he has epilepsy and can’t drive which is awkward when one goes on a roadtrip.
7. WHERE IS YOUR NOVEL SET? SHOW US PICTURES IF YOU HAVE THEM.
I shall leave you with my glorious pinterest board! But, also, it’s set in a re-imagined futuristic Japan. My world has the “after-the-dragons-destroyed-everything-and-then-humans-got-the-rule-back” sort of set up. My fictional city is VERY multicultural, with most people being like mixed race. (Both Mo and Ruby are mixed race…Mo being 1/2 Japanese, and Ruby being 1/4.)
Follow Cait’s board WIP Did You Lie About The Dragon? on Pinterest.
8. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP YOUR CHARACTER HAS?
It’s probably the relationship between my brother duo. There’s quite an age gap between Mo (16) and his half brother Patrick (5) and they do NOT get on to start with. Mostly because eeeeverybody loves Patrick. (He is human.) And everybody is scared of Mo (he is half dragon). A roadtrip with a side dish of murder sorts them out.
9. HOW DOES YOUR PROTAGONIST CHANGE BY THE END OF THE NOVEL?
Well he spends a lot of time thinking he’s going to be killed, but he DOESN’T DIE! So that’s fantastic! He also stops trying not to be a dragon, and accepts himself for who he is. Because that’s mushy and adorable.
10. WHAT THEMES ARE IN YOUR BOOK? HOW DO YOU WANT YOUR READERS TO FEEL WHEN THE STORY IS OVER?
OH WAIT. NO! I REMEMBER! I have several themes, all of which I’ll share:
- Don’t be mean to dragons or they’ll eat you.
- Don’t run away from a crime scene, duh.
- Don’t take your best friend on a road trip when her dad is in the military because a) her dad will come to get her back, and b) she’s probably heavily armed with guns, ammo, and knives and that’s not good news when you’re trying to look innocent.
- Always take care of your little brother, because you’re family.
I want my readers to come away feeling devastated and betrayed by me, a wondrous author, who will let a dragon eat their feels.
ALSO, RANDOMLY, I THINK I’M SHAWN SPENCER.
BONUS! TELL US YOUR 3 BEST PIECES OF ADVICE FOR OTHERS TRYING TO WRITE A BOOK IN A MONTH.
- Don’t edit as you write! JUST WRITE. Even if it’s rubbish, even if it’s full of adverbs and passive wording and you know your character changed outfits like 359 times in one chapter. JUST WRITE. Edit later.
- Make writing fun for yourself! Whether it’s finding pins on pinterest, or tweeting a snippet or a goal, or blogging about your book — do IT. Although don’t let it become procrastination.
- Bribe yourself. Dudes, if all else fails, totally just bribe yourself. You get cake after 10,000-words. You get your own dragon at 25,000. You get to buy a planet at 40,000. Once you reach 50,000, you can get one of those super cool and shiny villain capes and then start your evil rule.
I love how “dragons’ is a whole genre now. AND I ALSO LOVE HOW YOU ALWAYS END UP MURDERING YOUR CHARACTERS. Nobody dies in my NaNo novel.
Well, okay, someone dies but that’s already happened when the book starts so it totally doesn’t count.
ALSO THIS SOUNDS AMAZING. CAN’T WAIT TO MEET MO.
It totally is a genre now. *nods* I have decreed it. Also like murder is a genre. MUUUUURDER. AHEM. But omg, I was really NICE in Tremolo, okay?!?!? No one died. I was super restrained.
Dragon Keeper by Carole Wilkinson might be worth checking out for research. It’s a pretty decent book, set in ancient china.
Ooh, I SHALL! Thank you! (I hadn’t even heard of it before but that author’s name is familiar…)
CAIT. All those Psych gifs are reaaaaaaaalllly making me want to rewatch that show. As for writing mixed genres, I have actually — once. Kind of? I mean, it was set in a high fantasy world, but there was more of an emphasis on the murder mystery/thriller side of the story, which was exciting. Except may that novel burn in the fiery pits of hell because even after a rewrite it was still so bad. SOOOOOOO excited for NaNo this year. I’ve had This Awesome Idea bouncing around my head since July or so, and it literally won’t shut up until I write it. >.> Damn, demanding novels.
YESSSSS for murder. (Okay that sounded SO bad. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.) I think it’s fun to kind of do small mixes?! It can shake things up and be kind of unique, right?! 😛 Ah but I totally understand that whole burn-it-and-never-speak-of-it-again. I have, like, 3 drafts like that. -_-
This book sounds fabulous! But how will it not be, cause you’re writing it and anything you touch is fabulous.
Also, mine has cake and siblings. You inspired me that way.
YESSSS. It’s like turning things to gold, but I turn them fabulous. #legit
AHHH CAKE AND SIBLINGS. OMG. ARE YOU WRITING THIS BOOK SPECIFICALLY FOR ME? Pfft. Don’t deny it, Bee. I know you are.
Ssshhh, don’t tell anyone! They might get jealous!
Best of luck with NaNo this year, Cait! I’m very surprised you haven’t written about dragons before. In fact I feel betrayed. Call yourself a dragon fan? How dare you.
NaNo’s one of those things I’d love to accomplish one of these days, I’m just awful at it. I might take part this year if I can plan something in time, but it’s already halfway through October so we’ll see…
Anyway, good luck! 🙂
I KNOW. I am in complete shame right now. *hangs head* I can’t even bear to talk to myself until I’ve written this book.
Ahhh, I hope you do NaNo! 😀 I mean, it can be a bit of pressure, but it’s really fun (I find) to know that when I’m hammering out words, there are a hundred other people probably typing at the same time. 😀 TALK ABOUT INSPIRING.
This sounds awesome, Cait! You can’t go wrong with dragons.
I’m taking part in NaNoWriMo this year, and this year I’ve actually been playing. I started planning back in July when an idea just came to me; it’s going to be a smushy, but not too smushy, YA contemporary.
I find bribing myself with stickers really helps. It’s amazing what you will do at 23-years-old for a dinosaur sticker.
Dragons are just too epic to ever fail. :’) *flaps around wishing to be a dragon* OKAY WELL. IT COULD TOTALLY FAIL. xD But I like to tell myself it can’t so I don’t go into a panic when my first drafts are so bleh. xD Omg I think I started this idea back in May…or June, or July?! I don’t even know. The year is a blur. BUT YAY FOR PLANNING. But that sounds like it’ll be heaps of fun to write. :’)
Omg, if they were dragon stickers…
This book sounds amazing and I cannot wait to get to read it! 😀 Yay, dragons!
AHHH, thanks, Brittany! 😀 I’m absolutely dyyyying for November to get here so I can write while I’m totally enthused. XD
Cait Cait Cait Cait CAAAAAIIITTTTT!!!!!!!!! HOLY MOLY THIS NOVEL IDEA SOUNDS SO FLIPPING GOOD. I’m not a fan of mystery novels but I LOVE DRAGONS and I already have a case of grabby hands. I may have to devil idly use my (non-existent) having skills to secretly read your novel as you write it. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW EXCITED THIS POST MAKES ME. I also feel very motivated to do this for my own work in progress… Hm…
BUT BACK TO YOU. I’M SO EXCITED *squealllllllllll* 💗💗💗💗💗💗
OMGGGGG YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH THIS COMMENT IS JUST AWESOME AND ENCOURAGING AND YES, I SHALL GIVE YOU CAKE NOW AND JUST BASICALLY CHORTLE IN GLEE. *flails* omg dooooo link up!! I’m keen to read yours!!
I haven’t really read dragon books except LotR and first 2 GoT books. And I’ve DNFed Seraphina. But I’d read your book hehe. Sounds super interesting and I’m excited for you to write it heheh 😀 Good luck girl! You are an inspiration 😀
ps. watching Sherlock isn’t doing research. Read the books. You read so much anyways 😛
AWWWWK. That means a lot, Stefani, 😀 SQUEEE LET ME FLAIL A MOMENT.
PS Omg I know, I know. *hangs head in shame* I figure if I tried the book on audio??? I SUCK at reading classics. The words just go mush in front of me. D:
I feel so pumped/inspired to join Nanowrimo now!
At least you’re not afraid to kill off characters, I get overly attached. I would rather just have them lose an arm and be alive. hahah. I’m excited to see the snippets you post!
EEEEEP!! I hope you do!! We can be NaNo buddies. XD And hehe I almost actually like killing characters too much?! Only because when I get to a finale (if the book has no sequel planned) I almost am okay with people I love dying because the book is over anyway. >_< I know that's terrible logic!! BUT YEAH.
Ooo! Your book sounds so cool! I’m still debating as to whether to do a NaNo announcement post on my blog, since mine is slightly more focused on food than books. Plus, I’M SO NERVOUS. I haven’t written fiction in ages. What if it’s awful? O.O
My husband had a great idea though: make a menu on the blog for my book after I finish writing it. I’ve actually been looking for places to describe meals in my book, and making a menu for it would be extra fun. Plus, planning the menu would be a fun reward for reaching writing goals. HUZZAH!
And my blog is supposedly focused on books, but, gah, have I even ever written something and not mentioned food? (I should challenge myself…)
Omg making a menu would be SO AWESOME. I can’t wait to read that post!!
AHHH XD Dude, I’m also doing dragons for mine <3 though, mine is set at a college and is completely different, lol. When did you come up with your idea?
AHHH THAT IS SO COOL!! WE ARE DRAGON BUDDIES!! *flies around in scaly wondrousness and collects shiny things* Omg I’m trying to remember the date…(I should write these things down) but I think I had the idea around the beginning of the year and got it all hashed out in May? June?
That’s awesome! I would love to be dragon buddies XD maybe we can have a dragon battle. Mine can control the element of fire, not just breathe it. Fire and Ice… Hehe.. I started mine back then too : P I just finished my outline last week, though. YAY COLLEGE! I can’t wait to nail out the story, I’m ridiculously excited to meet my own characters for real rather than just basic character sketches.
Dystopia + dragons. You are a genius. Also, thanks for the words of advice — I need all the help I can get!
EEEP. XD I’m glad you liked them!! I’ve got to admit the bribery is my favourite advice. I need a shiny villain cape, tbh.
YAY DRAGONS! Seriously, your book sounds awesome. I hope they catch the REAL Ice Dragon culprit and that Mo starts making some smarter choices. Teens are dumb but sometimes (a small amount) get smarter!
hAHAHA. YES. I’d like to think I’m smarter from when I was a teen? But then, pfft, I remember I punish bad books I don’t like by sitting them in the corner, so YEAH. MAYBE I’M NOT THAT SMUCH SMARTER. >_> XD
WHAT?! You are writing a Dragon book?! But you hate dragons, oh no wait, I think you may have mentioned a love for them once or twice? Hehe 😛
I think a Dragon book is a great genre for you since it’s obviously something that you are extremely passionate about and so should make the whole process super fun for you! Although I do think that you are crazy writing the entire thing in 5 days! :O
I signed up last year but never actually managed any writing! But this year I am determined. I haven’t quite finished sorting it out yet, but it’s going be be a story that I have had on my mind for quite a while now, and have only ever managed to write bits (mostly in the notes section of my phone!) so I am hopeful that by taking part in NaNoWriMo that I will actually have some words on a page by the end of it! It’s going to be a fantasy, and I have these characters which can turn into these creatures, not dragons, but still creatures that can fly and that have powers. It’s a bit hard to explain really, I see them in my head but I’ve not properly thought about it yet. That’s this weekends job!
I do love a book with a good twist though, so yours sounds right up my street! Good luck with your writing, I added you as a buddy! 🙂
Juuuust a few times. I mean, I barely EVER talk about dragons. Pfft, nooooo. I’m mostly indifferent about them.
*turns into a dragon and does the dragon polka*
BUT YES OMG. Writing about what excites you is the BEST way to get a book done fast. My last book just excited me 90% of the time so I couldn’t even stop writing. (The 10% of the time was when the book passed 80K and I was like so tired of writing it by then. -_-)
EEEP!! Good luck to your NaNo project too!! And creatures that can fly?! I LIKE. (Although, dragons are obviously cooler, because c’mon. DRAGONS.) But still. I can’t wait to hear how your book turns out!! 😀
I basically volunteer to read ALL your ideas FOR THE REST OF TIME. They all sound so INTERESTING and UNIQUE and I JUST WANT TO READ THEM ALL. My ideas always seem so crumby and lame in comparison. And as for dragon books…there’s a MG series called Dragon Slippers that I liked when I was younger. And, I guess there are also dragons in the Fablehaven series, and the next part of the series is going to be called Dragonwatch, so…
AHHHHH THANK YOU, AINE! 😀 *flails around like a happy penguin* Pffffft. I definitely doubt that your ideas are crumb. PUH-LEASE. I’ve read your posts on what you’re doing with Neverland and it sounds amazing. 😀
If all dystopian settings involved dragons, Japan, sushi and sarcasm, I think I’d like it. This sounds really cool. I love the idea of his little brother being 5 as well. That’s really young. Makes me think of Tyler in Starters. Are you going to play up the cuteness or the brattiness of little kids?
I’m kinda on edge this year because of time constraints (last year I was more or less free – this year I can see all my writing happening at gone midnight…), but I’m going to give my fantasy a really good go. I’m in love with the characters – there is so much sass between the leader of the group and her best friend, and that’s without adding in the others. It runs two plots at once though, so I’m using the two doors of my wardrobe as seperate boards and plotting them out seperately. I might write them seperately too and then stick them together. That’s a scary thought – I’ve always written things in order before…
Dragon books…the first Shadow of the Dragon book is really good. HTTYD is an interesting take on dragons. There’s Seraphina, obviously, but you’ve probably read that. Um…you could try watching the Merlin BBC series… Yeah, for a girl who loves dragons, I’m drawing a blank here…
Definitely the cuteness. XD Aaand the brattiness?! My nephew is nearly 5 so I have a perfect model and well…he can definitely be both simultaneously and hOW EVEN IS THAT POSSIBLE?!!? BUT IT’S TRUE. -_-
Ohhh, yay that you’re doing it anyway! (Although I hope you don’t get too wildly tired. *stockpiles much chocolate for you*) SO MUCH SASS??!!? That sounds absolutely wonderful. :’) And omg that is a great idea with the plotting. I officially ran out of wall space. *sobs* I had to take down my last book’s plot so I had room on my wall for this one. I’m a very visual person and this is basically the best way to get me remembering what I want to write. 😛
I’ve read the first HTTYD book, and I LOVE Serpahina (still need to read Shadow Scale but hoping my library gets it…) and I haven’t heard of the Shadow of the Dragon so I’ll look that up right now! THANK YOU. 😀
THIS HAS GOT TO BE ONE OF THE MOST AWESOME IDEAS EVER I WANT TO READ THIS NOVEL WHEN IT’S DONE PLEASE AND THANK YOU. plus Mo is basically a male version of me (I only *just* turned 17) and I have a five year old sister – so.. also sassyawkward sounds great. I wish I could do NaNo but nope, way too much school work :(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
WELL THIS COMMENT PRETTY MUCH JUST MADE MY LIFE. BECAUSE OMG. REALLY!?!?? AHHHHH!!!! I’M SO SO GLAD YOU LIKE IT. And omg it’s definitely basically based off you then. XD HAHAHA. School though. BLEH. School can often suck life and joy, tbh. D:
I’m dying with laughter right now. Your answers to the first question are fabulous. Also I can’t wait for you to publish this novel so I can read it and be happy. Basically I’m a miserable turtle till I can read your dragon book. IT SOUNDS FABULOUS.
Mo is a fantastic name. 😀
In other news I can’t wait for NaNo to begin. It’s my life. I think I might be writing a medieval story this year.
AJFKDLSAD THANK YOU ABI. I have a fantastical idea of posting some on wattpad when I edit but. Let’s be real. -_- I suck at editing.
MEDEIVAL?!?! YAAAY!!! That is uber exciting. ^_^ I haven’t written good, hardcore medieval in years and I kinda miss it. :’)
Oh man! WAIT let me rephrase that, OH ALMIGHTY QUEEN OF DRAGONISH LORDSHIP I bow down to you! You are downright hilarious, your posts always manages to bring a smile on my face, scratch that, they always crack me up!
It’s really awsome that you are writing about dragons, I have a “thing” for dragons too you know. I wish you all the luck and hope your novel turns out just the way you like it and I bet it will be. 🙂
I soo want to participate in Nanowrimo but I’m lacking one of the core ingredient, and that’s my computer. I am in dire need of a new one and hopefully I’ll get one soonish. Anyways, I’ll stop my blabbering now. Great post!
I VERY MUCH LIKE HOW YOU REPHRASED THAT. XDXD *sprinkles cake upon your head and dances* I’m soooo glad they make you laugh though. I CONSIDER MY GOAL ACHIEVED THEN. hehe
I think there are entirely not enough dragon books in the world. I mean, really. Where are they all?!?! WE NEED MORE.
Omg no computer. D: That would make writing a book very very hard. I hope you get a new one soon!!
ahwehbhlyeoghhelwlwjdsjphs – you had me at Japan – but the dragons! brothers! roadtrip! murder and mayhem!
I would read this at once!
And I love Psych to death, so *nods approval for gifs*
Brilliant idea!
I added you as a buddy-so I’ll prepare to despair as I watch your word count soar very quickly, lol. I tend to be an all-or-nothing snail at NaNo (and a glorious failure! *pumps fist and looks inspiring). But I do it every year anyhow!
I added my Beautiful Books (I think the link is below) – but I haven’t done ANY planning. I’m a last minute gal.
PSYYYYYCH IS EVERYTHING. I was so sad when I realised it wasn’t airing anymore. It is SO hilarious. My favourite crime show ever. XD Ahem. But squee!!! I’m glad you like the sound of my book. 😀 I’m monstrously excited about it because dragons. But I’m basically all or nothing too! I usually binge-write a book and then don’t even write for the next 3 months. haha. YOU WAIT. I won’t get any writing done after this until March or something. 😛
Ack, I might have to off you because the book I’m nearly finished editing has two main characters who are half dragon, and there’s probably not room enough in this world for both our novels. Haha…just kidding… But no, your book sounds super exciting, and I love the Japanese flavor and the dystopianish setting and the sushi and the ice-breathing dragons (mine are the fire-breathing sort). We can only call a truce, though, if you promise not to be as awesome as me. And if you’re aiming for 50K in a week, I shall have to beat my record and do 50K in a day, just, you know, so I can feel superior or something. *hides in corner* Also, I love, love, love your NaNo title. I saw your cover on the site and started drooling on it. This year, I’m thinking I’ll be working on several main projects and then whatever side projects come to mind. I plan to write a contemporary about a psychopathic assassin who’s supposed to hunt down a sweet girl whose heart is probably made up of chocolate chips and sunshine. And then I have a sci-fi ish thing about a woman who will do anything to stop the accident that killed her lover, even if it means breaking the laws and buying time travel off the black market. And finally I have a literary novel about writers and jealousy and cold tea and stalkers. So yeah, I’m looking forward to NaNoWriMo.
Excuse me but I am the more awesome one here. We all know that. *flips hair* BUT ZOMG IS IT POSSIBLE TO DO 50K IN A DAY?!?!?!?! I still can’t get over how much you write during NaNos… o.O Like, my mind = a soup of stunned amazement at how fast you write. XD I get absolutely drained by just doing 50K in a week or so. THEN I NEED LIKE A 90 DAY HOLIDAY IN THE BAHAMAS.
But I like this chocolate chip and sunshine hearted girl. I already ship this psycho assassin and her. #noregrets
Even though I am not doing NaNo, I agree with Pinterest pinboards being invaluable. I have just recently started using them for my two WIPs and it has been a good boost when I am a little blocked. The Pern Dragonrider books are some of my favorites, but they are dragon dragons, no turning into humans and vice versa, so I don’t know if that helps. GAWD I love Japan, postapocalyptic or not! Ha ha. I love that you chose it for a setting. I love Asian culture, but sushi not so much. Hehe. Good luck with NaNo, I will be rooting everyone on. Is the entire Dead Boy and the Papercut posted to Wattpad? If it is I have to go back and finish it! 🙂
Pinterest is like my #1 plotting tool XD I’ll see a picture and it’ll inspire like an entire scene I didn’t even know I needed. 😛 I adore Asian culture and I’m like 90% sure I’m going to get sooo much wrong. GAH WHICH IS SCARY. But first drafts are for the story. Second drafts are for getting things right. xD
Noooo. I only ended up putting 6 chapters of Dead Boy on Wattpad. *withers and dies of grief* BUT NEXT YEAR I HAVE PLANS TO DO MORE! I DO!!
I don’t write, I don’t even pretend to know how to write, although I do have lots of ideas. Most featuring a shirtless Zac Efron though.
DRAAAAAAAAAGONS! After the dog’s breakfast that was Talon, you know I’m going to nag you until your fonds drop off the read it. Just ask Em, I still nag her about Wanderland. Will you be sharing snippets? WILL YOU? *taps foot impatiently* do you have one for me now?
YES I WILL SHARE SNIPPETS. Unless the story is 100% horrendous, and in that case I shall weep and cake shall comfort me. But, pfft, I’m too fabulous to write something horrendous. #humbleandproudofit AND YES. I nag Em about Wanderland too. If we nag her enough she’ll give it to us, right?!?!
Hello, it’s been a while!!! I probably won’t catch up on everything, (definitely not) but I’m just going to breathe and let it go because I’ve missed our discourse, and reading your lovely blog posts.
YOUR BOOK SOUNDS AWESOME.
I AM DOING NANO.
I WILL BE DOING BEAUTIFUL BOOKS, I WROTE IT ALREADY, JUST NEED TO EDIT, AND I WILL TAG YOU IN IT WHEN IT IS UP ON TWITTER. I’ll send you a picture of my recs on Twitter, I asked a while back. I have never mixed genres!
I’m starting now (I’M EVIL), and I’m excited!!! I came up with another idea, and so I’m totally pantsing that one but I WILL get back to the Jabberwocky but I’m PLOTTING that one, and will need to do a lot of reading for research so. Yeah.
How have you been? I’m going to try not to comment on like more than 2 posts I’ve missed of yours, but the stuff you’ve been posting has looked interesting, and I can’t wait to sit down and peruse all I’ve missed even though I won’t comment for both of our sakes.
(omg, I would never expect someone to catch up on all my posts!!) I HAVE MISSED CHATTING TO YOU TOO!!<3
AHHHH NANO!! Are you doing the new one or Jabberwocky for NaNo? (I won't lie: Your Jabberwocky one has me squeeing intensely excitedly. XD) Research tho. AGH I HEAR YA. I don't like research....>_> But it’s kind of crucial right?! I plan to just wing a lot of things for my first draft and then do the research afterwards. XD
I have been good! How about you?! Is school intense?
Hey Cait. ‘Sup girl. I LOVE DRAGONS. DRAGONS ARE LIFE. DRAGONS ARE AMAZING. So basically, I think you get the fact that dragons are awesome. I am so up for your NaNo story because it sounds amazing. Except you should have said the part that Mo was human earlier, because you say he IS an ice dragon instead of part of. So I pictured this big frosty dragon living in a house with a bunch of humans. EEK. DRAGONS EAT PEOPLE. Duh. Anyways, love love love love love love love your post! You go girl!
Love and books,
Veda
I WILL ABSOLUTLEY 100% AGREE WITH YOU HERE. LIFE IS ALWAYS BETTER WITH DRAGONS. And I think every book would be better with dragons, tbh.
OHHH, hhaaha. I am like contridicting myself in my own post. >_< I swear the book will be plotted out better. lol But yes!! Shapeshifting dragons!
I haven’t read a lot of dragon books, to be honest. I know I read one a long time ago that blew my mind. It might’ve been one of Patricia C. Wrede’s books, but I couldn’t tell you which one!
Gail Carson Levine (of Ella Enchanted fame) has written some of my favourite dragons. They’re real characters, full of personality. The one in The Two Princesses of Bamarre and the one in A Tale of Two Castles are pretty cool. They were two of my favourite characters in their respective books.
I tried to do NaNo last year (or was it the year before?) and came away with nothing but a few thousand words and stress. I just don’t do well under pressure. I can’t even remember what I wrote… but I know it wasn’t working.
Ohh, I’ve only read one Gail Carson book!! I need to see her dragon ones then, obviously. XD I do so love Seraphina and Talon, but ashamedly…I haven’t even read Eragon. Like I tread when I was 12 and got bored or something?! I’d like to finish it one day though…
Agh but pressure CAN be a creativity killer. 😐 I do understand that.
First, I love the line about layering in things that amuse you until you have a book. I also liked your advice to writes wanting to participate in NaNoWriMo. I’ve not written anything. But I’ve wanted to write for a long time. I’m playing with ideas in my head right now and actually think I have the first characters picked out that I want to write about. My problem is the substance of the book. I need to get to researching and coming up with ideas because I really do want to write.
Good luck with your dragon book! Sorry that I can’t recommend any dragon stories for research.
Aww, thanks, Carey! It’s my FAVOURITE way to “invent” a book…maybe it’s not totally, like inspiringly natural, BUT it ensures I write about stuff I’m interested in. XD I hope you do write something soon! It is SUCh a good feeling to finish a book. I’m opposite to you though. xD I get the plot with a snap, but characters…aghhhh. They take FOREVER to come to me.
This book sounds marvelous Cait as do most things you do, I literally joined Wattpad just I could read The Dead Boy and the Paper Cut. I haven’t found the time yet, but I shall.
As for your Nano novel, anything with dragons is bound to be amazing.
Ommmgggg you did??! I AM HONOURED. (And seriously i feel so bad about leaving The Dead Boy in such an awkward and unnatural breaking spot. BUT NEXT YEAR…I’m going to keep going with it. *nods*)
I just had to check that I was actually buddies with you, reassure myself that I was indeed buddied to one of the most awesome NaNoers out there. I’d race you to our books, but I have a feeling that you’d smoke me, so we might leave the racing to the more qualified people. I shall just be content watching your word count rapidly rising and cheering you on in the Twitterverse I think.
This book sounds absolutely amazing! I described it to my sisters this morning as an epileptic half-dragon on a roadtrip, and she was mightily impressed, and that was before I mentioned the murder mystery. We are both firm fans of this story already. Can’t wait to see excerpts. (You are going to be sharing them, right? Pretty please?)
I’d share what my book was about, if I knew anything about it myself. There shall be plotting and planning though, and a Beautiful Books post next week so maybe by that point I’ll actually have something about it to share. (No sense in rushing these things, right?)
Pfft. ME??! You write like WAY more than me. xD I will not deny that I bow to your awesome writing skills 100% of the time, Imogen. I DO. I (shamefully) do quantity over quality in first drafts. But bah, that’s what edits are for, right?!
AHHH, YOU DESCRIBED IT TO YOUR SISTER. OMG. *hyperventilates* THAT JUST MAKES ME FLAIL. And I will be tweeting snippets and probably doing another snippet post like I did for my last fantasy. xD BECAUSE I CAN’T HELP IT.
(Omg, you best get a move on, though!! NANO IS NEARLY UPON US!!)
DRAGONS!!! YOU ARE WRITING MY KIND OF BOOK! 😀
I AM SO SUPER EXCITED ABOUT NANO! AND I AM SO DETERMINED TO WRITE A WHOLE 50K NOVEL THIS YEAR!
I’m not talking about the story yet, but I have AWESOME PLANS.
And while I am waiting for NaNo to start, I am writing Scorpio Races fanfic. Because someone on Tumblr is “hosting” the Scorpio Races and it sounded like such a fun and awesome idea. Because who doesn’t want to race man-eating water horses? XD
I’M BASICALLY WRITING IT JUST FOR YOU, OF COURSE, KATIE. I will be cheering for you!! I WILL!! And sending you virtual lamingtons as encouragement!! Um…but, wait. Scorpio Races fanfic?! THAT IS THE BEST THING I’VE HEARD ALL DAY. OMG. :’)
EEP! AND I WILL BE CHEERING YOU ON AS WELL!!! (Though I am sure you don’t need it because you’ll be done in five days… 😛 *will send virtual cookies anyway*)
YES. Scorpio Races fanfic!!! I’m posting it on my blog as well as Tumblr.
I think if I get all the posts written up before NaNo, that will also mostly solve my problem of blogging during November.
But I still ALWAYS deserve cookies. bECAUSE COOKIES ARE LIFE. (Well, cake is life. Don’t tell cake I betrayed it to cookies.)
Dragons are awesomeness how could you NOT write about them??!!
I KNOOOOOOOW. It is the shame of my life that it’s taken me this long. XD
Your novel idea for this NaNo sounds amazing, Cait! To me it seems like a cross between Seraphina and We Were Liars, which are both books that I loved. I’m the same way when it comes to inspiration for book ideas. Everyone always seems to have definitive moments where they came up with an idea, but for me, I come up with ideas by taking a bunch of story elements that I like and smushing together and hoping for the best. But hey, it works, so I’m going to stick with it.
AHH THANKS, ANA!! 😀 And yes, omg that is like the perfect pitch of ever. I’m going to steal that. Although it’s probably more Talon cross with We Were Liars but STILL. Seraphina is my everything. *falls in love with book again*
And I love that plotting/story-creating method the best!! I know a lot of people are like 100% inspired…but I kind of like just writing about things that interest me and making them fit together .XD
You know if you finish writing in week 1, that means you have weeks 2, 3 and 4 to Edit. Mwuahahahahahah! The novel sounds great, everybody loves dragons, I can’t wait to read it, if you need a beta-reader let me know 🙂
OMG NOOOOOO. *shoves book far far away from self* XD I honestly think there is a huge lack of dragons on the shelves *nods* of which I plan to fix by now adding dragons into all my books of ever. (Shhh, this can totally work.) XD Omg, thank you for the offer!! I will…although I probably won’t edit until next year because I’m lazy. >_< XD
THIS SOUNDS SO AWESOME. Dragons are fabulous and snarky narrators are the best. Siblings are always fun to do, too. And you won’t be the only one gleefully murdering characters come November…what little I have planned so far involves the unfortunate ends of several members of my currently very small cast.
I love genre-mixing, but I don’t do it very dramatically, just a but here and there. Like my WIP is fantasy with a little dystopian and my NaNo novel is basically the same genre but also there’s a mystery subplot and it maybe is a little thriller-ish? Forget genres. It’s a book. That’s it.
(Also, you’re trying to finish NaNo in a week? That thought kind of terrifies me. I’m usually lucky to manage winning a day or two early.)
Ohhh, we evil authors must BAN TOGETHER. We can make evil cake and drink evil tea and basically have a lot of fun together, you and I *nods*
I also just realised this technically is a little dystopic too. xD But I’m kind fo not adding in any futuristic technology? So I keep forgetting it’s semi apocalyptic or something. GAH. TOO MUCH GOING ON HERE.
(I finished in a week last time. XD My wordcount was….eh, 75K, I think??? I don’t think this one will be much over 50K though *nods* SO HEHE MAYBE?!?!? I like to challenge myself. :P)
Oh Cait, I have to say. I don’t like the sound of this book at all. I LOVE THE SOUND OF IT WHAT EVEN WITH THE CHARACTER BEING A HALF A DRAGON AND POSSIBLY BREATHING ICE AND FROST AND BEING AWKWARD AND SASSY.
Where is this book? (In your head, I know.) Because I need it NOW. I am pretty sure I need ALL of your novels NOW because they all sound freaking fabulous, and your snippets are always so enticing. I want you to sign with a publisher and share your books so we can all sit around and discuss them and give you copious cakes for being AMAZING.
HURRAH FOR DRAGONS BECAUSE THEY’RE THE BEST EVER, OBVIOUSLY. <3
AFJDKALDS AHHHHH. OKAY, THIS GOES DOWN AS THE BEST COMMENT OF EVER. ‘Scuse me. I need a moment. :’) I want me to sign with a publisher too. Omg, they do not realise the potential of all my epic (um…unwritten?) books. Seriously they should be just signing me on my blog posts. *nods* (I’d like to think a bit of this one will go up on wattpad someday?!! LIKE TO THINK…) XDXD
AAAAAAA. I am looking at all of you awesome writers writing away and I am so bloody jealous! I have no TIME what is this life? I swear, Cait, as soon as I’m done with this god awful high school drama I’m sending you a copy of my awesomely awesome book about alien creatures who are nice and pretty. Also, wow NEVER WROTE A BOOK ABOUT DRAGONS WOAH. Its about TIME. (!!!)
AGH. Time is a mean thing. I swear it’s so mean and just doesn’t stick around long enough for us to get all the things done. HIGHSCHOOL. BLEH. My sister is doing highschool and when I suggested she NaNo at me, I think she had a mental breakdown over her text books. xDXD
“I want my readers to come away feeling devastated and betrayed by me, a wondrous author, who will let a dragon eat their feels.”
Hey if a dragon can get rid of all my feels then I am totally okay with that.
omg but your inner fangirl would wither without BONE CRUSHING FEELS, Karen. xDXD
Some random reactions: This sounds great! (the japanse side sounds like ink). I’m very curious. Yay for mixed race people (like me, and quite a few of my friends. Yeah, that’s the kinda school I go to). Siblings! Also Dragons. Please. All the dragons. How can a dragon have children with a human. Epilepsy. Road trips. I WNT TO READ IT (also, apparently I can’t spell)
I literally just borrowed out Ink because of your review. XD I mean, I know you didn’t love it but I forgot it was Japan!! AND I NEED TO READ MORE JAPAN BOOKS. (I usually write first drafts and then research later.) I made basically ALL my characters mixed-race. I totally foresee a futuristic world were everyone is mixed-race!! I DO.
Like I said on Twitter, your book sounds FANTASTIC. Dragons are great. You are great. So it will be great 🙂
SQUEE THIS BASICALLY MAKES MY DAY, MEL. THANK YOU. My first drafts are usually pretty horrific, buuuut so long as it’s fun and workable for future edits, right?! 😛
HALF DRAGON HALF HUMAN? DRAGONS THAT BREATHE IIICEEEEE? THIS IS AMAAAAZING HFKFHJBKEG.
FDAJSKLFD THANK YOU, ALLIYAH. I AM RIDICULOUSLY EXCITED. XDDX
AHHHH WAIT WHAT. I AM SURPRISED THAT YOU /HAVEN’T/ WRITTEN ABOUT DRAGONS BEFORE. Please please please send me bits from your story as you write it! I NEED MORE DRAGONS IN MY LIFE ASAP.
(….are you writing about dragons because you’re sad about Dany’s dragons? :P)
I know, right?!!? I go on about them SO MUCH it’s basically a shame to my name that I literally do not have a dragon book. I have flying lions, though…because that’s normal…
I AM sad about Dany’s dragons but I was planning this book before I got to the sadness of Dany’s dragons. XD WHY IS SHE NOT TRAINING THEM, ENGIE??? WHY IS SHE LETTING ME DOWN LIKE THIS??!?!
Your Pinterest board is gorgeous!! And also your novel sounds fabulous. I need it in my hands like now. Because sushi. And dragons. But let’s be honest here, the sushi is really selling it for me. 😉
I love sassy protagonists. And awkward and clumsy protagonists. OMG I love clumsy characters so much because I AM THE KLUTZIEST PERSON YOU WILL EVER MEET.
(Random side note, is that Kira I see as Sumi??)
AWWW, THANKS KATE. <3 Pinterest is like my #1 plotting tool tbh. What would I do without it? And sushi sells everything right? Although DO NOT FEAR. There is cake in the first scene. I wouldn't let sushi take over the cake-place in my heart.
NO IT'S LUCY LUI FROM ELEMENTARY. XD
Sounds exciting! I love the dragons mixed with murder mystery. 🙂 And Japan! I write Japan-inspired fiction and love that country to pieces. Sigh.
Ahh, that is SO epic, Stephanie!! I’ve been to China, so idek why I picked to write Japan over China but YEAH. That happened. I will be doing a lot of research after the initial draft is down. XD
That sounds like an amazing book! Dragons!! Love them so much! I am writing something for NaNoWriMo for the first time ever and I am so nervous. I haven’t tried to write a book in a long time, mostly because of procrastination and because I am terrified it will be terrible. But I guess the first draft is supposed to be a little terrible, right? Good luck!
OMGGGGG GOOD LUCK, CYNTHIA!!! (And don’t even worry…first drafts are supposed to be awful. xD It’s like the Rule of First Draftisms.) XD Editing comes later! HUZZAH.
Okay, so what do I have to do to get a chance to read your NaNo book from last year because I really want to read it! I’ll bring cake. Well, since you’re in Australia, I might have to have cake delivered, but I will totally do that. (I’m being serious – I really want to read that book!)
I’m excited that you’re moving on to dragons this year – the fact that you haven’t written a dragon book yet is kind of impossible to believe (or maybe you have?). I don’t think I’m going to manage NaNo at all this year because I have two editing projects coming down the pipeline AND I have to write a play for my musical theater class that I teach for my homeschool co-op – I’m already not sure how I’m going to get all that done! Good luck with NaNo – I’m rooting for you!!!
(P.S. I mention you in the post I’m linking up – in a good way, I promise. I even mention cake.)
AHHHH, THIS MAKES ME FLAIL, NICOLE! XD And actually…siiiince you mentioned it. I have a small idea to actually start editing my ghostly book from last year and keep putting chapters up on Wattpad! 😛 HOPEFULLY. I’m such a slacker with editing, but once I get started it’s not that bad. (Haha, I’m trying to tell myself that. -_-) BUT YEAH. That’s the plan. xD But I’m just going to sit here and squeak, basically, because the fact that you want to read it just fjadsalkfdjskla THANK YOU. DAY = MADE.
Ahem.
And I know, right?! What’s wrong with me. o_O How could I have neglected dragons for this long? IT IS SHAME.
Omg you are busy!! Writing a play and teaching and woah! GO YOU.
(OMG SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOU THIS POST?! HAHAHA. *ahem* )
Oh cool! Your book sounds really neat! Being an anime and avid sushi fan, I love that it’s set in Japan. ^ ^ And a dragopocalypse sounds cool. ^ ^ I also like that the main character has epilepsy. That’s going to be interesting to explore. I’m doing NaNo too! And I’m so excited! Mine’s about kids with animal DNA set in the future with Domes and creepy labs and rebellions. Fun stuff. ^ ^ I participated in the link-up so I talk more about it there. Thanks for hosting the link-up and it’s cool to see you participating in it!
YOU’RE DOING A NANO ABOUT ICE DRAGONS. It sounds glorious. I can’t wait to hear more about it and about how insane you are to write it in possibly five days… XD
Also, speaking of dragons, I tagged-ish you on meh blog for the Dragon’s Loyalty Award! Because Dragons. *nod nod*
https://deborahocarroll.wordpress.com/2015/10/22/tags-loyal-dragons-to-infinity-and-beyond/
YAY THANK YOU FOR THE TAG!!! And, zomg, ice dragons are now my everything, tbh. <3 Although I've never seen snow. xD A research trip will be in order one day?!? 😛
Cait this book sounds absolutely genius! I love the setting, I love the dragons and the focus on the sibling relationship and the unreliable narrators. And most of all, I love the Sushi!!!
SUSHI IS DELICIOUS!! Although further researched showed in Japan they don’t even eat sushi that much. *collapses wailing* But I’ll squeeze it in at least once. XD
Your idea sounds amazing! I’m really curious to see how it turns out, I want to read it noow!! 😀 I’m kind of nervous about nanowrimo because, hm, well…. 25th October is there, and I didn’t do anything and haven’t even settled on an idea, or decided clearly if I’m going to participate… *goes hide in a dark corner and weep* . I think mixing genres is a great idea!! 😀
HOW ARE YOU GOING WITH NANO NOW?!?! (I’m sorry I’m so late answering comments. *facepalms* NaNo sort of consumed me for a while there…) I hope you settled on a great story and are having fun with it! 😛
Haha, no need for apologizes, I see you did AWESOME on twitter (and loved all of your snippets! You’re like, my role-model, writing-wise, haha and I feel like a proud mom haha!) !! Well I’m doing okay, I’ve been writing a little bit everyday for now! I’m only 7K into this thing, but I have a story I like and want to write, so hopefully the feeling will stay ’til the end of November 😀 Thanks for asking!! ♥
YUP. SOUNDS AWESOME!!! I need it, I need it, I need it!!! Cait, you need to get these things written and published ASAP, as I wish to devour them all! >.<
I SHALL BE STORMING A PUBLISHER’S OFFICE DIRECTLY AND DEMANDING THEY PRINT MY BOOKS. HUZZAH. XD hehe, but thanks, Charnell!!! <3
YAY! My Nano novel also has dragons in it! Actually, because I love retellings I decided it was jolly well about time I wrote one of my own. So basically, it’s a fantasy retelling set in the world of Inesia Snow White retelling. The princess is called Sky, her father is the evil one, her birth mother is missing and her step sister is dead and she hates herself for it.. She has the power of animals (which everyone BUT HER sees as useless), and a dragon called Snow. Who is completely white. I am so excited and already 3k in and so happy writing this!
AHHHAJFKLDSAJ MORE DRAGON BOOKS!! THIS IS GLORIOUS NEWS!! *flails and tosses dragon happiness everywhere*
But excuse me. Did you just say a Snow White retelling with dragons…?!?!?!?!? I AM SO IN LOVE WITH THIS ALREADY, OLIVIA. OMG. Every retelling should have dragons. THIS IDEA IS MY FAVOURITE. OMG. GOOD LUCK!!!
SUSHI! Sushi, sushi, sushi!
Oh. Sorry.
I am really not supposed to be commenting. Because college.
So I love your NaNoWri project EVEN MORE now! (I might be working backward through these posts. . .). I like Mo. He sounds awesome. Sassy/awkward characters are the best. They make me smile.
Why did you mentioned the Dead Boy and the Paper Cut? Just why?! I like that story. . . Now I will be in “oo, shiny” mode all day long wondering about Thomas and and the Honey-Haloed girl.
College is eating you? *pats shoulder and gives you cake* I’M GLAD YOU’RE BREAKING FREE OF COLLEGE’S CHAINS TO TALK TO ME THO. I APPRECIATE IT!! <3 I really love Mo too!! He's probably a bit similar to this other character I wrote this year...which is awkward. BUT. That's what rewrites are for, right?!? 😛
Also, omg, I knooooow. I had such severe homesickness for the Dead Boy. Tomorrow is it's 1st birthday. *sniffles* THOMAS, MY SNARKY NASTY DARLING. I need to go back and finish that book. I NEED TO.
SUSHI!!! I am always down for a magnitude of sushi!! NOM!
OHHH, Mo is an ice dragon?? I’m impressed and intrigued! I want to know all about this 16 year old ice dragon!!
Speaking of dragons, I am in sweet, sweet love with your Pinterest board! Gah! <3
Thanks a ton for the writing tips!! Noted and stored in this noggin' of mine ;]
Because I just found your blog I am ravenously trying to catch up and read all of your hilarious posts. Which is consuming all of the time that is allotted me for working on my OWN blog. I’m stressed.
OMG THANK YOU, KAYLA. <3 Even though I feel bad that your blog is suffering for it... 😂 BUT YOUR COMMENTS ARE WONDERFUL. AHHH!!!
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[…] RETURN TRIUMPHANT! Yes, humans of the universe, I took a few days off to write a book about dragons for NaNoWriMo, which is also known as National Novel Writing Month, wherein humans glue themselves […]