“What’s your WIP?” – Blog tag- by ME :)

Goodness gracious its been forever! From jumping back into school, to preparing my classes midterms, to starting my masters…theres been no time for anything. I’m glad I got to see this post on Rebekahs blog (https://readanotherpage.com/) ! you should check it out. This article was a lot of fun and was a well deserved break.

1. Does your WIP have a working title? If so, tell us! If not, have you any idea of what it might be?
   1. That’s a good question- I’m kind of looking for something epic like “Asmia has fallen”, “Asmia Overthrown” or something of the like. If you have any ideas like this, please let me know 🙂
2. Do you have a synopsis for your WIP? If so, give it to us! If not, can you give us a blurb on what your WIP is about?
   1. I don’t really have a synopsis yet. “A conquered kingdom. A life turned upside down. Someone is not who they seem, but to each there is more than meets the eye. Can Kayana overcome the odds thrown against her? Or will she, like her kingdom, be conquered?”
3. Do you have a working/mock cover for your WIP? If so, show us! If not, do you have an idea in mind?
   1. I haven’t thought about it? I never even thought I’d get to see my book in print. I’d like it to have something with a burning castle, a serpent, and a silhouette. But we shall see. 
4. How did you get the idea for this story?
   1. Honestly, I had a series of dreams when I was little that was so vibrant and so detailed that I wrote them down. When I got a little bit older I started forming them together into a book (handwriting them in little 70 page notebooks) and when I became a Christian, I began to think of how I could make it have Christian elements, thereby creating the lands and characters we have in the story.
5. How long do you think it will be? Is it longer or shorter than you thought it would be?
   1. Honestly, I want it to be a pretty average size book. Several chapters at least. Right now, it’s smaller than I would like since I had to start over due to an unforeseen accident. But, I’m proud of where it is currently. 
6. Who’s your favorite character so far?
   1. Honestly? Drystan. I loved developing his character. Even though he’s not the main protagonist, I’ve put more research into him. I love his journey. I do like Kayana, but I feel like I need to work on her a bit more. 
7. What’s your favorite memory related to this WIP?
   1. Honestly? It was because of this WIP that I was able to join the King’s Daughters Writing Camp. They’ve helped me so much to develop the plot, to develop the characters and to just actually start writing. It’s been a great joy to work on it. 
8. Any special person(s) who helped create it?
   1. Honestly? There are certain people who I’ve borrowed and blended their personalities to help create the characters. But not very many, and none that I would like to admit 😉
9. What’s your favorite scene so far (if you can tell about it without spoilers!)?
   1. Honestly, there’s a scene between the two protagonists where things just get nitty gritty between them. A lot of things are in the open and now I feel they both understand each other better. I like the aesthetic of it. 
10. Can you give us a snippet?
    1. Sure, but be aware…this is a very rough draft. 

Kayana looked at Eideann. “This could be our chance to strike!” She said “If it’s just a few tents they wouldn’t be prepared at all. We could just-“

“Out of the question” Eideann said firmly.

“But Garren just said it was only a few of them. There’s no way they would be able to defend against the attack!” She retorted.

“No, Garren said there were seven tents that he could see,”  Eideann argued back. “We don’t know how many more are out there or if that’s the only nest around.”

Eideann looked at Garren, “Make sure it’s reported to the Chief in Arms. He will need to know the serpents are too close to the border. Be as accurate as you can.”

Garren and Evander, grateful to avoid the rising tension, quickly exited the room.

Evander sighed and turned back to Kayana.

“Look, I know you want to fight back. But you’re still healing from the attack on Asmia. You’re not prepared to fight them. “

“I just think we should take advantage of the situation.” Kayana said.

“And I told you, its out of the question!” Eideann raised his voice. “It’s too dangerous. We need to leave well enough alone. If we attack now, we alert them of this village.”

” They may already know we are here!” Kayana said, rising from her chair. “Right now we have the element of surprise. They don’t know that we know they are there! Even if we released their horses or burned their tents, whatever operation they are planning would be postponed!”

“I said No!” 

Kayana winced at Eideann yelled. 

“You have your opinions, but don’t forget I was in charge of your security! I’ve been to battle! I know how this should be done and your way will not work!”

“You may have been in charge of my security, but I was the Princess of Asmia!” Kayana yelled back, “That’s why I had your protection in the first place!”

“ASMIA NO LONGER EXISTS!” YOU LOST THAT TITLE WHEN IT WAS OVERTHROWN!”

The color drained from his face when he realized what he had just said. “I’m sorry Yana… that’s just how wars are…I mean… the titles… they don’t…”  “I get it.” Kayana said. She turned away from him. “The Title doesnt exist. My father is dead, my kingdom is lost, and there is..nothing…I can do.” “Yana..” “Its Kayana.” Her voice had lost all tenderness. “Youve made your point. Theres nothing left of the matter.”

11. Is the story still what you thought it would be or has it thrown you a couple curveballs? 
    1. It’s definitely thrown some curveballs. For example, I have to split the Asmians story into at least two books due to some of what I call plot knots. It’s been a challenge, but it still has its character. 
12. Is there a Bible verse, poem, hymn, picture, or quote that helped shape this story?
    1. Honestly? The entire set of the Armor of God. however, That’s what had to be moved to book two (#spoiler) but a lot of redemption is woven into book one. 🙂
13. When and where have you done most of the writing so far?
    1. A lot of my writing has been done during the summer time, or really late at night since that’s when my creative juices get flowing. As for the where, I literally write anywhere. I primarily enjoy coffee shops, but out in the fresh air or on my back patio is great too. But nothing beats my comfy chair with a fuzzy blanket and a drink (hot or iced depending on the weather)
14. Where do you get inspiration for this story?
    1. Honestly, everywhere. I get it from devotions, church messages, I get it from antique stores, history classes, college classes. I literally get it from everything, I just have to think about things creatively. 
15. Are you a plotter or a pantser?
    1. Honestly? I’m a mix of both. I have an idea of where I want to go and how to get there. I have ideas and plans for how the plot works. However, there are scenes that I just become a pantser because I feel it gives the raw emotions my characters decide to have.
16. Do you have a little ritual before you start writing?
    1. I don’t really have a ritual. But I have to be somewhere comfortable, with something to drink (preferably iced) and then have music playing in my earphones. 
17. Are you thinking of publishing this story?
    1. Absolutely! It’s my dream to get this published. If for nothing else than to have a hardback book that’s all mine.
18. What things have you learned while writing this story?
    1. Oh…a ton. Scripturally, the process of redemption. The relationship between God and His children, the armor of God…I’ve done so much research on that. I’ve also learned how to pace myself and ask for help when I need it. I’ve learned that it takes patience and that there’s a lot more to writing a book than just pencil and paper. 

WHOOP! There you have it. Want to participate? Consider yourself tagged! I’d love to hear it. if you do one yourself, please comment on the link below as I want and welcome the distractions. 🙂 Clean slate below!

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