Well, it's December. And I'm actually doing Know the Novel in the right month, now. XP This is the third and last installment in Christine Smith's annual linkup (go here for explanation), and a fitting conclusion to such a fun series. I can't wait to get started! ^_^
The Questions
How did writing this novel go all around?
Considering that I'm still writing it, I'm not sure I can answer this question. XD But, as for how it's been going, it's... slow and steady. NaNo really helped me flesh out the world and characters in a story that I otherwise would have probably given up to the Pile of Dead Ideas were it not for the competition. That being said, progress has slowed since November ended. I haven't written Project Avian for at least three days, and when I have written it's been very hard to get words down. It could just be that I'm smack-dab in the middle of the story, which is often the hardest part for me to write (except for in ATOTB, oddly enough...), or it could be that I'm losing interest. Beats me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Did it turn out as you expected or completely different? How do you feel about the outcome?
It's not done. XD But it's definitely turning out different than I expected. I went into it thinkint I'd end up with a fairly short novel - about 75k words, just a little story about a Russian and Ave trying to stick to their morals without destroying everything they love. But then it turned into a trilogy, and now there's a twist villain, and Kendral showed up with a spotlight, and Lilith got herself involved with a tragic backstory, and the world grew, and... yeah. It's big now, which is daunting.
What aspect of the story did you love writing about the most? (Characters, plot, setting, prose, etc.)
My characters are a pain in the neck, but I love 'em for it. XD The surprises that they bring to the table are definitely some of my favorite aspects in Project Avian, just because it's so much fun to learn about people in real life, and even more so on paper when your options are virtually limitless. All their stories, you guys. Ack XD
What was your least favorite part?
The middle of the writing process each day where you feel like you've been writing for eons and you've made progress and then you look back and realize you got a 500 words in the past hour. That. That is torture.
What do you feel needs the most work?
Oh the plot for sure. It's all over the place. XD I think it's fun to see all the twists and turns goign on, but things changed halfway through and I'm not sure much of it makes sense anymore, so.... Also my pacing is horrendous. XP
How do you feel about your characters now? Who’s your favorite? Least favorite? Anyone surprise you? Give us all the details!
Heheheh... I'm in love with my charries. Alek's bitterness and Lyria's confusion, Joram's reckless blindness and Lilith's desperation, Mandra's misled-ness and Kendral's - wait, that's a spoiler, nevermind. ;P These charries, y'all. And there's more in the background that just want to come in (like the Forest Dweller sisters and Yaril and a Mountain Dweller I have a vague personality for) but I don't have room for. Maybe this is why the story ended up so big... XD
Currently, Lyria is my least favorite. She's annoyingly quiet and I need her to make more waves, but that's just... not who she is. So it's annoying because I have to think of more creative ways to get stuff to happen than just the MC causing problems. XD
What’s your next plan of action with this novel?
Honestly... I'm not sure I want to finish Project Avian anymore. It's just so... big. And beyond that, I had another story pop up (actually a series) in my head that isn't leaving me alone and is taking up most of my brainstorming time without my permission. Project Avian has lost its luster for me, which is sad. Half of me wants to drop it, but the other half is also like, "You've got over 60k words in there, a plot, and a great cast of characters. You can't just waste all that potential. Besides, you're a writer, and writers don't quit when the going gets tough."
So... I don't have plans. XD
If you could have your greatest dream realized for this novel, what would it be?
Write a behemoth of a story that is decent, then chalk it up to experience (and bragging rights XP) and move on to another story. Maybe when I'm old and wise I can come back to it and rework it into something publishable, but for now the current goal is for it to be one of those nostalgic childhood stories that's private to the author and maybe a few select others. :)
Share some of your favorite snippets!
😏 Imma just share one 'cause it's kinda long..
Silently, Alek adjusted his weight on the branch and pulled a couple twigs of leaves away from his view. The bird-girl had stooped and was examining something on the ground again - probably a footprint he’d left behind. He berated himself mentally. He should have been more careful when he wasn’t sure where he was. It had been foolish to assume he wouldn’t have enemies yet. At least he hadn’t managed to start a fire. Turns out that had been a blessing in disguise, not just bad luck.
Just as his foot was beginning to cramp, the bird-people stopped talking and whipped their heads upward. Alek followed their gazes more slowly, careful not to rustle a single leaf.
There were more. At least three more bird-people, these with giant black wings, bigger even than the brown ones beneath him. They were calling to one another in the same strange tongue as the other bird-people.
Yep, this is not good.
Alek looked down at his camping spot again and had to stop himself from a sharp inhale.
The first bird-people were gone.
He froze.
The Black Wings above him wheeled closer to the ground, heads swiveling as they scanned it. Alek barely dared to breathe.
One gave an excited shout, something that sounded like ‘hic’. He repeated it a few times, swooping to a landing on the ground still wet from the Brown Wings’ attempts to clean up his blood. Alek stayed perfectly still.
Another black-wing landed next to his companion, calling up to the other one in a commanding tone. She nodded and soared back up into the sky, long black hair streaming behind her, fitting an arrow to the string of her bow.
Alek’s heart thumped in his throat. Where did those Brown Wings get to? He didn’t really like the idea of five winged creatures against an injured human with just enough bullets for each of them, but he liked not knowing where some of them were even less. They had to still be on the ground - he would have seen them if they’d flown away.
Right?
His shoulder burned, but he ignored it.
The two Black Wings stooped in the same spot the other bird-people had just been, murmuring to themselves, pointing at things. Alek grimaced. The Brown Wings hadn’t cleaned up their footprints before they’d been interrupted - and even worse, they’d left some mark of his as well.
The soft, creaking sigh of wood beneath him startled him so much he nearly lost his balance. He barely kept himself from grabbing at the branches full of whispering leaves as he regained it and looked down.
The Brown Wings were right there. A mere three metres beneath him, crouching behind a bush with their wings raised slightly in camouflage. If he fell now, he’d land right on top of them.
And the girl was ever-so-slowly bending her bow backward, an arrow on the string.
Aimed at him.
...yep. That's how Alek met Lyria and Joram. XD
Did you glean any new writing and/or life lessons from writing this novel?
A few.
Plotting doesn't have to stilt your novel - but it is incredibly useful.
It's also ok to let your characters break the molds and surprise you
Side characters stealing the spotlight isn't all bad, just so long as your MC is still strong enough to keep attention
Endurance pays off
Also Lyria questions the morality of hurting one innocent for the good of many, which is an interesting question to explore... ;)
And that wraps up this year's edition of Know the Novel!! Have you been doing it? What is your current WIP about? What do you do when side characters start hogging the spotlight? Should I keep working on Project Avian, or should I drop it in favor of a more interesting project?
Until next time,
Take courage, pursue God, and smile while you still have teeth!! ^_^
Girl, this story has SO much potential, I'm sure of it! I mean, the characters. They sound so lovable and I am so intrigued every time you talk about them!!! 🥰 But maybe working on another more interesting project will bring some luster back to Project Avian? Whatever you decide, I hope you have fun with it! XD