Well well -- this is Lisa writing to you from the past. At the current moment I am probably either a) scrambling around doing last minute preparations for the move, or b) sitting back and watching other people scrambling around doing last minute preparations for the move. So as not to desert Inkwell for a full month I will be posting prewritten posts every Wednesday. All in collaboration with Julian + other friends doing her 4 part shared wip tag. It's basically ten questions every week for participants to answer about their writing!
Let's get started!
What is the title, genre and current status of your WIP?
Title: Broccoli Queen
Genre: Fantasy (MG/YA)
Status: 22 k
What do you think makes your story unique?
The people and the world. They aren't exactly "humans". They are a "race" called "Broccolis". Basically they have green hair and green eyes and they are woodlanders who are as good as monkeys in tree climbing and vine swinging and the like. Or like Mowgli. Or Tarzan. xD I also think the world is pretty unique and I love how it works. Broccolis live about 150 years and they have one queen for a 100 years and choose the next one in the 95th year of their current queen. And the queen doesn't get married or have children but finds her heir from among her people.
Where did the title come from?
The title was the first to come. My mom once called my sister "broccoli queen" and BOOM. That was inspiration and I knew I had the seed of a story.
How long have you been working on your WIP?
I got the idea in the spring (2017) and worked on it in my head until I seriously started writing in July during Nano.
What do you think people will enjoy most about your WIP?
I hope they will enjoy my different characters and their differences/personalities. I also want them to be intrigued and gripped by my plot. And for those who pay attention, I hope they will love my writing style. But that is a matter of personal taste.
Provide a snippet (long or brief) of a favorite scene.
"Where do we find her?"
The girl glared a cutely fierce glare. "I'm not telling you."
"No?"
She shook her head angrily.
"Listen -- it's going to storm soon. What would you if you were caught and tied up and made to sit through it -- cold, tired, and wet?"
The girl just stared.
"You won't get anywhere if you don't tell me."
No answer.
"I'll let you go if you talk."
A smirk.
"Well? I'll pull your hair and tie you upside down from a tree!"
The only response received was a snort of a laugh.
Bree stomped forward and glowered. "Tell me!" As she flung her arms out in exasperation, her hand happened to swipe through a spider's line just above the other girl's head.
The spider dropped suddenly into the girl's lap.
They both looked down for the moment, and Bree saw a look of frozen horror cross the girl's face. She wasn't particularly surprised; the creature, though harmless, had a body as large as her thumb.
The girl's eyes grew wide and a nasty thought crossed Bree's mind. "Oh, you don't like it, do you?"
Bree picked the fat spider and dangled it in front of the childd's face while her brain scrambled to figure out how Blue was able to keep the rest of the girl's occupied for so long.
"I'll drop this down your shirt if you don't squeal." That sounded pretty terrible.
The girl frowned. "You wouldn't."
"I would."
She paused.
"One," Bree held the spider behind the girl's head.
"Two," she yanked the neck of the girl's shirt.
"Three." The girl stiffened.
And with a sickening feeling, she dropped the bug in.
Describe your WIP in 10 separate short phrases.
Ooh, I like this one.
four competitors, one winner // benevolent queen // unexpected tests // surprise kidnapping // intriguing plots // threat to the crown // secret guardians // running through the trees // flying with the birds // dancing in the rain
(not entirely sure if all this will be applicable later, but it's fine for now xD)
What is the hardest thing to write with this story? What is the easiest?
Personally, I find plotting hard. Not because the story doesn't come to me, but because I don't like sitting down and deciding on things. I have it all vaguely and nicely in images and scenes in my head but to actually think up the details = unwanted work. Also sitting down and getting all those ideas into actual words = pain. But I'm getting into it. I think I'll like editing so much better, but we will see. At the same time, plotting is so much easier than writing because I don't need proper sentences just short jot notes and phrases. But one the other hand writing is easy because I don't have to think up what will happen but just follow those notes! Hmm... I'll say the past and future were/are easy, but the future is. HARD.
A line where the tension builds.
Rhine was running down the muddy path, feeling the rain pelt her face and hearing her steps squish the ground. Her legs ached and she was exhausted. She was soaked to the skin and her clothes were all torn.
She reached the cabin and threw the door open. She saw nothing - it was all darkness and she scrambled around.
"Hello?" she called. Nothing.
She moved around looking for the light. Her hands clattered over the table and the mantlepiece and finally found the flint and the candle.
She lighted it.
Then she gasped and nearly dropped the light in her shock.
She saw clothes on the floor - a torn dress - and blood. So much blood.
She put the candle down and bent over the dress.
It was [spoiler]'s.
Explain the plot in one line.
Braving various unexpected tests, challenges, plots, and danger four girls compete for place as queen's heir.
I literally had that down in thirty seconds. GO ME! My summary skills are improving.
These are the other awesome bloggers participating in the 4-Part Writing Special. I highly recommend you check them out!
I know I'm on hiatus but still -- I'd love to hear your thoughts! Reactions, questions, predictions, ideas, whatever! Hope youhad fun. Look out for Part 2 next week! Till then,
I know I'm on hiatus but still -- I'd love to hear your thoughts! Reactions, questions, predictions, ideas, whatever! Hope youhad fun. Look out for Part 2 next week! Till then,
Ink well.
<333, Lisa
Your story sounds amazing! I chuckled a bit over the spider part, but I've got to hand it to the girl. I would have spilled everything at even the thought of a spider going down my shirt. She's got guts.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah! Yeah I thought the spider was a rather creative form of torture xDD Since they are kids I didn't want it to be too terrible but I wanted the kid to still show some guts and this was kinda funny ... :DD But you are right it would have been pretty creepy haha
DeleteHey, hey! I remember reading a snippet from Broccoli Queen at around July. It's wonderful to hear that you're still working on it - it sounds great!
ReplyDeleteThat last snippet is especially just WOW. XD
Correction: I think it was April.
DeleteYeah that's right!! Actually it WAS in July! I didn't even have a blog in April :P I'm quite surprised I've stuck with one project this long but yes!!
DeleteTHANKS LILA <333
Wow. This story sounds absolutely amazing!!! The Broccoli people? Seriously, I wanna read this book!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for doing this with me, Lisa, and I hope your move is going well!
Hey Julian :) Thanks so much ^-^ Yeah I've been slightly nervous over the whole "broccoli" aspect and am gauging reactions here -- but I'm so happy you like the sound of it!
DeleteIt's been awesome doing this, and thank you -- the move went fantastically! <3
I hope the move goes well. This sounds super unique to anything I've heard. Keep up the hard work!!! <3
ReplyDeleteThanks Ivie!!! I FEEL INFINITELY BETTER THAT YOU THINK SO <3 I will!!
DeleteSounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteHey hey Retse, you finally arrived!! Thanks, bud, that's a compliment xDD
DeleteThis story is EPIC cabin mate.
ReplyDeleteAww THANK YOU, cabin mate, YOU'RE THE BEST ^-^
DeleteI have to say I'm intrigued by the title. xD Interested to hear more about this story!
ReplyDeleteThat's great to hear, Melissa -- intriguing titles are my #goals. xD
DeleteIntriguing!
ReplyDelete#issatisfied
DeleteOOOH, GRACIOUS. Your story sounds amazing! I have to admit, the title of Broccoli Queen had me kind of squinting sideways at the whole thing but NOW. NOW I NEED THE THING, PLEASE AND THANK YOU. It just sounds so unique and interesting and amazing! Best of luck writing it, Lisa <3.
ReplyDelete~ Savannah | Scattered Scribblings
OMW YOU ARE SO SWEET <333 Yeah, I'm really watching all your reactions to my title very critically and seeing how you guys take it and what your expectations are now because help. my story really doesn't have any real broccoli in it D: BUT NOW. THANKS FOR PUTTING SOME OF MY SELF-DOUBT ASIDE. *hugs*
DeleteI don't recall reading anything about The Broccoli Queen before your last (?) post - which made me blink a few times. But with a bit of context, it makes more sense. ;P It's great to read more about your WIP, and you did the "10 phrases" and "plot in one line" questions really well!
ReplyDeleteJem Jones
Oh well maybe I should have given a bit more of an introduction then xD But I did have a post up in June (?) I think where I introduced it? I was writing it for Camp Nano. But it was a while ago so maybe you forgot it or maybe you weren't even following me yet, cause I was a really little baby blogger (don't even go read that post the aesthetic/design/look is really terrible xD) HAHAHAA THANK YOU. I ANSWERED MY OWN QUESTIONS WELL :) (actually I can't remember who came up with the plot in one line question :P)
DeleteBROCCOLI PEOPLE OOHHHH THAT SOUNDS SO ADOREABLE!!!! *pulls out 6H pencil and starts sketching concept art* Your story sounds so novel and fun. I can't wait to read more about your WIP!
ReplyDelete~Evan
OH THANK YOU YES I AGREE (if I do say so myself) :P WAIT WHAT YOU DRAW CHARACTERS AND DO CONCEPT ART??? whoa we should get together some time and brainstorm-draw xD haha thanks so much Evangeline!!!
Delete