Inkwell

My blogging schedule has gone haywire. Here I am posting on Thursday? WHAT IS THIS. It's called Nanowrimo and school, obviously. I've been thinking of switching my posts to Saturday and Wednesday, but we'll see. With all the new stuff going on in my life things might be a little out of order here for a while. Sorry >.<

The month of October was super busy and actually rather productive yay!!! Not only did I move house across the country, settle in, get acquainted with my new neighborhood, go through a short flu, and organise my shelves by color, I managed to read, write, and stay up to date with the blog world (for the most part). So hurray!!! *claps for myself*

>> WUTHERING HEIGHTS. The morning of our 6 am flight I had to wake up at 3:45 am. But since I'd started my friend's copy of The Complete Works of Charlotte and Emily Bronte I thought why not just get up earlier and finish Wuthering Heights? (Which I started that night.) So I did. At 2 am. Unfortunately I was only able to go through 22 chapters. Which means I must borrow this book soon and finish it -- but um wow. It was ... different ... tragic ... romance-centred... a classic. HELLO I LOVE IT.

>> THE BOOK THIEF. WOW. This masterpiece. It was so good HOW CAN IT EVEN BE FICTION??? It was so raw and real and painfully honest. I NEED TO WRITE LIKE THIS. Also I love the narrator -- Death. It was such a riveting book that deserves to be the classic it is and gave me the feel of the ordinary life in WWII as no other has since The Hiding Place. (generous dose of language but reality, I guess...)

>> TWINEPATHY. So I finally finished C. B. Cook's lovely superhero novel. One) I NEED BOOK TWO. NOW. Two) I loved it so much more than expected?? Three) I didn't even know what I was expecting. Honestly it was really good! I'll be reviewing it in full later. I only felt like ... being a series, I get why this didn't have a full conclusion, but I rather like if each book in a series concluded it's conflict in some way ... this left it still fully open and ready to be continued in the next book. So just my taste :D

>> JONAS AND OLIVIA. This book was a wonder! No action (which is why it's four stars) but still it held my attention right through. How even? It was very much reminiscent of Heidi with Dicken's Scrooge thrown in and set in the American war for independence. I very much felt this needs a sequel?? But it was super sweet and a happy read? So.

>> CHASING THE BETA + CHASING THE OMEGA. *sigh* I regret disliking these cause I got them free from a friend of a friend of Goodreads. Two problems: 1) an overdose of language (*shudders*) + 2) I couldn't care for the characters. At all. I couldn't sympathise. Relate. Understand. I think they were just self-centred jerks -- I'm sorry.

>> THE ABOLITION OF MAN. I haven't actually read this carefully? Just a skim-read but I tried to read this when I was 12. Didn't understand it xD But now it makes sense and I'll be taking more time to go through it carefully later!

>> IN 27 DAYS. This was stunning. Amazing. I HAVE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE THIS. So let me just shower you with the synopsis:

Hadley Jamison is shocked when she hears that her classmate, Archer Morales, has committed suicide. She didn't know the quiet, reserved guy very well, but that doesn't stop her from feeling there was something she could have done to help him.

Hoping to find some sense of closure, Hadley attends Archer's funeral. There, Hadley is approached by a man who calls himself Death and offers her a deal. If Hadley accepts, she will be sent back 27 days in time to prevent Archer from killing himself. But when Hadley agrees to Death's terms and goes back to right the past, she quickly learns her mission is harder than she ever could have known.

Hadley soon discovers Archer's reasons for being alone, and Archer realizes that having someone to confide in isn't as bad as he'd always thought. But when a series of dangerous accidents starts pushing them apart, Hadley must decide whether she is ready to risk everything - including her life - to keep Archer safe.

YOU NEED THIS. That is all. It has beautiful characters, marvellous plot, outstanding themes, and just. IT'S SUCH A STUPENDOUS IDEA.

>> REMEMBER TO FORGET. ok. I am so incredibly lucky I got to read In 27 Days and Remember to Forget back to back. When I first heard about these I found them at the same time same place and they are both by Wattpad authors about similar issues with similar themes ... and just I LOVE THIS ONE TOO. It was slightly more ... fluffy?? I know they both have romance but this had a really sweet cuddly kind rather xD

Again I was able to reach about 20k for Broccoli Queen (which you've all heard about all month xD). It was 10 chapters from Rhine's pov and it was ... hard. Also fun. Because Rhine is awesome. But honestly, half the time I didn't know what I was doing xD I was part of Ivie's October challenge, and I and Karyssa did some warring in the latter part of the month, so I'd say I was successful.

Nano began yesterday and I'm writing Broccoli Queen ... plus another novel which you'll hear about later this week or next week depending on the insanity of my schedule! So stay tuned for that ... ;)

Katie Grace revealed her superhero story in this post and O.O THE PLOT. THE AESTHETICS. THE CHARACTER'S NAMES. THE SYNOPSIS. WOW. I am so excited for her story!! I mean, I'm always excited about her stories! But I'm like double excited this time!!

Abbiee finally did a room tour! Which was gorgeous and stunning and epic! And I watched it like six times in one day! It was very very inspirational for organising and decorating your work/living space ;)

Nadine wrote this beautiful post about ways of writing, telling us about famous authors and how they wrote!! Which was absolutely amazing, and made me feel super good about hand-writing all my stories and books :)

Cait is going to publish her book!! YAY!! Next year D: HOW CAN WE STAND THE WAITING??!! I think a lot of us have waited and waited and waited to see her books come out ... just to see if they're as epic as her blogging ... WHO ARE WE KIDDING OF COURSE IT IS.

Amanda always has the awesomest posts on SKGfun! What I was delighted to find was SOMEONE STANDING UP FOR PERFECTIONISM FOR ONE!!! Usually it gets bashed together with comparison but ... I might be a little rebel, but perfectionism has been good to me *shrug* Also she has these lovely posts on doing devotions plus taking a break from technology.

>> I moved :P Which you already know because I've talked about it all month :P Important note: I brought along only 52 books xD

>> I turned 16. Which is cool and a bit scary and WOW I HAVEN'T COME TO GRIPS WITH IT YET

>> I've started school. This might really mess with my blogging so bear with me okay?? I'll be doing a tag all about school later so we'll wait until then for a glimpse of my ...life??

>> Nano begins! I wrote 5.7 k on day one, which was yesterday with an epic "cabin" (chat group) so if you are doing Nano (or even if you aren't but just want the warring buddies) you should totally join! Give me a shout if you're interested and I'll see if I can get you in!!

Okay that's it for now. I'm late with this post and I am late for everything I'm doing these days xD Whatever craziness November brings you -- enjoy it, guys :D

Bye now!

-- Lisa

How was your month?

Are you doing Nano?

Have you read In 27 Days?

1. What do you do to get yourself in the story?

Nothing. I just pick up my pen ... and WRITE. Two or three pages later I'll have "gotten in" to my story.

2. Do you do anything extra - art, covers, character journals, glossaries, playlists, etc. to help you with your story?

Yeah, actually I do! I draw my characters, hand design my covers, write "casts of characters" where I describe them ... I write plot charts and maps and lists and tables of contents.

3. What is your writing process?

1. Let the story idea simmer in my mind for a looong time (this is the easiest part);
2. Dump all that I know (basically 10%) onto paper in random scenes, plot charts, and quotes (the rather exciting part);
3. Plot and plan all I don't know (usually 90% of the story -- this is the painful part);
4. Actually write everything down (I usually have only 25% figured when I begin doing this, and just wing it for the 75%).

I do not recommend my process xD

4. Anything you learned about yourself or your writing that you would like to share?

In this case I've learned that a) I am lazy and a procrastinator and possess only a tenth of the endurance and determination I think I have, but also b) THAT I DO HAVE THE POWER IN ME TO KEEP PUSHING. TO KEEP RUNNING. Even when it hurts.

5. What keeps you going when you start to worry you’ll never finish?

You guys. My family. My friends. God. I keep going because I PROMISED THIS TO OTHERS. Because YOU GUYS INSPIRE ME TO NO END. Because I need this practise. Because out of my hard work someday God will bring forth gold. Because he gave me this gift and WRITING IS THE PRACTISE I NEED -- IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO CULTIVATE MY TALENT.

6. What inspired you to start writing, and how long have you been at it?

My mom once called my sister "broccoli queen" and that was enough. I have been working on this for 7 months.

7. What author is your writing style similar to?

I haven't written enough to know. But. Who do I want to write like? Laini Taylor. Maggie Stiefvater. Rainbow Rowell. Tui T. Sutherland. Cordelia Funke.

8. What writing goals do you set, and how do you reward yourself for meeting them?

I haven't ever rewarded myself? Yet? But maybe I'll get myself a book once I'm done xD I set impossible goals like "I WILL BE FINISHED BEFORE NOVEMBER". *peers around to make sure no one important is listening* yeah :P

9. What does a regular writing day look like for you?

You don't want to know and I don't want to tell. Enough said. (Basically I do everything else and when I get bored I churn out 1 - 2 K.

10. How many ideas do you currently have saved on your computer/flash drive?

Not sure about my computer, but last I counted I had 26 ideas collectively. Since then one or two more may have popped up. So yes. My life's work is all set before me xD

THIS MY FRIENDS WAS THE LAST OF THE AMAZING 4-PART SERIES WHICH YOU'VE BEEN READING. WHAT DID YOU THINK??? Also I should return from hiatus next week so ... I'LL SEE YOU THEN.

Don't forget to go say hi to the rest of my gang *points below* THEY WILL HAVE AMAZING THINGS UP. like usual. BUT STILL.

Till I return -- stay alive .... *ahem* I mean, don't let the impending doom which is NaNoWriMo kill you. XD

Sooo... today you get to meet the setting, the world in which this story takes place. It's... quite peculiar. So let's dive in!

1. Name a unique aspect of your story world.

Well ... there are these huge trees that people live inside. So that's pretty unique xD They also live in the ground like Hobbits. And the people have the amazing ability to run/climb/swing through trees. Somewhat like Tarzn. Or Mowgli.

2. Talk about one of the important animals in the story (someone's pet or horse; or a fierce animal the MC must defeat).

So far there have been snakes, wolves, birds... maybe there will be horses? I'm trying to balance my enemy/dangerous animals and my friendly/dangerous animals. I'm also trying to figure if I have time to make them bird riders! But I would have to play around with my size charts then, I guess :P

3. A paragraph describing something in your storyworld (building, landmark, etc.).

Don't ask. But since you did ... there's this palace. Which is a huuuuge tree. But also with other structure around. So a lot of it is Broccoli made/altered but it still looks like a tree. A broccoli, in fact. It's green, and inside all the stairs spiral up and the building is built circular rather than square. :P I should draw you guys a picture. This is a shameful description but I'm feeling lazy right now...

4. Something dangerous in your storyworld.

I can't think of anything dangerous per se... like specifically uniquebto my world? Obviously the animals, the natural hazards ... they are all dangerous. So far the most damaging danger were wolves who really ripped someone up (not to death though xD).

5. Something delightful in your storyworld.

Their parties are quite surreal. Their feasts and music and dancing haha. And the palace ... because they are all so close and organized and like family there. ^-^

6. A movie soundtrack that would complement the setting.

Whaaa...??? Okay, confession. I don't listen to /that/ many soundtracks. But I guess I ciuld basically do anything with LotR :P

7. How does the geography impact the story?

My world is mostly forested with some hills and grass plains but mostly forested. As I explained before a lot happens up there in the trees ... running from branch to branch and swinging on vines and climbing like a squirrel ;)

8. Is there a particular location or time period your story you had in mind when creating your storyworld?

Nope. Purely from my head. But. I do give credit to some fictional worlds for inspiration. Mostly from C. S. Lewis, Tolkien, Tui T. Sutherland, Cordelia Funke, and movies like Epic and The Jungle Book xD

9. What is the climate like, and does it play a role in the story?

Well it's all fairly moderate. Nothing shocking. Sunshine spand rain. So obviously bad weather does apply pressure and problems, but no sandstorms, tsunamis, or earthquakes, so don't worry.

10. Are there any traditions, and do they have an effect upon the plot?

Ha the whole plot revolves around their tradition of choosing a queen. They do this every 100 years. And the queens change every 100 years. So in the 95th year of their current queen, she hosts some kind of quest/game/twst during which she looks for a girl between 12 and 16 to be her heir. The game has it's own rulesbut we will skip that. When she has found her heir, the heir goes into training under the queen for 5 years. After which, in the 100th year of the queen, she retires and her heir takes over.

I'm glad you are still with me and glad you were entertained. :) I'm still on hiatus but feel free to tell me your thoughts! By this time I should be three quarters done witn Broccoli Queen so feel free to interrogate me on my progress xD also, don't forget to check these awesome bloggers below! Tally ho!

Welcome to part 2 of the 4-Part Writing Special! It's the characters edition! Hope you have fun hearing all about my creations xD

1. Who is the main character? (Bonus points for a description or picture)

I actually have four MCs. Bree is a well trained capable kid who is also a tad spoiled because she's from a well to do family. Jade is a little girl -- rather cute and innocent and all around a sunshiny person. Dell is kinda a young calculating serious teen-in-training to be a warrior. And Rhine is fun and reckless and quick tempered and impulsive :P they all have the similar super curly green hair. Bree is practical in dress; Jade has a girl's touch; Dell is warrior like; and Rhine is just shabby.

2. What is goal of the protagonist? The antagonist? (no spoilers!)

They all want the throne mwahahahahaaa....

3. Is there a possession or memory the MC keeps close?

Hmm, good one... tricky. I'd say Bree keeps close memories of her grandfather and all he taught her about woodland survival. Jade keeps all the little memories she picks up along the way :) Dell would keep her badge plus her sword. And Rhine holds on to her shoes and her money :P

4. What is the MCs greatest fear?

Well ... Bree is afraid she'll fail her family's expectations. Dell is afraid of never being great enough :P Jade is generally scared of spiders and the dark. And Rhine is just afraid of going to jail... haha. XD

5. Who is your favorite character?

I'm super fond of them all, but... I do have a favorite. It's Rider. He's twenty-ish, strong, silent, serious and HE JUST HAPPENS TO BE BALD (which for Broccolis is super super weird) :P

6. List some of the more prominent characters, and then provide a line that describes them (from your WIP).

I'm just going to cheat here and not actually quote myself but just give you something from my memory okay?

Ria // the queen. It wasn't her face that was particularly beautiful, but she carried herself with such grace -- one might say it was her spirit that was lovely.

Kayle // second-in-command. She narrowed her eyes. "My job is to get things done."

Vale // He watched her everyday ... and everyday he nudged her a little more in the right direction.

Kat // "Kat, you incompetent henchman!" exclaimed Rhine, "why am I babysitting you?"

Rider // She locked her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist and laughed as he ran through the trees.

Alyss // "There's a good reason I was picked to watch you," she whispered.

7. Who is the funniest character? Smartest character? Creepiest character? Most reckless character? Quirkiest character?

Hmm... so far Rhine really makes me laugh :D then there's this wizard's apprentice person (though I'm not sure I'll even keep the wizard in the story) named Raniven and he totally cracks me up. Technically Ria is the wisest... and Vale is the most knowledgeable ... so I guess maybe Dell would be the smartest? Rhine is totally the most reckless obviously xD and the quirkiest? Raniven? Maybe?

8. How do you come up with names?

Ha. I just think them up. Like that *snaps fingers* and if they don't come I just rack my brain and say various weird sounds in a row. Like, "Bob, Gob, Job, Hob, Nob..." come to think of it, Nob is pretty good... See? It works!

9. What is the Meyer’s Brigg type of your MC? (Bonus points for side characters!)

I'm going to skip this one because even though I have them all written somewhere I don't have that list anywhere in convenient vicinity.

10. Are any characters influenced by someone in your life?

Of course. Sisters, mostly. And there maybe those little quirks or qualities, but O doubt I could pinpoint everyone I subconsciously draw on :D

Once more -- here's everyone else participating! Comment below and tell me about your characters xD And look forward to next week, when this q + a continues! Till then, yours truly <333

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,

Ink well.

<333, Lisa

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