Beautiful Books | #NaNoWriMo 2017

It’s the first day of #NaNoWriMo and I am obviously writing a post about my novel instead of actually writing my novel. If you’re also taking part this year, you can add me as a buddy through this link! I honestly have no idea how far I’ll get but I’m trying to stay positive. I got this, and so do you!

Recently, I discovered the Beautiful Books link-up, hosted by Sky @ Further Up and Further In and Cait @ Paper Fury, and I loved the questions so much that I will be answering these to talk about what I’m writing this month.

But first, some quick facts about my experience with #NaNoWriMo so far;

• This is my third year doing #NaNoWriMo!
• In my first year, I only wrote five thousand words before giving up.
• In my second year, I attempted to write the same novel and succeeded.
• This year, I am writing something completely different.
• I don’t write every single day.
• I am a complete pantser.
• I have attempted #CampNaNoWriMo five times, with varying degrees of success.
• I have yet to complete a first draft of anything I’ve written in any event.

1.      WHAT INSPIRED THE IDEA FOR YOUR NOVEL, AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD THE IDEA?

I basically spent most of October juggling four different ideas around in my head but I am writing none of them. This new idea only came to me around two weeks ago and it’s loosely based on a myth from the country in which it is set. It is fantasy/magical realism and borderline MG/YA!

2.      DESCRIBE WHAT YOUR NOVEL IS ABOUT!

I’m going to try and do this without giving away too much! The book is set in a country where one language is forbidden and anyone caught speaking it is executed. The father of the protagonist is one of the last in her family to be murdered. When this happens, the protagonist is only newly born and she is cursed by a witch so she may never speak, preventing her mother (who is still alive but sick) to teach her their forbidden tongue. Eventually, she sets out on a quest to find this witch to lift the curse before her mother passes away.

3.      WHAT IS YOUR BOOK’S AESTHETIC? USE WORDS OR PHOTOS OR WHATEVER YOU LIKE!

Witches and dragons and mountains and language and poetry!

4.      INTRODUCE US TO EACH OF YOUR CHARACTERS!

I haven’t really fleshed out my characters yet beyond giving them names! And most of them are nicknames, which is why they’re so short.

Tal is the protagonist and she cannot speak. She is fourteen years old, a carer to her sick mother, plays a musical instrument, has fiery red hair and a pet dragon.

Nil is the aforementioned pet dragon and is a loyal companion to his/her owner.

Fin is a market boy whose family also knows the forbidden language. He is sixteen years old, talks a lot and is asthmatic.

Cari is Fin’s younger sister. She is fourteen years old and hates everyone.

Gwen is a lonely soul the witch. She has white/grey hair, likes to transform into a dragon and lives somewhere in the mountains.

5.      HOW DO YOU PREPARE TO WRITE? (OUTLINE, RESEARCH, STOCKING UP ON CHOCOLATE, HOWLING, ETC.?)

I am a known pantser, which you may have guessed from my lack of character profiling. I actually have a pretty solid but vague outline this year, where I know exactly what happens at the end and will most likely wing my way through until I get to it. Chocolate helps, and lots of tea.

6.      WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO ABOUT THIS NOVEL?

Writing something new! Starting a new project is always exciting and this one is actually aimed at a slightly younger audience than what I usually write. I am slightly nervous about this but still looking forward to pushing myself out of my comfort zone.

7.      LIST 3 THINGS ABOUT YOUR NOVEL’S SETTING.

• It’s set in a real country! #cymruambyth
• The book will involve a quest in which my characters will explore this country.
• I haven’t yet placed it in an exact time but it will be set in history.

8.      WHAT’S YOUR CHARACTER’S GOAL AND WHO (OR WHAT) STANDS IN THE WAY?

She wants to save her mother/honour her mother’s dying wish (to hear her child speak) but the witch won’t lift the curse without a cost.

9.      HOW DOES YOUR PROTAGONIST CHANGE BY THE END OF THE NOVEL?

She finds her voice. Literally.

10.  WHAT ARE YOUR BOOK’S THEMES? HOW DO YOU WANT READERS TO FEEL WHEN THE STORY IS OVER?

It’s about the freedom of speech, and the freedom to speak. It’s about a mother’s love and it’s about grief. I want readers to, first and foremost, appreciate the setting and then to appreciate the diversity of languages across the globe today. Languages are amazing!

Let’s talk! Have you ever participated in #NaNoWriMo? What are your top tips for making it through the month without having a meltdown? Are you a planner, a pantser or a bit of both?

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