Know The Novel: Into My Life is Written…Kind of

(Part 1 and Part 2)

Hello, everyone! As promised, here are my NaNo results, hidden within the third and final part of the Know The Novel linkup by Christine Smith!

So, as you probably all know by now, I went crazy and decided to work on 4-ish projects during NaNo.

More info can be found down in the answers to the questions:

1. Firstly, how did writing this novel go all around?

Into My Life started off on the right foot, but it started slowing around the First Plot Point, and then it kind of puttered out near 16k. The Woodsman on the other hand probably had a little more work done on it.

Also, those flash fics? I may have revived a trashed story and an archived story while writing those.

2. Did it turn out like you expected or completely different? And how do you feel about the outcome?

Well…considering I did start on a second version of Into My Life entitled The Lemons & Lemonade of Life, that one turned out different. This series just revolves around Kennor and their journey through letting go of the past, accepting things they cannot change, finding family, and also building a family together.

The Woodsman now has not one, but two Woodsmen, to throw off the scent, so to speak. And it got a prologue taking place years before the main, which may or may not remain in this one, but it certainly will be in the potential secret sequel.

It also has another half to the prologue, taking place two years before the main story, and that one might end up staying. I don’t know yet. I’ve gotta get it finished.

3. What aspect of the story did you love writing about the most? (Characters, plot, setting, prose, etc.)

The characters, duh. I loooooooooove writing characters!

4. How about your least favorite part?

I gotta say, I’m not sure I was all that keen on writing Zach’s & Ariel’s bits. Like, they’re cute and all, but I probably had more fun with Connor & Kelly.

5. What do you feel like needs the most work?

All of it.

6. How do you feel about your characters now that the novel is done? Who’s your favorite? Least favorite? Anyone surprise you? Give us all the details!

I STILL LOVE THEM. EXCEPT THE BADDIES. Maybe the character that surprised me was…Zach?

7. What’s your next plan of action with this novel?

Re-writing them and getting them finished!

8. If you could have your greatest dream realized for this novel, what would it be?

Publication. (Along with breaking the readers’ hearts and crushing their souls like a grape)

9. Share some of your favorite snippets!

From IML: He turned around right as Ariel reached him, Zach not far behind. “Oh, hey,” he said. He looked up at Zach and smirked. “Hello, Zacchaeus.”

Zach scowled. “Hello yourself, Con-man.”

“Con-man? Really? That’s the best you can do?”

From TLALOL: She raised an eyebrow. “Haven’t you ever had a lemons-to-lemonade moment?”

“Nope.”

“Everyone does at one point.”

“Not me. You’re pretty naïve for thinking that,” he said, capturing one of her knights. “Your turn.”

She glared at him and moved to take his queen.

“Hey!”

She smirked as she paced his queen triumphantly next to her other captures. “There. Now you can make a lemons-to-lemonade moment.”

From TW: [Redacted] was on the top, hammering in a nail. Gene and Rodney were nearby, and when they noticed Leslie, they whistled over to [redacted].

“Hey, [redacted]!” Rodney said. “Your lady love is here.”

[Redacted] looked confused and Leslie giggled. He swung his head towards her and the smile that lit his face made her stomach flip.

“[Redacted] and Leslie, sitting in a tree-“

[Redacted] started inching towards the ladder, but not before tossing sandpaper at Gene and Rodney. The two burst into laughter.

10. Did you glean any new writing and/or life lessons from writing this novel?

Yes.

1. Sometimes it’s good to write ahead and then go back.
2. I may be better at writing a series backwards then forwards.

I think there was something else, but I forgot it.

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And there ya all have it!