The basis of this post comes from the “Novel Prep Asks” posted by @alecjmarsh. This is going to serve as my first introductory post to my current WIP, The Reaper’s Only Daughter, where essentially I’ll be answering all the questions proposed including a few more that I added that I think are important to know!
I figured I’d also turn this into a tag a game! Connect with the community and learn about some other people’s projects along the way. This is the perfect way to introduce a WIP for people who don’t want to spend time on a WIP page (are you kidding me? I could write another chapter by the time I was happy with a WIP page), but who also have no idea where to start and that would benefit from some sort of structure. It can be used for Original works and Fanfictions!
Rules: Answer the questions and then tag as many writers as there are questions answered (or as many as you can) to spread the positivity! Even if these questions are not explicitly brought up in the novel, they are still good to keep in mind when writing.
Are you ready to see what I’ve been working on for the last six months? Alright, let’s go!
1. Describe your novel in 1-2 sentences (elevator pitch)
Schuyler is a capable woman from a small town who has her entire life upended with the premature death of her father and beloved club President. Her story centers around proving her worth, creating her own destiny, and finding her place in a makeshift family just as it begins to fall apart at the seams.
2. How long do you plan for your novel to be? (Is it a novella, single book, book series, etc.)
I plan for TROD to be anywhere between 250k-350k words long (or between 50-150 chapters). I’m still outlining and writing through the first draft, but ATM it looks as if the chapters will be between 5,000-10,000 words on average with no chapters being less than 1,500 words based on what I have written up to this point. Because it will be so long it is yet to be seen if it will turn into multiple works to create the illusion of a book series or remain one for simplicity (this will be decided in the 2nd, 3rd, and final drafts.)
3. What is your novel’s aesthetic?
Cigarette smoke, leather jackets, motorcycles, and the sound of a gunshot ringing in the distance.
4. What other stories inspire your novel?
Being an FF, it is based entirely off of the Sons of Anarchy TV series and will share similar plots/characters/themes. It also holds some elements similar to that of Hamlet. It’s very character driven focusing on family type bonds which could in theory share similarities with other shows I’m obsessed with such as Supernatural or TWD.
5. Share 3+ images that give a feel for your novel
(I’m cheating and using some premade moodboards and a gif that’s a little on the nose, but it’s fine. It still works. Enjoy.)
6. Who is your protagonist? Meredith Schuyler (Female moodboard above)
7. Who is their closest ally?
This changes throughout the course of her life, but for the start of her story I will say her best friend Jesse Dyer. (Male moodboard above)
Also, something that constantly changes throughout. There are often multiple threats at any one time, both internal and external to the protag group. Groups found on both sides of the law.
9. What do they want more than anything?
She wants nothing more than to protect and provide for her family. Often putting their needs above her own.
10. Why can’t they have it?
Events happen outside of her control resulting in the harm and even loss of those she’s trying to protect.
11. What do they wrongly believe about themselves?
She believes she is bullet proof and completely untouchable.
12. Draw your protagonist! (Or share a description)
She is a blonde haired, blue-eyed, 28-year-old woman with a raspy voice. She is 5’8”, curvy, with a large chest and wide hips. She currently has two tattoos (one on each leg). She is a bisexual veterinarian with a stubborn attitude and a drive to succeed.
13. What is the internal conflict?
It’s a constant struggle for Schuyler to accept that no matter her level of success or number of accomplishments, she will always be viewed as “different” even by those who love her.
14. What is the external conflict?
Rival organizations who want what her family has and federal agencies that want to take away what her family has built. Secrets kept from members within the group itself and greed that slowly corrupts everyone.
15. What is the worst thing that could happen to your protagonist?
Schuyler being forced to watch someone she loves or someone she loves having to watch her die a slow, unnatural death (like her father who died of cancer).
16. What secret will be revealed that changes the course of the story?
There’s a major romance in the story that is kept a secret from all other characters. It’s revealed sometime in the second act which changes the course of the remainder of the story and the culture of the rest of the cast which includes the community where the cast is settled.
17. Do you know how it ends?
Yes. It ends with hope after a devastating tragedy.
Family doesn’t end in blood. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Progressivism vs. Conservatism.
19. What is a reoccurring symbol?
Fire, blades, crows, tattoos, kuttes/badges, etc.
20. Where is the story set? (Share a description!)
A small town in Northern California seemingly cut off from the outside world. A warm, dry climate. Private owned businesses and mom-and-pop shops that have been running for forty odd years lining main street.
In this town stands a bar which holds the club’s meeting room. Attached to the bar is an auto parts shop where many members work.
21. Do you have any images or scenes in your mind already?
As this is the first project where I’m attempting to write and follow an outline, I have quite a bit planned out already. Most character introductions, most major plotlines, and a general idea for an ending scene. A couple big impact or “emotional” scenes that I’m absolutely dying to write!
As far as images in mind, any time I think about sitting down to write more I have the stiletto of Schuyler (since I haven’t face claimed her) and the meeting table that the club sits around in mind.
22. What excited you about this story?
Is everything an answer? Haha. I’m super in love with the primary romance in the novel. I’m also excited by the different friendships and family dynamics that will be explored throughout. Brother-sister mainly through the “found family” trope. And because there will be overlapping storylines I’m excited to create plot twists and reveal secrets to the characters and readers both in a way I’ve never been able to with my short stories. I’m looking to build a world here. Some may even confuse it with a proper novel when all is said and done…
23. Tell us about your usual writing method!
Normally I begin writing without a draft to follow and I’m writing to explore a plot. However, this story is being written while following a sort of outline and is extremely character driven. My back ground is in one-shots, but this will be a multi chapter story with more than one plot-line to keep track of and a very large cast which is also new for me.
Taglist: @themildestofwriters, @annelaurant-writing, @feathersandfortunes, @sashathewriter, @aspire2bu, @alixismad, @writingmyselfintoanearlygrave, @writings-of-a-narwhal, @jumbleduniverse, @butwhydoilikethis, @thatfizzyyyy, @boredwriter-16, @lilmissravingwriter, @allisonilluminated, @akingsleywriter, @squaaad-goals, @lone-mezzo-of-the-mezzorealm, @feministcalliope, @imani-writes, @tiredbard, @samsfictionstuff, & @shewhowalksbehindthewheels
As always, no pressure to participate. I’m just saying hi! (Let me know if you want to be added to or removed from the taglist; no hard feelings!) Anyone else who sees this and is not tagged but who wants to join in on the fun can feel free to do so. Consider yourself tagged by me! Fill out the questions for your own WIP if you believe it would be beneficial to your writing process! I’d love to see what everyone is excited about and working on.
dailybridgerton
theartofmadeline
titsay
annaxmalina
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