#novel prep

CHARACTER RELATIONSHIPS NOTION: “RELATIONS”

a highly customizable, simplistic but detailed notion template for writing and creating characters' relationships & dynamics based on curated writer advice. perfect for exploring a character's growth through others while keeping their information aesthetically-pleasing to look at. use this both as a template and a guide to develop your characters' dynamics while working on your wips! made to guarantee higher muse and motivation to finish works-in-progress.  to download / copy, click “duplicate” top-right to copy it to your notion. 

features:

overview of all characters for a wip (including their personality and physical traits)

dynamically synced relations tracker

duplicatable section for start, middle, and end of a character dynamic

tag systems and pre-filled options

A how-to for this outlining method. All links to Eva Deverall and more on this method will be down below! 

set-up: this outlining method requires one piece of paper and a pen/pencil, and some scissors if you want to turn your page into a little booklet!

you want to divide your page into 8 sections. fold your paper in half down the middle then fold it into quarters horizontally. you should get 2 columns running vertically down your page, with 4 sections on each half. 

on the left side of the paper, going from left to right, title the four boxes:

resolution

stasis

trigger

quest

now flip your paper around. going left to right (so starting with the box opposite your quest box), title the other four boxes:

bolt

shift

defeat

power

if you want to check your set-up, i have a picture of mine in my bujo which you can see here for reference!

the stages:

the stages will be explained in the order that you should plan in. examples of what to write in each stage will be included in the links down below, they can be used as a general template to fill out each stage!

resolution: - the final state of your story! a ceremonious stage, but can be bittersweet, or a cliffhanger if you’re planning for a book in a series (or for a chaotic standalone.) imagine how you want your world and character/s to be once all this is over. write down two ideas for this stage. the resolution is so important for the story! (and if you’re worried about planning your ending first, don’t be! you can always come change it later)

stasis: - the start! the beginning state of your book! you want this to be the opposite of your resolution. really, just invert the ideas you wrote down for you resolution. again, write down one or two ideas for this state. 

shift: - this is the next state in your story after the stasis, where your character/world starts to change somewhat. this is a bad state, where problems arise that your characters/world will have to solve or fix in some way to then get to the resolution state. write one or two ideas down for this as well. it’s important to note that this is usually when an internal shift happens with your main character, where they change, so make sure to write an idea around that down.

trigger: - the inciting incident! the event that gets the story going! your character meets that one person, or finds that one object, or finds themselves in a situation that will change them and lead them to start taking actions. write down one idea for this, two if there needs to be.

quest: - this is the main chunk of action in your book! after the inciting incident, plans are made and things start happening, your character sets out on their journey for love, money, fame, achieving their goals, restoring balance to the world, whatever! write down a few ideas for this one, as many ideas as you feel necessary! 

power: - the ‘inverse’ of the quest of sorts. this is again more of an internal state, but this is when/how your character finds it within themselves (and/or the world around them) to complete the quest. this is a good shift, a change that will allow your story to reach the resolution. write down a few ideas for this stage.

bolt: - this is the setback in the plans. this stage comes after the quest, so take the ideas you wrote for that stage, and think of how the plans are going to be stalled, set-back or stopped. write a few ideas down for each point you wrote in your quest stage. 

defeat: - when all hope is lost. the lowest point of your book. a sacrifice of some kind is usually made at this point, whether it be internal or external or large or small. the worst happens and your characters aren’t sure how to move on... write one or two ideas for this.

scene order:

with the ideas in your stages, you can go ahead and start planning scenes out! this time in a more straightforward order

stasis

trigger

quest

bolt

shift

defeat

power

resolution

this is the order your story will go in! if you’re writing on a loose piece of paper, at the end of the video linked below Eva shows how you can make your paper into an easy to follow booklet!

i think this is such a great approach to outlining and getting ideas flowing! you can make it as simple or as detailed as you like, and you can use any sized paper you wish. definitely look at the links below to get more ideas of how to utilise this method. Eva Deverall also has a one page character planning course, which could be interesting to check out as well! She also has genre-specific plot ideas that fit this outlining method i believe! she definitely has a lot of resources that could be worth checking out. all credit to her for this technique!

@nerdygirl-0 i hope this helps somewhat!

Thank you @leah-yasmin-writes for the Tag! I’m happy to share.

First Look

1.) Describe your novel in 1-2 sentences:

A mage and a wolf shifter meet as captives of the Cryptozoology Research Corp (CRC), they escape - but the mage, Swae, is lost and presumed dead. Years later, they are reunited by a common threat - once again they are being hunted by the CRC, but they won't go back without a fight.

See more of my WIP Intro Here

2.) How long do you plan for the novel to be?

70,000 - 80,000 words

3.) What’s your novel’s aesthetic?

Dark, fire, sunrise/sunset.. somehow work a wolf into the backdrop

4.) What other stories have inspired your novel?

Everything... 

I was first introduced to mages in Wild Magic by @tamorapierce over twenty years ago. I went on to read everything from the Tortall Universe. I still see her portrayal of mages and magic as the truest form and I can't go too long without revisiting Tortall.

I developed an interest for shifters from J.D. Tylers racy romance series Alpha Pack.

Then anything with a strong female protagonist, unlikely love story or fated mates trope.

5.) 3 images that get the feel of my novel:

tagged by @quilloftheclouds​! thank you :D

Decided to do this for Pirate’s Bane, since it isn’t finished yet :D

(So this is the third time I’m trying to write this stupid thing, since apparently, changing window size closes the post---and, of course, a draft isn’t auto-saved.)

Rules: Answer the questions below, & tag some people!

tagging: @aslanwrites​; @firesidefantasy​; @klywrites​; @theguildedtypewriter​; @inherentlywritten​; @jc-shay​; & @marie-writess​! (no pressure! anyone else is also free to hop on :D)

FIRST LOOK 

1. describe your novel in 1 - 2 sentences 

A boy who has had everything taken away from him and is hunted by monsters only wants to find a safe place to live his life in. He comes to an academy for all supernatural beings, but monsters keep finding him, and in an attempt to finally find out why, he decides to return home - which turns out to be a big mistake. 

2. How long do you plan your novel to be? 

If I ever finish the first one, I’m planning to write a sequel! 

3. What is your novel’s aesthetic? 

Blues, greens, browns, forests, and oceans 

4. What other stories inspire your novel? 

Anything with any supernatural and fantasy themes 

5. Share 3+ images that give a feel to your novel. 

Already did 

MAIN CHARACTER (S) 

6. Who is your protagonist? 

Finn, Sylvar, Fay 

7. Who is their closest ally? 

Finn’s mother, a psychic woman, and a magician 

8. Who is their enemy? 

A magician, and an unexpected ghost 

9. What do they want more than anything? 

some freaking peace and quiet, and to survive. 

10. Why can’t they have it? 

A magician, and an unexpected ghost. 

11. What do they wrongly think of themselves? 

Finn thinks he has to do everything alone, Sylvar thinks he’ll never be loved and Fay doesn’t think she’s strong enough.

12. Draw your protagonist! (Or share a description) 

Does it count if a friend drew them for me? 

( never mind tumblr isn’t letting me post this so i have to try without the pic ) 

PLOT POINTS 

13. What is internal conflict? 

Family keeping secrets, those secrets coming out and damaging the family bond; coming to terms with one’s sexuality  

14. What is external conflict? 

Young adults are on their way to Norway, all the while being hunted by monsters and Hunters

15. What is the worst thing that could happen to your protagonist? 

You mean it gets worse?? 

16. What secret will be revealed that changes the course of your story? 

 [ REDACTED ] 

17. Do you know it ends? 

Vaguely. 

18. What is the theme? 

Found family, secrets, magic, betrayal, love where no one thought would be 

19. What is a recurring symbol? 

I don’t think there is one?? Ley lines are pretty important so i guess that 

20. Where is the story set? 

Present-day, first in London, then in the Orkney Islands of Norway. 

21. Do you have images or scenes in your head already? 

Always, so many of them. some of them fit, some of them are just random 

22. What excited you about this story? 

A not-so-popular supernatural species, magic, elves and faes

23. Tell us about your writing method! 

Since I have a full-time job, I don’t have that much time, but I write down snippets through the day in my notes on my phone and when I have time, I sit down with a cup of coffee and music and put them together!

TAGS: 

@sharraus​

@serphics​

@wildswrites​

@writerfae​

WIP: The Ave’s Egg

Thanks to @urbanteeth, this is extremely long so I will put a keep reading! 

(let me know if anyone made it to the bottom of the post!)

First Look

1. Describe your novel in 1-2 sentences (elevator pitch)

Lania, a young princess, and her family must mediate a treaty to end a war, but it seems not every side wants peace to settle over the waring countries. Lost and confused Lania finds herself right in the middle of the conflict and must fight to get her way home under life threatening conditions.

2. How long do you plan for your novel to be? (Is it a novella, single book, book series, etc.)

I plan on making this story as one part to a four part story. Lania is not the main protagonist in each of the books but she is there and plays a very pivotal point to the greater plot. So If all goes well this series will be a quartet! The Ave’s Egg itself should be in the range of 50,000 to 70,000 words as it is a young adult book. Although, since it’s still barley starting in the rough draft stage we will have to see. 

3. What is your novel’s aesthetic?

Long travel, earned sweat, constellations, russet reds, brilliant blues, wide dunes, sea stained clothes, coastal views, warm lights, jungle, empty cups, bells, blood, muddied feet.  (mood boards to come dearies!) 

4. What other stories inspire your novel?

All of Tamora Peirce’s books because she is my favorite authors, also she writes  about many themes that i highly value and wish to address as well. The Golden Compass, and The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Each have very diverse stories about young women in their childhood and really inspired me as I grew. 

5. Share 3+ images that give a feel for your novel

Main Character

6. Who is your protagonist?

Lania is my main Protagonist. She is a princess in the realm of Trenear. She is well trained in culture, language, trade, and for formal duels in the name of her family. She is 14 years old and the daughter of the Empress regent. Her great grandmother marked the beginning of the Age of the Dragon, Lania and her siblings age has yet to be named or spoken for. 

Wasn’t tagged by anyone, but decided to give this a go!

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.

I’m doing this for my current WIP, like all things out of season. 

FIRST LOOK

1. Describe your novel in 1-2 sentences (elevator pitch)

A gatekeeper is tasked with the responsibility of finding out the reason behind rebellious stirrings in the afterlife 

OR

Even after having passed away, death isn’t easy. Souls have to grapple with the reasons on why they cannot seem to move on, while enduring the persistence of ‘life’ after dying.

2. How long do you plan for your novel to be? (Is it a novella, single book, book series, etc.)

One book with a companion novel.

3. What is your novel’s aesthetic?

A little bleak throughout.

4. What other stories inspire your novel?

Well it’s not other stories per se but concepts. There’s a German concept that I learnt in university called Vergangenheitsbewältigung about post-WWII anxieties, which is basically about needing to understand the past in order to make sense of the future.  There’s also a concept in Hong Kong filmmaking in the 1990s that stem from the uncertainties of the future regarding the British handover of HK to China, which talks about HK’s existence as a city of transients, whereby sudden interest in HK’s culture and identity takes place only because there’s a threat of it disappearing. There’s a recent 2015 HK film called 10 Years that tackles these anxieties through a series of short films about a dystopia HK in the year 2025, after HK has officially become a part of China. (I think the reading I had to do for this was called ‘Culture in a Space of Disappearance’, if anyone’s interested!) The first concept is what drives the main plot of the book, while the second concept doesn’t really play out in my story itself, but was just an interesting concept that got me thinking of the setting of the book as a transient port where the souls were never meant to settle down in, but had to because of circumstances. 

5. Share 3+ images that give a feel for your novel

I’m terrible at moodboards (don’t know how to begin them) so... I don’t really have any so far, even though I have vague images in my mind. I’ll try to make one someday??? but no promises! 

MAIN CHARACTER

6. Who is your protagonist?

I guess it’s Shou. (this is my first time introducing this character and look how casually i’m bringing them up HAHA)

7. Who is their closest ally?

Zhen, I suppose. She was the first person he’s ever met who took him in and brought him back to society, so yeah. 

8. Who is their enemy?

It’s the same for everyone in the story really -- themselves. 

9. What do they want more than anything?

He really wants to figure out why they can’t move on (honestly, I’ve already given away the entire plot as to why in my response above). 

10. Why can’t they have it?

Because he doesn’t know??? HAHAHA. Most of the other characters have figured it out, but he takes a little longer. It’s also generally because no one’s telling him anything.

11. What do they wrongly believe about themselves?

This is more of a humour point actually, but that he is more observant / analytic than he really is.

12. Draw your protagonist! (Or share a description)

He’s rather tall and pretty-looking, with long hair and an angular jawline. People mistake him as a girl from the back.

PLOT POINTS

13. What is the internal conflict?

He can’t seem to remember his own past.

14. What is the external conflict?

That he’s still stuck in the afterlife tumbling around and trying to move on.

15. What is the worst thing that could happen to your protagonist?

It’s already happened. 

16. What secret will be revealed that changes the course of the story?

HA there are really no plot twists in my story. It’s just an introspective study.

17. Do you know how it ends?

Yeah. But there’s the companion novels -- which will be a series of stories about the actual pasts of the characters -- that I haven’t really thought through.

BITS AND BOBS

18. What is the theme?

Friendship and family and acceptance and understanding and (dun dun dun) the past. The terrifying past.

19. What is a reoccurring symbol?

Water / water-like substances, twilight, spring, winter, things like that.

20. Where is the story set? (Share a description)

A fantastical setting of an afterlife. It’s just a pretty plain, rather old town that has some modern devices (courtesy of whoever’s motivated enough to invent them when they’ve already passed on).

21. Do you have any images or scenes in your mind already?

I have the first draft down, but it needs extensive editing.

22. What excited you about this story?

THE JOKES THAT I GET TO WRITE!! Like seriously, okay so Shou is this major goofball of a character. Because he’s been isolated for so long (I really feel like I need to explain the context better...) he’s used to overthinking everything and entertaining himself and so when he’s reintroduced back into society, he’s dramatic as HELL and overthinks too much and jumps from one thought to another pretty quickly. Most of his inner thoughts are just monologues and deep thinking that are actually just really ridiculous and lame.

23. Tell us about your usual writing method!

I try not to read back on what I’ve previous written, and just keep on going!!