Know the Novel 2020 – In Darkest Starlight

I wanted to do this link-up from the beginning but just could not fit into my schedule, so now I’m doing them all in one go because I like this story and I want to share it with you guys. Pre-thank you for sticking with me for this long post! If you want to join in check out Christine’s blog!

Part One: Introduction

1. What first sparked the idea for this novel?

These characters have been in my head since I was in middle school but for some reason a plot has eluded me. 😂 The book has changed a lot over the years whether it be the storyline or the main character and now I’m trying out this story which I feel pretty darn confident in. It was inspired by all of my favorite fantasy stories as a kid which included the Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia, Greek mythology, and a PC game series called King’s Quest which I’ve mentioned on this blog before haha.

2. Share a blurb (or just an overall summary if you’d prefer)!

Harlowe is a young sorcerer who’s been enslaved by an ancient sorceress since he was twelve. After suffering under her cruelty as her minion for half of his life he finally finds a curse that allows him to begin his plans of assassinating her. With the help of an enslaved nymph and a banished lord, he seeks to find two virtuous people to defeat the sorceress–because when can a minion ever be the hero? Harlowe must do this before the curse wears off and the sorceress spreads her influence to other lands, or he’ll miss his only chance to kill the woman who destroyed his life.

3. Where does the story take place? What are some of your favorite aspects about the setting?

It takes place in a fantasy world. The different countries have influence from Morocco, Poland, New Zealand, and even my home state of Georgia. I recently decided to base my Native American-like culture after the Cherokee Indians. I love my home state and I think it’s just a fascinating setting that you just don’t see anywhere in fantasy novels. I was particularly inspired after listening to a talk by a Cherokee elder about Cherokee foraging. Yes, major nerd here. 😂

4. Tell us about your protagonist(s).

His name is Harlowe. When I did a character interview with him a while back he was my most popular character which influenced me to elevate him to protagonist status. He’s a 22-year-old, flirts with everything, shapeshifting sorcerer who’s basically if Jack Harkness and Loki had a baby. Furthermore, he loathes the antagonist for all she’s done to him and has been through a lot in his short life. Poor beeb.

5. Who (or what) is the antagonist?

Her name is Vanmoriel and she is definitely the evilest character I’ve ever written. She’s just the worst. All of my friends who know her hate her guts. 😂 She has some Maleficent vibes as in Mistress of All Evil not I’m a fairy who had her wings cut off. Vanmoriel is very driven to remake the world into one of enlightenment even if that means doing horrible things to make it happen.

6. What excites you the most about this novel?

I think I’ve finally found the right plot for these characters and this world. I feel very confident in it!

7. Is this going to be a series? standalone? something else?

I’m thinking a duology. I’m not sure of the title for the second book but I have a bit of a plot in mind.

8. Are you plotting? pantsing? plansting?

I plants. I plotted part of it and then pansted part of it haha.

9. Name a few unique elements about this story.

The main character is the villainess’s chief minion. I thought that was a neat element. He’s someone who’s lived most of his life serving the wrong side but he wants to turn his life around and change his fate. Also, Harlowe has such a rich backstory that I’m starting each chapter with a tidbit from his backstory and then tying it in with the chapter, so the book looks at his past and present. There’s also a bit of a Jack Harkness love triangle going on which is a little uncomfortable for me to write, but Harlowe says that’s what he wants lol.

10. Share some fun “extras” of the story (a song or full playlist, some aesthetics, a collage, a Pinterest board, a map you’ve made, a special theme you’re going to incorporate, ANYTHING you want to share!).

I gots an aesthetic and a playlist!

Part Two: Within the WIP

1. How’s the writing going overall?

At the point this post came out I was having a suckish time writing the book. It was like pulling teeth, but later on, I finally hit an epiphany when I changed the POV to first person then it got much easier.

2. What’s been the most fun aspect about writing this novel so far?

I loved the dynamics between Harlowe, Silanoc, and Sybra. They’re a sweet and cute trio. Harlowe makes Silanoc feel so uncomfortable but is loyal to a fault. Sybra takes Harlowe in such stride and doesn’t get worked up by his crazy antics.

3. What do you think of your characters at this point? Who’s your favorite to write about?

Harlowe is my fav, because he’s such an insane, messed-up, but brave soul. He wants to be good so badly, but he feels like because all he’s done he never can be, but despite that he still tries.

4. Has your novel surprised you in any way?

I didn’t expect Sybra to slide in and go “Hello, what about me?” She added a much needed extra element to the story with her new background and great chemistry with Harlowe.

5. Have you come across any problem areas?

Ha ha. HA HA HA.

Yes.

Many many problem areas. So much problem areas. There are so many spots I need to expand to flesh out the characters (I know them but the reader wouldn’t know kaput if they read this trash pile) and the timeline needs a lot of work. Just to name two things.

6. What’s been your biggest victory with writing this novel at this point?

Having the bravery to write my first adult novel. I’ve never written one before and I’ve been nervous about it especially when it has more content than my other novels. Not a lot, but more than I normally write.

7. If you were transported into your novel and became any one of the characters, which one do you think you’d be? Would you take any different actions than they have?

Gosh. Uh. Most of my characters have had sucky lives at least in their recent history, so I’m not sure I’d want to go through that. XD Probably Elasa though. She’s a petite lady of a province and married to the now King of her country which has been conquered so now they’re refugees. She suffers from chronic pain which would be hard to deal with, but I would love to have her wolpertinger companion named Icha. Having a spunky talking rabbit/wolf/deer/owl sidekick would be awesome. Also, Elasa is telepathic, telekinetic, and has healing abilities. Those would be super fun too.

8. Give us the first sentence or paragraph then 2 (or 3!) more favorite snippets!

Well, this is the opening paragraph of my book. I like how it turned out.

On my twelfth birthday, I watched my house burn with my parents inside it—and it was my fault. Tears streamed down as a watched from the hill. The rocks beneath my feet cut into my toes, but I deserved the pain after what I’d done. I don’t know how I did it, but that night I became a murderer. Embers floated in the night breeze like flaming rain. Even from this distance I could feel the heat on my cheeks as members of my village hauled water from the river to put out the fire, but it was too late for Mother and Father.

9. Share an interesting tidbit about the writing process so far! (For example: Have you made any hilarious typos? Derailed from your outline? Killed off a character? Changed projects entirely? Anything you want to share!)

I’ve had to often write “(Insert name here)” for fantasy names of places, things, and people I either haven’t named or have forgotten their names. XD

10. Take us on a tour of what a normal writing day for this novel looks like. Where do you write? What time of day? Alone or with others? Is a lot of coffee (or some other drink) consumed? Do you light candles? Play music? Get distracted by social media (*cough, cough*)? Tell all!

Well, I wrote in two parts. Part one was on my iPad with a Bluetooth keyboard at work. I’d try to get in at least 500 words in through the workday. Then after I got home and got nice and warm and comfy with a cup of hot tea (mostly chai in case you’re wondering), I wrote on my laptop until midnight while listening to my Spotify playlists of mood appropriate songs and the squish depicted below in my lap. Sometimes I burned my Geralt of Rivia candle and bribed myself to write with anime episodes. XD

Part Three: It Is Written

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

It wasn’t the easiest novel I’ve written nor the hardest. But I got it done and that’s what’s important.

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

It turned out about how I expected. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done, but I feel like I have a good base to work off.

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

The characters. I just know them so well since I’ve had them for so long. Sybra less so since she revealed to me a crazy new backstory, but she was still fun too haha.

4. How about your least favorite part?

There’s a lot of battle strategy involved and I just hope I do a good enough job haha.

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

The timeline. It’s just everywhere.

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

About the same, but Elasa and Rouyn surprised me by telling me they’re married. XD I love having a young married couple in my story. <3

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

I’m going to read over it and then after the new year start on the next draft. After that, I’ll have betas look at the big aspects of that second draft and go from there.

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

To get it published in a Big Five house and then turned into a Netflix series haha.

9. Share some of your favorite snippets!

We’re beings of magic but we’re not gods. When it is someone’s time to die there’s nothing all of the spells and starlight can do to stop it.

Harlowe and Sybra had a relaxing afternoon shopping and being normal people for once. Harlowe is disguising himself in a different form.

“How did it get so late?” Sybra looked up at the sky.
“I got too distracted at looking at you in those dresses,” I said.
She giggled and we stopped. She brushed some hair from my face. “I wish I could look at the real you. Your silky black hair, your slightly tan skin. Those silver eyes.”
“I know you were ogling me back at the palace.”
She hit my shoulder and laughed. “Stop it!”

Harlowe about Sybra.

She was something worth living for after all of this was over. She was my after.

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

Don’t be afraid to experiment in your first draft. Try different POVs, tenses, formats. You can always change it later, but let yourself try new things and see what clicks.

This was a challenging book to write, but I’m glad I did it and I’m looking forward to fixing it in later drafts!

How did your NaNoWriMo go? Did you participate in this link-up? If you didn’t participate in NaNo how’s your writing going?