Know the Novel | December 2022

It’s time for Part Three of this year’s Know the Novel linkup! Buuut since I missed the November edition, I’ll be covering Part Two and Part Three today. 

 

What is Know the Novel? 

Know the Novel is a three-part linkup where writers can share about their works-in-progress and inspiration. To join the fun, check out Christine’s website!

 

Project: Leaf Pile

What’s been the most fun aspect about writing this novel so far?
It’s been really fun to write something a little cozy and quirky!

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

The characters are not all turning out quite how I thought they would, but it’s been fun getting to know them. Miss Mattie, the town librarian, has probably been my favorite to write about though?

Has your novel surprised you in any way?

As is not entirely uncommon with my writing projects, some of the characters decided to take their own spin on things rather than following the map I had set out for them. That’s not entirely a bad thing though!

Have you come across any problem areas?

I feel like I probably opened too many plot threads in the beginning and have actually only stuck to two or three.

What’s been your biggest victory with writing this novel at this point?
 I went on a writing retreat and wrote a total of 8,200 words!

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!)

It was kind of fun to Google “Windows 98” and see screenshots and things from that. My family had a couple of computers that used that operating system and it’s the one my main character uses, so those were fun little flashback moments.

How did writing this novel go all around?

It’s not finished yet (I’m still a couple chapters away from the end), but I feel like it went pretty well overall. I didn’t experience too many writer’s block moments (so far).

What aspect of the story did you love writing about the most? (Characters, plot, setting, prose, etc.) What was your least favorite part?

The characters and their dialogue, and the setting have probably been my favorites. I don’t think I have a least favorite though...

What do you feel needs the most work?

There will definitely be a lot of structural things to fix, especially cutting out those unneeded plot threads.

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

Just finishing the first draft for now!

Share some of your favorite snippets!

    “Well, since you asked, I was just wondering if you’d heard anything about that old house out by Asher’s Pond?”

    “I’m afraid I haven’t. Did something happen out there?”

    “Nothing that I know of, except that someone’s truck was parked out there late last night and early this morning.”

    “Well, if you think someone’s up to mischief, that’s more of a call for someone else and not the Weekly, Ms. Mattie.”

    She wondered if he knew what kind of power he held simply by being a stranger.

    She reached into her bag and pulled out her wallet. “I swear, I am not generally as rude and off-putting as I seem to be whenever we cross paths.”

    “So it’s just something against me in particular?”

    “Ha ha.”

 

How is your current writing project going?