#WIPjoy September 2016: Agent of the Relari
This month, I participated in #WIPjoy, a seasonal writing event created and hosted by Bethany A. Jennings. Each day, writers answer a specific question about their current work-in-progress.
Since I spent September editing Agent of the Relari, that’s the novel I chose. Agent of the Relari is… well, let my #WIPjoy tweets speak for themselves.
Here is my #WIPJoy September 2016 round-up:
I didn’t get started right away, so I used the third day to catch up.
Tell us about your WIP!
What stage are you at with this project?
Describe your WIP with five verbs.
Catching up on #WIPJoy. D1: YA fantasy about the prophesied hero's best friend
D2: final revisions
D3: laugh, plot, question, desire, redeem
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 3, 2016
What emotions do you evoke with your setting?
#WIPJoy D4: Emotions evoked by my setting? Amusement, wonder, and curiosity, I hope… until the darker parts of the story.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 4, 2016
Share a line with a detail about your protagonist’s past.
#WIPJoy D5: Maybe, three years old or not, he could have saved her. Maybe that was why Caius hated him, because he failed.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 5, 2016
On Day 6, I forgot to mention the day in the Tweet.
What does your antagonist love deeply?
(Implied spoilers, maybe?)
#WIPJoy My antagonist loves his family and the world, even though his love has been twisted.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 6, 2016
Which two characters have the most interesting history?
#WIPJoy D7: Two minor characters know much more than they dare (or can) let on, although that won't be known until the last book.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 7, 2016
Name something experienced with each sense in your WIP.
#WIPJoy D8:
Sight: fog (everywhere)
Sound: whispers
Touch: fire
Smell: cookies
Taste: sandwiches
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 8, 2016
Is any part of the backstory inspired by your own life?
#WIPJoy D9: None of the backstory, but some of my main character's goofy moments are inspired by things I've done.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 9, 2016
Share a line you love about a setting.
#WIPJoy D10: Above, a ceiling of mist glowed with fiery stars, an illusion of flaming jewels suspended above them.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 10, 2016
After the first week, there was a bonus question, since the second week was answered from the main character’s point of view.
#WIPJoy Bonus Question: 16-year-old Micky Wilder will be taking over this week, and he can't WAIT to try this crazy "Twitter" thing.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 11, 2016
And so, Micky took over my Twitter account. The following questions are answered from his point of view.
Share a deep regret.
#WIPJoy D11: Hi, I'm Micky! Uh… deep regret? Not eating the last cookie–sorry, you want a serious one? Visiting the glade with Gordon.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 11, 2016
How do you really feel about a character closest to you?
#WIPJoy D12: As much as we argue, Maria really is one of my best friends. As for Fernando… he's great, but I worry about him…
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 12, 2016
Weapon of choice?
#WIPJoy D13: Weapon?! I don't fight things, that's Fernando's job! Okay, Father Martin, stop glaring… Hand-to-hand, I guess, if it counts.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 13, 2016
How do you feel about romance?
#WIPJoy D14: I'm madly in love! And the Winter Ball is soon.. I don't have much time… what am I going to do?! (Aside from panic, I mean!)
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 14, 2016
How do you feel about your author?
#WIPJoy D15: I'm not sure what I ever did her, but she's out to get me. She thinks she can order me around, but we'll see about that.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 15, 2016
Any words for future fans of you?
#WIPJoy D16: Fans? Of me? Uh… Oh! You must be fans because I'm a worlds-famous explorer now, right? Yeah, everyone loves me! I think…
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 17, 2016
When alone, do you make faces in the mirror?
#WIPJoy D17: "I mean, how else could I practice the best faces to make at people?" Micky squints one eye and sticks out his tongue.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 17, 2016
The third week restored control to me. Sorry, Micky.
Share a line that hints at your theme.
#WIPJoy D18: "Aren't the forbidden things the most alluring?"
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 18, 2016
What’s one big reason you’re writing this story?
#WIPJoy D19: While it has its darker moments, overall it's a FUN story to write. I hope that means it'll also be fun to read.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 19, 2016
What kind of reader desperately needs this story?
#WIPJoy D20: Someone who wants a fun story with more complicated stuff behind the scenes… and who wants to know anyone can become a hero.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 20, 2016
On Day 21, my Kingdom Hearts obsession rose to the surface.
What’s been your biggest challenge with this WIP?
#WIPJoy D21: Finding a balance between light and dark. …Not in a #Xehanort way, but in terms of content and mood.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 21, 2016
On Day 22, I overlooked the word “single.”
Represent your WIP with a single image.
#WIPJoy D22: The fog of the Falari and purple fire of the Relari. (Fog from https://t.co/p2vw1R4heC and fire from https://t.co/XtWGg1dVKB) pic.twitter.com/zT6APELuZQ
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 22, 2016
What aspect of the book is the most unique?
#WIPJoy D23: There is a prophesied "Chosen One," but that person isn't the main character.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 23, 2016
And on Day 24, I did a little more than a line.
Share a line that’s a fantastic example of your writing voice.
#WIPJoy D24: (In this scene, Micky is trying to look his best before he goes to see his crush.) pic.twitter.com/OiPmy47aX6
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 24, 2016
If you could choose any other book to mash up with your own, which would it be?
#WIPJoy D25: Hmm… it might be an interesting mashup with #Narnia.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 25, 2016
Shout-out to this WIP’s most encouraging fan.
#WIPJoy D26: Shout-out to Jonathan, who stood by it through all the eyebrows and typos (and terrified me with potential fanfic ships).
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 26, 2016
Does your WIP contain any inside jokes?
I needed two Tweets to answer Day 27’s question:
#WIPJoy D27: There are some inside jokes and references. For example, the "basement's basement" is a nod to #SilentHill.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 27, 2016
#WIPJoy D27 (cont.): Some inside jokes reference the sequels or older drafts, like Micky's boredom during what used to be an infodump.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 27, 2016
Share a line that made someone feel FEELS.
#WIPJoy D28: Feels? I'm not sure… but I'll go with: "He was worthless. Empty. Cut off from the light and unwilling to pursue the dark."
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 28, 2016
Shout-out to writer friends who inspire you.
Day 29 also needed two:
#WIPJoy D29: I know so many writers who inspire me! A few are: @SuzJay11 @HorrorScott @albertwendland @KenyaWrightBook @TCBucher @bravrayj
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 29, 2016
#WIPJoy D29 (cont.): …and many more, too many to list them all.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 29, 2016
Remind us all what your WIP is about.
#WIPJoy D30: Agent of the Relari, YA fantasy about the prophesied hero's best friend, who is targeted by the forces of darkness.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) September 30, 2016
And there you have it!
#WIPjoy was a lot of fun to participate in, and I want to do it again sometime. The next one will be in January, but she also announced a week-long mini #WIPjoy in November.
Hmm… in the middle of NaNoWriMo? That should be interesting…
Like this post? Tell your friends!
And if you want posts like this delivered straight to your inbox, enter your email in the box below to subscribe!
Did you enjoy this post? Be sure to share it with your social networks!
The post #WIPjoy September 2016: Agent of the Relari appeared first on Samantha Lienhard.
