Know the Novel 2024 - Part 3

 AND HERE WE ARE AGAIN

it is time

for

the final part

of 

Know the Novel, hosted by the wonderful Christine Smith. Check out her blog for more info on AND other writers'/bloggers' wonderful WIPs.

Wonderful.

Also.

I was looking at my post from last month and I realized I dove right into it without explaining anything, really, about To Die is Gain. In order to rectify that error, here's a quick blurb/overview/ya know what i mean to make the story make more sense:

How much is the truth worth? 

Wilson Tomas has been smuggling Bibles since he was thirteen. Never once has he struggled with why it was so important. But now he finds himself asking, why are these books so important that people are willing to die to possess one? Unable to return home after a smuggling run goes wrong, he allows himself to give voice to these worries, hoping that maybe, maybe, he can rekindle his passion.

Ariel Johnson just wants her brother back. She hates that he's so enthralled by this... religion that he's willing to die for it, but she can't hide the fact that it intrigues her. When she is offered a deal to save her brother's life, she must decide whether to pursue the elusive faith that so many have died for... or whether she can find it in her to betray the only people to actually care.

Yeah, and it's set in backwoods Maine in the ~2050s-2070s, I haven't fully decided that bit?

Anyways.

Part 3.

1. How did writing this novel go all around?

*takes deep breath*

I HAVE FINISHED EDITING DRAFT 2!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so happy, it went great, one less person died then last draft, it was fantastic.

2. Did it turn out as you expected or completely different? How do you feel about the outcome?

As it was edits, I had a pretty good idea of how it would turn out, so I wasn't too surprised. I was already pretty happy with the ending (which is what I'm been wrestling through this month) from the first draft, so it was really just a case of polishing and fixing some continuity issues.

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

CHARACTERS.

all the way. i love writing characters. just in general. The Martyrs Saga is a very character-driven series, so it's good that I like the characters, but Ariel and Wilson hold a special place in my heart. They didn't need a whole lot of work, so I was able to keep loving the original aspects of them, aaaaand this particular section--- I don't wanna say more, because I will literally spoil the best thing I have ever written.

4. What was your least favorite part?

My least favorite part of this book in general is in between chapters 6-9, because they felt very "filler" in the original draft, especially those in Wilson's POV, so there was a lot of rewriting, but they weren't bad, so to speak? I just don't like rewriting.

In that same mindset, I also didn't like the original ending; some of the characters just kinda... fizzled out, but I thiiink I've fixed it now.

5. What do you feel needs the most work?

The supporting cast. I have a few side characters that are either very important to the final climax or will be very important in later installations of the series, and I didn't do a whole lot with them, so in the next draft, I'll be working on taking care of them a bit more.

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

MY CHARACTERS

MY SMOL CHILDREN

MY--

DEFINITELY NOT weeping their eyes out right now because people dIED

Anyways

My favorite character in TDiG will always be  Ariel, buuuut to be interesting, I also adore Lyra with my whole heart and soul. She's so fun to write and I figured out how to make her snarky AND have depth and I am so happy with her. On the other side, her dad Justin can go die in a whole because I forgot he existed a few times *face palm*

AAAND I CAN'T GIVE MORE DETAILS THAN THAT.

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

Well, I am currently reading through and marking up some thoughts I have, then I'll be sending it to my... Alpha readers? Beta readers? Omicron readers? Idk, I have some people who are gonna read through and give feedback. They're the first ones for this draft. Idk what the proper term for that is.

AFTER THAT and probably after many many more edits, I am planning to-- hol' up, I read the next question.

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

Ahem.

After many many more edits, I am planning to self-publish TDiG and Lord willing the rest of the Martyrs Saga. I'm choosing self-publishing for this series because I want complete control over how many and how fast and everything, so we'll say that's my greatest dream right now!

9. Share some of your favorite snippets!

AHHHHHH DO I HAVE ANY THAT AREN'T SPOILERS????

lemme see.

Okay, so we'll cut a few names *nerdy grin* (emojis aren't working today *sob*)

Wilson squeezed her shoulder once before continuing to address [REDACTED]. “This is your first major raid, isn’t it?”

“So?” He didn’t slow.

Wilson stopped walking and waited until [REDACTED] noticed before continuing. “They’ll shoot us whether it’s light or dark out. This whole small area is on lockdown, and anyone moving anywhere near here is suspicious. Tonight, it doesn’t matter if we have a curfew pass. We’re out and about? We’re cavorting with the smugglers.”

~

“What do you want to know?”

Ariel reached into the pocket of her hoodie and pulled out her Bible. She squeezed the book tightly. “Is everything written in here true?”

Wilson met her gaze, waiting until he was certain she could see his sincerity. “Every word.”

~

Wilson stared through the trees beyond the edge of the yard. “Lyra, why do we do this?”

“Do what? Sit on the grass?”

“No. No! I mean, why do we smuggle?”

Lyra cast a sharp eye over him. “You’re the smuggler. I think you would be the one who could answer that question better than I can.”

“That’s the problem. I can’t.” 

I did in fact go in reverse order of where these events actually happen in the story, unintentionally. Tada.

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

I literally don't want to say what I learned (or remembered, more accurately) bc I don't want to spoil things, buuuut yeah I learnmembered things.

I also realized, from the final 5 or so chapters, that thirteen-year-old me was some other level that I don't know where she went. One of the final confrontations has like two minor changes (action related, not emotional *evil grin*). I WROTE THE FIRST DRAFT OF TDIG WHEN I WAS THIRTEEN AND IT'S STILL LIKE AHHH???? 

Something I've experienced rereading my writing is that I have three general reactions:

1. "Ugh, I wrote this?"

2. Hm. I wrote this.

3. I wrote this???

And I've had all three reactions throughout the editing process. Surprisingly, a lot of the final climax fell into the "I wrote this???" category, thinking, "yeah, I plagiarized from someone."

Anyways, before I toss out any spoilers, I am going to stop now, thanks y'all for reading, thanks Christine for hosting...

and now you know stuff about To Die is Gain!