The Author’s Oracle Part One

Hi everyone,

A lot has happened since last week! First, I finally finished this large edit of Divided Draft! I capped off the revision at 134k. I’m working on a post to talk more about this on Thursday.

In the meantime, I thought it would be a good idea to catch up on blog posts and tags so I’m turning to this one that the truly inspirational Holly tagged me in a while back – a month ago… -!

You should check out her original post HERE!

And then peruse the rest of her site, because Holly is one of those talented writers who is also full of great insight and wisdom. She has so much experience and she has much knowledge to impart if you’re willing to learn 🙂

Now to the Author’s Oracle Part One 😀

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0. The Fool: Which of your characters is the most intuitive?  The worst decision-maker?

Red is definitely the most intuitive. He’s the voice of reason on a ship filled with hotheads. Sean and Keira both have a tendency to be terrible decision-makers. Stubborn fools that they are 😉

I. The Magician: What character, location, or object has the most positive influence in your story?

That would be Tomrin. He’s a real optimist and always looks for ways to make light of really tense situations. He also has some of the best lines, in my humble opinion:

“How have I deserved such friendship?”
“It helps that you’re a pretty thing.” Tom suggested with a wink.

II . The High Priestess:  Do any of your characters have very strong beliefs?

Some do. Mostly those who will aid Keira on her journey. I would name names, but that might spoil. There are some whose faith is so strong, they’re willing to sacrifice their own lives to ensure Keira’s success.

III.  The Empress:  Who is your biggest supporter?  Give them a little love, here.

I have too many! My sister is one. She encourages me every day & knows how to fuel my confidence when I’m down.

Then I have so many blogging & Twitter friends: Al, Kayleigh, Mollie, Holly, Sarina, Kristi, Sara Beth. I am blessed to have their support ❤

There are so many others too, and I hope I haven’t forgotten anyone. If I have, please forgive me. Honestly, you are all inspirations ❤

IV.  The Emperor:  Do you outline or plan?  (You know … plotter or pantser…)

Oh I am a big plotter now! The first draft of my WIP was one written when I was 16 without any knowledge of what it means to write a story other than that it must have a beginning, middle & end. Ten years later and that book has now been divided in 2 and still has 1 good edit left in it before it’s ready to be published.

So yes, I plan ahead:)

V.  The Hierophant:  What do you feel is your most valuable piece of writing advice?

That the first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. Actually, scratch that. It SHOULDN’T be perfect, unless you are a true prodigy! The first draft is just meant to be you telling the story in your heart. The editing is when the magic happens, when the strongest story comes out of the tangled mess of ideas. Of course, that’s just my opinion.

VI.  The Lovers:  Which of your characters follow their heart?  Is it for the right reasons?

I like to think that most of my characters follow their heart. Of course, that makes some of them selfish, some of them stubborn, some of them foolish, and some of them compassionate. Of everyone, I think that Red follows his heart the closest. He’s really the heart of the ship as I mentioned before.

VII.  The Chariot:  Tell us about the first “darling” you ever “killed”.

The first darling I ever killed was a woman named Narca. She was in my original draft and somewhere around the fifth edit, I decided that there was no place for her in my story. So she disappeared as if she had never been there.

Funny story: in this latest revision, she came back. How’s that for resurrection? 😉

VIII.  Strength:   What do you feel your greatest creative strength is?

The premise. I come up with great ideas. Delivering on them… well, it takes times.

IX.  The Hermit:  Can you write in coffee shops or other busy places, or do you need quiet?

I can write anywhere. Anytime. I actually love going to coffee shops to write. A lot of this draft was worked out at a Starbucks near my house. I can’t do perfect quiet either. I always need music or something in my ear. Or so I tell myself.

X.  The Wheel of Fortune:  Do you have a set routine or schedule?

Most days, my writing happens at night, only because I work from 7:00am to 4:00pm-ish. But I have no set schedule as it is. Except Mondays when I go to a coffee shop to write from 9:00am to 1:00pm. That’s the only set routine I have.

XI.  Justice:  What’s the biggest consequence that your main character will have to face?  (If it spoils the plot, feel free to be vague.)

She’ll have to do something to someone to achieve something else.

I don’t think that’s vague 🙂

XII.  The Hanged Man:  What sacrifices do you make for writing time?  Or, what must your main character be willing to choose between?

I don’t like to think of it as a sacrifice. Writing is my passion; when I don’t do my writing, that’s what I’m sacrificing. Is that wrong? ;P

To the second part: she must choose between [SPOILER] and [SPOILER]

XIII.  Death:  What do you do after you’ve finished a project?

As I’m currently in this state, I can answer honestly: catch up on social media, especially my fairly abandoned blog 😛

XIV. Temperance:  Please share your best tested & proven tip for balancing writing and “the rest”:

This doesn’t exist in my life.Oh how I wish it did.

Any advice would be warmly welcomed. At the moment, I just go with the flow. Don’t fight it. Accept that some things are out of your control.

I guess that’s my tip.

XV.  The Devil:  Everyone has a nasty habit they can’t shake.  What’s your main character’s?

Making rash decisions in a flash. She’s fairly stubborn and acts impulsively.

XVI.  The Tower:  Have you ever had to scrap an entire project and start over?  How did it feel?  Were you frustrated, sad … relieved?

This divided draft is about as close as I’ve come to scrapping a project. Fortunately, it was more like dividing to conquer, building on foundations. It was intimidating at the start and many times I almost broke away, but now that I’m here and it’s done… well, I feel elated!

XVII.  The Star:  What is your favorite part of starting a new project?  New notebook smell?  Getting to know the characters? Building the plot?

All of the above 🙂 But especially discovering new characters and the story that they have to share.

XVIII.   The Moon:  What’s the biggest lie that your main character is telling themselves?

The biggest lie Keira keeps telling herself is that she has to prove to Sean that she is capable of more than he gives her credit for. The truth is [SPOILER].

XIX.  The Sun:  Do you have any themes, symbols or objects which come full circle in your work?

Many. Keira’s eyes are a recurring theme especially. I’m actually really proud of how I’ve framed my narrative from beginning to end. But that’s all I’ll say on that.

XX.  Judgement: Do your characters get what they deserve?  Why or why not?

At the end of this book, some are more fortunate than they should be. And one person met a fate that they did not fully deserve. To tell you more would be to spoil a major plot point.

I think it all evens itself out by the end 🙂

XXI.   The World: At what point did you know that you had to write this project?

When I first sat down to write it at 16, I was excited to be working on this project. I had written an assignment and was so inspired. I knew I had to write it then. And I did!

It was my first full written novel — I’d tried unsuccessfully twice before to do it. That final success just cemented it and it’s what has kept me from giving up on it in the past ten years. Because it was then that I realized it was a story that had to be told!

I hope that makes sense!

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I really loved answering these questions and if you haven’t been tagged to do it yet, please do! Just let me know in the comments once you have so I can check out your answers 🙂

In the meantime, please go check out Holly. You’ll be better off for it, promise 😉

May inspiration flow like ink upon your quill,

 

Faith