Shinies!
A lot has happened this week, both in the blogging world, and in real life. I won’t go into the real life stuff, I’m still kind of reeling from today, and nothing is seriously wrong, but some prayers would be appreciated for some health concerns and wisdom making decisions.
Some wonderful things that happened this week:
Stars for the Dead - NaNoWriMo 2011
#1 – I got a cover and banner for my NaNo Novel!! And I sort-of wrote a synopsis. I hate writing those, but I’m temporarily pleased with what I did write. (The artist is here on DA, here on the NaNo forum.)
Stars for the Dead - il-Ri Gyti
Synopsis:
Dina was eleven when she witnessed her parents murder, right after she saw the mark on her mother’s arm that labeled her a heretic. She hid the secret for years, because if her people knew that their High Priestess had converted, Dina’s life would be in danger.
Forced to join the Otwlh, an army of female soldiers, Dina gains access to the palace and learns that everything is not as it seems. Before long, a coup takes place, and Dina finds herself on the wrong side of everything she has ever known.
Now, with three races on the brink of war, Dina finds herself questioning everything – especially the supposed heresy of her mother, and which side is the right one.
Is that something you’d want to read? Tell me what works and doesn’t work about my synopsis – I’m honestly on barely touching on one part of the plot, and only one character (there are four main characters), so there’s much more I can pull from.
#2 – I was given the “Blog on Fire” award by Carrie at Where I Get Wordy. Thanks, Carrie! Now I have to post 7 facts about myself and pass the award along. Since I’m tired of thinking up new facts about myself lately, I’m going to post 7 things I learned about my novel in the past two weeks. I’ll pass the award along at the end of the post :D.
Fact #1 – I thought this novel spanned 20 years. I’ve learned it actually spans 35.
Fact #2 – I thought I had three main characters. There are actually four.
Fact #3 – This is most definitely NOT a YA fantasy. This is going to be a huge, epic fantasy that adults will appreciate much more.
Fact #4 – My husband draws much better maps than I do. My world looks really cool when he does it.
Fact #5 – I think I know who survives in the end, but I’m not entirely positive yet. I know one person dies for sure, the others aren’t set in stone yet.
Fact #6 – There will be full-out war before the end of the book.
Fact #7 – I have no idea how long it’s going to take me to finish this – I just know it will be the longest thing I have ever written. I will probably hit 100k by November 30, but I doubt the story will be finished by then.
#3 – I was award the 7 x 7 Link Award by Debbie Johansson! Whoot!
The stipulations for this award? I must select some of my best posts in these categories:
Most Beautiful
I don’t post very many pictures, so I’ve opted for what I felt was my most beautifully executed. I choose one of my Sunday devotionals – Desires.
Most Helpful
Most Popular
Campaign Challenge #1 and NaNoWriMo!
Most Controversial
um . . . probably my first Sunday devotional (Creation). Even though there’s no comments on it, I openly state some of my Christian beliefs that not even all Christians hold to anymore.
Most Successful
Confessions of an Aspiring Author. I wrote this on a whim, on a day I was really frustrated. The response to it stunned me!
Most Underrated
Another Sunday devotional – Inscribed Forever. This was my favorite post to write ever.
Most Prideworthy
In my own little corner, in my own little chair . . .
Aaaaaand . . . I am passing both awards on to each of these wonderful bloggers/writers!
Bess Weatherby at It’s the World, Dear . . . (also, as a Narnia fan, I absolutely adore her blog title!)
Momfog (I love her!)
Tameri at A Cup of Tea and Sorcery (I love her too!)
The Chipper Muse (she’s one of my local Wrimos, and excellent at picking out wonderful blog topics that pertain to every day writing life)
Alright, I’m going to bed now! Good night!
Whew – just be careful with that plot y’got there – looks prime to be all “I refuse to fit into one book” on you! That happens to me a lot.
Congrats on all the cool stuff, and good luck on Nano this year!
I would not be surprised at all if it turns into more than one book, but I really don’t know where I would split it up. I do know that there is going to be a ‘sequel’ to this plot, though, so it’s going to be quite a story . . .
Thanks for dropping by!
Thanks for the love, Rebekah! 🙂 Looking forward to seeing you for some Nano write-ins.
Your plot summary sounds interesting, and I’d definitely like to read the story when it’s done. My only suggestion has to do with the fact that a lot will be going on in the story. As you said, there are four key characters and you’ve only described Dina. Does that mean Dina is at the center of it all, and the other three characters are peripheral to her? Do the coups and wars all tie in to the heresy? Who are the three races?
I admire that you’ll be about to reach 100K in a month if all goes well. I’ll be glad to finally get 50K in that same time period. 🙂
Dina is at the center of it all – the other 4 characters are definitely main characters, but Dina is the catalyst of the plot. Yes, the coups and the wars all tie in with the heresy. It’s really all very complicated, I almost need a diagram just to keep it straight! Ten years ago I never thought I’d be writing a political suspense fantasy, and now I can’t wait to start . . .
I know you can do 50k this year, and I’ll be rooting for you the whole way! Will you be at the kick-off, or just the write-ins?
I’m with Chipper – I’d like to know who the three races are and if they are part of your MC’s, something about them. Your blurb is all about Dina right now, which is fine if she’s the only MC. I don’t understand the herectic/high priestess thing, but that might not be important for the blurb, just wondering if the conflict of the races is religious or political.
What is the wrong side of everything she has known? Again, political? Religious? Against the teachings of the female army? There is a lot Dina is thrown into, what’s the most important for us to worry about?
To answer your question, yes, I’d like to read this book. I love a good female protagonist.
Your 7 facts cracked me up!
I, too, can’t draw maps to save my life, but I give it a good try! I never thought of having my husband do it. I bet he’d rock it.
Isn’t it strange how stories will take on a life of their own? You think you know what’s going to happen, but then the characters decide a different fate. Love that!
What?!?!? An award for my blog? Two awards for my blog? Sheesh! I’m overwhelmed with gratitude that you like my little blog enough to award them to me.
Thank you so, so much. Mwuah!
Okay, will be revising my synopsis . . . I’ll add in more about the other characters and their races. The conflict is both political and religious. Figuring out what’s most important is the hard part . . .
I love maps . . . I just have no drawing talent (except when it comes to clothing, because I’ve been sewing much longer than I’ve been writing, so I know how fabric behaves). As soon as hubby finishes it, I’m going to post a picture of my hand-drawn map next to his. You will be in awe :D.
I love your blog! Hence the two awards :D.
I LOVE your cover. I still don’t know what I’m doing so I can’t even find someone and ask them to do a cover.
I just stalked the NaNo Artisans forum :D. I’m sure someone will still be doing covers once November starts 😉