Know the Novel + Language of Worlds

Hi guys! So it's not my usual posting day, but I was running late finishing this post and wanted to be sure to get it up becauuuse... NaNoWriMo is almost here! 

And today I'm doing TWO linkups so you can learn about my NaNo novel-- Liv K. Fisher's Language of Worlds, and Christine Smith's Know the Novel. I'm excited to be a part of these and to be sharing my novel with you guys! 

This year I'm working on a fantasy with the working title of ROOTS TO CLAIM (remember, it's only a working title ;P). Here's a quick blurb before we get into the questions:

Archlan has finally found a place where he belongs: a band of thieves that make their livings off unsuspecting people. Now, to be accepted as an official member, he just has one test to complete. He is to successfully steal from an old master of magic who is known for catching trespassers. But when Archlan is told that he is a part of an old prophecy, his plans are interrupted. Now it's up to him to either take on the responsibility of fulfilling the prophecy or finally put down roots.

Also, I just want to say that this is a new story, and at this stage (or any stage, really) it's very likely that it will change the more I invest in it. Right now it might sound kind of flat and cliché, but I'm always discovering new ideas and what's best for different stories; so if I post about this story in the future, chances are it won't be exactly the same!

All right, now let's get to those linkups!

So the first one I'm doing is Christine's Know the Novel. You can find her post about it HERE. Thanks, Christine!

1. What first sparked the idea for this novel? Well, this probably won't be the answer you're wanting, because the initial idea I had is actually for the story's climax therefore I cannot share it with you. But I just get these random ideas and write them down until I go back to them later, and that's kind of what happened here.

2. Share a blurb! Oops, already did that! See above.

3. Where does the story take place? What are some of your favorite aspects about the setting? This story takes place in a Sherwood Forest-ish setting, with fairytale-esque magic. I like it because it's kind of a mashup of different fictional world types; also because the magic comes from the trees and I think that's awesome.

4. Tell us about your protagonist. I'm just going to skip this one and and invite you to stay tuned for the rest of the post. :-)

5. Who (or what) is the antagonist? As of the beginning of the story, an unknown prophecied villain. And that's all I can say about that.

6. What excites you the most about this novel? The setting, like I said before; and Archlan. I'm excited to start putting him into words, because I think he's going to be a great character. Also that thing I can't tell you about.

7. Is this going to be a series? Standalone? Something else? At this point it's a standalone.

8. Are you plotting? Pantsing? Plansting? I wish I could say plotting. But let's be honest, I'm plansting.

9. Name a few things that makes this story unique. I already mentioned the setting; and that thing I can't tell you about.

10. Share a fun “extra” of the story (a song or full playlist, some aesthetics, a collage, a Pinterest board, a map you’ve made, a special theme you’re going to incorporate, ANYTHING you want to share!). So I was looking for some photos to make a cool aesthetic collage, but I couldn't find enough. So here's one that I found that could kind of be a symbol for this story.

All right, onto the next linkup: Liv K. Fisher's Language of Worlds! Or, a really long answer to question #4, up there. You can find Liv's original post and questions HERE. 

What does your character fear the most? Not belonging; being unsettled. All his life he's just been here and there, and he feels like there's not one place in the world where he belongs.

How would they handle it if they were to face their fear? Well, in a way I guess he's faced his fear all his life. So I guess he would do what he's always done-- just try desperately to find a place to belong.

Do they want to get married? Why or why not? He would love to get married, settle down and start a family. He longs for stability like that.

What is their love language (i.e. words of affirmation, physical touch, gifts, quality time, acts of service)? Probably quality time. Again, stability is important to him, and if someone thinks he's worth taking the time for, he would feel they've got a pretty stable relationship. Acts of service would probably be next on the list.

On a scale from 1 (messy) to 5 (organized), how do they rate? Oh gosh, I haven't thought about this... Probably a 3-4 ish? I'll let you know when I get to know him a little more. xD

How do they feel about debates/disagreements? I don't think he'd start a disagreement, but if he gets in one, his temper will bubble up and he'll hold his own.

What do they bring to a battle (figurative or literal)? Strength and agility; having always been on the run, he's fit and active.

What's their favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Well, he's usually on the road with his horse and a band of thieves, so probably plain old bread and cheese.

How do they treat themself after a long day? Resting and talking with whoever he's traveling with.

What do you most want readers to glean from this story? I think it would be that even if you feel like you don't belong anywhere, there's a place for you. Also that you are capable of far more than you think, and you don't have to settle for anything less than what you deserve.

All right guys, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed learning a little about Archlan and his story! I can't wait for NaNo and I wish all you who are taking part good luck! (Here's my NaNo, if you want to come visit me and my novel! StoryOfSilver98)

Also, stay tuned for my October wrapup post Thursday!

Books I Didn't Expect to FALL in Love With

Yes, that was a lame reference to autumn in the title. But I'm happy because it's October!

Anyway, on to the post! 

Fall always gets me in a sentimental mood, and also in even more of a reading mood (chilly evening + cup of coffee + good book = happy Emily). In this post I'm going to share some books (or series) that I fell in love with immediately and are now some of my favorites. 

(Disclaimer: I purposely excluded things like Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings because those would take up THE WHOLE LIST if I allowed them on here, so.)

THE ANOMALY TRILOGY by Krista McGee

I bought the first book of this trilogy on a whim, just to try something new, and it hooked me. (I mean, come on. The opening lines are "Fifteen minutes and twenty-three seconds. That's how long I have to live." !!) I'm pretty sure it was the first dystopian book I'd ever read, so it was also very different for me.

And then the second and third books in the trilogy were pretty intense. And it was great.

I also love the faith-based aspect of the trilogy, how God is the One that makes Thalli feel emotion after living in a sterile, heartless environment her whole life.

When I reread this trilogy I noticed that some of the writing/story wasn't as strong as I remembered it from when I first read it with starry eyes, but I think it's still a great trilogy.

FAIRYTALE RETELLINGS by Melanie Dickerson

I'm cheating here because this includes, like, ten books and they're not all even in one set. But it's fine.

I bought the first three Hagenheim books to occupy myself on a long road trip and they were just so enjoyable! I don't even really read romance that often, but I just really love these books. They're so sweet, plus there's the fairytale aspect and also some action thrown in here and there!

I'm more partial to the Hagenheim series, but I think the Thornbeck books are better, in a way? Particularly The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest. The first time I read it I was just kind of surprised by how good it was, and Odette is probably one of my favorite female characters.

AMONG THE HIDDEN by Margaret Peterson Haddix

I first read this book when I was... nine or ten, maybe? It's the first book I remember absolutely grabbing me and taking me on an emotional ride, and also the first book I remember reading in one day. I think I almost cried at the end.

I like the rest of the series too, but I only chose the first book to put on the list because it's my favorite and the only one that really blew me away. Plus I was kind of disappointed with the end of the series, but maybe that's just me.

(Also, this spot almost went to Haddix's The Missing series. Also super great books. So, honorable mention to that.)

WHINNIES ON THE WIND SERIES by Angela Dorsey

I got these when I was a part of a horse-lover's book club years ago, and they were some of my favorites when I first read them. I reread them a year or two ago, and I just love the magical feel, with Evy living in the middle of nowhere with her horses and being able to communicate with them. Plus a couple of the books take place in the dead of winter in the Canadian wilderness and it's so cozy in Evy and her mom's cabin and the snow just adds to the magic and ahhh. They're just lovely books.
Sadly the last one of the series that I've read is Winter of Sinking Waters... I really want to get around to reading the last few.

THE FARWALKER'S QUEST by Joni Sensel

Look how pretty it is!

This book.

This was a library impulse-read. Just a random fantasy that I thought might be cute. What I didn't expect was to take an emotional journey with this character whose life I was suddenly very invested in. All the characters were great. And by the time I was done, I felt like I had just gone through everything Ariel had, right along with her. And because of that... I don't know, I'm just realllyyy attached to this book.

Also, I reread it earlier this year, and I was prepared to not be as impressed with it the second time (kind of like what I said about Anomaly above). But I actually ended up enjoying it even more! I mean, I kept thinking about it and itching to go home and read it-- and I already knew how it ended! So. Major bonus points. (I feel like not everybody would have as high an opinion of this book as I do, because it is such a simple story and geared toward younger audiences... but I just love it.)

The rest of the trilogy is good too. I like the second book almost as much as the first one, and the third a little less. I have to be honest and say I was disappointed by the ending of this trilogy, too. I just felt like there was some really good potential for an amazing finale and it just wasn't handled the way I would have liked to see it. But the writing is consistently great all the way through, and I do still like the whole series, so it's definitely still worth reading.

Well, there you have it-- five books/series that I fell in love with! Makes me want to curl up with a cup of coffee and read. ;)

Have you read any of these books? What's a book or series that you didn't expect to fall in love with?

Thanks for reading! Also, in my next post I'll be sharing about my NaNoWriMo novel, so stay tuned!