Novels and Narrations No 15

Welcome back to another monthly post in my Novels and Narrations blog series! In this series, you get updates on my writing in all facets: from the celebrations and excitements of the high moments, to dealing with imposter syndrome, hopelessness and rejections. Thanks, as always, for caring about my work as a writer and supporting me in this way. ❤

I am damned and determined to write this year, my friends! And I’m quite excited to reflect on how February went, but also see where March takes me.

Writing Intentions for the Year

As a quick refresher, I’ll post my main intentions of the year here (which, I’ll probably include at the start of all my Novels and Narrations posts):

• Create a healthy, low-pressure but regularly-kept writing routine
• Continue to work on my MFA and work with my thesis advisor to improve potential writing weaknesses
• Write draft zero of my fantasy romance WIP, tentatively titled THE BECKONED AND THE BOUND
• Form more friendships with writers and better support those friends who are already on this writing journey with me

So, looking at those goals, how did I do in February?

February Accomplishments

February was very much a prep-heavy month. I spent a lot of time creating Notions for my current two WIPs: BLOOD PRICE, on draft nine, and THE BECKONED AND THE BOUND (TBATB), on draft zero. I used templates from Rebecca Mix’s template post. It was really fun to work with them and create pages that highlight the main elements within my works. Hopefully, they’ll help me stay grounded and motivated!

Thesis Meeting Feedback

Then, I also had my second thesis meeting with my faculty mentor. If you’ve read my weaknesses post, you’ll know that my first one was a bit rough. I struggled with her feedback and learning how to incorporate it into my writing. But, I still completed her homework assignment to me, which was to create an annotated bibliography for BLOOD PRICE and TBATB.

That assignment was actually really fun! I split it into nonfiction for potential research and then potential comp titles. I’ve completed it for BLOOD PRICE and am still working on my lists for TBATB. But, my thesis advisor approved for BLOOD PRICE, which means now I get to start actually researching.

I also really appreciated that meeting because I think my advisor realized I was apprehensive about research because I didn’t want to be stuck by rules I didn’t agree with. And she reframe it as this: doing research, especially historical or time period research, is a way to learn the why of each element. Once you know the why, you can not only break it, but also strengthen your worldbuilding because of it.

So, for example, if a culture you’re researching only eats shoes, that fact is an answer to something (perhaps, for example, they eat shoes because it’s a religious demand of their god, Nike). When doing research, you might really love the way their religion is structured and want to use it. But that doesn’t mean your own characters needs to eat shoes! Instead, look at each element and determine if you want to use it, change it or ignore it and how that choice influences your worldbuilding in juxtaposition from its source.

I really appreciated this mindset.

March Focuses

Now, for March, my goal is to finally implement a routine. My thesis advisor and I agreed that not writing in favor of research wasn’t good for my mental health. Yet, she still wants me to do research.

So, I’m doing to do both. Start draft zero of TBATB and read research for for BLOOD PRICE, which might also translate as research for TBATB. We’re going to check in late-March to see how that is going for me!

Personally, I’m really excited. Using Notion and a writer’s planner my Mom so kindly got me for Christmas, I’ve mapped out the times that work best for me, when it comes to writing and research. I’ve set up rewards for myself (I have a pretty long Etsy wish list😅) to stay motivated. And, if this works, then it means I’ve figured out a way to fit writing into my life again. Starting it during one of the busiest times for my day job is no coincidence, either.

So, goals for March are:

• Write 4X a week
• Figure out research rhythm
• Make writing a priority
• Enjoy writing again

In Sum

I’m feeling pretty amped, friends! Which is such a nice change of pace, considering how down I’ve been surrounding my writing, ever since the pandemic started, really. I’m excited to see where this story goes, what I can achieve and how good it’ll feel to write again.

Thanks for supporting me in my own journey and reading another installment of Novels and Narrations! ❤