Time for the hop this week, let’s see what questions we have.
If you joined me from the lovely Vicki Mixon then welcome!
1. How did you go about choosing the names for your characters?
This time around, I really struggled with character names. It took me ages to find ones that I liked. In past books, I generally saw a name and BAM! That was it, it was perfect.
I wanted names that sounded like they fit into my fantasy world, but I knew I didn’t want difficult names. Names that were easy to remember and easy to read but with a unique sound was my ultimate goal. Which was a lot harder than I bargained for! 😀
For this book, I scoured the internet baby name sites, ones where they explain the meaning behind a name (I love giving characters names which fit some part of their personality). I spent ages going back and forth between names until I just kept going back to the same ones.
2. Where did the inspiration for your current book come from?
I was sat watching a TV show, I can’t remember what it was, and I realised that everyone who becomes a chosen one, or is part of a prophecy, or has a certain destiny seems to never want to do it. They fight against it.
I thought, wouldn’t it be fun to write a story about someone who is part of a prophecy and really, really wants to be part of it. Someone who loves the idea of becoming a hero of destiny! And then it spiralled out from there 😀
3. What methods do you use to ensure you have no plot holes (journal, storyboard, outline, editor, etc.)?
I am a MAJOR plotter, I plan everything, every detail! Nothing tends to slip by. Though occasionally my brain will come up with something random and even better as I write, and I have to go back to make the rest of my plan and story consistent with this new plot point.
But I always keep a plan and tons of character sheets, locations sheets, scene sheets near me and jot stuff down as I go. I never like to miss or forget a thing.
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Some really interesting questions this week, it’s always fun to delve a bit further into the planning stages of a book!
Now go check out what the very talented Fiona Riplee has to say about her writing 🙂
How would you answer these questions? Do you like finding out about how authors go about planning out books?
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Progress Report
Status of Fourth Manuscript: Sent to readers for editing!
Books read: 1/4
July eBook review: Written and ready.
A Writer's Life For Me. 
I’m so in awe of organized writers. I tend to get interested in a character and come along for his or her life only having a vague sense of how I want it all to end.
Everyone works in different ways 😀 That’s what makes the writing process so unique and interesting!
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
very true:)
I’m a planner as well for sure! Great answers 🙂
I do find planning so much easier 😀
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
I’ve found that the more planning you do up front, the less time spent scrambling later in the writing process. Character sheets and location sheets are so important, especially when writing a series.
I love your book idea too! 🙂
I find that too. If I plan it all out, then when I come to do the writing, I can generally just let it flow then struggle to think about what’s coming next 😀
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
I am learning to become a major plotter as well. I have found that it helps me write without having to worry about plot holes. It’s a new experience for me (been doing this less than two years). I’ve always been someone who comes up with an idea and just writes as I go. To a certain extent, I still am.
I have been using RPG character sheets for my characters of late and just jot down locations and scenes with general descriptions. Mind if I ask what you use? I am always interested in seeing the forms others use for their writing process: from outlines to character sheets/sketches to scene layouts. 🙂
Of course I don’t mind you asking! 😀 I love to find out what others use and how they plot out as well.
I don’t use any forms or anything, what I tend to do is just start gathering pictures and information on an A4 sheet. Almost like a mind map spidering out from the characters name including looks, clothing, personality, quirks, etc.
I do the same for locations and certain scenes. Just something to jog my memory and make sure I don’t forget any small details 🙂
What a unique twist by creating a character who wants the destiny that’s been chosen for them. It’s fun how a TV show can make us think of something and wham a new story emerges. Great post.
It is interesting, I find myself looking at tv shows, movies and books in a different way now I do my own writing 😀
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
I love learning how other writers plot/write. It’s very helpful in case I need to get out of my own funk/habits for a while. I plot in a general way, but since there is so much foreshadowing, I MUST write that down. The stuff in between is more free-flowing and not as planned. Which can be difficult with a fantasy series when every little bit is important. I definitely don’t make it easy for myself, but I’ve tried heavy plotting and it just doesn’t work for me. Another great post!
You have to find what works for you. I love finding out how others writer work and what they do, because sometimes I pick up hints and tips, but what works for one might not work for the other. So it’s good you’ve found your comfortable way of doing it 😀
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
Love your twist on the prophecy person!
It certainly made for writing a new kind of story for me 😀
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
Your character names are real world names? Huh, I wouldn’t have guessed. They do seem quite fantastical.
It’s amazing the variety of names out there. I looked at names from older times, and from a variety of countries, so that helped 😀
I’m a major plotter too. It makes everything move easier for me! I agree with Kim about the prophecy person- wanting to be part of it instead of fight against it makes for an intriguing and different plotline.
Definitely, plotting out is such a major help for me. But then I know some writers who don’t plan at all, and they can produce such intricate stories! It amazes me how individual the writing process is.
Glad you think the story sounds interesting, it was great fun to write! Can’t wait until it’s released now 😀
Great answers. I also scour the internet baby name sites when I write. I love my characters to have a name with a meaning that matches their personality 😀
I know how you feel 😀 I love knowing that their name tells you something about them, even if people don’t know the exact meaning. I think it helps give them a little more depth as I write.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting 🙂