Writing Update: MEET MY NEW WIP!!!!!!!!
HELLO EVERYBODY!!!!! Today I am absolutely pumped to introduce you all to MY NEW NOVEL, also known as a story that I started on a whim and have fallen ABSOLUTELY in love with!
You haven't heard anything about this story yet. That's because I've never mentioned it before. It's entirely new. And so it's my vast pleasure to introduce you to
HOLDING UP THE SKY
I stole the following questions from Christine Smith, so...yeah. Did not make these up. Thanks, Christine! xD
1. What first sparked the idea for this novel?
I wanted to write a Rapunzel retelling about musicians. Simple, right? Then, suddenly, it became a story all about the prince. And then, suddenly, it wasn't a story about a prince anymore--it was about a gang of mercenaries out for money at whatever cost. A world in need of saving. Portals. And more...2. Share a blurb!
Don't kill. Don't make bargains. And shed no blood.
The sky is full of cracks. It could topple and fall at any moment, and that would be the end of the world. But that won’t happen. Not yet. Not when a small group of highly trained, specifically chosen musicians create their golden net every day, weaving song and magic together across the sky to hold it up. They never rest. They never pause. Their music is the only thing that could save the world.
Alfred the Miller wanted more out of life, which was why he stole some of the plant that infused the musicians with their magic and fed it to his pregnant wife. The musicians’ mistress, Santara, never meant to have another player in her arsenal, but she couldn’t leave baby Dulci, for her song is a vital part of the tapestry now. At age seventeen, Dulci has lived out her entire life in a tower, secluded from the other musicians, cultivating her skills on the piano, seeing no one but Santara.
Until those who wish to see the world end, who want to build a new order from the ashes, find out about her. And suddenly every mercenary in the world is after Dulci, to stop her song and bring the end just a little sooner.
A world at stake… a lonely girl… and a desperate gang of assassins who just need to eat for another day.
The song must continue.
3. Where does the story take place? What are some of your favorite aspects about the setting?
This story takes place in the fantasy world of Adonta. A world where music is the last weapon against a crumbling sky. A world with walls surrounding its borders. Connected to other worlds by portals known as "gates", guarded by the corrupt gatekeepers. It's a world where you can pay for things in gold--if you have it. If not, blood and hair work as currency, too. Names are guarded closely within this world. The cities are the only safe places, and the farmland beyond is full of people who live their lives in trepidation. For beyond that...toward the edges...are monsters. Monsters no one has ever seen and lived to tell the tale.I love everything about this world, to be honest xD
4. Tell us about your protagonist(s).
(all pictures in this post are from Pinterest. All rights to the owners and creators. I own nothing.)
Dulci
has played the piano since the age of 2. Better at it than you but would never say so. If this is Alice in Wonderland she’s the dormouse. Sleeps and plays piano and that’s literally it. Blonde hair, green eyes, not terribly pretty but that’s okay because she can play the piano. Doesn’t know what it means to “fall in love”.
The piano was Dulci’s lifeblood, in both a literal and a figurative sense; she had played since she was three, and the golden threads of life had flowed from her music since she was four. A tiny child, tasked with saving their world for one more day.
Daverby
Dad friend even though he’d never show it. Tough exterior. Doesn’t really have a heart of gold but would rather not cause the end of the world. My girlfriend is the most important person on the planet and in the universe actually. I might be a killer but we’ve all killed mosquitoes so does it really matter. Skewed moral compass.
His job was to provide for the small family he’d assembled, in name, anyway.
In all actuality he was just trying to put together a crime empire that rivaled the one he’d escaped.
Emery
Daverby’s girl. Doesn’t know why you'd bother having an opinion when you’re so clearly wrong. Incredibly dry wit. No clue what she’s doing but why bother when you can wing it. Also wing the eyeliner while you’re at it. Probably killed someone yesterday but doesn’t care. What is flirting by the way it’s a fictional concept.
The best thing about life, Emery had found, was how easy it truly was to just sit down and spend some time humming to herself over her art in the corner. Perhaps everyone else was fighting in the middle of the room, but she didn’t have to get involved.
Drex
The rich kid who got bored. Doesn’t really have a plan but that’s okay, we’re all having fun. Will probably rob his dad if it buys dinner. Not into Emery or Lissa, which is fine because they both hate him. Possibly has a decent heart but probably not. Still wishes he could go home for Yule. Secrets might prove deadly in the end or maybe not.
It was a feeling as familiar as the unconscious beating of his heart. A heartbreak years old, one that he didn’t understand. His chest tightening as the ice moved in. Drex fought to keep that easy smile on his face. “Sir, there is no one who believes in monsters more than I, and no one for better reason.”
Lissa
The worrier. Mum friend dialed up to 11. Will sell the clothes off her back before letting anyone starve. Would probably let you cannibalize her if you had to. Wishes she could be a musician. Has never killed anyone. Still dreaming about Prince Charming.
Sometimes she wondered why she couldn’t be like the rest of her family and just be used to the prominence of blood in her world. But she couldn’t. She hated blood.
Malice
No one is sure why he’s named that. Emery and Lissa’s kid brother. Looks six, acts thirteen, actually nine. Killed a bee and cried about it. (The bee stung him, actually). We can’t end the world, there are still nice people in it. But I’ll probably rob the rich folks.
Malice looked up at her, his wide child-eyes eclipsed under a knowledge of the world that no nine-year-old should have to bear. “You seem scared,” he said.
Talia
Drifts in and out getting into trouble. Needs a chance to cry about things but never does. Lissa is too sweet, Emery is too cool, Drex is gross, and Daverby is a father type. Basically Malice’s mother. There's something waiting in the bushes for her. Once she screamed into the void and it screamed back.
“There is nothing in the world,” Talia reminded him, as she had so many times before, “not in our world or any of those beyond the gates, for you to be afraid of, if you live in a way that defies fear. The only enemies you will ever have are those you make for yourself.”
Tarek
the other musician who smashed his wrist once and now has to play twice as hard with his other hand. It’s cool, man, I know how to sing too. Wishes more people understood how demanding this life is. A celebrity and cool, but also… help, too many people. Introverted introvert.
They were musicians, creators, artists, performers. But the weight of their responsibility rested heavy upon them more than any rush of pleasure from playing.
At least, for Tarek, that was the case.
5. Who (or what) is the antagonist?
6. What excites you the most about this novel?
A new fantasy world! A new cast of characters I adore! The music! The story! The plot! Unraveling secrets in slow motion! EVERYTHING!
7. Is this going to be a series? standalone? something else?
A trilogy ;)
8. Are you plotting? pantsing? plansting?
Mostly pantsing, but I do know vaguely where I'm going with it, so we're fine.
9. Name a few things that makes this story unique.
HOPEFULLY EVERYTHING TBH? I don't know, man.Although it's a Rapunzel retelling that also happens to be an Atlas retelling and also a Six of Crows style heist/mercenary story ;)
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!).
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/44Ua5OKCsaZbRCxzZuZ8Db <----my playliiiiist
https://www.pinterest.com/faithfloridsword/holding-up-the-sky/ <---- Pinterest (not very interesting)
And now SOME SNIPPETS because I'm already decently deeply into this thing:
Dulci’s song today, from a world beyond the Gates, surged from her fingers. The final scale was faster than any fingers should be able to go, but she soared through it to the end, struck the final chord perfectly, and took a deep breath of the oxygen that still filled her lungs. Today, she was still well and alive.
She wove her fingers into her hair—long and golden, never before cut—and rose from the piano bench, gathering her simple blue frock in one hand. The flagstones of the floor chilled her bare feet, but the pain was a mere trifle. She walked to the only window of her tower and stared out into the morning sky.
Daverby stole everything he owned, including Emery’s heart, and he had never felt the slightest shred of guilt for it. He couldn’t. Not when this was taking him up in the world. Adonta was open to men like him; the council hadn’t the slightest clue what it was doing, and while he might not be politically suited to run a world, he could certainly keep its people in line.
Not through fear. Through a reward system, similar to how he kept Emery’s nine-year-old brother in line. It worked. People needed to think of that long before they resorted to terror. Peasants responded to fear, but they would also respond to promises of better things, especially if they actually followed through on the promises. That was Daverby’s philosophy, and he stuck to it, even if he could only experiment on a piddly five people for right now.
Right now, he had to bring dinner home.
“That was my gold!” yelled Lissa.
“But you’re my slave, so I can steal it if I want to.” Daverby grinned.
“I am not your slave! I am a paid employee who you don’t treat with anything like enough respect!”
“I don’t have respect for petty thieves.” Daverby pursed his lips and glanced at Emery, and the glee in his eyes made her giggle out loud.
“Oh, are you getting my sister involved?” Lissa folded her arms. “Unfair. Unfair advantage! Emery, tell Daverby to give my gold back!”
“Technically, it is his gold…” Drex contributed.
“Shut up, Drex!”
“Careful with that, boy. Might look like harmless steel, but point it the wrong way and you’ll kill someone.”
Drex froze and glanced up into the stacks with a sheepish smile. “What is it?”
The old man who moved toward him hobbled, one hand on a cane that supported him and looked like the only thing keeping him up.
“It comes from beyond the gates. Load this special powder into it and pull that little hook… and it’ll blow people’s bodies open. At least, that’s what I’ve been told. I’ve never tested it myself, but the man only wanted two gold pieces for it. Must’ve been desperate and didn’t feel like raising the price. Well, two gold pieces and a sword, but… I have swords in abundance. Didn’t hurt me at all. Is there any chance I could interest you in buying that thing?”
Drex’s stomach clenched. Blowing people’s bodies open? Oh, yes, that was exactly what he wanted to do with his life. Sell his blood to make others bleed.
And there you have it! My! New! Work! In! Progress! I'm absolutely over the moon to be working on this story, in case you couldn't tell.
47 comments
AHEM YESSSSS FINALLY, YOU REVEAL THIS BEAUTIFUL THING TO THE WORLD I AM HERE FOR THIS!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAHAHHHHHHHHHH DREX IS SO HOT THO. OKAY BOO THIS IS GOING TO BE AMAZING I LOVE THIS, LOVE YOU!!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
ReplyDeleteYou're nuts xD Calm down calm down xD Thank youuuuu luv
Deletehahahahhaha i arrived first for one how's that? no more saying i never read your blog posts MUHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH
ReplyDeleteMWAHAHAHA lookit you
DeleteIMMA SPAM YOUUUUU BECAUSE IT'S FUUUUUUUNNNNN HEEEEEYYYYY OKAY BYEEEEEE LOVE YOU
ReplyDeleteEY EY EYYYYYYY
DeleteSounds like a super cool book! All the characters are awesome! I would read this story.
ReplyDeleteastorydetective.blogspot.com
Thank you!!!! I'm so glad you like it!
DeleteOH MY WORD THIS SOUNDS INCREDIBLE. *FANGIRLS HARD* These characters sound FANTASTIC and I think Tarek is already my favorite. Whoops. XD
ReplyDeleteAnyways, Holding Up the Sky sounds AWESOME and if you ever need beta readers, I volunteer as tribute. ;)
I looooove Tarek very much myself ;) He's my favorite too. Well, him, Lissa, and Dulci.
DeleteYES THANK YOUUUU
A Rapunzel retelling with musicians holding up the sky??? This is the awesomest fairytale retelling that I've ever heard of!!!!!!!!!!!! SO BRILLIANT. These characters are fantastic!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!!!!!!!!!
DeleteMusic + assassins + Rapunzel retelling???? I NEED THIS BOOK!!!!
ReplyDeleteAhhhhhh *freaks out* I hope you like it when it finally comes into existence!!!!!
DeleteWHAT WHAT WHAT.
ReplyDelete*reads post like O____O*
*dies*
*revives*
*dies again*
*revives screaming*
THIS. STORYYYYY.
Oh my WORD, Faith. FAITH. How...how do you come UP with these things????? This is one of THE most unique, beautiful, amazing, wonderful things I've ever heard in mah liiiiife. It's like everything I love. A Rapunzel retelling? YESSSSH. Music? GIMMEEE. An epic looking found-family-squad-thing? MY GREATEST LOVE. And then that PREMISE. They literally keep the sky up with their music? Dude. DUUUDE. YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL BRAIN, FAITH. I literally cannot express in words how much I am in love with this.
As if the premise isn't the most amazing thing enough, but those CHARACTERS. "I might be a killer but we’ve all killed mosquitoes so does it really matter." "Doesn’t know why you'd bother having an opinion when you’re so clearly wrong." "It’s cool, man, I know how to sing too." Oh my gracious goodness. XDDD I love them so much already.
But seriously, I don't know if I've ever read a premise I'm more in love with than this??? Like...this is EVERYTHING. KEEP WRITING IT. WE NEEDS IT, PRECIOUSSSS.
Oh, and I'm totally honored you used my Know the Novel questions! Feel free to use them anytime! Especially to give us such a treat as THIS. <33333
*joins you in screaming and dying and reviving*
DeleteAHHHHHHHH I AM SO EXCITED THAT YOU LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!! I love the concept too even though I haven't gotten more than 20k into it. I have no clue what's happening but that's okay. I love ittttttt. *flails* I'm so glad you likey!!!!!!!!
These characters are my new favorite things *sobs*
:D I WILLLLLL! I wrote a whole 1500 words last night so clearly I'm thriving.
<3 Thank you!
OH GOLLY GOODNESS THIS IS TOO EPIC FOR WORDS. I NEED THIS! DESPERATELY!
ReplyDelete*flails* THANK YOU LILAAAAAAA
DeleteAHHHHHHHHH FAITHHHHHHH!!!!!!! *screams*
ReplyDeleteYOU. ARE. A. QUEEN. I NEED this story NOW. *dies*
(Also musicians, Faith? You just single-handedly made my day. <3)
*also screams* THANK YOU!!!!!!!
Delete(We need more stories about musiccccc)
This looks BRILLIANT. Also, thieves. I need to read this, it looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!!!!!
Delete*SCREAAAAAAAMS*
ReplyDeleteHow do you come up with such brilliant ideas WOWOWOWOW
Delete*joins you in screamingggggg*
DeleteTHANK YOUUUUU
Rapunzel/Atlas/MUSICIANS???? This is like, the coolest thing I've ever heard of. Plus, MERCENARIES??? Plus the setting sounds kinda like...a fairytale but dark. Or maybe just a fairytale, because fairy-tales are actually pretty dark in and of themselves. Anyway, I WANT TO READ THIS. SO BADLY.
ReplyDeleteAlso... I'm kinda in love with Daverby already. I'm sure that's not a problem.
Thank you!!!!!! Yeah, I'm going for a dark fairytale vibe!!!! :D :D I'm so glad you like the concept and I hope I can finish it soon!
DeleteIt's okay--I'm in love with Daverby too xD
What a totally unique concept!? I love it!
ReplyDeleteThank youuuu :D :D
DeleteThis. sounds. AMAZING. I NEED TO READ THIS ASAP.
ReplyDeleteMUSICIANS WHO HOLD UP THE *SKY*??? YES. PLEASE.
And the characters sound FANTASTIC and I already adore Malice (I have such a soft spot for child characters; they're so stinking adorable and have such a unique perspective on the world and AHHH), and ragtag groups are THE BEST, and EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS IS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL.
Thank you so muuuuch!!!!
DeleteMy characters are basically my favorite thing ever *sobs* And I hope Malice comes out as good as you make him sound here, haha! I JUST LOVE THIS STORY A LOT TBH
I'm sorry, but this sounds INCREDIBLE AND I NEED IT NOW PLEASE. "Although it's a Rapunzel retelling that also happens to be an Atlas retelling and also a Six of Crows style heist/mercenary story ;)"?? I'm sold on this ALONE. I cannot WAIT. ^-^!!!
ReplyDelete*flails* I am so glad!!!!!! :D :D
DeleteUM THIS SOUNDS AMAZING OKAY. :-O AND MALICE IS MY FAVORITE CHARRIE SO FAR ALREADY. <33 AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
ReplyDeleteAHHHHHH I AM SO GLAAAD
DeleteTHIS POST IS GIVING ME LIFE
ReplyDeleteI NEED THIS STORY. /NEED/
*flails softly* I DO TOO TBH
Delete*SQUEALS* AHHHH this novel sounds amazing!!!!!! I cannot wait to read it. <33333
ReplyDeleteI can't wait FOR y'all to read it! :D
DeleteOKAY BUT ALL THOSE CHARACTERS ARE SO INTERESTING. And the IDEA of this story!! I'M SO IN. And to echo Christine: How do you come up with this stuff??!! xD
ReplyDeletetheonesthatreallymatter.blogspot.com
Thank you so much!!!!! Dude I don't even know xD It just...COMES.
DeleteDUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDE!!! This is the coolest idea I've ever seen! The mashups of all the different concepts, and yet I can already tell they will work so well!!!! Oh my goodness, this is amazing, and I cannot wait for more of it! :D
ReplyDeleteAlexa
thessalexa.blogspot.com
verbosityreviews.com
Thank you!!!!! I hope they do work--so far, draft 1 is a mess, but it's going to be okay ;) Thank you so much for reading!
DeleteThis sounds absolutely amazing! Color me intrigued.
ReplyDeleteI love all the character descriptions and those fantastic snippets!
I love Daverby already! XD
Thank you so much!!!! Daverby is my disaster boi and I shouldn't love him but here we are
Delete:OOOO
ReplyDeleteA little bird let me know you shared about your new WIP and I came over here to read about it and dID SOMEONE SAY CHARACTER CREWS? GRAND HEISTS? ATLAS/RAZUNZEL MASHUP???
Forgive my unrestrained glee. But this story looks too good to be true.
I mean, the idea that musicians weave a golden net to hold up the sky??? Whutttt??? How awesome is that??? I'm so in love with this story. And I love that there's an entire crew of awesome characters! *pumps fist*
"I might be a killer but we've all killed mosquitoes so does it really matter." I died. "No clue what she’s doing but why bother when you can wing it. Also wing the eyeliner while you’re at it." Then I died again. Also, a 9-yr-old boy too wise for his years named Malice? And I like what you did with Dulci's name! And Tarek and Talia and all the others!
This is seriously one of the most unique story ideas I've ever heard! I can't wait to know more! :P
ACCCKKK YESSSSS I AM SO GLAD YOU LIKE THE CONCEPT!!!!
DeleteI'm hoping that the actual book holds up to the concept xD I always come up with insane concepts and then feel like the story itself falls flat. But THANK YOUUUUUU
I love my characters ;) And I'm glad you do toooooo
Thank you so much!!!! I'll absolutely be sharing more!
Hello, friends! Do make yourselves comfortable and stay for a while--I'd love to chat with you! I simply ask that you keep it clean. :)