I FINISHED A NOVEL! //this is the first one in a while//greek mythology and things
Hello, wonderful friends! I've been pretty quiet on this side of things, mostly because I finally, finally set my butt down and started writing again.
I'll be honest: I hit intense burnout and writer's block in the second half of 2020, and I haven't finished a manuscript since. I've "introduced" so many WIPs on this blog...and then made little to no progress, struggling to figure out how to write.
There is, of course, a reason for that. I wanted every book I wrote to have the intense success of the latter half of the Pentegreens series. (If you're new to the blog: I went into a fever dream haze and wrote two massive books, 135k and 119k, in 3 months. The second 119k was entirely written for NaNoWriMo.) I wanted to write everything that fast. Not only that--I wanted my drafts to be that polished, to be as good as those had been. I then followed that book up with another fast and polished draft, Holding Up the Sky, which was 70k in about two months. And then...I was stuck.
College contributed, of course. There are lots of contributing factors. But now, as of July 26, 2022, I can report in and say that I DID IT!
I finished an entire book!
It's hardly my cleanest. It's not my best by a long shot. It will need so many edits, and I'm already working on figuring those out, because breaks are something I struggle with. But here we are. It's a draft, a complete one, and that is WORTH celebrating.
And We Fell in Fire
(all photos in this post are from pinterest)
The rebel with wings. The golden boy. The time bomb. And the witch...
In a far-off kingdom, poverty is the way of things. The Fog in the Badlands turns people into monsters with accursed magic, and the rebels are decimating the borders. The only protection comes from the Dome, a massive defense system for the capital city. But the Dome is an exclusive club, and the Labyrinth is always waiting within...
Medea wants nothing more than to gain access to the Dome. Safety for her and her mother would mean a chance for her to live the life she's always wanted. But for now, she works in a tavern, waiting for the day Jason returns for her. In the Badlands, Icarus is a crucial part of the rebellion, with his wings making him the perfect recon agent. As long as they never find out the real reason he keeps getting shot down...
When four radicals murder the empress, Medi and Icarus's lives become entwined. Taken prisoner to the Labyrinth, they must fight to stay alive, in a brutal competition that will kill them all if they aren't careful. Up against Percy, Medi's ex, and Theseus, a shy rich boy, Medi and Icarus strike up a cautious friendship. But each competitor is hiding a dangerous secret--and perhaps love is the most dangerous magic of all.
golden feathers//swirling tattoos//the clouds are so dark today//airships//Greek Mythos but make it Dystopian//Fantasy!Vegas//magic//I'm NOT a witch//too close to the sun//military men in uniform//
Medea//barmaid//wants More//secret yearnings//going to fight you//cake please and thanks//love is probably not entirely real//time is a social construct//castle by halsey
Once there was a little girl. She had big red hair full of dreams, and her eyes saw only the stars when they looked up at the fog overhead. Memory of her lives deep inside my chest, where I can draw upon her existence when I need to. She’s everything I should have been, everything I could have been. I think back to the bright-eyed future she imagined for herself, and I want to cry as I think about it. Lying here, in bed, all I can think of is her. Those big bright eyes, fixed on herself in the mirror, wondering who she could be. What the world would be like if the fog wasn’t scary. Wondering what it would be like to be whole and unbroken.
But that’s not who I get to be anymore. I’m not her. I wish I could be her, that I could look at the world and dream. But as the sirens sound in my ears for the entire night, keeping me awake until exhaustion pulls me into the dark of oblivion, I can think only of the child with the bright green eyes, the big smile, and the hopeful freckles.
As I got older, I started wiping away my freckles, one more freckle for every time I lost another piece of my innocence. It’s not hard to get a little white paint from the store and cover over them, but my porcelain skin is a lie, just like the smile I keep pasted onto my face at the tavern.
Icarus//wings//laugh and hold it all in//fire and excitement//three years overdue for a nap//being tall is too a personality trait//time for ANOTHER tattoo//icarus by starset
“I assume I’m going.” I don’t even know why I bother asking at this point. I know what the answer is going to be already. It’s always me, every time recon is needed. Wings are good for that kind of thing.
“You are.” Atalanta nods. “Just you. Cerberus will drive to the border of Sector 4 and wait for you at the mining town of Zenos.”
Not too far, then. I sigh. I don’t want to fly again, not with the way my wings ache from today’s mission, but I don’t really have a choice. Atalanta is the commander here. She trusts me, even though I’ve been shot down more than any other agent.
I will not fail this time. I will get out of there. I will do exactly what she wants.
I stand up and spread my wings. “I’ll meet you. I’ll have information in twenty-four hours?”
“Faster if you can. Get in, assess, get out. Don’t interact and do not engage.” She points to the door. “And do not forget to bring a handgun this time.”
An awkward laugh escapes me. I forget my handgun more often than I forget anything else at this point. “That was one time.”
“Three, actually.” She smirks, a strange expression at a time like this, but it’s comforting somehow. “Go. Be free.”
Jason//heroes don't all wear capes//dream boy//always lurking in your (day)dreams//all the power, all the goods//captain//war hero//afraid of nothing//blindfold by sleeping wolf
Theseus//overcome the fear or it will destroy you//you are mightier than you think//violin in the dead of night//a single heartbeat means another breath and then another//sharks by imagine dragons
Percy//the guilt//all of it is empty//rage is still here and existent//weariness//we're going to win this i mean it//secrets galore//bullet with butterfly wings by sam tinnesz and tommee profitt
It’s still only noontime, a good time of day for me to reflect on my afternoon. I don’t go into work until “happy hour,” our alcohol promo, begins, which is six, right after the soldiers get off duty for the most part. I weave through crowded streets. Bazaars full of goods make the streets so cluttered people have to funnel through in two single-file lines, stepping out only to buy the goods at the nearest booth.
A flash of light blue fabric catches my eye. I step out of the line before I can stop myself and walk to the booth where a woman is selling dresses. The one hanging from the fabric overhang of her booth is light blue, sleeveless but with a full skirt. It’s cut to almost exactly my size, which is rare around here. I reach up and run my fingers over the skirt. “How much for this?” I ask.
The woman adjusts her thick glasses and squints at me. She’s a tailor, her apprentices sitting on the floor of her tent working on more dresses. “Fifty marks.”
I sigh. It’s more than I should be spending, but right now it’s probably better to lay low than to continue trying to bust into the capital. “Forty?”
The woman raises an eyebrow. “Robbery? Is that what you see this as, child? This dress took my apprentice a week to make and you cry forty!”
I roll my eyes. “That inseam is machine sewn. Once the pattern was cut, this dress would’ve only taken a day. I want it. Forty.”
“Forty-five or my children and I starve!”
I hold my ground. “Forty-one.”
“Forty-one!” She shakes her head. “Forty-two and we have a deal, stubborn little thing.”
“No one else will take that dress.” I dig into my wallet. “Forty two it is. And perhaps, if you wish for better prices, you should make dresses that are a bit more…versatile.”
The guard puts in another code at the end of this hallway, too. I peek at his hand and see the first two numbers: 11- before he covers it with his other hand. It’s a much longer code, too. That won’t help me much. I sigh and toss my head. My hair is sweaty and stringy, and it’s stuck to my forehead. I really do need a haircut. Maybe Atalanta or someone will be willing to cut it in the near future.
I’m going to escape. I will get away. Failing simply is not an option.
I flex my arms, and tired spreads down to my palms. I don’t know how much fight I have left in me, but I’m going to do everything in my power.
The guards escort me into the room. It’s a big office, the stereotypical villainous kind with the big desk and the bigger swivel chair. The man sitting in the swivel chair is writing something, but as I walk in, he leans back and adjusts the glasses on his nose. “I don’t know who you think you are, Master…Icarus,” he says. No introduction.
I grin widely. “Didn’t know my reputation preceded me quite that much.”
“You’re rather infamous, Icarus.” The man points across the desk. “Have a seat, please. We need to discuss your… rather delicate position.”
This is about it! There are MANY edits to come, and I'm sure this book will be occupying my mind for a long time to come. Hopefully now that I'm back on my groove, I can actually write a couple more books, maybe even this year ^_^ More updates to come, of course. Thanks for reading if you made it this far! Let me know what you're writing!
17 comments
Congrats on finishing a novel!!!! That's so exciting, and I'm so glad to hear that you were able to finish one despite all the struggles of the past year and a half <3
ReplyDeleteAnd MY WORD I love all your characters already. Especially Theseus. <3 <3 <3
Thank you so much! <3 I'm partial to Theseus myself ;)
DeleteFirst of all, ALL THE CONGRATS OF EVER EVER EVER. Finishing a novel is HUGE under any circumstances. But finishing a novel in the midst of a craaaazy season in life and coming off a dry spell is incredible and awe-inspiring and absolutely wonderful. I'm so very glad you tapped back into that love of story.
ReplyDeleteAnd GIRL.
GIRL.
THIS STORY.
Greek mythology but dystopian??? WE NEEDS IT. WE MUST HAVES IT. How do you always come up with THE most epic ideas. Plus your CHARACTERS. My word I fall in love with them every single time. Those snippets had me glued to my screen. I barely know them, and yet I feel like I DO, I felt their emotions through your beautiful writing. UGH. I LOVE IT SO MUCH.
I'm just so glad you're writing and have a story you love. This all makes me ridiculously happy! I do hope the words continue to ignite your soul. You have such a gift, and God is going to use it in amazing ways. <3
THANK YOUUUUU THAT MEANS SO MUCH!!! This story has been a struggle to get through, but I love it so much and I'm so glad I can write again.
DeleteThank you so so much Christine <3 <3
This book>>>>>> the world isn't ready for it yet. Its everything to me. The aesthetics, the music. Just... Yes. Proud of you
ReplyDeleteThank you <3 I'm so excited for this story's future. You've been so amazing in the whole process. Thank you for everything <3
DeleteCongrats on finishing your draft!!!
ReplyDeleteI was reading the blurb while I was a little distracted, and I was like "okay, remind me where to find this book? I'm going to go add it to my reading list"...and then I remembered that it's just in progress. Dangit! But that's one of the best compliments I can give a blurb, wanting to read the book immediately, so. Kudos on your blurb writing skills, as well as your story-behind-the-blurb skills, which I'm sure are just as impressive. :D
Literally, though. This book sounds like it would be everything I love. Good luck moving forward with it!!
ACK what a compliment *sobs* Thank you!!!!
DeleteFinally, someone is making progress!!! I love all the blurbs and characters and I can't wait to read more!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!!!
DeleteTHIS IS AMAZING!!! It sounds so incredible, and I can't wait for more <3 I would immediately read this book if it were published.
ReplyDeleteCognratz on finishing! That's such an incredible feeling!
Alexa
alexa-thusfar.blogspot.com
Thanks!!! I'm so excited to have finished another book ^_^
DeleteThis is so amazing! I’m so excited for you! Congratulations on finishing your book!!!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I love Medea! <3
Thanks!!!
DeleteOoo! This sounds incredible!!
ReplyDeleteOoo! This sounds incredible!
ReplyDeleteWHAT IS THIS BRILLIANCE.
ReplyDeleteI have come to a deep appreciation of Greek myths, so when I came here to find that you have combined one with dystopian (i. e. one of my favorite genres), my mind was blown. BLOWN I TELL YOU. I love the sound of this SO much, and can already tell that I love Icarus. I feel quite called out on "three years overdue for a nap" and "being tall is too a personality trait". XD I LOVE Medi and Jason and Percy and Theseus. *heart eyes*
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. :)