The label ’emerging writers’ is often given to new authors and those trying to get published. Well, here we are friends, emerging from the wood.
For a lot of authors their first novel is essentially a practice novel which never get published. I always said that writing Lethal Inheritance was my degree in writing and for me, getting an agent meant that I graduated. When I get that publishing contract, I’ll know that I passed with honours.
Now I’m writing CAPTIVE. In many ways it’s easier than writing my first novel, but this book has its own challenges because it’s very different to the Diamond Peak series.
First, it’s not for the YA genre. There are unavoidable sexual relationships in it, not that any of it will be graphic. Secondly, it takes place almost entirely in one set of adjoining suites in a castle, whereas Lethal Inheritance’s scenery is always changing. Thirdly, it’s character, relationship and emotion driven, rather than action driven. For me, that’s a harder brief, and that’s why I’m not sure at this stage if I can make it work.
But I do have a lot more knowledge and skill than when I started writing. For example, with ‘Lethal Inheritance’ I didn’t start writing the ‘blurb’ early enough in the process. Essentialising the story in a few words like this is an excellent way to sort out what you actually want the novel to be about. That helps you to draw out the important points as you write and avoid meandering into unnecessary things.
Here’s what I came up with for ‘Captive’.
The curse of Princes Kirra’s beauty is that she’s a slave. The blessing is that she’s alive, but she won’t be if the renegade King finds out.
Two men hide her. Both men want her; one, her master, the Prince; the other, the man who saved her life but slaughtered her family. When Kirra is finally able to choose, she discovers that freedom is not what she thought, and that slavery has many names and many masters.
In a world where modern technology and values are invading ancient cities and mystical traditions, Kirra is the only remaining member of the Ardmon royal family. As such, she has a responsibility to free her people, but how can she when she shares their fate? The answer reveals itself as she comes to realize that while others chase power’s many masks, she can master its naked face.
Does it sound interesting? Does anything about it grab you? If so what? Don’t be kind. Be truthful.
It sounds very intriguing, especially the bit about the two men who hide her and her choice in one…
Regarding second novels, I found the second one I wrote much easier, however, it was romance novel with a much simpler plot and a much lighter message, in every respect, it was easier to write. I only re-read it again today, and was quite pleased with it. Definitely something I will work on after I’m done with first one. Hope you’re enjoying writing Captive
Yes, I’m enjoying it. I find it fascinating as the story unfolds and complications and enrichments appear that I didn’t see before. I love that process of discovery. My characters are revealing parts of themselves that I didn’t know about, one in particular that changed the whole way I saw the ending.
I’m outlining my second novel right now (well, trying to outline it to be more exact) and I do feel a lot more comfortable than when I first started writing my first novel. I’ve learned a lot from that experience last year and it does feel easier to work on the second one.
Captive sounds very interesting! I love the idea of Kirra being in the middle- choosing a man or choosing her freedom. I’d definitely want to read it Tahlia
I love the questions you write at the end of the blurb in italics, Tahlia. The subject intrigues me, though ancient civilizations are not my forte. I’d be interested to know more.
Lynn
http://www.writeradvice.com
Author of You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers
Hi Lyn. I’m not usually into medieval type settings either, but the interesting thing about this is that it’s both modern and ancient together. There’s a situation where modern technology is coming into this isolated Kingdom from the Northern countries, so we have the rich with cars and the poorer people still with horse and carts. Electricity and all it’s goods have arrived in the cities, but not the villages. Telephones are just coming in and people can recieve a rather fuzzy TV reception from the country to the north.
“while others chase power’s many masks, she can master its naked face.”
THAT is so strong. I love it. I also find it fascinating that you’re trying out a different type of story altogether (character vs. action-driven) and will be interested to follow your progress with that. What I’ve been working on to date falls in that latter category; there are not dramatic changes in setting or adrenaline-rushing action as it’s very concentrated on the psychological/emotional variations in my protagonist as she questions identity and her perceptions of reality. This is the type of story I tend to go for, yet I’m constantly feeling insecure that it’s not the type to grab a mass audience and thus not an agent/publisher’s attention. Ah well. Perhaps the second novel will be more action-packed
Enough about me. I am very excited for YOU and believe in your first novel’s future success and wish you the same in this next endeavor!
Maybe we’re the forward vanguard of a type of book that isn’t out there yet. Luckily these days there are lots of ways to publish and if we have to do the alternative thing to build up an audience then so be it.
Maybe we could swop guest posts.
If you’re interested, email me at tahlia@activ8.net.au
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