Our Masterpieces...Err, Our Novels

Monday, July 4, 2011

WIP Snapshot: The Blues

Writing Song of the Day: "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash


First off, Happy Fourth of July all!!! We're glad that you took a moment to stop by the blog! As Pam mentioned last week, we took this idea from Caroline Tung Richmond (remember follow her blog !), who has admitted that she stole this idea from super author Kiersten White. Basically, they both gave details on their current works-in-progress. Just like Pam did here last week, I'm going to attempt to break down one of my two current WIPs.

Ready?? Here goes!

Title: The Blues--I hate titles. Like, loathe them. But there's a place of significance in the novel called The Blues, plus it pretty much conveys the mood.

Genre: Contemporary YA (with some mystery elements)

Pages: 256 (double spaced, 12 point Times New Roman Font)

Chapters: 22--some are as long as seventeen pages, others as short as five. I might need to fix that...

Word Count: 56,838--I always have the issue of adding more to my work. In Limbo started at 52,000 and after revisions is at 60,334. Hope I can do the same with The Blues.

Draft Time: I started writing the very first version of this September 2010 and got serious about it in December, right after NaNoWriMo. I wrote about thirty pages in third person, and played around with two POVs, then I gave up and worked on In Limbo. THEN, I came back to it in February 2011 and completed the first draft right around March 2011, the second draft at the end of April and I'm working on the third now.

Origin: It all started because I wanted to write a contemporary YA after being in historical mode. Then I went to a conference (Hampton Road Writers Conference in September 2011) and set in on a session about writing an effective mystery. I already had a main character in mind and an idea of a relationship with him and a girl...then I added in the mystery element and started writing from there.

Random Facts:




  • In the beginning of the novel, Blake's (the MC) history teacher always shows videos. This came from hearing about teachers that do this...and we've even enountered teachers who show TV episodes for no apparent reason.


  • Margo's name (Blake's love interest) was Millie at first...yeah, Margo's not that much better--but Millie, really?


  • After reading Ellen Hopkin's Crank (per Pam's recommendation) I decided to make crystal meth the central drug in The Blues.


  • Blake and his Ma are Italian mainly because I was trying to teach myself Italian and I wanted to throw in phrases every now and then :)


  • Blake is somewhat of a low class computer genius because I like to think I'm pretty handy with electronics, even though I'm not--at all.


  • Blake drives a two door light blue Chevy Cavalier POS (remember this means piece of sh*t)...because I drive a two door white Chevy Cavalier POS.
Okay, there it is. I have The Blues out with two betas right now and can't wait to delve back into revising it. Just as Pam asked last week, we'd love to hear about your writing. So, how goes it?

***BTW-- That smashing new header on our blog? Yeah, that comes from the lovely Jess at Jest Kept Secret. Thanks, girlie--we LOVE it!!

11 comments:

Emy Shin said...

The Blues sounds really interesting from the little tidbits you've shared. Good luck on your revisions!

Meredith McCardle said...

The Blues sounds awesome. Gritty and raw and right up my alley. :) Love the new header too!

Glenna said...

I love the name Margo! It really lends to the feel... The Blues started it, but this whole thing has the "jazz musician" feel. Romantic, dark, mysterious, smooth and gritty all at once. Low saxophone, high flute trills. Margo could be a romantic, tragic heroine or a tragic heroin addict.

And I've found worrying about chapter lengths is silly. Jo Rowling had chapters that could be entire short stories, and chapters that were only a few pages. Lemony Snickett had one page chapters, and they were brilliant. Wherever the natural length falls will read the right way, you know?

Can't wait to read!

Alex Mullarky said...

Love the new header, and sounds like a really good WIP - we are in the exact same stage! I've got mine out with two betas as well (as you will know) and can't wait to get into revision!

(once again, that wasn't supposed to be pressure for Pam LOL)

Erinn said...

I'm loving the new header, so pretty. I can't wait to read the Blues. I love me some computer geekiness. :-)

Racquel Henry said...

I love the new header! It's PERFECT. Quita, I really enjoyed reading about your WIP. It sounds like something I would definitely pick up in the bookstore. :)

Marquita Hockaday said...

Thanks for the comments, peeps :) I appreciate all of the accolades and feedback. Also thanks for showing love to the new header. Racquel--your blog is gorgeous!

Jennifer Hillier said...

Great title! I love the random facts - it's things like this that make stories that much more authentic for the reader.

And yup, I had no less than 3 friends who drove Chevy Cavaliers back in the day... and all 3 broke down at some point!

Ghenet Myrthil said...

a) Love the new header!
b) Yay for contemp YA!
c) I'm also an under-writer. My just-finished 1st draft is just under 51K words. I hope to add 10-15K during revisions. Good luck with yours! The book sounds awesome. :)

KatOwens: Insect Collector said...

The header is gorgeous-- and I love this feature.

So cool to get a bigger glimpse of The Blues.
random aside: Margo is MUCH better than Millie.

confession: I show videos in class sometimes, but only really good ones (and only if I need a mental health break)

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