Of Fury and Temperance

Hi folks. This blog post is prompted by Cait, of the aptly named writing blog, Paper Fury. Cait is a phenomenal writer and an amazing blogger with some of the most clever themes on the web.

The article is intended for current ‘works in progress’ {WIP}, but I do not really have enough material to speak about. I would rather speak about a book I wrote this past summer.

Cait has a 3-part questionaire:

Part One – Introduction:

1- What inspired the idea for your novel, and how long have you had the idea?

I like to write stories with particular themes and thought a Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde story would be fun. I read the Robert Louis Stevenson book but did not care for it. I loved his book, ‘Treasure Island,’ when I was a kid. I read it again, and loved it even more. Now I knew what to do with the story. On the surface, it is the story of Jeckyl and Hyde, but beneath the surface, it is the story of ‘Treasure Island’. I bounced ideas around with Miss Plumtatrt for a few weeks and then dove in.

2- Describe what your novel is about!

Our protagonist is tricked into helping construct a device of great destructive capabilities. Unbeknownst to our hero, he has also been targeted for a dangerous experiment that transforms the naive chap from mouse to monster. Murder is at our every turn and Victorian London reels from the terror that has descended upon it.

3- What is your book’s aesthetic? Use words or photos or whatever you like!

I try to write steampunk paranormal stories, but they keep coming out as humorous. I am painfully shy of violence, yet there is action and amazing fight scenes all along the way. In an effort to keep the action active and in the present tense, I tend to write almost exclusively in dialogue. I am told that this is unusual and that I am taking a risk by writing this way, yet this is how my heart tells me to write. I also feel that this is how I can develop an individual way to write. I would like to think all of the music, singing, and rhythm would be my branding, but I think it is the dialogue-centric style that a reader may take to be my literary fingerprint.

4- Introduce us to each of your characters!

– Ichabod Temperance –

I am a gifted tinker from rural Alabama. Where I am, it is the year 1877. I have invented a trans-universe-temporal-scriptograph to facilitate this comunication.

I used to think that I was the hero in my stories, but I have recently come to the startling conclusion that in actuality, Miss Plumtartt is the real hero, and that I am the bungling sidekick. :-/ In this story, I have been tricked by differing factions that have taken advantage of my trusting nature.

– Miss Persephone Plumartt –

Miss Plumtartt is the smartest, most beautiful, and bravest girl in the whole wide world! She is the product of Europe’s finest schools and is a jewel among Britain’s aristocracy. Somehow, against all odds and reason, she has become really fond of me. Alas, this has caused her to endure many frustrating hardships in our latest adventure.

– Nichodimus Cobblechunk –

Big Nick is a shining example of British strength and vitality. His tremendous size is matched by his determination to rid London of the evil, fiendish monster that plagues the Great City.

– Dipsy Jigglemire –

Ace reporter in the competitve London newspaper world, Dipsy is a big, strong and determined girl. She is relentless and resourceful in tracking down a story. Her constant laughter and good cheer keep her Scotland Yard Detective boyfriend Nichodimus in good spirts.

– Professor Christopher Diddlefudde –

In an effort to develop a serum capable of changing the very nature of a man, this gifted, though ruthless scientist has no qualms about taking advantage of any test specimen he can find.The self-absorbed and inconsiderate Professor easily dupes our dimwitted hero with catastrophic results.

– Bobby, Louie, and Steven’s son –

Three singing newsboys whose names are similar to Dr. Jeckyl’s author name, Robert Louis Stevenson.

5- How do you prepare to write? (Outline, research, stocking up on chocolate, howling, etc.?)

No outline, I am a seat of the pants author. A few cups of coffee is all that is needed to get the ball rolling.

6- What are you most looking forward to about this novel?

Rhythm and song! I was shy about including music at first, but now, I love having fun, interactive material for the reader to indulge.

7- List 3 things about your novel’s setting.

– It is set in the year 1877, as opposed to when you live, in 2000-whatever.

– We get to visit London! It’s like a dream come true!

– The world we live in has been visited by a strange comet. The Earth, after having passed through its tail, is wondrously changed. Inventiveness abounds, with astounding spring, steam, or electricity based motivation. However, there has been an alarming increase in varied supernatural occurences as well. Miss Plumtartt and I are often caught up in happenstance concerning world-gobbling monsters.

8- What’s your character’s goal and who (or what) stands in the way?

Our hero has a need to do what is right and good. Unfortunately, said hero is rather dense and in the attempt to do good, brings an avalanche of ruin upon his head.

9- How does your protagonist change by the end of the novel?

He must come to grips with the duplicity of others and find it in himself to overcome enemies from within and without to do the right thing.

10- What are your book’s themes? How do you want readers to feel when the story is over?

A theme of honesty versus duplicity runs throughout the book. I am a ‘Happily Ever After’ sort of writer, so I want the reader to be warmly tickled with the ending. I think that starting my stories is my weakest attribute, but I always manage to come up with a humdinger of a happy ending each time!

Part Two – Update:

1:Overall, how is your mental state, and how is your novel going?

Geat! This was a fun book to write! I thought I had a few weeks before a job began for me, and I started the book thinking that I would not have any interruptions, however, the job started early. To write the book, I needed to go to bed early, so that I could wake up early and write. This worked out perfectly, as I had no distractions in the early morning hours.

2:What’s your first sentence (or paragraph)?

“Let every face look upon us

in worshipful joy!”

“We go now to greet

our newly appropriated subjects.”

“Stop, Miss! This is Westminster Palace; you can’t come in here dressed like…”

~Bip!~

“Westminster Guard down! Eek! I am being assaulted by a beautiful monst…Augh!”

~Bop!~

“Guards, guards! Westminster is under attack! All guards to the central lobby!”

3:Who’s your current favourite character in your novel?

Miss Plumtartt is fantastic! She is all that these dastardly pirates can handle!

4:What do you love about your novel so far?

My pirates get to sing!

They let their voices ring!

It might be wrong, to write in song,

But I don’t give a ring-a-ding!

5:Have you made any hilarious typos or other mistakes?

I make no mistakes, typos nor otherwise, and the hilarity is totally on porpoise!

6:What is your favourite to write: beginning, middle, or end — and why?

Beginning – Hate it.

Middle – Oh, yeah, I’m in the rocking chair, y’all.

End – This is my fave, because I actually made it! Ohh, but it is bittersweet, as well, because it has come to a close.

7:What are your writing habits? Is there a specific snack you eat? Do you listen to music?

I like to write in one big deluge, as I snack on cookies and coffee while not being distracted by music or anything else. I have to turn the internet and emails off, too.

8:What time of day do you write best? Feel free to show us a picture of your writing space!

Here is my writing space (and my supervisor, Kitka):

I am a morning person. I get sluggish in the afternoon.

9:How private are you about your novel while you’re writing? Do you need a cheer squad or do you work alone (like, ahem, Batman)?

I like to bounce ideas around with Miss Plumtartt. She reads along as I write and helps to edit and catch typos.

10:What keeps you writing even when it’s hard?

I don’t try to push it. I don’t want it to be forced. When it is time to write, it will just pour out. That method probably does not work for everyone, but it is what works for me.

11:What are your top 3 pieces of writing advice?

Don’t be scared. Just give it a go. I did not give it a try until I was a geezer. Now, I love it!

Part Three. – 2017 writing Goals:

1:What were your writing achievements last year?

I wrote and published my Fantasy saga of epic proportions! The charming dragons steal the show. I also wrote and self-pubbed the focus of this article, ‘The Two Faces of Temperance’, or, ‘The Curious Case of Dr. Icky and Mr. Temperance’.

2:What’s on your writerly “to-do list” for 2017?

Write another book.

3:Tell us about your top-priority writing projects for this year!

It will be fun and silly.

4:How do you hope to improve as a writer? Where do you see yourself at the end of 2017?

I am not sure. Do you remember your post on writing advice, and how for every bit of writing advice, there is an equal and opposite suggestion? People tell me all sorts of things to change and become better, but I want to stay true to the way I want to write.

5:Describe your general editing process.

With each book, I improve as both a writer and as an editor. I have a better concept of what I want to put out. My balance and pacing has improved. As the books get better, they are easier to edit. I am getting closer to where I want to be as a writer.

6:On a scale of 1-10, how do you think this draft turned out?

Personally, I rank it high. I have been told, however, that it may be difficult for a reader, especially one that is unaccustomed to my zany manner.

7:What aspect of your draft needs the most work?

Getting the book off to a good start is always my greatest challenge.

8:What do you like the most about your draft?

I love all the singing, the mad tumble of one calamity after another, and all of the charming characters, but I love how I always manage to include a tear-jerker along the way, also. I do not kill off characters, and hurt the reader’s feelings; rather, I try to include something touching, that will invoke sympathy in a difficult moment.

9:What are your plans for this novel once you finish editing? More edits? Finding beta readers? Querying? Self-publishing? Hiding it in a dark hole forever?

I have no sense and no patience. As quick as Miss Plumtartt gives it her okay, we hit the self-pubber button.

10:What’s your top piece of advice for those just finished writing a first draft?

Would that I had some good advice to impart, but I am not particularly clever in that way. All I can do is wish everyone that has a drop of inspiration to put down in story-form and share it with the world.