Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone reading this post.
Can you believe I was tagged in this a whole year ago and I’m only just getting around to posting it now? (I ask like half the tags in my queue aren’t nearing a year old as well). Still this is a tag that can only be posted once a year, so at least I’m getting around to it now rather than waiting until Valentine’s Day 2020.
I was tagged by Kat at Life and Other Disasters who also created this tag. I always love taking part in Kat’s Write tags, and this one was no exception, so thanks so much for tagging me Kat.
Rules:
- Thank the person who tagged you but also link back to theΒ original post!Β (I want to see all your lovely answers, people!)
- Provide a short description of your WIP/story!
The Gods won when they slaughtered their children, and any chance of a rebellion with them. The scarce few demigods left alive are scattered, every single one of them out for themselves and running scared.
Aria lost when she was slaughtered by her father twenty-five years ago, but she finds herself waking up in a world she doesn’t recognize and with no memories of her past. She doesn’t know who to trust – Elias; the brother cursed by the Gods with nothing left to live for? Zeva; the demigod seeking power in dangerous places? Rhian; the pirate who just wants to be left in peace? Rin; the enigma with too many secrets?
The only thing Aria knows for sure is that she was brought back for a reason. The Gods may have won, but they only won the battle. Not the war.
- Don’t use just one character for all answers if possible!
If there is a couple in your WIP, what are their plans for Valentine’s Day? And if there is no couple in your WIP, is there someone your main character would like to spend Valentine’s Day with?
The real challenge when it came to this question was trying to think of a couple who wouldn’t spoil any major plot points of my WIP. In the end I settled for two characters who used to be a couple but who were torn apart by betrayal and a horrible curse long before the start of my story.
Elias and Solon wouldn’t do anything too extravagant for Valentine’s Day. Elias isn’t big on public displays and Solon has to deal with people all day every day, so the two of them would be content to just spend the evening together in private. Solon would make a home cooked meal (of course he’d mess it up because culinary arts are not one of his strengths) but it’s the thought that counts.
(Solon would give in and they’d order take-away when Elias tries the food and deems it inedible).
Who has no shame about going out for dinner on Valentine’s Day alone?
Rhian
She doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her and she enjoys going against expectations, be they personal expectations people have for her or just general expectations that everyone has. She’d head to the most romantic Valentine’s Day-esque restaurant she could find and eat alone without a care as to how it would look. Nine times out of ten Rhian prefers her own company anyway.
One of your characters requests a song on the radio for their crush! Which song and for which character would they pick it?
Solon
I can’t imagine Solon requesting a song for Elias (because radio isn’t a thing that exists in my WIP) but because of the way things ended Solon spends a lot of time thinking ‘what if?’ when it comes to their relationship. He doesn’t know where Elias is but Solon likes the thought that they’re both under the same sky, looking at the same moon, so their song is Talking to the Moon by Bruno Mars.
Is there a character who would organise an Anti-Valentine’s Day party?
Rhian
Rhian doesn’t let her life revolve around anyone else’s, and like I mentioned earlier she prefers her own company over that of other people’s. There’s too much going on in her life and too many people relying on her for her to even entertain the idea of having a crush on someone, but she’d definitely, 100% organise an Anti-Valentine’s Day party, if only to be really petty and annoy Zeva.
What romantic gesture would swoon your main character?
After everything she’s been through (and everything I’m putting her through in my WIP) the one thing Aria wants is for someone to stand by her side no matter what. She knows better than to rely on other people, but in Aria’s mind there’s still no gesture more romantic than someone proving they can be counted on and showing that no matter what they’ll always come back for her.
Which character would buy a bunch of red roses and hand them out to strangers on the street, just to make their day?
Elias
He’s a fighter by trade and after everything he’s been through, and again everything I’m putting him through, he’s developed a very tough exterior. At his heart Elias though tries his best to make people happy. Unlike a lot of the other characters Elias isn’t solely out for himself, and I feel like of everyone he’d be the most likely do something like this just to make someone else’s day a little brighter.
What are your main character’s favourite Valentine’s movies? (Note: Valentine’s movies don’t have to be romantic!)
Aria has always had a tough exterior, she learnt quickly that the only person she can rely on is herself, but she’s a softie on the inside. She loves movies with a happy ending guaranteed no matter what, and in my mind that means Classic Disney. Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Aria wants something light-hearted and sweet that she knows won’t end in heartache.
Who is ready for the February 15th, just to get all the chocolate on sale?
Rin
They wouldn’t make it obvious (like I said in my description Rin is a very unknown character) but come February 15th all the shops within a ten mile radius would be completely cleared of Valentine’s Day chocolate and it would all be crammed in Rin’s cupboards.
Of course by February 16th it would be gone again.
Is there a character who never spends Valentine’s Day alone aka always has some sort of date?
Zeva
It strikes me as king of strange that in a Valentine’s Day Write tag the character who is the daughter of the Goddess of Love and War is only appearing now.
But as the daughter of the Goddess of Love and War Zeva knows how to be exactly what people want. She doesn’t like using her gifts to draw people in but she still has a magnetic personality people are naturally attracted to. Zeva is very engaging, and although it will take someone special to capture her attention in return she’s loyal to a fault to those she loves.
Bonus: Create a Valentine’s Day aesthetic for one or several of your characters!
Zeva
She’s the daughter of the Goddess of Love and War so in my opinion there’s no better character to create a Valentine’s Day aesthetic for.
Are you currently working on any WIPs, if so tell me about your characters.
Who would have no shame about going out for dinner on Valentine’s Day alone? Who would be first in line to buy all the discounted chocolate on February 15th and who would hand out red roses to strangers just to make them smile?
I’m not going to tag anyone, but if you want to take part them go for it. Consider this your tag in the Valentine’s Day Write Tag.
Such a great writing prompt! Playful and light.
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Thanks so much, Iβm glad you liked this post. π
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This is such a cool writing exercise! It’s so good to have a chance to put your characters in a different context and figure out what they’d get up to. Whenever I’m reading fantasy or dystopia there is always a part of me wondering how these people would spend a night off – haha.
I am officially intrigued by your book!
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Yeah tags like this have definitely helped me discover a lot more about my characters and expand on their development. Even though a lot of the situations wouldnβt apply in my WIP it offers its own kind of insight. Ha, yeah, itβs like wondering what Katniss from The Hunger Games would do if she lived in our world right?!
Thanks, Iβm glad you like the sound of my WIP. π β€οΈ
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Hey Beth!!!!
Yay!! I’m so glad that you did this tag! Of course I am as happy as always to read more about your characters and your WIP!! I love how independent Rhian is, and she is a character I would love to learn more about. It sounds like she prefers her own company to that of others, and I wonder if she is able to find people that she trusts later on in the novel. Zeva sounds like a super interesting character as well. She seems charming and flirtatious based on the answers and the aesthetic, though I feel like there is more to her as well. It is fascinating that she is the daughter of the Goddess of Love and War, which must be an interesting combination of traits π
Hope writing is going well!! Love this post β€ β€
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Hi Sophie, and yes I finally managed to get around to it (a year after I was tagged but this is one of the ones you can only post a certain time of the year so thatβs my excuse for leaving it so long!) π
I do love writing Rhianβs scenes, she was actually one of the characters I skipped ahead in my WIP for (I ended up going from writing chapter two to chapter nine just so I could start writing her scenes sooner). She does have people she trusts but they have to earn her trust and thatβs not easy to say the least. Zeva was the other character I skipped ahead for, and sheβs currently my favourite to write (another reason I was surprised it took me so long to feature her in this tag!)
Thanks Sophie. Itβs slow but itβs going. I hope your writing is going well for you too though, youβre editing now right?
Thanks so much, Iβm really glad you enjoyed this post. π β€οΈ β€οΈ
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Sounds like Rhian is one of the characters that you find easier to write, which is great. When I write multi POVs, I also find that some POVs are easier to write than others π I found the courage to skip around much in my writing (maybe I will one day?)
I’ve heard from most of my beta-readers now, so I am in the process of organizing all their feedback. There will have to be some major changes to Children of the Sun, however after taking a long break from this story, I am SO excited to work on it again π I think the next draft is definitely going to be better!
Have you heard about Pitch Wars? It’s something that I’ve recently heard about and it sounds interesting!
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Oh there are definitely some POVs that are easier to write (the harder ones are the ones I’m skipping for now). See for me skipping in writing is the only way I get writing done some days (like I’m a mood reader I’m a mood writer).
Ohh, it sounds exciting though, and I suppose if you need to make changes then it’s best to come into them with a fresh mindset so taking a break sounds like it was the best thing if you’re so excited to get back into it.
Nope, haven’t heard of it but I’ll look it up, I’m a little intrigued just hearing the name. π
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Since I am also a mood reader, maybe skipping around while writing would work for me too π
Yeah! Itβs been a year since I wrote this novel so I am super excited to get into it again. There are some aspects that the beta readers really loved so Iβm trying to stop myself from rewriting the whole thing π
I just heard about pitch wars and it sounds really fun! The due date is likely Aug this year. Let me know if youβll be joining in! π
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It’s really helped me, I’ve managed to write more in the past because I never made myself stick to the order of my WIP.
I think I get what you mean, because if the beta readers loved those scenes you don’t want to change them but if you’re anything like me you’re a compulsive editor.
I’ll definitely let you know! π
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Haha yes I am a compulsive editor. I can stop myself from editing while I am writing, however whenever I am starting a new draft, I feel the urge to rewrite everything rather than fix what I have hahha :β)
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Yeah Iβm feeling that way. Iβm steadily working my way through my first draft of Death Born and the urge to re-write everything is compulsive. Iβve already come up with a new way to start my WIP.
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Yeah, that’s a tough part of writing haha. There are always ways to make our novels better and it is hard to know when to stop. The first scene/part is always tricky because of how important it is! I’ve heard writers say that they rewrite their opening scene a gazillion times haha π I think it would be good to continue writing your current draft until the very end, though. By then you might have some other ideas about how to start your WIP, and then maybe you can compare all your options and choose the best one π
I had a similar experience when I wrote Children of the Sun. I disliked how it began so I ended up rewriting the first 1/5 of the novel, however now that I am editing, I am going to rewrite the beginning again haha XD
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My problem is I never know when to stop. One day Iβll get around to writing a full draft but then for the next draft Iβll likely have a hundred more ways I can improve on it. π
Iβm not quite on a gazillion re-writes but I feel like Iβm getting there! Yeah thatβs what Iβm planning on doing. I have one chapter I want to add in to the beginning, just because I have to, and then itβs getting through the rest based on my first and second drafts.
Sometimes you almost need to step back from a WIP for a while donβt you? Write some new things and go back with fresh eyes.
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Yeah it definitely helps to come back with fresh eyes. I’ve set writing aside for a little while and when I opened up the document to continue planning/outlining, I realized how much I missed the story π How is writing going for you?
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Thatβs the way it works sometimes right? But itβs always nice to realise how much youβve missed a story.
Not too bad actually, I finally started writing again this week and so far itβs going well. π
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Definitely π yay Iβm so glad to hear that youβve started writing again and that it is going well! Have you decided about camp nano in April?!
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I actually am taking part in Camp NaNo. I seem to do better writing during those events so why not. Are you taking part this time around?
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Hey Beth!!! Yes! I am taking part in Camp Nano! It’s definitely motivating to participate in an event with other writers. How is Camp going? π
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Yay, I’ve found nothing seems to motivate me more than Camp NaNo, or NaNo in general.
Not too bad so far. I’ve had up and down writing days but I’m slightly over my target so I’m in a happy place right now. How it’s going for you? What did you set your goal as?
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Definitely π It is motivating when we know that there are others who are working hard towards their writing goals right? That’s awesome that you’re ahead of your target right now. I was ahead by about 1 day but I took a break, so now I am right on track haha π My goal is 25K this month. How about you? Are you working on Death Born or a new WIP?
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Yeah, you know youβre not alone in struggling and writing for a goal. I think it helps in its own way even though you know other people are working on their WIPs throughout the rest of the year as well.
Oh well good luck for your 25k goal, I take it your working on your editing right? Yep, still Death Born, Iβm starting a new WIP for NaNo in November so I need to get this one finished soon! π
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Yes I have been editing Children of the Sun, though so far it’s been more of a rewrite hahaha. That being said, the essence of the story is the same as the previous draft, though I’ve fleshed out the characters/worldbuilding more and slowed down the pacing, based on the comments from beta-readers.
That’s great that you’re still working on Death Born!!! I’m looking forward to hearing updates about how it goes. What is your goal for April? I am also hoping to finish CoS in time to plot another WIP for November π
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I guess you could say re-writing is a part of editing right?! With something like this you want to be happy and to make it better, thatβs what editing is all about so if that means re-writing so be it. π I think world building is something Iβll need to work on more when I get to editing so I get you there.
Yeah, slowly but surely getting there. My goal for the month is 34k. I havenβt been able to write for the last few days (Iβm out tonight and I was ill over the weekend) so Iβve fallen a little behind but Iβm confident I can catch up again! π
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This is awesome! I really enjoyed reading it, and I’d to read the actual book lol.
Ash @ JennRenee Read
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Thanks so much. Iβm glad you enjoyed this post and Iβm really glad you like the sound of my WIP too. π
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I really enjoyed reading this! All your characters are so interesting; I’d love to read a book about any of them. (Especially Rin and Elias . . . and Solon . . . and Rhian . . . you know what, all of them.) Can’t wait to hear more about this WIP!
Eleanor | On the Other Side of Reality
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Thanks so much, I’m glad you enjoyed this post and discovering more about my characters to. I need to get around to finishing my WIP before anyone can read it, but honestly the comments I get on posts talking about my WIP does make me determined to get there one day. π
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Oh no I totally forgot about this Tag, because of course this was the perfect time to post it π I really loved reading your answers though β€ I’m so curious about your WIP, because I love reading stories about (Demi)Gods and your characters all sound so interesting!! Solon and Elias have already found their way into my heart π But I also really like Rhian, Zeva and Aria!!
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I’m going to be honest and say I nearly forgot about it too, February seems to be going so fast right now, but I suppose you can always post it a little later. There’s never a bad time for posts about love and romance. π
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed this post. Yeah I love stories about gods and demigods and really powerful characters so I figured why not try writing one myself? Ha, by the end of my book if people aren’t personally invested in Elias and Soon’s relationship I’ve failed β€ and at the moment Zeva is my favourite character to write.
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Ahh I loved reading your answers and getting to know your book characters a little more, Beth! That aesthetic is absolutely STUNNING, I love it so much ππ
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Thanks so much Marie, I’m really glad you enjoyed this post. I always love talking more about my characters. π
Thanks again, I always enjoy creating aesthetics, I kind of want to create more of them! π β€
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Happy Valentine’s Day Beth! π β€οΈI loved reading this! Your story sounds really interesting and quite an adventure! π
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Thanks so much Meghan, I’m really glad you enjoyed this post and glad you like the sound of my WIP.
Ha, yeah quite an adventure is what I’m going for, plenty of danger and a little torture for my characters too. π β€
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You’re welcome! π
Ohh danger and torture sounds intriguing! π
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I absolutely love reading about other people’s WIP and yours sounds so good! I do have one as well, so I’ll try to answer your questions (mine takes place in our time and world) π Ella is married but if she wasn’t, she would have no shame whatsoever going to dinner on her own, and she probably has done it in the past! Riley (my MC and Ella’s best friend) would totally buy all the discounted chocolate for her and her sister and be first in line to get them a good stock of them too haha Penny (Riley’s sister), being a florist, would hand put roses to strangers to make them smile, she’d make a point of doing it every year if she did!
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Yeah I love reading about people’s WIPs too, and I love talking about mine so I’m glad you enjoyed this post. π
Ohh, having a WIP take place in our world and time would make answering these questions a little easier (I struggled with some of these questions because so many of them just didn’t apply to the world I’m creating; there’s no radio, and actually no Valentine’s Day either). See the discounted chocolate question is the most important one; I’m like Rin from my WIP and Riley from yours because I always want to buy all the discounted chocolate on Feb 15th. π
It was great hearing about your characters, you should definitely still take part in this tag if you want. π
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My WIP is a crime novel following the people investigating and that is taking place on this planet in this time so yes it was bit easier for sure π Seems a bit late now that Valentine’s Day has past but I’ll keep it in mind!
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You could do what I did and save it in your drafts for a year! π Besides in my opinion there’s never a bad time for posts about love, especially when it comes to our WIPs. π
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OMG, can I just start by saying that I love your new blog design. It’s so pretty and I am sorry if it’s been up for a while and I’ve been missing out on it, because I am terrible at blog hopping, but I hope it still counts now.
And even more so I LOVE; LOVE, LOVE hearing about your WIP again. Keep sharing more about those fabulous characters β€ And Zeva was truly the perfect choice for the aesthetic, also, it totally makes sense that she always has some sort of date haha
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That’s all right, and it hasn’t been up too long only a few days at this point (I disappeared from WordPress for a little while to finish it off and only published it on Monday). It definitely more than counts, thanks so much Kat. π β€
Thanks again. It took me a while to get around to this tag but I made it in the end, and I always love using these tags to talk about my WIP. Ha, yeah I was just a little surprised considering this tag and considering her character she didn't appear more than she did. π
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