Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Beautiful Books 2017 // A Soldier's Story

Good day, friends and relations! 

You probably thought I'd abandoned this blog entirely when I failed to post for nearly three weeks. Fortunately for all concerned, that is not the case. I was already planning to take time off from blog during the visit of a dear friend, and then I didn't blog the rest of last week as well... xD  


However, I am back today with a writing-related post. Showcasing my current WIP – which I may or may not be trying to finish this month. *distant screaming* 

Beautiful Books, the November/NaNoWriMo version of Beautiful People, has some awesome questions that I'll be answering. I'll not be doing the actual NaNoWriMo next month, but I'm stealing the questions anyway. :D (Actually, concerning NaNo, I'm hoping to edit 50k of War Tears instead. We'll see.)



1. What inspired the idea for your novel, and how long have you had the idea?
A YouTube video. No, I'm serious! A ten minute YouTube video along with a prompt from Pinterest initiated what is now a 51k-and-counting novel. 
I've had the idea for over a year, and the first words were typed in July of 2016. 



2. Describe what your novel is about!
*silence* *Faith glances to her right* *then left* 

OKAY SO. If I was one of those awesome writer humans who followed all the rules, I would probably have a blurb/summary/synopsis/whatever-it-is-called for this book by now. But I don't... 

*leaves Blogger* *comes back like 30 minutes later* Feel special, friends! I finally wrote a not-perfect-but-passable blurb for this WIP. :P 


Having just returned to American soil from the desert sands of the Middle East, James Greene is done with his life. 'Double amputee' doesn't seem like a strong enough phrase to label the physical and emotional pain he bears. Add the lack of love and communication with his family members, and he can find nothing worth living for. Ending it all is the only way out. 

Alexandria Lorance is a not-so-ordinary physical therapist, content with aiding in her patients' recoveries. Her work gives her fulfillment, but alone in the silence, she still feels the hurt of hidden scars from a past unhealthy relationship. Reminding herself that true healing is found in Christ alone, she seeks to show kindness and love to everyone she meets.

When these two broken ones' paths intersect, the spark of friendship is ignited, bringing hope and joy to both. Would it be wrong to move forward to more than just friendship? 

A soldier, broken by war. A therapist, scarred by words. A chance meeting on a rooftop bonded them together. But can love grow in these two hurting hearts? Or are they truly too broken to ever find lasting happiness? 



3. What is your book’s aesthetic? Use words or photos or whatever you like!
*tosses out a few of my favs from the Pinterest board* 







4. Introduce us to each of your characters!

*grins* Okiedoke, this'll be fun. I'm gonna give a few words about each of the top three characters. (Ya know, like a social media bio...except few are really this honest. XD)


James Greene >> USMC Retired. Double amputee. Suicidal. Intrigued by talk of God, coming from Alex, Joe, and Kellon (Alex's brother). Funnier than I think I am. 

Alexandria Lorance >> Physical therapist assistant. Blonde in hair color only. 21st century patriot. Sarcastic. Queen of nicknames. Wanting to be a light in the darkness. 

Uncle Joe >> Vietnam veteran. Married to Gloria. Uncle and top-adviser to Alex. Operating a ministry for returning service members. 



5. How do you prepare to write? (Outline, research, stocking up on chocolate, howling, etc.?)
This is one book that I do have a semi-decent outline for. I didn't start it until I was 40-50% done with the book, buuutttttt.... ;) Also, chocolate – definitely. And some research. 



6. What are you most looking forward to about this novel?
Finishing it!! No, seriously. I'm super excited to write the ending. Hope and redemption and beautifulness and... *clamps mouth shut and hopes that wasn't spoilery* 



7. List 3 things about your novel’s setting.
Ehh...the setting is definitely something that needs work here. 

1 – City. It might be somewhere on the coast – like New England – but I'm not sure yet. 

2 – Hospitals. I don't think I need to explain this one. 

3 – Sidewalks. Lots of sidewalk scenes. xD 



8. What’s your character’s goal and who (or what) stands in the way?
James' goal is to regain as much independence as possible. What stands in his way? Um...well...he kinda lost two limbs, so there's that. 



9. How does your protagonist change by the end of the novel?
*legit had to google 'protagonist' to make sure it means what I thought it means which it does* 

Uhhh....I feel like answering this question would be giving away the ending? I'll just say that God can do something awesome in an individual's life when you invite Him in...and I'll leave it at that for now. :) 



10. What are your book’s themes? How do you want readers to feel when the story is over?
Hope. Redemption. Brokenness. I want readers to feel inspired, encouraged, and hopeful. <3 



Sound interesting? Did I intrigue you? Would anyone like to see a post of music that I relate to this story? Thanks for reading! <3 

~Faith 


**A Soldier's Story is a working title that will change someday...when I make a definite decision. xD 

30 comments:

  1. *nods rapidly* BEAUTIFUL POST DEARIE! Also, these charries, I must have them. <3

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  2. Oh, I loved this post, Faith!! :D This is definitely a book I want to read!
    I think your blurb sounds good. :) So, is this something you hope to publish sometime?

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    1. I'm so glad! :D
      Thank you. :) Possibly? This is the story I'm considering submitting to a publisher, after I've worked on it quite a bit, just to see what happens. I've also thought/talked about posting it on here, like a chapter a week. So...we'll see. ;)

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    2. Oh, so cool! :D Well, whatever you decide to do will be great. :)

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  3. Excellent job on writing the blurb, Faith! Seriously, it sounds proffesional! :)
    The whole book sounds really good and I'm eager to read it! :)

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  4. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL BLURB, AAAAAHHHHH!!!! XD

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  5. *flails* This story sounds really cool! Please hurry and write it so I can read it!!

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    1. Ahh, thanks, Julian! :D I'm tickled that is sounds good to you!

      And welcome to my blog! :)

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  6. This sounds amazing! I am always interested in reading about military/police people. ;) And of course, what they all need is Jesus, so... an ending like that is great! ;)

    CutePolarBear

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  7. Ooh! This looks like it would be such a good story! Soldier stories are awesome!:)

    Liberty

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    1. I'm so glad you think so! Haha, I think so too. ;D

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  8. Oooo! So cute! Yes, I want to be part of the blog tour. Can I? Please? You're publishing, right? I have to read this book! Sign me up for an autographed copy. *squeals in excitement*

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    1. Thanks for your excitement, Libby! Haha, maybe...sometime in the future. ;) Right now, I'm unsure of my plans for this one. :)

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  9. Awesome! We need more patriotic books! This sounds really amazing!

    There are so many people who join groups about NaNo. There should be a group for people who don't do NaNo. XD

    Awesome post. Keep writing this beautiful book!

    ~Ivie
    iviewrites.blogspot.com

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    1. Agreed, Ivie!! :D

      Haha, you're so right! We should start one. XD I take it you're not doing NaNo then?

      Thank you! <3

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    2. No, I'm not doing NaNo. It would stress me out too much. XD

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    3. xD I've never did it, but I've did Camp twice – once in April and once in July. My family are Christmas tree farmers, so November is harvest-time. Not exactly the best time for me to tackle writing a book from scratch. ;)

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  10. This sounds great.

    Kellon though. *grins*

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  11. Sounds awesome!are you sharing the youtube link, by any chance? ;)

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    1. Thank you, Carissa! :D Hehe, sure. Here it is: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bxLLlxwPp9I

      There is some blood/gore/violence, but no language that I recall. ;)

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  12. This sounds like a really cool story, Faith. I enjoy these stories of hope and redemption and I often write about soldiers, so I think this would be right up my alley. :D Good luck with it!!

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    1. Thank you, Chelsea! Oh, so do I! Thanks for commenting. :)

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