Focus ~ April 2017

Today I'll be participating in Allie Taylor's new linkup, Focus!! :D For details and info about how to participate yourself, visit her blog, The Depth of my Faith. 

Since Camp NaNo is going on right now, I'll be talking about my Camp project -- namely my precious novel, War Tears. *hugs the darling charries* 

// Questions // 

We're halfway through NaNoWriMo. How's you're novel going?

Pretty good! War tears was about 71k before Camp, and it's now 105k, sooo... *bounces excitedly* 

Where are you struggling the most in your writing?

Um, probably the part where you sit in front of a screen and type a bunch of words, except these words are actually supposed to do things like 'tell the story' and 'bring the characters to life' and 'make sense to people other than Faith'.... Yeah, it's difficult. 

Where are you doing the best in your writing?

Hmm...I'm not sure. When asking a person this, the answer I got was "romantic scenes" or "the heartbreak." *grins* So maybe that. XD 

Music helps. So, what are your writerly idyllic tunes?

Well, at the beginning of the month I created a playlist for War Tears. It's something like this... 

If You're Reading This // Tim McGraw 

Even If // MercyMe 

There You'll Be // Faith Hill 

Rise // Danny Gokey 

Saving Amy // Brantley Gilbert 

Brothers // Dean Brody 

Just Be Held // Casting Crowns 

For Freedom // Avalon 

Where are you in your wordcount goal? And how do you do with word sprints?

I'm at 34,500 of 50,000 (YES I UPPED MY GOAL YALL.) And word sprints/wars? They are like my life. Not sure how I would get this many words in at other times, especially when I'm just not feeling the story. XD 

What encourages you to keep writing?

People who want to read my book. Like, seriously. My alpha-readers are amazing...and they're reading the wretched first draft!! 

PUSH! How much will you try to write one of these days to burst forward in your wordcount? 

I would like to do a 5k1day sometime...maybe closer to the end of Camp? Anyone with me? ;) 

What's your strategy for focussing?

Uh...I don't have one? I get sidetracked sooo easily, no matter what I'm doing. So war sprints/wars and just writing when I feel like writing helps somewhat. (If you have tips on staying focused, TELL ME.) 

What is your favorite element of your novel?

The emotions. Making the characters cry and laugh and smile and scream. Breaking their precious little hearts.. *sniffles* A told someone the other day that War Tears is just 'one big, dramatic mood swing' which is basically the truth. B-) 

What is your plan after your first draft?

Printing a first draft copy, handing War Tears over to alpha-readers a chapter at a time, and returning to editing Dandelion Dust for publication. After that? Editing. Loooaaddsss of editing. The first edit may be closer to a re-write, which is kinda intimidating. O.O 

Ten more days of Camp!! Anyone else a bit freaked out by that realization?? :P 

~Faith 

Beautiful Books ~ 2016

Hello everyone! Two posts in two days, what's up with that, huh?! Well, I have a lot of stuff to catch up on with these last couple of days of October... So let's do this thing. XD 

Instead of the usual Beautiful People, this month Cait and Sky are hosting Beautiful Books – in preparation for NaNoWriMo next month. I'm not participating in NaNo *cues all the sad faces* but I'm doing this anyway...because it's awesome-sauce. *winks to two cool peeps who totally get this thing* 

I know I use it all the time, but I'm using War Tears again. :) It's the WIP I'm currently focusing on getting finished, and I need all the inspirational help I can get, soooo... ;) 

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

The original inspiration for this book came from the movie, Beautiful Dreamer (2006). WWII, pilots, POWs,...this movie (one of my all-time favorites) shares a lot of similarities with my book. :) 

Well, the file says it was created in March of 2015. So, technically I've been working on it for 19 months at the current time, but I haven't been very serious or diligent until this year – especially since spring. :)  (Also, those notes I scribbled in March of '15 are veeeerrrryyyy different from how War Tears is now. ;P) 

2) Describe what your novel is about! 

'Describe your novel' – why is it that I always moan over hearing those words? *sigh* Okay, let's try this. 

David Carnathan feels like he's living the perfect life – working on cars, living in a small town, and married to his sweetheart. That is, until Pearl Harbor is bombed and he soon finds himself at the enlistment office. As bomber planes fly across Europe and letters fly across the Pacific, both he and his wife Bethany's lives are changed in ways neither of them could have ever expected. 

That's the best I can do for now. :P

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

Hmm...how's this? 

4) Introduce us to each of your characters!

Each? That would take an eternity. How about four of my favorites? 

David Carnathan: David is a pilot in the USAAF. Nice, outgoing, charming, and a great Christian guy, he's...my favorite. ;) 

Bethany Carnathan: Bethany is David's wife. She's quiet and keeps to herself, but when you get to know her you see that she's super sweet and caring. :) 

Joshua Trueheart: Joshua is David's co-pilot and good friend. He's a great guy with a big heart who's known for cracking jokes. ;) 

Lenore Anderson: Lenore is David's six year-old niece, his sister Erin's daughter. She's the cinnamon roll of the story and one of my favorite characters – so fun to write! 

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

Outlining, research, chocolate, coffee, music (either alive, upbeat and happy or sad and tear-jerking. there is hardly ever an in-between.)...definitely a little howling. Or maybe that would be called whining? You know, like "I don't even know what I'm dooooiiingggg. Someone heeellppp meeeeeee." *sobs in a corner* 

I totally didn't do that. *cough* 

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

FINISHING IT. Haha, no joke though. Step one, finish it. Step two,...set it aside for awhile (like a couple years) and then edit. :P 

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

1. War. (duh. It's right there in the title). 

2. Tears. (refer to above note)

3. Airplanes. Bombers, to be more specific. 

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

Goal? Um...complete missions, keep his crew alive, and go home. Who stands in his way...Hitler? XD 

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

He learns that God is the same in the hard times as well as in the good. He's in control and what He wills is ultimately for the best. :) 

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

Themes, hmm. War, heartache, trusting God, finding happiness in the hard times...to mention a few. :) 

I hope readers feel satisfied when they finish my story and I want them to be encouraged. I also hope they enjoy it – of course!! :) 

Before I bounce off to do some things before bed, I wanted to let y'all know about something. I guest-posted on Amy L.'s blog!! :D Click here to check it out! (Psst! It's WWII related! ^_^) 

Have you did Beautiful Books? Are you doing NaNoWriMo? 

~Faith

Beautiful People ~ July Edition

Hey, people of the blogosphere! :D (Just don't ask. I'm in an extremely weird supercalifragilisticexpialidocious mood.) But... Guess what?!? 

I. 

Have.

Neeeeewwwwssss. 

My lovely novel, War Tears...this precious book I have been pouring my heart and soul and many long hours into for one year, four months, and seven days (not that I'm counting) is...now...50,000 words. 

WHAT EVEN IS LIFE PEOPLE I CANT EVEN HELP ME. 

*flails* 

I stayed up to midnight last night and wrote over two thousand words yesterday to make this happen, but IT. WAS. WORTH. IT. 

I also slept in this morning in commemoration of this ground-breaking event. And since I'm still in a celebratory mood, we're doing a fun post. July's edition of Beautiful People hosted by none other than Mrs. Bethany Carnathan. :) 

*scratching noises* 

*sounds of a chair sliding out and back* 

*whispered voices* 

*typing-clicking resumes* 

Hey, everyone! How are you all today?? I'm quite well, thank you. My name is Bethany Carnathan, David, who you got to meet last month, is my husband. 

When Faith announced she wanted me to answer some questions, I requested that she just let me write the whole article. 

Faith: Article? It's a blog post. 

Same difference. Anyway, she willingly agreed. (She would rather be somewhere writing our story into this little...*studies electronic device*...gadget.) 

So here we go. I've been button-punching for fifteen minutes just to get this far, but at least it's fun. *wink* 

Do they want to get married and/or have children? Why or why not?

Hehehe... Well, I am married, so I guess that speaks for itself. *wink* And, yes, we do want children. Lots.

What is their weapon of choice? (It doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical weapon.)

My blue eyes... David says he can't say no to them. *snickers*

What's the nicest thing they've done for someone else, and why did they do it?

Nicest thing? Um... I don't like talking about myself, sooo... Maybe standing up for a boy that was being bullied in school. I don't like these questions...

Have they ever been physically violent with someone, and what instigated it?

Well, I slapped a man once. But he deserved it. 

Are they a rule-follower or a rebel?

I guess I'm a rule-follower. I was always the child that did her schoolwork and chores without complaint. *smiles* 

Are they organized or messy?

Organized. David is organized in some things, but he's usually pretty messy... Drives me crazy. *grins* 

What makes them feel loved, and who was the last person to make them feel that way?

Knowing that Jesus Christ willingly came to earth to suffer, bleed, and die for my sins even when I turned away from Him so many times makes me feel loved above all else. And then, David. *smiles* 

What do they eat for breakfast?

Coffee? Breakfast isn't my favorite meal. 

Have they ever lost someone close to them? What happened? 

Yes, I lost both my parents before I was eighteen. My momma died of sickness when I was seven, and daddy died soon following a farming accident when I was sixteen. 

What’s their treat of choice? (Or, if not food, how else do they reward themselves?)

Treat? Reward myself? This sounds like 21st century talk...

Faith: *tries to explain* 

Um, okay. Back to treat of choice, that would be good ol' black licorice. I've always loved that stuff. David thinks it's disgusting and says it will turn my teeth black, but... *grins* 

I hope you all enjoyed this look into my life!! I know I enjoyed writing up this post for y'all. Even though it did me much longer to type it up on Faith's little flat, blue/grey box than it would have in a typewriter... 

Later, readers! *smiles* 

^*^*^*^*^ 

Alrighty, Faith here. I hope you enjoy this post, everyone! :D Isn't Bethany an absolute sweetheart?! 

A couple quick FYI/reminder/requests before I go... 

-- I forgot to tell the answer to the trivial question I gave ($:8/?!! A little late, but the answer is the 1940s. It was originally created as a chocolate substitute with the shortages caused by the war. :) 

-- I will be without internet tonight through Thursday. We'll be home over the weekend, and then gone next week again. Camping time, people! :D 

-- Lastly, would everyone please remember a family that's friends of our family in your prayers? Their daughter who is my age ran off. She contacted her mom just to say she's safe, but won't come home. Prayers would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks for reading! Until the weekend! :) 

~Faith

A Novel Idea: 07/12/16

Happy Monday everyone! How are y'all? I'm doing splendidly, thank you. :) 

I've saw this link-up bebopping around some other blogs, and I finally decided to jump into it. Since this week's prompt doesn't involve writing (as in actually writing something), this is perfect. :D 

Prompt: This week, make a collage with pictures that describe one of your characters. You can use pictures of your character or pictures that describe him/her (or both!). Have fun with this - don’t overthink it! Hopefully it’ll be a nice break from actually writing and help you learn more about your character at the same time!

First off this was a whole lot of fun. I love making collages, and I love scouring Pinterest for the perfect pictures to represent my characters. Anyway, here goes. I started out with like 30 pictures, so be glad I got it down to these... ;)

David Carnathan, main character of War Tears. 

Bethany Carnathan (David's wife), main character of War Tears

I hope you enjoyed this little peek at my darling characters. :D What do you think of the collages? 

Thanks for reading, friends! 

~Faith

Beautiful People ~ June

Hey all! :D 

This is my first time linking-up with the fun Beautiful People gigamo (totally a word. I'm blowing autocorrect's mind.) after seeing it on several blogs for...quite some time. It's a whole lot of fun and I hope to participate more in the future. :-) 

This month's question selection is all childhood themed and I chose a character from War Tears, David Caranathan, for this round. ;) David is a fun character who puts up with a lot (from me) and endures a lot (from me and fellow characters).  And is nearly killed countless times by yours truly but that's okay he can take it. 

What is their first childhood memory?

When he and his parents moved to the farm where he grew up (David was 4 or 5 at the time). They had lived in town up until that point. 

What were their best and worst childhood experiences?

Best... Learning to fly with his uncle and/or getting to fly with a stunt-pilot that came through the area when David was eight or nine. 

Worst... (See next question.) 

What’s something that scared them as child?

Losing a sibling. I know, that's a little more extreme than you were expecting, but it's for real. When David was seven, his sister Erin (younger by two years) nearly drowned in a pond near their home. Just a few years later, their younger brother Michael (younger than David by nine years) almost died of an illness. Losing anyone he cares about is David's biggest fear. 

Who did they look up to most?

David looked/looks up to his Dad mostly. :) 

Favorite and least favorite childhood foods?

Favorite... His mother, Lydia's, raspberry tarts. A treat! 

Least favorite... David grew up on a farm during the Great Depression. They didn't complain about eating anything. But he didn't care for most root vegetables -- beets, radishes, turnips, carrots. ;) 

If they had their childhood again, would they change anything?

Hm...I don't think so. David had a good childhood for the most part. They faces hardships, but they overcame them. :) 

What was their childhood home like?

A antique, two-story, whitewashed farm house. Think, The Waltons. ;) The old, red barn sits off to the side, and the smokehouse, woodshed, garden, and well house are scattered around as well. :) 

What kind of child were they? Curious? Wild? Quiet? Devious?

Quiet, but curious. Not wild or devious, but quite the tease. As a child, David is a bookworm that's content off to the side, but also can handle being the center of attention if need be. 

What was their relationship to their parents and siblings like?

Great. :) David and Erin fought a lot -- usually because David was trying to keep her out of trouble -- but they could sort their differences out quickly (with or without parental involvement/interference). 

What did they want to be when they grew up, and what did they actually become?

At the age of 8 he wanted to be a stunt-pilot that traveled with the circus... But in reality, he became an auto-mechanic who, upon the U.S.'s entry into WWII, joined the Army Air Corps. 

*~*~*~

Hope you enjoyed!! :D 

We have VBS at church this week, so I don't know how much I'll be around the blogosphere. I do have a couple of posts planned though, if I can just find time to get them up. :P 

~Faith