The Next Big Thing (#2)

A while ago I got an e-mail from Jeff at Strands Of Pattern about The Next Big Thing. And of course, I promptly forgot about it.

So with this blog-hop, you answer ten questions about your current WIP and then pass it on to others. They have about a week to come up with their own answers. (You'll notice that this time constraint got a little stretched in my case).

So here goes:


1. What is the working title of your book?
The working title of my current book is Courier. I haven't figured out what the final title is going to be yet.

2. Where did the idea come from for the book?
I started writing. Usually I'll just start writing, and the characters build the story around themselves. The courier horse went lame on the first page, which led to the courier finding Kot, and the story took off from there.

3. What genre does your book fall under?
Well technically it's fantasy, but it's in a world with a technological base (3000 years ago) so I consider it cross-genre. A lot of people want me to eliminate the aspects that hint at advanced technology, but that's not going to happen.

4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
I have no idea. If I stand on my head it might shake something loose, but I doubt it. I haven't seen a movie in what, two years? Or three? And TV's been even longer. Yes, I am media challenged.

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Hnnn--it's not finished yet. A young prince raised in an abusive commoner household learns who he is, is sent away for his own protection and has to claim his power in order to survive.

6. If you plan to publish, will your book be self-published or published traditionally?
Well, the books that are long enough I'll be trying to publish traditionally. Many of my books are between 50 and 60k when they're complete, but this one is 45 so far and it's not finished.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
The first draft isn't finished yet. Was I supposed to list one that's completed? :) Normally a first draft will take between one and two months to finish.

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Uh...???...Well, I'm not really sure. Maybe someone who reads the posted pages (here) can tell me.

9. Who or What inspired you to write this book?
I like to write things about non-traditional characters. Other books have been about an old woman, a boy taking care of a baby, and even someone addicted to power. This one is about a young man who's been seriously abused and doesn't believe he's good enough/strong enough/etc to be a King.

10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
That depends on the reader. On one end there's sibling rivalry and family conflict, but on the other end there are assassins and dealing with political intrigue.


I am tagging the following:

Sher Hart at Writing as Art (who I haven't been able to contact yet)
Heather Ostler at Adventures in Writing
Richard Due at The Moon Realm
Valerie Ipsen at Of Writerly Things