'Valley of Shadows' survey
Some of my writing friends have put together a survey of their latest book. I thought, "what a brilliant idea." So decided to have a go. They chose to leave out certain questions, I may well do the same, but anyway here goes.
Valley of Shadows
1] What's your word count? = 70,645
2] How long until you finish? = How long is a piece of string. Seriously though, I am finished, bar the editing process.
3] If finished, how long did it take you? = I guess in all, around three years.
4] Do you have an outline? = Not as such. I generally have a good idea of the story, where it's going, and how it will end. I do make a list of characters with their with their distinguishing features. Mind you, that often changes as the stories progresses. But on the whole, I like to write like a mad thing, and follow my imagination.
6] How many words do you write a day? = I suppose, a thousand, maybe more.
7] What was your greatest word count for one day? = About 5,000.
9] What inspired you to write? =You will think this strange, and it's certainly sad. But it was the death of my sister.
10] Does your novel have a theme song? = Not really, but if it did, it would be 'The Lord's my Shepherd.'
12] Which character is most like you? = I guess there is some of me in Cyella.
13] Which character would you most likely be friends with? = That would have to be Mary.
15] Who is your favourite character? = Sunrise.
16] Have your characters done something completely unexpected? = Not really, everything they experience is unexpected.
17] Have you based any of your novel on personal experience? = My whole novel was born out of the tragic death of my younger sister.
18] What is the best line? = The wide path panders to mankind's incessant desire to reach their destination as quickly as possible. no matter the consequences.
28] Summarize your novel in under fifteen words. = What Cyella faced in the valley, messed with her mind.
29] Do you love all your characters? = Goodness, no! some of them are awful.
32] Describe your main character in three words. = Plucky, Strong Willed, Sensitive.
35] How many romantic relationships take place in your novel? = Two.
36] Are there any explosions? = No
45] Who has pets in the novel, and what are they? = The Mistress, and Remstiss the Necromancer both have black cats.
46] Are there Angels, demons, or any religious references? = No Angel, but yes, to the other two.
51] Is there humour? = A little, yes.
52] Is there tragedy? = Yes, I'm afraid so.
57] Has your novel provided insight about your life? = In some ways I guess it has. Probably because I buried my grief over the death of my sister within its pages.
59] Has your novel inspired anyone? = From what I have heard, yes.
68] How would you react if your novel was erased entirely? = You don't want to know, and nor do I! But, such an horrendous idea is not likely, as it is backed up all over the place.
71] What advice would you give a fellow writer? = Stay committed. Make it as good as is humanly possible. And don't allow rejections to put you off. Stay confident, and keep believing in yourself.
72] Describe the ending in three words. = Romantic, Positive, Victorious.
75] Was it worth it? = You bet it was!!
It's a shame I don't paint anymore, I did enjoy it and I do miss it. I can't say I was the greatest painter, but it was a satisfying experience. Sadly I have nowhere to paint, so I have turned my artistic attention to writing. Now I paint pictures with words, so to speak. And yes, I find it just as fulfilling, but in a different way.
