Hi everyone! Just to start things out again, I’m going to start the blog up again with a nice, easy-going post.
Just last week, I announced that the sequel for Defy is on its way to be published soon! (YAY!) I was so happy to see all the excitement from everyone about my upcoming book and wanted to host a bit of a Q & A!
Let’s get to it!
Questions About Resist:
Enjoy the cover!!
Question #1 – What is Resist going to be about?
A question asked by many. Beware, my synopsis has not gone through a long refining period, but it is a basic description of the book.
Resist is the second book of the Defy series, and focuses on one central character, much like its predecessor. It follows the life of Dimitri Florimond throughout WW2, offering his point of view of many of the events of Defy. The book takes you through the monumental moments of Dimitri’s life under Nazi occupation in Paris, France, especially his difficult relationship with Annabelle Dietmar and Albrecht Fitzi. It includes many of same themes of Defy, love & espionage, but brings forth some of the darker parts of human existence. Resist, similar to Defy, includes some French and German dialogue.
What do y’all think? Did my best to give you a snippet of the book while also not giving anything away!
Question #2 – When does Resist take place?
So it mostly takes place during WW2, with some chapters taking place months before and earlier on in Dimitri’s life.
Question #3 – How long will it be? Is it the same length of Defy?
Yes & no. So, as of right now, which is still in a way final drafting stages, Resist is about 20 or so pages longer than Defy. It doesn’t have more chapters (actually less), but some of them are longer than Defy‘s chapters. In a way it’s not the same length of Defy but it is also written in the same style, with some chapters being a bit longer.
Question #4 – When will Resist get published?
Well, I don’t have an exact answer to this question. Currently, I’m still in the editing process, finalizing some changes, as well as waiting for some feedback. However, I am shooting for at least probably November, hopefully sooner rather than later! All depends on how long it takes me to put all the edits together, how much time I have outside of school, and how long it takes for amazon to publish the book.
Question #5 – Will it reveal who dies at the end?
😶😶😶😶😶 Maybeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee….. We’ll have to wait and see!
Question #6 – Is there going to be another book in the series?
1 more (hopefully)! Name yet to be determined!
Questions About Writing
Question #7 – What is your writing process?
Honestly, compared to other writers, I probably don’t have a very structured writing process, but this is usually how it goes:
- #1 – Idea time! At some point during the day/evening/my dreams, I come up with an idea for a story. Sometimes it’s only a single scene that comes to mind first, so I begin to build off of that. During this stage, I might stop and write some of the details down on my computer or whatever paper I can find at the time. From there, I begin to build it up more.
- #2 – Story Building! From my initial idea, I start thinking what is plot, who are the characters, and where do I want this to go. Sometimes this takes the form of searching up random names so I can finally call my characters something other than “woman” & “main man”. Other times I go through and make a full on plot/plan. Here’s an example from a book I’m starting to write on the side:
- #3 – Writing the chapters! Sometimes I go head in and don’t really plan much beyond what I put on the storyboard. This usually makes that specific chapter had to write since it takes me a while to figure out what people are going to say. Then, on the other hand, when inspiration strikes (usually when I don’t have my computer handy), I draft random conversations to be used at some point in the book. These conversations don’t have any descriptions that I add in later – only dialogue. It actually makes the process a bit easier because I know where the chapter is going and can build off a good base.
- #4 – Editing 😨. I think this step speaks for itself. As a writer, my biggest fear is re-reading my work, however it is a necessary step for my work. This step also sometimes happens while I’m still trying to finish the book because I can’t come up with anything & would rather re-edit the same chapter 20 million times. Also, editing is the longest step of the process because it can take from anywhere to a week to several months to finish. Honestly, it’s my worst nightmare…
- #5 – Formatting the Book & Publishing! Since I use KDP to publish my works, I have to format my book into a special document, put in all the details and work out cover images. All of this also takes a while because when I finally do submit it to publish, the details inside of the book have to match the details Amazon gave me. If it doesn’t, then I have to go back and re-do a lot of different small details. Safe to say, it can take a while.
And ta-da! That’s a book!
Question #8 – Do you have any other works in progress?
As seen above I have a story in progress called, “Trails of the Heart”. Most of it doesn’t really make sense yet, but I’m hoping someday to finally finish that book! I also have Secrets of the Forest on Kinde Vella right now (but am in the process of re-writing parts & editing chapters!). I also have some other things in the works and well as short stories I might publish. All of this is due to having the attention span of a goldfish! Yay!
Question #9 – Why did you write a book in vignette style? Is this the only style you’ll write in?
Well, to be honest, I wrote a full length book a while ago (Secrets of the Forest!!!), but really didn’t like writing so many chapters & felt like I included too many “transition scenes” that held no meaning to the story. So, after reading House on Mango Street and seeing first hand what vignette writing is. I then decided to try that writing style for a class assignment for that specific book, which gave birth to Defy! I don’t know if I’ll keep doing this, but I want to keep it up for the series at least. I’m planning something different for most of my other books.
Question #10 – Do you have a favorite character to write for?
I kind of think Dimitri is fun to write for (mostly because I just wrote a book focusing on him). He’s kind of got a dark side I thought was really fun to explore (so excited to show y’all the book!!!!). Outside of the Defy series, I like Annalise (from Secrets of the Forest) because she’s got a lot of sarcasm & witty remarks I enjoy writing. She’s very much a girl boss and controls the story.
And that’s where we’ll end for today! Thanks for all the questions and I hope you continue to ask questions about everything I do!
Also, Friday will probably become the new upload day just because of how it works out for me!
See you next time!
L.A.
