I wrote my first full-length novel about two years ago. You may ask yourself, “Well what has she been doing since then?”

And that, my friend, is an excellent question.

You see, I only realized the other day (no joke) that if I want to be an author, I need to keep writing. Therefore, I took the latest idea I had scrambling around my head and I just wrote. I wrote and wrote and wrote. And now I am up to 52 glorious pages.

Only two-hundred-something to go. *cowers under chair*

I just wanted to introduce you guys to my novel. He’s a shy little guy, kinda small, but he has great potential.

MEET MY LATEST NOVEL

1. Which came first: characters or plot idea? Are you a plotter or a pantser?

The plot idea definitely came first. I’ve always loved reading fairytale retellings so I wanted to take a stab at one myself. To Follow Him is a snazzy jazzy retelling of The Pied Piper. Furthermore, I AM A PANTSER. All the way. I tried to write with a plotline once and it did not work. I felt absolutely lost and deprived of my creativity.

2. Do you have a title and/or a “back-cover-blurb?”

I do not yet have a back cover blurb since I am only fifty pages in, a pantser, and therefore have no idea what in the world is going to happen in this book. I do have a title though: To Follow Him. I’ll probably change it.

 3. What wordcount are you aiming for when your novel is finished?

Well, my last book was nearly 73,000 so I’d like to challenge myself to get to 80 or even 90k. Of course, if I don’t need the extra twenty thousand words I can do without it.

4. Sum up your novel in 3 sentences.

A boy controlled by magic. A girl controlled by circumstances. The end of Hamelin as we know it.

5. Sum up your characters in one word each.

Emeline (main character): Broken

Quarter: Sarcastic

Mrs. Pfenning: Bookworm

Mrs. Huber: Maternal

Aloisa: Innocent

Stefan: Optimistic

6. Which character are you most excited to write? Tell us about them!

Quarter is super fun to write because he has this amazing sarcasm. And actually, his sense of humor kinda belongs to me you know so I’m the genius with the amazing humor. But that’s beside the point.

7. What about your villain? Who is he, what is his goal?

This book is man vs. himself conflict so, in essence, there is no villain.

8. What is your protagonist’s goal? And what stands in the way?

Ultimately, all Emeline wants is freedom from lies and deceit. In her mind, she just wants Aloisa safe. But her main goal goes hand and hand with this. The mayor of Hamelin stands in the way. He’s an oaf, but no one wants to cross him.

9. What inciting incident begins your protagonist’s journey?

When Emeline summons the piper, everything begins.

10. Where is your novel set.

Germany in the 1700s. Yeah, that’s gonna take some research.

11. What are three big scenes in your novel that change the game completely?

I haven’t gotten that far enough to be able to decide on that.

12. What is the most dynamic relationship your character has? Who else do they come in contact with or become close to during the story?

Emeline and Quarter have this amazing chemistry that just pops off of the page. There are many other characters with which Emeline shares a special bond but MAN her and Quarter are like WHOA!

13. How does your protagonist change by the end of the novel?

By the end of the novel, I hope that Emeline is free and realizes that things in life do not, and should not, control you. You should be balanced in every aspect of your life, not obsessive over books or statuettes or whatnot (although I say a hardy amen to all those bookworms out there ’cause I’m one of ’em).

14. Do you have an ending in mind, or do you plan to see what happens?

I do have an ending in mind but I don’t know if it will fit. It’s rather depressing, so I’ll just have to see if I feel ruthless the day I type THE END.

15. What are your hopes and dreams for your book? What impressions are you hoping this novel will leave on your readers and yourself?

I hope that my book will make people realize what Emeline realized–that balance can set you free. There are also undercurrents of other threads of thought that I hope a savvy reader will catch. I’ve dropped all kinds of valuable nuggets in there. And no one will probably ever understand them.

Questions from Paper Fury.