Issabelle's Posts

Know the Novel Part Two Featuring My NaNoWriMo Progress!!!

Hello writers, readers, bloggers, fellow partakers in this month of writing madness. Well, NaNoWriMo is in full swing so how’s my writing progress going. Short answer: not great. Long answer: read on. 

I’m joining in for part two of Chrstine Smith’s WONDERFUL link up for writers!!! And can I just say I am SO EXCITED!!!! This is literally one of the biggest things I look forward to now at this time of year. And if YOU wanna join in on your blog or social media platform, then take a ride on these illuminated pink words to Christine Smith’s post explaining all about the Know the Novel Linkup!!!! And while you’re at it, I HIGHLY recommend planning to stick around for a while. Cuz, trust me, you’re REALLY missing out!!!!

If you missed it, I did part one of this link-up right over here. There I shared all about my NaNo novel Secrets We Hide. A YA suspense novel!!!

Now let’s get right on to today’s post!!!

1. How’s the writing going overall?

*cough, cough* Writing? What’s that? 

Okay, so I mean, it’s going pretty good. I’ve done about 25,000 words so far, which could be better but it could be worse. The only problem is I’m behind by a couple thousand words and have been having a VERY hard time keeping up. 

I’ve had a lot of life circumstances that have prevented me from writing, sadly, so I’m not really expecting to win NaNoWriMo this time around. My new plan is just to get as many words down as possible, whether that’s 50K or 35K. But it could be going a whole lot worse, so I’m generally still pleased with the progress I’ve made. It’s just that this novel was a strictly fun story, and I don’t really want to spend a whole lot of time working on it. So I had wanted to start and complete it all in the month of November, but that doesn’t look possible at this point. However, I still hope to finish it in early December. *crosses fingers*

2. What’s been the most fun aspect about writing this novel so far?
Probably getting to dive into my fictional European country. It’s been fun creating some of the government, history, and other aspects!!! that’s the fantasy writer in me kicking in.
3. What do you think of your characters at this point? Who’s your favorite to write about?

The more and more I write about them, the more in love I get. Tess is turning out better than I had first envisioned her to be. Though I can’t say I’m too in love with Shane at the moment, but that’ll probably change when we get to his more awesome scenes. Right now, he’s just being annoying. And Alexsander. *happy sigh* He’s hands down my favorite to write about, just as I knew he would be!! The more I work in his head, the more I love him. Honestly, if I ever plan to do anything with this story, I’d probably rewrite the whole thing to be mainly following Alexsander’s point of view. He’s THAT awesome!!!

4. Has your novel surprised you in any way?

In more ways than I care to admit. I am a panstser doing NaNo, after all. Let’s say from the teensy tiny of an idea I had, the story’s going a whole other way. I’ve learned some interesting things about Tess and Alexsander (Shane’s just boring, to be honest… I really need to find something awesome about him XD). Also, I found out there was this whole underground alliance group thingamabob (seriously, you’d think I wasn’t even writing this book with how vague my answers are XD) that a certain character’s dad is a part of, but I can’t say who cuz #spoilers. 

5. Have you come across any problem areas?

Outside of the fact that I can’t find the time nor the motivation to write? Nope, not many. I guess the main problem area in the story is trying to get my characters from point A to point B. I’ve kinda skipped a ton of transitions in the novel due to that. But I can always go back in and add that stuff later.

6. What’s been your biggest victory with writing this novel at this point?

I guess currently it’d be that I’ve crossed the 25K mark. Actually I don’t consider that too much of a victory since it’s not hard for me to get to the 25K count. How ’bout we go with, that I’ve been able to write sorta consistently for two weeks!!! That’s actually an accomplishment for me since I’m the type of writer who will slam a ton of words in one week and then not touch my book for the next four. So trying to write every day is a challenge for me, but I’ve done mostly okay. I’ve skipped a few days, but it’s a lot better than I’d thought I do!!

7. If you were transported into your novel and became any one of the characters, which one do you think you’d be? Would you take any different actions than they have?

I’d probably be Tess, cuz even though I ADORE Alexsander, I wouldn’t EVER want to live a day in his life. He’s had a very hard life. *sniffs* 

that’s probably why I love him so much

just sayin’

So, yeah, I’d be Tess. Would I take any different actions? Uh, yes. Trust me, y’all would do the same. My characters will probably be infamous one day for ALWAYS. MAKING. THE. WRONG. CHOICE. It never fails. And Tess isn’t any different. From the little y’all know about her, I’d think you would already agree. What sane person travels across the world on a death-defying mission she totally thinks she’ll succeed?

*moment of silence*

Exactly my point.

She’s not very sane smart.

8. Give us the first sentence or paragraph then 2 (or 3!) more favorite snippets!

Just to be warned, I have absolutely no love for this opening, and also, all snippets will be filled with NaNoWriMo insanity first draftyness. So if you’re expecting something awesome, you won’t find it here.

It was a really good thing grandmothers enjoyed gossiping so much.

And it was an even better thing when said grandmothers were sitting in the pew in front of yours, talking loud enough the entire neighborhood probably heard them.

Next snippet (and they’ll probably all be from Alexsander’s POV just because 😉 )! It’s been slightly edited btw.

“This isn’t our fight.” Kira raised an eyebrow giving me that look. It was a warning for me to stay out of problems that weren’t mine. And sadly, she was right. As always.

I rested my chin in my palms, leaning over the railing as if I needed a better look at this cursed city. The capital of Kevila was known for many things but for the past three years, it was the home of the Rouge. It was the city where trouble thrived.

“Well, yeah, there’s that. But if these recent attacks from the Rogue means what I think it does… then this is bigger than Kevila. That means nowhere will be safe to go eventually. England, France, Italy, Japan, the States… even Russia. ”

“You’ve always been prone to the dramatics.”

“I’m serious, Kira. We’re not safe. Just because the Rouge hasn’t concerned himself with backstreet gangs doesn’t mean he won’t. You know we have information. Information he might even kill for.” I exhaled, watching my breath fog in front of me. I should go inside. The night was too cold, and the chill seeped through my old, worn clothes, numbing me to the bone. But my feet wouldn’t move. I couldn’t rip my gaze from the people living out their lives below. Oblivious to the impending destruction.

“For now, we need to keep watching,” I said, “because once things take a turn for the worse, it’ll be time to leave.”

Kira’s gaze was stern and firmly locked ahead. Always focused on the next step. The next plan. “I’m going to Russia to see if our friends know anything. I’ll tell your dad about how worse things are going. Anything you’d like me to say?”

I stiffened at the mention of him. The man who haunted my footsteps, my memories, and my dreams. The man I feared I was becoming too much like no matter how hard I fought against the tide. I looked too much like him, I had every one of his flaws and the same criminal record. But I still despised it. I wanted nothing to do with him.

“I have nothing to say.”

And another

Instead I just whispered, “I’m sorry,” again. Maybe it was for the broken boy who had huddled in the dark all those nights, begging for a rescuer. Or the monster of a teenager that boy grew up to be, who stole, lied, and killed without a second thought. Maybe it was for every life he took, every person he hurt. Or maybe it was for the one he hurt most of all, himself. Maybe it was for all his wrong choices. Maybe it was for the man who sat here now. Still lingering on the fence between right and wrong. Desperate to redeem his wrongs. Desperate to mend his wounds. And finding nothing but the darkness waiting to swallow him whole.

But I had to tuck these secrets deep within myself. They couldn’t see what I hid. See the brokenness, the scars, that tarnished me underneath this tough outer shell.

And a final one (still all from Alexsander’s POV. I can’t help it. I love him so much. XD)

Tess gratefully accepted the items and beamed. “I knew you weren’t as cold-hearted as they all made you out to be.”

I snickered. “Oh, I’m definitely cold-hearted, but not to little writers.”

“Oh? I see then. You think we’re completely harmless, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do actually. Unless you plan to jab me with your pen or throw a computer at my head, there isn’t much else you can do.”

Tess grinned like I had set myself up for a trap. I couldn’t imagine what that would be. I was right unless she knew of an incident when a writer did kill someone with his pencil. “Oh, we can do much worse than that.”

“Really? Try me.”

She leaned back, and I had never seen someone look as smug as she did right then. Oh, I had definitely set myself up for something. “I can put you in my novel, make you the worst character ever that everyone hates with a passion, and then kill you. And when the novel’s famous everyone will realize where I had gotten my “inspiration” from. You’d be completely despised by people on every continent. I don’t know about you, but I think that’s pretty bad.”

I turned back around, laughing and shaking my head. “You win this one Miss Tess. I see I don’t want the wrath of an insane writer on my head.”

9. Share an interesting tidbit about the writing process so far! (For example: Have you made any hilarious typos? Derailed from your outline? Killed off a character? Changed projects entirely? Anything you want to share!)

Ooooo interesting tidbit? Hmmm. Well, I’ve definitely made hilarious typos but that’s a pretty common trend in all of my writings so nothing, in particular, stands out. Well, I have nearly changed projects entirely multiple times, but I keep sticking myself through this one because I want it finished, no matter how hard it is. Ooo okay, so here’s something interesting. Shane’s completely dropping off in my story as having a main POV, and though Alexsander was SUPPOSED to be a more side character he has become the main character, so I’m still trying to work Tess in more, but if I ever come back a rewrite, I’ll be changing a LOT about this plot and making Alexsander one of the major leading characters!!!!

10. Take us on a tour of what a normal writing day for this novel looks like. Where do you write? What time of day? Alone or with others? Is a lot of coffee (or some other drink) consumed? Do you light candles? Play music? Get distracted by social media (*cough, cough*)? Tell all!

Well, I’ve been trying to write in the evenings starting sometime around seven or eight and going to nine or ten, depending on my mood. I write mainly at my dining room table but I’ve spent a few days in my room when I need some quiet time. Mostly it’s alone but sometimes I’ll write with Katherine. And there’s been a few times I’ve written with my friend Diamond. But for the majority of the time, I go to this writing sprint playlist I found, and it’s been a LIFESAVER. So here lately I’ve been listening to that when I’m writing, but if I’m not, I’ll definitely be playing some music *cough* mostly Skillet *cough*. just as a side note, if anyone’s listened to their two latest song releases and LOVED it, lemme know down in the comments below I’ll also get something to drink like lemonade or tea when it’s in the house. There’s not really a normal writing day for me. It’s just whatever I feel like in the moment. XD

And that’s a wrap!!!! 

Now let’s chat below. 

How’s NaNoWriMo coming along for YOU? Which snippet was your favorite? Do you like to write with music or no music? From what you’ve heard so far, which character are you the most interested in: Tess, Shane, or Alexsander? What’s been your biggest victory in your writing so far? I wanna hear ALL about it below. 🙂

Until the next post

Keep on being awesome and never stop writing,

Issabelle Perry

Issabelle Perry is a proud Jesus follower, an extroverted writer, and a homeschool graduate. When she's not writing, you can find her reading, jamming to Skillet, studying history, hunting for Narnia in wardrobes, or envisioning herself wielding a magnificent sword (but due to her clumsiness, let’s hope that never happens). This self-proclaimed exclamation mark enthusiast can be found hanging out at Teen Writers’ Nook, a community of teen authors Issabelle co-founded in 2020. She is the author of Don't Let Me Go (Sky's the Limit Press 2024), May We Make Them Proud (2023), and a co-editor for two anthologies. What she’s probably doing right now is fangirling about her favorite books to random people or scanning the pantries for chocolate.

30 Comments

    • ✨Chloe✨

      Hi Is!! I really enjoyed reading your post! Hearing about other people’s NaNo experience gets me really excited! 😁
      For me, Nano could be better… I’m about 10k words behind (actually, more than that but let’s not talk about that…😅) My November has been the CRAZIEST with birthdays and vacations and school and all that fun stuff. I honestly think I’m going to modify my NaNo to take days from my Christmas Break to finish so that I have the same amount of time that everyone else got. It’s complicated, heh…

      OMGoodness, Izzy I LOVED that second snippet! I love it when a character that seems so tough and strong shows their vulnerabilities! It melts my heart!

      Oh I always write with music. It’s such a good way to focus and really get into the scene you’re writing. It’s just finding the right music can be very difficult sometimes.

      I gotta agree with ya, girl, Alexsander sounds SO COOL!! I’m already digging his vibes. 😎😆

      Hmm, the biggest victory for me is that I wrote something that’s more than 5k words on my own! I know it sounds silly, but I’ve only been writing stories for barely over a year, so getting past my record (by a LOT 😂😅) is a huge milestone for me.

      Awesome post, Is! You always get me writing the longest comments here! I just really love talking with y’all and seeing how y’all are doing. Have a fantabulous day! 😉

      • Issabelle Perry

        Heya, girl! Awwww, really? THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!!!! YES SAME HERE!!!! I know one author who EVERY SINGLE TIME I read her update on NaNo posts, I just HAVE to go write. It’s awesome!!!

        Oooof, girl, I feel you. I’m SO sorry you haven’t been able to write a ton. November’s been INSANE for me too with life stuff going on. But just keep writing because you ARE doing amazing and every little bit counts. And just trying to balance writing with life’s busy craziness is an accomplishment you should be proud of!!! You’re doing a FANTASTIC job, girl, and I think that’s an AWESOME idea to modify NaNo to also write during Christmas break. Hehehe I might need to join in on you with that. 😉

        EEEEEEEEEEEE CHLOE THANK YOU JUST A HUNDRED MILLION TIMES OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <33333 You've just made me smile SO hard, girl!!!! YESSS GIRL I AM THE SAME WAY!!!! I literally do that like alllll the time in my stories. It's fun!! Ooo, then I'll probably be melting your heart a lot with this story. 😉

        YESS I LOVE WRITING WITH MUSIC!!!!!!! Do you prefer it to have words or be instrumental? YES I definitely agree with you there!!! Hahaha, yeah, that's true!!!! You just want the right music for the right scene so it has its greatest impact. 😉 That's kinda why I just always make it an effort to turn on Skillet music when I'm writing in Heir to His Crown, cuz that's an INTENSE novel, and their music just makes me feel tenser. XD It works!!!

        EEEE I AM SO GLAD YOU LIKE MY BOY!!!! He's a mess, I'll tell ya that much, but you'd probably like him. As long as you look past his many flaws. 😉 YeA!! That's what I like to hear. XD

        GIRL THAT IS AN AMAZINGGGGGGGGGGG ACCOMPLISHMENT!!!!!!!!!!! It doesn't sound silly AT ALL!!!! You've made some EPIC progress, and that's what you have to focus on. Not how much progress it is but that you ARE making progress!!!! Hey, for only writing stories for a year and making THAT kind of progress. Lemme tell ya there are TONS of authors who would dream of being able to do that!!! YOU'RE ON A ROLL!!!!!! That's a wonderful milestone, and definitely something to celebrate. *sends Chloe a whole box of chocolate and cupcakes*

        Aww THANK YOU, Chloe!!!!!! And thank YOU for reading!!!!! Awwww, really? THAT JUST MAKES ME SO HAPPY!!!!!! Well, I can definitely say I always LOVE reading your comments. They make me smile so much!!! <33333 I love talking with ya, too!!!!!!! THANK YOU And same back at ya. 😉

  • Grace

    I am so excited for you, Issabelle! 25,000 words is DEFINITELY a checkpoint, no matter how easy it was to get there! Just wanted to let you know that I am cheering for you. ‘Secret We Hide’ is such a creative and fun idea! I can’t wait to see how it turns out!
    I am not participating in NaNoWriMo this year, but possibly next!
    I can’t decide–all of the snippets were *amazing*!
    I will sometimes jam out to music when I feel like it, but I normally write in silence or with some other source of sound in the background. It helps me stay motivated in a way!
    Tess, Shane, and Alexsander all seem well developed and thought-out. Alexsander seems intriguing, based on this post. 🙂
    I love Tess’ personality, though. She is such a strong character.
    My biggest victory is probably finishing short stories, and defeating writer’s block!
    I wish you the best of luck!

    • Issabelle Perry

      EEEEEEE THANK YOU SOOO MUCH GRACE!!!!! It means a lot to me!! *beams* Awww, you think so? That actually makes me feel a bit happier than I did! THANK YOU!!!! D’awwww, Grace, you are literally THE Sweetest, ya know that right? THANK YOU A HUNDRED TIMES OVER!!!!!! The support just means a lot to me!!! It always helps me get that extra motivation to get back to writing!! WOHOO!!!! I am SO glad you think so!!!! I really love the idea of Secrets We Hide, which is kinda why I’m considering reworking it, when at first, I was just going to write it for fun. THANK YOU!!!!! Same here!!
      Yeah, NaNoWriMo definitely isn’t easy, and I TOTALLY get that. I don’t even know if I’m going to try it next year, we’ll see, but I KNOW you can totally do it, if you ever plan to!!!!
      Hehehehehe, good answer, though. You know how to get on an author’s good side. 😆 But, seriously, THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!
      That’s AWESOME!!! Music’s great, but sometimes you just need that extra silence. What’s your other source of sound? Like do you do listen to ambient music or something? That’s great, girl!!! It always helps to know that one thing that keeps you motivate, and stick with it!!!
      THANK YOUUUU!!!!!! They’re either well-developed or random nonsense I threw together last minute and tried to cover up so no one else would notice… *awkward cough*

      *innocent smile*
      YESS!!!! Alexsander is DEFINITELY intriguing, I shall give him that much. 😉
      I AM SO GLAD!!!! THANK YOU!!!!! She is a strong character, and I really love that most about her!!!
      Girl, those are an AMAZING victories!!! Short stories are HARD to write, and I even know of authors who just can’t do it, so brownie points to you! AND WAY TO GO ON DEFEATING WRITER’S BLOCK!!!!! That is ALWAYS an accomplishment!!!
      THANK YOU SOOOOOOOO MUCH and same right back at ya. 😉

      • Grace

        OF COURSE!!! Aww, THANK YOU!! Thank you for everything!!
        By a source of sound, normally it is the tv playing quietly, or people talking. It is sort of hard for me to work in silence because I get distracted by the ‘nothingness’ if that makes sense. xD
        Aww, thank you!! (I noticed the progress bar on ‘Secrets We Hide’ moved! THAT IS AMAZING)!!!

        • Issabelle Perry

          Awwww YOU ARE SO WELCOME GRACE, you sweet, precious girl!!!!!!!!!!! <3333333333333
          Aaaaah I get that!!!! It's like free noise, right? 😉 That's AWESOME!!!!! Girl, that makes total sense. I need some noise going on as well! That's why music keeps me focused.
          OF COURSE!!!!!!!!!!! <33333 (YESSS!!!! Progress has been slow but it's been comin'. 😉 THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!! The support means more than words can say!!!! <333)

  • Grace A. Johnson

    First of all, DUDE. If I had 25k right now, I’d’ve met my goal and then some! GO GIRL! Second of all, Shane sounds like Xavier. I feel your pain. Third, DOUBLE DUDE. I LOVE those snippets! AUGH ALEXSANDER SOUNDS LIKE A NEW FAVORITE!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, I’m loving the story so far! Keep it coming, Izzy! <3333

    • Issabelle Perry

      Awwww, girl, you just made me smile so much. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! It’s good to know one of us is happy with my progress. XD How are you doing in your goal? Like close to the 20K or…? (YOU’VE GOT THIS, though!!!!! If I can meet 25K with all my many problems going on this month, you can TOTALLY make it to 20K. I believe in you!!!) Lol, girl, I was literally starting to see a few similarities with Shane and Xavier, and now I see your problems with him. XD Don’t get me wrong, I LOOOOOOVE mah boi, Xavier, but I don’t think I’d ever want to write him as a character. XD So I think you have destroyed Shane. (Yes, I’m putting the blame on you, cuz I CAN’T blame Xavier. XDDD) D’awwww, truly? THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hehehehee, yasss!!! Alexsander is THE BEST!!!! I think you’d REALLY like him!!! He’s giving me a bit of Ky vibes. Just Alexsander’s Russian and not in a fantasy novel. XD D’awwww, that means SOOO much to me to hear that. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!! <333333333333333333 I shall try!!! <3333

    • Issabelle Perry

      Awwww THANK YOU, KRISTINA!!!!! That means SO much. Hahahaha, I feel you. It was REALLY hard, and I think I’m gonna take a few breaks off of writing in December to rejuvenate my creative energy. XD OooOoooOoo that just makes me THE most excited to hear that. THANK YOU!!!! Secrets We Hide is gonna need TONS of editing before it’s ready for human eyes, but maybe one day!!😊

    • Issabelle Perry

      Awwww THANK YOUUUU, Vanessa!!!!!!!!! I really appreciate the support!!! Hehehehe YESSS!!! That’s what I like to hear. XD Alexsander’s my li’l baby boy. I love him so much. I think you’d like him too!!!! We’ve got the Russian vibes going on. 😆 EEEEEE THANK YOUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!! It was my first time doing a suspense cover, so I hope it turned out right. 😉 THANK YOUUU!!!!! And I hope writing’s going wonderful for you too!!

  • Joy C. Woodbury

    This story sounds so fun! And oh my goodness, I loved Alexsander’s snippets. I honestly love him now, too. The whole “insane writer” conversation had me grinning from ear to ear. That’s absolute gold right there.

    The second snippet was intriguing, but I’ll definitely have to say that the third snippet was my favorite. I enjoy scenes inside characters’ heads, and what made it even better was that I really related to Alexsander’s emotion. So skillfully written.

    Sending you prayers as you continue writing! Keep it up, and I can’t wait to hear more soon!

    • Issabelle Perry

      EEE THANK YOU JOY!!!!!! EEEE I AM THE MOST INSANELY EXCITED TO HEAR THAT!!!!! You are so sweet. THANK YOUUUUU!!!!!!! <333333 YESSS!!!! That's what I'mma talkin' 'bout. 😉 Alexsander's THE best!!!! I think you'd REALLY like him!!! Lol, aaaah I am SO glad to hear that. It had me cracking up too. Tess, Alexsander, and Shane have had a TON of hilarious moments. XD They're a lotta fun! Lol, I have to agree. XDDDD

      Oooooo THE THIRD SNIPPET IS ONE OF MY FAVS TOO!!!!!!!!!!!! *high fives* Aaaaaahhh, girl, I am THE SAME way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I get bored with scenes with a lotta dialogue and REALLY love the ones where we're getting a lot of character emotion and thoughts! EEE GIRL I AM SMILING SO HARD!! THANK YOU!!! I'm REALLY glad to hear that. <333333333 THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

      D'awwwwww, that means a TON to me, girl!! Prayers are definitely appreciated. THANK YOU!!! And same back at ya. YES!!! More shall be on the way. 😉

  • Saraina

    Aww girl I so relate… I’ve at like 26,000 words right now, so definitely rather behind! But hey, what counts is showing up and just gettting some words down. So GOOD for you!!! *gives encouraging high five* 😀 Thanks to a school assignment for writing my version of a fairytale, lol…. even though I loved writing that, it cut away at my time saved for NaNo. Today I’ll try to write a bunch to see if I can catch up!!! Aww I already love Alexsander lol!! Eeeee!!!! Those snippets you shared were FAB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE them!!! I’m equally interested in Tess and Alexsander from what you’ve shared so far, but Shane sounds very intriguing too. Also, gotta love a story with a writer in it! 😉

    • Issabelle Perry

      Ooooof, girl, I FEEL you. But 26K is AMAZING AND YOU’RE DOING SPECTACULAR!!!!! Celebrate every bit of progress cuz it’s all epic!!!!!! And, hey, if we lose, I guess we’ll lose together. XD It’s better not to go down alone. 🤣 YES I SECOND THAT!!!!! D’awww THANK YOU, Saraina!!!! You’re SO sweet!!!! *high fives ya back* Oooof, girl, SAME. School took a LOT of my writing time last week, and then the holidays are taking even more. November probably isn’t the best month to have this NaNo. XDDD EEEEEE I AM SO GLAD!!!!!! Alexsander is SO MUCH FUN, I’m pretty sure you’d enjoy reading him too. Honestly, I think everyone would. XD AAAAAAAHHHH SARAINA THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *grins so hard from ear to ear* You’re a gem, girl, ya know that, right? THANK YOU!!!! Hahahaha, well, Shane really appreciates that you tink he sounds intriguing. You’re the only one. XD YESSS I KNOW RIGHT!!!!! Tess is soooo much fun!! (I think she’s more serious of a writer than I am. XD)

  • Christine Smith

    EEEEP. I can’t tell you how happy I was to see you sharing more about this and joining the linkup!!! I’m so sorry writing has gone slower though. But GIRL. 25k is still a loooot of words! And an especially lot during a busy time in life. Pushing through and writing when you can is the victory, not the wordcount…which is something I have to remember a lot when I get obsessive with my goals. *nervous laughter* But life so often throws curveballs at our carefully constructed plans, and that’s OKAY. It’s totally okay to just LIVE and take things slower. Every single bit is progress and should be celebrated. <3

    AND OKAY BUT THIS STORY. THOSE SNIPPETSSSS. Excuse me but I think that's a GOLDEN opening. It captures the character's voice so swell and is just hilarious. I love that! AND ALEXSANDER OH MY WORD. I AM ALREADY SO IN LOVE WITH HIM. That third snippet gave me the FEELS. It was so beautifully written too! I can definitely see why you love him so much! Literally just from those snippets I am already HOOKED. And I'm CACKLING over the banter in the last one. Writers are definitely not to be messed with. *smirks* I LOVED THEEESE!!!!

    Thank you so much for sharing all this and joining the linkup! This just sounds like such an epic story! I do hope writing the rest of it goes AMAZINGLY. You got this!!!

    • Issabelle Perry

      (Oops, SO sorry for my very, very, very late response. Don’t worry, though, the comment did go through, I just got really behind on answering comments over the holidays and have finally begun to catch up. So I am SOOOOOOOO sorry about that. But, hey, by getting the second comment, I just got to have an extra smile, because your comments ALWAYS make me smile. <3333)

      THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH, Christine!!!! I am always SO happy to join the linkup!!!! It's THE best!!!! Aww thank you. It's okay, I suppose. I didn't make it to 50K, but I guess some progress is better than no progress. D'awww THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!! Your comment honestly made me feel so much happier about the progress I've made, even though it's little, so seriously THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!! Ooo that's a great way to look at it!! I'll try to keep that mindset more often. 🙂 Hahaha SAME. Aww can I just tell you HOW MUCH hearing that meant to me. I think I really needed someone to tell me it's okay even when I feel like it isn't. <3333333333 YESS SO TRUE!!!!!

      AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH A HUNDRED MILLION THANK YOUS CHRISTINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *squeals with giddy happiness* Awww, you thank so? THANK YOU SOO MUCH!!!!!! That just means SO much. YESSSSS I KNEW YOU WOULD LOVE ALEXSANDER!!!!!! He's my baby. XD I'm honestly surprised with how much I and everyone else loves him. EEEEEEEEEEE I AM JUST SMILING SO HARD OVER HERE THANK YOU SO, SO, SO, SO, SOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *beams* Oh my goodness, that just means MORE than words can say. I don't even think I can properly express how much that means to me!!! THANK YOU!!! Hahahahaha YESS!!!!! We writers are DEFINITELY not to be messed with. Hehehehee. THANK YOU!!!!!

      Awwww of course, it's my pleasure!!!!!! EEEEE THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! It's been going well, thank you!!!!! <333333

  • Diamond

    Good job at reaching 25k! That sounds like a lot to me.
    Also the story sounds SO good so far! I can’t wait for you to write more.
    (also thanks for the shoutout! I love writing with you!)

    • Issabelle Perry

      Awww THANK YOU SO MUCH, Diamond!!!!!!!! Hahaha, well, I guess it IS a lot more than I’m giving myself credit for. 😉
      EEEEEE I AM SO GLAD YOU THINK SO!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!! *beams* <33333 YESS!!!! Writing's been a bit sluggish with it, and now that NaNo's almost over, I'm not sure how much progress I'll keep making, but I still am crossing my fingers I get it finished before the end of December!!!
      (Awww OF COURSE!!!!!!!! Writing with you is ALWAYS so much fun and something I look forward to!!!!!)

  • Joelle Stone

    I LOVE ALEKSANDER SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!! *very very happy he swiped himself a major role* Also, yes, don’t get on a writer’s bad side. XD And hey, ever been to a Ydubs Mafia call? ‘Cause there we threaten to kill each other with pencils and put each other in our snippets then make them into a horrible person who dies a stinky death. *sweet smile*

    Anyway, LOVE THE NOVEL and can’t wait to read it (please publish it – those first few lines have me hooked)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Issabelle Perry

      THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH JOELLE!!!!!!! I’m just SO happy to hear you love that li’l rascal of mine. Lol, hahahaha, now I’m beginning to wonder if it was you who convinced him to take the lead in the story. XDDD He’s a sneaky ole thing, I’ll give him that much. XD But he’s fun, and I just KNOW you’re gonna love him so much!!!!!!! Hahahaha, I’m glad you enjoyed that!!! Tess is just so feisty and fun! I love her. Aaaaahhh I LOVE THAT!!!!! Hahaha, I’ve never actually been on Ydubs, but maaaan that sounds like a lotta fun. I’m SERIOUSLY missing out!!!!!! 😉 (So is there a winner, like last writer standing, or do y’all all just die in the fictional world? XD)

      D’awwwww, Joelle, THANK YOU A HUNDRED TIMES OVER!!!!!!!!!!!! That just means like THE WORLD to me!!!!!! *beams* WOHOO!!!!! Hopefully one day when I fix the messy form its in right now. (I’m not gonna make any promises, but I have been considering it for your sake!!!! It’ll need MAJOR revision and a good team of betas… but maybe. 😉 I will definitely try to work it out for you, girl!!!!!!! <333 But seriously THANK YOU for wanting to read it!!! It gives me SO MUCH motivation to finish it!!!!!)

  • LittleNovelist36

    Hey! I’m on NaNo, too! My username’s my blog username if you want to “buddy”! (I find the choice of the word “buddy” hilarious lol) Tess sounds really interesting! Keep it up!

    • Issabelle Perry

      YAAAY!!!!!! THAT IS SO AWESOME!!!!!!!! I’m sadly not actually using the NaNoWriMo website. Just kinda doing it on my own… which is probably a good thing, cuz I’m failing MISERABLY. But I hope you’ve made some AWESOME writing progress!!!!!!!! Awwww THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!! Tess has been really fun to write!!!!!! THANK YOU and same right back at ya. 😉

  • Christine Smith

    I was just SURE I had commented on this back when you posted it but now I’m not seeing my comment so either my memory is failing me (which is 1000% possible) or WordPress ate my comment. I DON’T KNOW. But I just HAD to flail because EEEEP. THOSE SNIPPETS. ALL OF THIS. I personally love that opening. It really captures the voice of the main character and is way too fun. And ALEXSANDER. Hi yes he sounds amazing and I love him already and he’s giving me feeeeels. But I ADORE the banter too yasss. THIS IS SO GREAT.

    I’m so sorry writing has been slow, but 25k IS A LOT OF WORDS. That’s a huge amount of progress, ESPECIALLY during a busy time in life. What matters is that you ARE writing. I think we get so focused on the wordcount, we forget that just showing up and writing little by little is the true goal. You did amazing! *hugs*

    Thank you SO MUCH for joining the linkup again! I am ridiculously tickled you enjoy it! EEP. You’re the best! I do hope you a have a most AMAZING December! <333

    • Issabelle Perry

      It feels wrong not to also reply to this comment because it made me JUST AS HAPPY as your first one. SO THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!! You wouldn’t believe how happy your comments have made me. <333333

      D'awwww, truly, you're the best, but thank you! And I hope December is AMAZING for you as well!!!!!!

  • Allie Jo Andersen

    Your story sounds so fantastic, Is!!! I love how your main character is a writer, that makes it so fun, and particularly relatable, at least to me XD 😉 And that first paragraph is awesome!!! I can’t wait to hear more about your story!!!!! 😀

    • Issabelle Perry

      D’awwwww THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH, ALLIE!!!!!!!! Eeee I am SO glad!!! I always find that writer characters are the easier ones to write. YES!!!! I am just SUPER glad to hear that!!! I hope Tess will be a very relatable character!!! D’awwww, girl, you’re the sweetest. THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!! EEEE THANK YOU, girl!!!! There will be an update on it coming soon. 🙂

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