Know the Novel–Part 1 AND 2: Introducing and Within The Black Cat
EEEKK, I’M FINALLY DOING CHRISTINE SMITH’S KNOW THE NOVEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!๐๐๐ (If you want to know more about Know the Novel or read other bloggers posts in the linkup click the pink words above. ๊ ) And, of course, consider following Christine Smith’s blog while you’re at it! ๐ She has a fun blog and enjoyable posts to read!!! You’ll love it over there!!! Now, as you can see from the title, I will be answering the questions for Part 1 AND 2 of the linkup. I hope you all enjoy reading and learning more about my current WIP.
1. What first sparked the idea for this novel?
Ooh, weโre digging into my past now. XD Okay, well, this idea started with a side character in one of my REALLY OLD novels. That character was The Black Cat. But back then, The Black Cat was a girl, and the other characters simply called her Cat. Then, one boring school day, I started to get an idea for a spy novel. I thought to myself, what if this story is about The Black Catโs father? What if he was the original Black Cat? And then from there, I continued to work on this story and create characters and all that good stuff. *grins*
2. Share a blurb (or just an overall summary)!
Hereโs my working blurb for right now:
Secrets.ย
A round object.
Can anyone be trusted?
After four weeks of high school, Delano is approached by a girl named Chelsie who claims she needs his help to find the owner of a strange, round object. An object that was supposedly stolen years ago. The object seems to have no value, however, and Delano isnโt in the mood for helping Chelsie with petty stuff. But Chelsie knows thingsโsecrets about Delano that no one should know. And worst of all, she threatens to tell his secrets if he doesnโt do as she asks. Now Delano is forced to help Chelsie, and the object is proving to be more important than any of them thought.ย
The Black Cat has acquired some information regarding a secret mission. It seems that someone is searching for a certain secret agent by the name of Gregory Corbett and is trying to send him death threats. The Black Cat knows that Mr. Corbettโs life is in potential danger, but he needs to uncover more details before he can take this revelation to the agency.
If Delano and The Black Cat donโt acquire special information before it falls in the wrong hands and discover who is after this information, loved ones will die. They soon realize that you canโt hide every secret.
3. Where does the story take place? What are some of your favorite aspects about the setting?
This story takes place in a modern setting, probably somewhere in the south of America. I donโt give a specific place setting, just a general location. One of the things I love about it is that itโs a modern setting. Most of my stories are set in a fictional place. So I like that Iโm doing this one in a setting that Iโm very familiar with.
4. Tell us about your protagonist(s).
This is probably where you guys want to hear about The Black Cat.ย
*pauses*
But weโre going to talk about Delano instead. (Hehehehe.) After all, the majority of the book is from his perspective. Anyways, Delano, also known as DC, is a teen boy who is training to be . . . wait for it . . . a . . . SPY. (Yep, thatโs the secret word that DC deleted from the snippet in this post! *winks*) I’m sure some of you know by now that DC is often mysterious and secretive. He can also be mischievous sometimes. His favorite color is black, he’s interested in photography, has OCD, and is very intelligent.
5. Who (or what) is the antagonist?
Okay, so I donโt have a name for my antagonist yet, but I do know who he is. Heโs a criminal/murderer and is after the very object that Chelsie and Delano are looking for.ย
6. What excites you the most about this novel?
THE CHARACTERS!!!!!! Characters are my favorite things in stories, and I love these characters so much!!!!!!
7. Is this going to be a series? standalone? something else?
Eeek, yes, itโs a series. When I do realistic stories, I have the tendency to want to keep showing the character growing up through the years (kinda like the Harry Potter books). Originally, The Black Cat was going to show up later in the series, and the first few books focus on Delano and Chelsie. But then I thought, โWhereโs the fun in that?โ So, I decided that The Black Cat needed to be present and have an important role in the first book. And of course, weโll continue on with his and Delanoโs stories and new mysteries.
8. Are you plotting? pantsing? Plansting?
Plotting definitely! And so far, itโs required more plotting than anything else Iโve ever done.
9. Name a few unique elements about this story.
*thinks for a moment* Um, well, I do have a spy whoโs supposed to be dead. Also, my โtechnologyโ is probably going to be unique. I donโt know if thereโs anything else.
10. Share some fun โextrasโ of the story (a song or full playlist, some aesthetics, a collage, a Pinterest board, a map youโve made, a special theme youโre going to incorporate, ANYTHING you want to share!).
For one thing, the theme was going to be wisdom and unity. But then when Delano heavily changed the plot (thanks a lot, Delano), the theme became honesty. I think this is really cool because with spies thereโs often lying and secrecy. So, itโs really neat that the theme for this book is honesty. The songs โTruth Be Toldโ by Matthew West and โIf Weโre Honestโ by Francesca Battistelli fit the book really well. In โIf Weโre Honest,โ the line โDonโt pretend to be something that youโre not//Living life afraid of getting caughtโ perfectly describes both Delano and Jasen (side character).
And of course, I have to show you guys the graphic that reveals DCโs full name (which means youโll now know what the โCโ stands for! Shhh, donโt tell DC. ๐ ) This graphic was made for me by Joy C. Woodbury:
(OooOoo, a second graphic!)
(Again, if you want to know more about Know the Novel or read other bloggers posts in Part 2 of the linkup click these pink words.)
1. Howโs the writing going overall?
*crickets chirping* Uhh . . . I think Iโll skip this question. *rushes off*
2. Whatโs been the most fun aspect about writing this novel so far?
Actually writing.
3. What do you think of your characters at this point? Whoโs your favorite to write about?
Hm, probably the same. Except for one thing . . . . This is me right now โ (Delano, MAKE UP YOUR MIND ABOUT THE PLOT! IโM GETTING TIRED OVER HERE!) Ahem, moving on. Yโall, I donโt pick favorites. Itโs like saying whoโs your favorite child. Donโt you know the detrimental effect that having favorites can do to the person whoโs not picked (fictional characters included)?
4. Has your novel surprised you in any way?
At the moment, I donโt think so. Well, except that The Black Cat has a bit of humorous side that I didnโt really know about.
5. Have you come across any problem areas?
YES, BIG TIME! My entire mystery has been a big problem area. Half the time Iโm like โhow does this connect with the mystery?โ
6. Whatโs been your biggest victory with writing this novel at this point?
Writing! Iโm just happy Iโm getting words on the page. This is the furthest Iโve ever written in a novel.
7. If you were transported into your novel and became any one of the characters, which one do you think youโd be? Would you take any different actions than they have?
Well, seeing as how Iโm a girl, I guess I would be Chelsie. If I was her, I would definitely be more trusting of Delano. However, I could be one of those people who help The Black Cat and pretend to be him so he can be in two places at once! Oh yeah! Thatโd be awesome!
8. Give us the first sentence or paragraph then 2 (or 3!) more favorite snippets!
I love this question!!! Here is the first paragraph which is in The Black Cat’s perspective:
My ears turned toward a noise. The squeaking sound of the door to the hidden shack suddenly filled the room. For a split second, my heart picked up pace. I glanced over my shoulder to confirm the intruder was who I had suspected. After my suspicion was confirmed, I returned my attention to the papers in front of me, sprawled out on a low shelf that I had converted to a table.
Bonus snippet #1 inย Delano’s perspective:
Chelsie opened her purse and pulled out a round object. I wanted to get a closer look, so I reached for it, but Chelsie jerked her hand back.
โAre you not going to show it to me?โ I asked, raising my eyebrows.
โOf course Iโm going to show it to you,โ she said like she had to defend herself. โIโm just not gonna let you hold it.โย
I frowned and glared at her. What did she have against me?
Bonus snippet #2 inย The Black Cat’s perspective:
He nodded toward the man standing behind me who had brought me here. โTake off his mask.โ
โWait!โ I shouted. I couldnโt let that mask come off. Time for the next tactic. โWhat if I make a deal with you?โ
He leaned back in his seat. โGo on.โ
โWhat if . . . I give you valuable information, and you let me keep the mask on and my real identity to myself?โ
He rubbed his chin. โHm, what kind of information?โ
โInformation regarding one of your secret agents.โ I tilted my head, awaiting his response.
He frowned and furrowed his eyebrows. โHow would you know about our secret agents?โ
โLetโs just say itโs accidental. You see, important information has a way of falling into my lap. Itโs valuable to you. And if Iโm going to keep getting information for you, I need to keep my identity a secret. Otherwise obtaining information wouldnโt be easy. Iโm sure you know that.โย
He turned his attention to the two men standing behind me. โTake him outside the room while we discuss our final decision.โ
Bonus snippet #3 inย The Black Cat’s perspective:
I closed my eyes and listened. Nothing. I strained my ears so that I could catch somethingโanythingโbeing said in that room.
Someone jerked me forward.
โHey!โ
โWhat are you trying to do?โ the man on my left asked. He stared hard at me.ย
I stared back and replied, โIs it a crime to close your eyes?โ
And an EXTRA bonus snippet inย The Black Cat’s perspective:
I read over the words again, my heart beating harder with every passing second.ย
You will see Melia very soon, the note read in hasty handwriting.
Whoever wrote this note knew that Melia Corbett was long dead. And now, they sought to see her husband, Gregory Corbett, dead as well.
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!)
For this novel, Iโm writing the scenes out of order. This is the first time Iโve done that. Normally, I start from the beginning and keep going. But with this novel, I did start at the beginning, but then jumped around and am writing whatever scenes come to mind first. So that means Iโve already written one of the spoiler scenes and a bunch of other scenes all out of order. Itโs funny really because I am a very organized person so youโd think this book would be more organized than it is.
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!
First, I complete my schoolwork for the day, so Iโm usually writing later at night. Then, I pray over it, asking God to give me inspiration, ideas, and words to write. After that, I read the last paragraph where I left off from the last time I wrote to get me into the story, and then I go from there. Iโm pretty good about not procrastinating when writing. But I do write slower because ideas donโt always flow as quickly, and sometimes Iโm like โwhat do I do next?โ And Iโll often sit there trying to figure out what needs to happen next.
Phew! We made it! *gives you cookies if you read the whole post* Alright, what do you think? Are you interested in Delano or The Black Cat? Which snippet did you like the best? If you skimmed the post, did you notice the reveal of the secret word and what the “C” in “DC” stands for? Anything else you’d like to say? Let me know in the comments below!
P.S. I recently guest posted on the blog, Glory for God Alone. If you’d like to read my post titled “Disney’s ‘Speechless’ in comparison to Christianity” click here.
28 Comments
Saraina
Those snippets are so suspenseful!!!!! Oo this sounds really cool. Bonus snippets #2 and 3 were my favorites. “Is it a crime to close your eyes?” LOL!! Love that!!! Wow, I don’t usually write scenes out of order but sometimes I have an idea for a later scene and I just have to write it down, so I’ve done it a few times before. Would you say it helps you go faster that way (since you’re actually writing the scenes you really want to)? And *high fives,* characters are always my favorite part of books too!!! ๐ Lol, awesome post!!!
Katherine
Eee, yay, I’m so happy you think so!!!!!!!!! ๐ THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!! Aah, I’M SO GLAD you liked them!!!!!!!! Those two snippets were so much fun to write!!!!! Haha, I thought that part was so funny so I just HAD to share it!!!๐ Haha, yeah, I didn’t use to write scenes out of order, but it’s been helping me get through this novel so far. I know, right?! Sometimes when you get a great idea for something, you just HAVE to write it down! ๐ Yes, I think it definitely helps me write faster because I already know those scenes that I’m writing. I found that when I tried to go in order, I was having a hard time deciding what exactly should happen next, and so some of my scenes started to turn out boring. I figured that after I write the scenes that I already know, I can go back later and add in more interesting filler pieces that still connect to the mystery and plotline as a whole. Maybe you should try it sometime. ๐
YES, AWESOME!!!!!!! *high-fives you back* Characters are the BEST!!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH, SARAINA!!!!!!!! ๐
Saraina
Aww you’re so welcome!!! I truly love them!!!! ๐ <3 YES! Sometimes, since I don't know for sure what should come next (like, how to get from A to B), my "in-order" scenes turn out rather boring. I'm definitely going to try that tip out!!! ๐
Katherine
๐ Aww, THANK YOU!!!!!! ๐ *smiles really big* <3 Yep, I feel ya! That's how it's been for me, and I was getting bored with my writing. So that's when I started writing the scenes out of order. Awesome!!! I'm wishing you the best of luck!!!!!!!!๐ Let me know how it works out.
Saraina
I will!!!! ๐ ๐
Katherine
Yay, thank you!!!!!! ๐ ๐
Grace
This is amazing, Katherine!! I am so excited for this story! ‘The Black Cat’ sounds awesome, and I love all of the characters! *throws confetti* You got this! KEEP ON WRITING!!
Katherine
Aw, THANK YOU SO MUCH, Grace!!!!!!<3<3 Eeek, YAY!!!! Iโm SO excited to hear that youโre excited!!!! ๐ Iโm so glad you think The Black Cat is awesome and that you love all the characters!!! These characters have been so much fun to write, and The Black Cat just cracks me up sometimes. Heโs funny, I tell ya. XD *smiles as Grace throws confetti and then dances in it* Aww, THANK YOU, girl!!!!!๐ Your motivating words mean so much to me!!!!!!<333333 THANK YOU!!!!!!! And you KEEP ON WRITING TOO!!!!! I canโt wait to read your books one day!!
Joy C. Woodbury
I love spy stories! (I really need to read more of them…) Well, let me just say that the snippets were EPIC – and by the way, I absolutely love the cover you made for the book, Katherine. Also, thanks for including the graphic I made for you!
Katherine
Eee, YES, me too!!!!! ๐ (Same here, girl! I need to read more spy stories. I have a hard time finding good spy books, so I’ve seen a lot of spy movies.) Aw, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!! I’m SO happy to hear that you liked them!!!!! ๐ Aw, thank you!!! I really love the cover too!! But I must admit that I didn’t design. it. I have terrible graphic designing skills so I got Issabelle to design it for me. XD
Of course, girl!!!!! I loved it so much that I just HAD to share it!!!!! And, I love how it fits DC’s personality SO PERFECTLY, especially with how organized it looks!!! ๐ You’re so talented with graphic design!!!
Joelle Stone
Awesome post, Katherine!! The Black Cat sounds like a great story (SPIES!!). Also, so THAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTT was what Delano was hiding… ๐ Best of luck! *tips hat and vanishes*
Katherine
Thank you so much, Joelle!!!!!! Aw, YAY, I’M SO EXCITED that you think my story sounds great!!!!!!!!! ๐ (Spies are so awesome, am I right?!) Hehehehehehe, yep, the secret was revealed.๐ Thank you!!!! And best of luck to you too as you work on your stories!! *is amazed at how Joelle vanished* *attempts to vanish herself but fails*
Blue
“Yโall, I donโt pick favorites. Itโs like saying whoโs your favorite child.” EXACTLY.
AND THANK YOU FOR THE COOKIES. *eats them all*
I really like Delano! That guy seems hilarious. Especially when he goes, โIs it a crime to close your eyes?โ
Yeah, I like him. XD
Corbett!
Your WIP sounds interesting! Do you plan on publishing this?
Katherine
Haha, glad you agree. ๐
YOU’RE VERY WELCOME! ๐ *makes more cookies and gives them to Blue*
Yay, I’m so happy to hear that!!!!!!! Delano is so amazing and a really thoughtful person. Haha, yes, he is hilarious!! ๐ And that line is one of my favorites!!!๐
I’m so glad you like him!!!
Thank you so so much!!!!!!!! It makes my day to hear that you think it’s interesting!!!! Yep, I hope to publish it. ๐
Grace A. Johnson
YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!!!! We finally get the scoop on DC! Wahoooo! Seriously, Kat, this story sounds FANTABULOUS! I love the collage (great job, JC) and the snippets and all of it!!! Good luck, girl! <3333
Katherine
๐๐๐๐๐ Yep, you finally got the scoop! (And DC wasn’t here to stop me . . . hehehe.๐) *beams* Aw, THANK YOU SO MUCH, Gracie!!!!!!! It makes me so happy that you think it sounds fantabulous!!!! I hope you’ll enjoy reading it one day! Thank you!!! JC did a fantastic job with it!! Aw, thank you so much!!!!!!! I’m so glad you loved the snippets and everything!!!!! Thank you!!!! Good luck to you too with your novel! <33333
Grace A. Johnson
(Thanks goodness! XD) YOU’RE SO WELCOME!!! Oh, I know I will!!! Haha, you’re welcome!!!! Thank you!! <333
Katherine
(Haha, yes, thank goodness! XDD)๐โค๐โค Aw, you’re so sweet, girl!!!! *smiles extra big*
You’re welcome!!!! <33333
Grace A. Johnson
Aww! Thank you! *smiles with you* <333
Katherine
Aw, of course!!! *infinite hearts* <333333
Lorelei A.
AGYDDDDDDUFFRGBYSRHBSKUUDHBFU KAT!!!! First of all, CONGRATS on writing so much! That is incredible!!
Second, I CANNOT WAIT TO READ THISSSS!!! It sounds so amazing!!
My favorite snippet was the EXTRA bonus one…soooooo intriguing, girl! I really liked the 3rd one as well! xD
Delano also sounds so mysterious….NOW HE HAS A LAST NAME MWAHAHAHAHH *rubs hands together*
OOH COOL I’ll have to read that post now! *scurries off*
Katherine
๐๐ Aw, THANK YOU, Lorelei!!!!!!!!!! I hope your writing this past month went FANTABULOUSLY well!!!!!
Aw, YAY, that makes me SOOOO happy to hear that you’re excited to read it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *infinite exclamation marks*๐ I’ve had so many plot changes just to make the storyline cooler, so I’m super glad you think it sounds amazing!!! Aah, yes, that snippet was one of my favorites! Hehehe, I’m glad it was intriguing! XD Ooh, that snippet is a great one too!! I thought it was so funny. XD I’m glad you liked it!
Hehe, yep, he’s a mysterious one, that’s for sure. ๐ MWAHAHAHA, yes he does! (*whispers* And he may or may not be related to Greg and Melia Corbett mentioned in the extra bonus snippet . . . . *fades into thin air*) Of course, he would be so mad at me if he knew I told you guys his last name. So, let’s keep it a secret between us, shall we?๐
Eeek, yay!!! ๐ *gets super excited* I hope you enjoyed reading it!!!!!
Ava Coulter
AHHHHHH THIS LOOKS SOO COOL!!!
Lol that’s literally me every time, I write my scenes all out of order. For some reason it’s easier for me. *shrugs*
And I LOVE your characters! Especially Delano!!! Great post!
Katherine
Hi, Ava!!! Thank you so much for stopping by!!!
EEEEEEE, THANK YOU SO MUCH, AVA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!๐ I’m SO happy to hear that!!!!!!!!!๐
Haha, you and me both, girl! ๐ *gives you a high-five* Hey, I feel ya; it’s proving to be easier for me too. *shrugs with you*
THANK YOU!!!!!!! I’m so happy you love them!!!!! Aah, yes, I love Delano too!! He’s such a great character with a great personality. He’s my boy, ya know? Thank you!!!! I’m glad you enjoyed reading it!!! Thank you so much for reading and commenting!!!!
Christine Smith
EEEEP SPY STORIES. You can never, ever go wrong with spy stories. This sounds SO. MUCH. FUN. I also love the idea of this mysterious person being called the Black Cat. Such a fun title!
Also: โIs it a crime to close your eyes?โ LOVE IIITTT. Definitely feeling the sass. XD
This all just sounds so intriguing and fun. I’m SO SO happy you joined the linkups! Thank you for sharing!!! I do hope you have a most fantabulous December! <3
Katherine
Hi, Christine!!! ๐ Eee, YES, you’re so right!!! Spy stories are just the BEST!!!!! Aw, THANK. YOU. SO. MUCH!!!!!!!!!! I’m super happy to hear that you think it sounds fun!!!!!! This is my first time writing a spy novel, so I hope it turns out well! EeEeeEe, YAY, I’M SO GLAD!!!!!!!! The Black Cat is so exciting to write about!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!
Haha, THANK YOUUU!!!!!! I was hoping everyone would love it. I found that line so funny and realized when I wrote it that Cat has a humorous and sassy side. ๐ Hehehe, I’m glad you could feel the sass! XD
Aw, yay, I’m so thrilled to hear that!!!!! It makes me so happy!!!!! Awwww!<3 I'm SO SO SO happy you created the linkup and questions!!!!! It was SO MUCH fun to participate in!!!!!! ๐ You're welcome!!!!!! I absolutely ENJOYED writing my post!!!!! Thank you SO MUCH for reading and commenting!!!<3 Thank you very much!!!!! I hope you have a fantabulous December as well!!<33
Allie Jo Andersen
Ooooh, The Black Cat sounds so amazing, Kat!!!! And I love how you’re diving into your character’s dad’s story!! I just love the spy mysteriousness of the story, Delano as the MC, and the Black Cat… AMAZING!!! I can’t wait to hear more about it!! ๐
Katherine
Aw, thank you so so much, Allie!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!! I found it pretty interesting to get to know my character’s dad and learn about the family history in the process. (I’ve even gotten to know the “dad” better than my original character. XDD) Eeee, I’m so excited that you love that!!!!!!!!! ๐ The characters and the spy/mystery vibe are all so exciting! I’m SO happy you love it and are excited to hear more about it!!!!!!!!! ๐
Thank you so much for reading and commenting (and my apologies for responding so late)!! You have made my day!!!<3