hi, sweet friends! i hope you’re all doing well š today i’m interviewing one of my lovely friends, isabella ruiz, about her debut novel, the darkest war. isabella and i met on the young writers workshop community, 2 years ago, and we’ve been friends ever since. i’ve been excited ever since she introduced tdw, and i’m so excited to finally get to read it.
so, without further ado, here’s my interview with isabella. š
what made you start writing?
i wanted to create stories like the ones i was reading. at the time, when i was twelve, it was books like the hunger games, keeper of the lost cities, and books like that.
2. when did you start writing the darkest war?
october 22nd of 2022.
3. what inspired the idea?
lots of different things. i needed an outlet and honestly, i can’t pin my inspiration to just one thing. it was a myriad.
4. are there any biblical themes?
there areā¦but they are more prevalent in the following books. in one scene, isadora scenes a mural of the garden of eden. she talks about her families faith as well as side characterās faith.
5. can you reveal one spoiler? š /jkjkjk
well, of course not! youāre just going to have to wait and see all of the fun things that happen!
6. whatās your weirdest search related to tdw?
there have been so manyā¦perhaps the fact that i studied different types of poisons for a good month and a half and then ended up ditching the idea entirely.
7. what advice do you have for new writers?
get a strong community and never give up. write even if you don’t feel like it.
8. whatās been the hardest part of writing tdw?
honestly, writing the darkest war was incredibly easy. editing not so much.ā¦
9. what is the theme bible verse of tdw?
“he changes times and seasons; he deposesĀ kings and raises up others. he gives wisdomĀ to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” – daniel 2:21
10. how has God shown Himself to you through tdw?
heās shown me the lesson of forgiveness and doing the right thing even in difficult times
about isabella
isabella ruiz is a teenage author from southern alabama who aims to inspire and entertain with her stories of hope in dark times and fantastical adventures. with almost five years of writing experience, and several full length novels under her belt, she is excited to share her love of books with the world.
thank you so so much for reading this post! š if you enjoyed this, would you consider subscribing, clicking that like button, and leaving a comment? thank you so much! don’t forget to check out the darkest war!
what is your weirdest writing related search? let me know in the comments below!
Hiii, sweet friends! It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I know, I need to get around to writing a life update post. A lot’s happened since I last posted, and it’s too much to explain in this post. All I’ll share right now is that I’m doing a lot better than I was 6 months ago. š
And so, here’s my introduction to my NaNoWriMo novel, Project Rosemary. I’ll be using Christine Smith’s Know The Novel questions.
(Also is anyone else in shock that it’s almost November?? I feel like it’s still June š )
1. What first sparked the idea for this novel?
Iāve really wanted to write a story that somehow relates to Ophelia, from Shakespeareās Hamlet, for a long time now. I recently was struggling with what to write for NaNoWriMo, and by the grace of God, this story began to take form in my mind. And so, slowly, Project Rosemary was born.
2. Share a blurb (or just an overall summary)!
Project Rosemary is a tender, quiet middle grade novel about mental illness, generational trauma, small towns, failed actresses, the late 1980s, and grief. Iām so excited to write it š
3. Where does the story take place? What are some of your favorite aspects of the setting?
It takes place in a (currently unnamed) small town, about a stones throw from Los Angelos. Just close enough for my failed actress character to believe that she can still pursue her dreams, but also just far enough that itās always out of reach. </3 I love the fact that the town is small, and filled with a quirky cast of characters (which is literally every town Iāve ever written about but itās okay *facedesk*). I havenāt really figured out more details than thatā I donāt tend to plan out how my setting will look, I just sort of jump into the story and find out. š
4. Tell us about your protagonist(s).
Oooh, this is the question Iāve been most excited for. I love rambling about my characters XP. My protagonist is a 12 year old girl named Aspen Wakefield. Sheās an enneagram 6w5, with OCD and a passion for tea gardening and photography. Sheās too responsible for her age, and has grown up being an almost parent for her mom: a failed actress who believes that she is Ophelia reincarnate.
5. Who (or what) is the antagonist?
Iām about to get really philosophical here, so please bear with me š *stands on a soap box* *taps microphone* ahem, the antagonist is human brokenness. Or, to be more specific (or more confusing, depending on how you would like to define it), the antagonist is the effects of living on this broken planet filled with sin š In all seriousness, the antagonist is probably Aspenās mother. I hate the trope of mentally ill people being the villains, and so I would like to make it very clear that her mother is not the antagonist because of her mental illnesses. She is a very nuanced character, and while I wonāt get into all the details in this post, I just wanted to make it as clear as possible that I will not be villainizing her mental illness. There is so much more to her than her mental illnesses, as you will find out if I ever publish this (or, you know, actually write it š )
6. What excites you the most about this novel?
The aesthetic. Oh my word, the aesthetic. Itās like if We Dream of Space and Stranger Things had an aesthetic mixture. The aesthetic has honestly been the best part of this. Itās yellow wall phones, antique paintings, vintage photos, broken lockers, the scent of old books, and lopsided smiles.
7. Is this going to be a series? standalone? something else?
Standalone, most likely. Most of my novels are standalones (:
8. Are you plotting? pantsing? plansting?
Iām plotting!! Iāve been using Chat GPT for that (seriously, itās super helpful for organizing ideas and brainstorming and also finding face claims).
9. Name a few unique elements in this story.
Well, for one, itās ownvoices OCD rep (which is rare), and it deals with grieving someone who was very hard to love.
10. Share some fun āextrasā of the story (a song or full playlist, some aesthetics, a collage, a Pinterest board, a map youāve made, a special theme youāre going to incorporate, ANYTHING you want to share!).
Wellllllll thereās Requiem from Dear Evan Hansen, which sums up Aspenās emotional turmoil, and thereās the Pinterest board I made (:
Thank you so much for reading this post, friend. If you enjoyed this, please consider liking, subscribing, and maybe leaving a comment. It would mean the world to me. š
Are you doing NaNoWriMo this year? What’s your project about? Let me know in the comments!
Hey, sweet friends! I hope you’re all doing well š Today I have a post that I’m very very excited about. I’ve honestly been waiting excitedly to write this post for a while now š I’m pretty sure you guys are already familiar with Chat GPT, but in case you aren’t, it’s an AI program that is basically a genius. I can’t decide whether to be fascinated or terrified by it š I’ve decided to have it introduce my current WIPs for me, and I’m very excited to see what it comes up with.
Friendly reminder that Chat GPT wrote these synopsis’ for me š
For my main WIP, Little Flowers, I gave Chat GPT a very simple sentence prompt, asking it to “write me a synopsis for a YA romance about 4 sisters, named Chloe, Ly, Honey, and Adri. It is a contemporary retelling of Little Women. featuring autistic girls, mental illness, french boys, and sisterly bonds.”
It’s response however was very far from the actual story premise š
“Four Sisters and a French Boy” is a heartwarming YA romance that follows the lives of four sisters named Chloe, Ly, Honey, and Adri, who are navigating their teenage years while dealing with autism, mental illness, and their unique sisterly bonds.
Set in a small town in the US, the sisters are raised by their single mother who works long hours as a nurse to support their family. The girls are very close, but each has their own struggles to deal with. Chloe, the oldest sister, is the responsible one who takes care of her younger sisters and struggles with anxiety. Ly, who has autism, is passionate about art and struggles to communicate her feelings. Honey, the third sister, is a talented musician who is coping with depression. Adri, the youngest, is a spunky and adventurous girl who is trying to find her place in the world.
Their lives are turned upside down when a French exchange student named Pierre arrives in their town and is placed in their home. Pierre is charming, handsome, and speaks little English, making him a bit of an enigma. The sisters are all drawn to him in different ways, but it’s Chloe who ends up spending the most time with him. As they spend time together, Chloe and Pierre develop a deep connection, and Chloe finds herself falling in love.
However, their happiness is short-lived when Pierre’s exchange program ends, and he has to return to France. Chloe is devastated, but her sisters rally around her and help her through the pain of their separation. As the girls navigate their own struggles, they also learn the importance of sisterhood, forgiveness, and the power of love.
“Four Sisters and a French Boy” is a contemporary retelling of Little Women, with a diverse cast of characters and themes that explore the complexities of mental health, autism, and the bonds of sisterhood. This heartwarming novel will leave you rooting for the sisters and their journey towards love, self-discovery, and acceptance.
In actuality, Little Flowers is about 4 sisters who end up befriending a quirky French boy who moves in across the street from them. Chat GPT’s description of Chloe was fairly accurate– although Chloe doesn’t have anxiety and is so much more than just the “responsible older sister.” Ly’s description was actually accurate to Honey, so that’s kinda cool. Ly herself though, is a writer type and not into art at all, and is not autistic (she does have ADHD though). Honey’s description was not at all accurate to any of the sisters, and Adri’s was very simplified.
Also *cough* Chloe doesn’t fall in love with “Pierre” I’m keeping his actual name a secret š
Overall, I’d rate that synopsis a 3/10. It was well written, but had nothing to do with my actual project.
For my second WIP, Comeback Kids (also known as Project Sunshine), I gave a pretty good summary of the plot, in my opinion, and I was pleasantly surprised by how good the synopsis Chat GPT came up with was.
“Naemi has been confined to her bed for a year, trapped in the aftermath of a devastating accident that claimed the lives of everyone she loved. She feels lost, alone, and has lost all sense of purpose. But everything changes when she meets Milo, a charming and mysterious boy who seems to understand her in ways that no one else can.
Milo has his own demons to confront, and Naemi is drawn to his strength and determination to overcome them. As they spend more time together, Naemi begins to find new reasons to live and starts to believe that maybe there is a future for her after all.
But just as Naemi starts to heal, the past comes back to haunt her, and she’s forced to confront the truth about the accident that changed her life forever. With Milo by her side, she must find the courage to face her fears and learn to let go of the past in order to embrace a brighter future.
A heart-warming and poignant tale of love, loss, and redemption, this young adult romance novel is a must-read for anyone who has ever struggled to find their way in the world.”
Chat GPT
There’s not much I would critique about this synopsis, aside from the fact that Naemi’s accident didn’t kill everyone she loved. It was only 3 of her friends, and she only truly loved one of them š Other than that though, it was pretty accurate.
I’d rate that synopsis 9/10. It actually sounds like a legit book synopsis.
This next WIP is actually currently in the early stages of writing, but I’m already obsessed. I’ve had this story in the back of my mind for a while, so I’m really excited to finally be working on it seriously.
“Bee County” is a touching middle-grade novel in verse that tells the story of a group of unlikely friends who come together to face their fears and overcome their struggles.
At the center of the story is a manic pixie dream girl named Luna, who is always on the move and never stays in one place for too long. When she arrives in Bee County, she quickly becomes the talk of the town with her quirky personality and free spirit. But as the days go by, her friends start to realize that Luna is not as carefree as she seems and needs saving from her troubled past.
Enter a boy who feels like a ghost, struggling with the loss of his mother, twin sisters who couldnāt be more different, one popular and one a recluse, a boy without legs, who is a whiz at fixing cars, and a literate goat, who just loves to read. Together, they form an unlikely alliance, each bringing their own unique talents and struggles to the group.
As they spend their days exploring the county and finding adventure, they also discover the power of friendship, courage, and the importance of being true to oneself. Through the magic of verse, readers are swept up in the lives of these charming characters and their journey towards self-discovery and acceptance.
With its vibrant cast of characters and poignant storytelling, “Bee County” is a touching and unforgettable novel that will captivate middle-grade readers and leave them with a renewed sense of hope and wonder.
Chat GPT
I genuinely love that synopsis so much, oh my word. It’s actually pretty accurate, although it has some inaccuracies. I’m shocked that Chat GPT knew what a manic pixie dream girl was š
Although, I will say that the manic pixie dream girl (Luna) is actually named Cass, and that the boy without legs (Atticus) is most definitely not a whiz at fixing cars. I might add that to the story though, because I like the idea. Also, I find the goat’s description so funny and I’m not sure why š
I’d rate this one a 8/10, because it was pretty accurate, and also gave me some ideas.
This last synopsis is not at all accurate for my WIP, To The Runaways. There’s too much here to critique, so I’m just not going to explain all that’s wrong with it š I’ll just leave you guys with the synopsis, which has absolutely nothing to do with TTR.
In “Stars in Their Eyes,” a gripping YA novel, a group of runaway misfit teenagers leave behind their troubled pasts and set out on a journey of self-discovery, adventure, and the pursuit of their dreams.
When seventeen-year-old Mia’s world falls apart, she takes a chance and runs away to New York City, hoping to find a new start. Along the way, she meets a group of teenagers just like her, each with their own unique story and struggles, but all with stars in their eyes and dreams in their hearts.
There’s Max, a guitar prodigy who dreams of making it big on the music scene, and his best friend Jazzy, a gifted dancer who wants to dance her way to the top. Then there’s Leo, a tech genius who wants to start his own company, and the enigmatic Raven, who is haunted by her past and dreams of a better future.
As they navigate the gritty streets of New York City and face the challenges of survival and growing up on their own, the group becomes a family and forms an unbreakable bond. Together, they face their fears, pursue their passions, and fight for their dreams, all while trying to stay one step ahead of the dangers that come with being runaway teenagers.
“Stars in Their Eyes” is a powerful and inspiring novel about the resilience of youth and the courage it takes to chase your dreams. With its authentic characters, gripping storyline, and raw emotion, this novel will captivate readers and leave them cheering for the misfit teenagers who refuse to give up on their hopes and aspirations.
Chat GPT
Sorry, Chat GPT, but I’m rating this a 2/10, only because it was completely inaccurate. Was it too much to expect an AI program to write an accurate synopsis for a novel it has no context about? Potentially. Do I have any regrets? Not at all š
I really hope you guys enjoyed this overly rambly post! I know I personally had a lot of fun writing it (:
Have you used Chat GPT for anything fun? What do you think of it’s writing capabilities? Let me know in the comments! š
Hello friends! Iām in utter and complete shock, but somehow weāve ended up in October? And itās almost the holiday season? And wasnāt it just the new year last time I checked my calendar??
This year has been going by wayyy too fast for my liking š Iām not ready for 2023ā¦but thatās a topic for another day XD. Anyways, with it being October and everything, weāve finally arrived in ~NaNoWriMo~ season. This is going to be my first real NaNo (the last few years Iāve kinda slacked off), and Iām super hyped. So~ to make it feel real and not just like an idea, Iām sharing my NaNo idea with you guys, and keeping you all updated on the chaos that is this novel. Iām going to be using Christine Smithās Know The Novel questions (is anyone else doing Know The Novel this year?)
Note that I am not affiliated with NaNoWriMo in any way. I have been an active member on the YWP forums for NaNo in the past, but this year Iām flying solo with NaNo š
The Questions š
1. What first sparked the idea for this novel?
Well, actually the idea for this WIP came to me 2 years ago randomly on Halloween night XD. Itās been kinda just existing in my brain since then, while changing slowly into something thatāsā¦extremely different from the original premise.
My original premise was this: [The novel is] about this girl who is expelled from her fourteenth school in the past year. As a punishment she is sent away by her rich parents to go live with her grandmother in Bee County, a tiny town in the mountains (population, 1001). She ends up befriending these two girls, named Squirrel and Bee. Bee is your classic hopeless romantic who feels trapped in her small town, and Squirrel is a selectivly mute teenager who communicates through flowers and sign language (flowers have different meanings, and she grows different flowers so she can use them to communicate). She also falls in love with a ghost who haunts the local chapel.
As you can see, the vibes are immaculate and cottagecore XD. Since then, the story has changed a lot, and Iāve written multiple alternate first chapters for it. Itās a weird mix of some of my favorite novels, plus some of my favorite WIPās, and I love it so much. Honestly at this point, it doesnāt even resemble the original premise. BUT thatās okay because the original premise characters show up in here?? If that makes sense?? Just as side characters??
2. Share a blurb (or just an overall summary)!
Soā¦we donāt fully have a *real* blurb yet. All we have is a very silly chaotic mess of notes that may or may not make sense. Anyways, so here we go *cringes* Iām so nervous to share these notes-
Set in the 1940s
About a group of friends who are enjoying their last year of high school before everything changes
Theo
quiet
brooding
ready to die in the war (heās not suicidal ā heās justā¦ā¦. sure of his fate)
abused
tragic
anti hero
heās a survivor
so done with everything
feels like a ghost
type 5w6
Atticus
disabled (he was born without legs)
not entering the war
walks on his hands
teaches goats how to read (ok fine it was *one* goat)
self confidence
determined to make the most out of every day
silly goofball
type 4w3
Mel
tomboy
SHE DOESNāT FIT THE āNOT LIKE OTHER GIRLSā TROPE
kinda the mom of the group
fiercely overprotective of the boysā¢ļø
fiesty
really mad that she canāt join the war and fight
learning about airplanes
debater
controversial
type 8w7
Lewis
bullied throughout middle school (heās now popular)
eager to be wanted
heartthrob of the town
held back a year
kinda the bully now
tough love is his love language
type 8w7 (same as mel)
nostalgia
HEY DOES ANYONE WANNA CRY
a bucket list is made before everything changes (before lewis and theo go off to war, mel goes to build airplanes, and atticusā¦ā¦ does atticus-things)
set during 3 years
3. Where does the story take place? What are some of your favorite aspects about the setting?
It takes place in the small town of Bee County in the middle of Illinois. I donāt really have much of the setting developed, but I want it to give off likeā¦Stars Hollow vibes, but also like- Bedford Falls vibes?? If that makes any sense at all?? Honestly Iāll develop the setting later in the second draft.
4. Tell us about your protagonist(s).
My main protagonist is Mel Ortlend; she narrates most of the book (aside from short snippets that are through letters and stuff). Sheās a mix of Peggy Carter and Jo March, and is justā¦such a fun character. She has a bit of trauma from having an undiagnosed anxiety disorder. Sheās the mom friend of the group, and is extremely protective of everyone. She can be a bit overbearing, but sheās honestly really sweet once you get to know her š Sheās bitter that she canāt fight in the war, and to make up for it, sheās planning to build airplanes once she graduates.
Iām so excited to explore her character !!
5. Who (or what) is the antagonist?
Time itself; each of the characters is terrified of how fast time is moving for them. They know that once high school ends, nothing will be the same, and itās kinda influencing all of their choices.
6. What excites you the most about this novel?
The aesthetic !! The characters !! The WW2 vibes !! Also how it vaguelly reminds me of some of my favorite classic novels !!
I have plans to write a prequel for it sometime in the future thatās basically the original premise (but slightly edited) and that makes me so excited. I love these characters so much š
7. Is this going to be a series? standalone? something else?
Uhmmm the goal is for it to eventually evolve into a series, but we havenāt reached that point yet, so Iām just gonna leave that to future Rue (:
8. Are you plotting? pantsing? Plansting?
Iām pantsing; Iāve discovered that thatās what motivates me is not knowing where the storyās going next. Itās taken a few years of trial and error to find that out, but Iām so thankful that Iāve finally figured out what motivates me to write
9. Name a few unique elements about this story.
Thereās so many unique elements; my favorites being a genius goat that can read, a boy who feels like a ghost, letters from the war, and very fun ships that make me very excited.
10. Share some fun āextrasā of the story (a song or full playlist, some aesthetics, a collage, a Pinterest board, a map youāve made, a special theme youāre going to incorporate, ANYTHING you want to share!).
Thank you so much for reading this messy rambly blog post š If you enjoyed this and want to read similar content, maybe consider subscribing? And clicking like? And leaving a comment?Ā Are you doing NaNoWriMo this year? What are you writing for it? Let me know in the comments!
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