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attempting to edit my mistakes + a new character!!
Hello friends!!
For this week’s progress report I have finally decided to reveal my failed writing attempt from over the summer. Last week’s inspiration to continue trying to flesh out and create this story has not died down and I am finding myself increasingly more excited to write which is super awesome!! So, I decided to go back and try my hand at editing what I had written down for the uncompleted scene and it…went. It didn’t go poorly, but it didn't go well.
It still needs a lot of work before I’m happy with it, but here it is nonetheless:
Scene
“You love him, don’t you,” a voice called over her shoulder. Ailidh started, turning her head away from the scene below to face Ruslan.
“I… don’t know,” she responded, hesitantly, her grip on the parapet tightening as she was suddenly unable to meet the piercing gaze of her betrothed. “But… I think I could.”
She looked back at the man in the courtyard, kneeling in front of a giggling elven child, a soft smile on his face. “I dearly wish to,” she whispered softly.
Ailidh tensed as a hand was placed upon her shoulder. She looked up once more to see only kindness and understanding in Ruslan’s face. The corner of his lip twitched upward, and her lips parted softly, exhaling in relief. He had become very dear to her heart in the course of their engagement, and while she did not harbor any romantic feelings for him whatsoever, she would hate for their friendship to be lost entirely. She could marry him for the sake of her people and be content for the rest of her days.
And yet…
Ruslan turned to the guards behind them. “One of you, go and fetch the good Lady of these lands and my advisor. Tell them to meet us in the study.”
“Yes, sir.”
His gaze snapped back to Ailidh’s as she inhaled sharply. “Do you have your copy of the marriage contract?”
She blinked. “...Yes. In the study.”
“Good. Let us make our way there before your mother and my dearest shadow arrive,” he said, holding out his arm with a lopsided grin. With a hesitant smile, and one last hastened glance at her knight below, Ailidh took the offered arm, the pair beginning to walk briskly off the balcony and down the hall.
*~*~*
I don’t usually write romance so it was really interesting that this was the inspirational itch I decided to scratch over the summer. ᕱ__ᕱ
However, that wasn’t the only thing I did this week. I also started to create another character! I don’t have a drawing for him yet but I do have some visuals floating around in my brain for what he looks like. Once I have time to do some graphic art for fun, you may be blessed with another mediocre headshot.
Character
Ruslan (roos-lan)
Ailidh’s betrothed
From a different nobel family
His family presides over a much more militarily focused fae village/area
This is why Ailidh is betrothed to him as his people could provide her people with much more protection against the growing unrest
Oooo plot!
Highly skilled in the more assassin area’s of fighting
Prefers knives
He and Ailidh make a terrifying duo (poison’s knives!!!!!)
Personality wise he is very dutiful but more laid back that Ailidh
Very dry, sarcastic sense of humor
Boyish charm pokes out every once in a while
Very popular with the ladies but doesn’t care for it (he laments to Ailidh constantly when they become closer friends)
Honestly he's a pretty chill guy
*~*~*
I’ve grown very attached to my guy Ruslan in the time I’ve started to craft him. I’m excited to work on his and Ailidh’s relationship/friendship. But whomst is this mysterious knight I wonder??? ᕱ__<
Finally, I did a little bit of world building as well… but I’m going to keep that to myself for now. (I’m just keeping all the secret’s from you guys today).
All in all, I’d say this was a pretty productive week for me and I’m quite proud of what I have accomplished. That’s all from me for now!
But remember, dot your j’s and cross your t’s!
~Clementine J Quincey🪷
plot!!!
Hello friends!
This week’s post is less scattered and more focused as I actually set aside time to sit and work on my story instead of just snatching a few moments here and there!! ᕱ__ᕱ Now that I have fully committed to expanding on my failed summer writing and finally fleshing out the story behind it that has existed in my head for at least a year, I had so many directions I could go with this week's work. Since I am indecisive as heck, I asked my sister what I should do: character creation/development or worldbuilding? She chose worldbuilding which I was really excited for! When I sat down to write, however, plot spilled out. So, in this post I’m sharing a basic plot outline for either the background to the story or first part of the story. (I haven’t decided whether I want to actually write this out or have this be the set up scenario for where the story begins though I’m leaning towards the latter.) I hope you all enjoy! ᕱ__ᕱ
Backstory/Plot:
Queen Blondie and Prince Pretty Boy are in love
The have the cutest backstory which involves their parents being allies/friends, them being childhood friends (puppy crushes), and then demanding a betrothal when they were like 12-13 so that they can make sure they end up together
Then they dont see each other for like 4 years cause prince pretty boy’s mum got assassinated and queen blondies mum got sick and dad passed away from a broken heart
queen blondie had just turned 16 so she was to be coronated as queen (16 yo = of age) but her “advisors” (the corrupt peeps who kinda underhandedly took charge when her dad was worried over her mum) were planning a coup and she found out and reverse uno carded them
It's been a year and she's been cleaning up her kingdom when she gets an invite to prince pretty boy’s coronation
They had been exchanging letters most of the years they were apart but had faltered when the whole coup thing went down
She is still super busy with adjusting to queen stuff but she misses him desperately (puppy love has grown) and she wants to support him so she sends one of her closest confidants and friends Main Character 3™: Hot Spy Lady
Prince Pretty Boy is getting coronated
Unrest in his kingdom and queen blondies had been growing for a hot minute
His mum was assassinated a few years earlier while viewing the kingdom and his dad got uber protective (queen blondie has heard all about it via letter)
King (his dad) just got assassinated and now his Uncle (chief advisor to his father after his mum died) is pushing a whirlwind coronation
Prince Pretty Boy wants to wait to contact Queen Blondie because the betrothal still stands and him being crowned king and her queen much sooner than they expected to and before their marriage may complicate the merging of their kingdoms (which had always been the plan but)
Uncle pushes through and all he is able to send is a standard invitation to the coronation (which Uncle thought they could do without but pretty boy insisted on following the proper traditions)
Many important figures could not make it to Prince Pretty Boy’s big day because of the rush but Hot Spy Lady made it in time along with a few others
But SURPRISE Uncle has staged a coup!!
Working for/with the Big Bad™
Attempts to kill Prince Pretty Boy
Hot Spy Lady ends up saving his tush and they flee the castle before pretty boy can be coronated
Before he flees Prince Pretty Boy is able to send one of his closest friends and confidants Main Character 4™: Classic Knight out to spread the news of this betrayal to his allies and neutral parties to hopefully gain new allies and reclaim his kingdom
Queen Blondie (17), Prince Pretty Boy (18), Hot Spy Lady (19), Classic Knight (19) are the 4 main characters of this beginning plot
~*~*~
I’m so excited for this story! ᕱ__ᕱ If I get enough background, worldbuilding, and plot outlined by November I may seriously consider partaking in NaNoWriMo this year!!! (For those who don't know what NaNoWriMo is: https://nanowrimo.org/national-novel-writing-month.) Anyway, I don’t want to get ahead of myself. As I have been working out and stretching my creative writing muscles this past month, actively thinking about and doing creative writing work, I have started to find it easier and easier to get into the proper headspace and whip out a couple hundred words when I have the time to sit and do it. It’s like I’m rediscovering my love for writing and story-crafting again. ᕱ__ᕱ It’s truly the best feeling!!
Remember to dot your j’s and cross your t’s, friends!
~Clementine J. Quincey 🪷
PS. I listen to music a lot, especially while I write, so for your listening pleasure, a couple songs that made me happy this week:
✨ Hot Tea by Dalia Dargazli
🐸Yes I'm a Mess by AJR
🎶The Moon Will Sing by The Crane Wives
✨All American Bitch by Olivia Rodrigo