“What’s Your WIP?” Tag (+ snippets!)

I’ll be using my historical romantic suspense WIP for this tag! And, yeah, that’s all the intro for this because I’m so excited to get into it! So let’s go! 😀

Wait – I do have something to say that I almost forgot; please note that all the snippets aren’t from the final version of my book… because right now that exists only in my head (but don’t worry, it will exist one day). So, there will be… imperfections. *hears audience gasp* I know, I know. And I don’t even know why I’m saying this because the tag is literally called “What’s Your [WORK-IN-PROGRESS]?”, so never mind. Let’s go for real now! 😀

• Answer the questions.
• Feel free to add snippets!
• Tag as many or as few people as you wish & let them know they’re tagged.
• Add a clean copy of the questions at the end of your post for the tagged.

Has your WIP a working title? If so, tell us! If not, have you any idea of what it might be?

Yes, “Gillory”! That’s the name of the heroine. That title probably will change, though. 😉

Have you a synopsis for your WIP? If so, give it to us! If not, can you give us a blurb on what your WIP is about?
Yeah, I made an unofficial blurb using the GENRE + THEME + HOOK formula, so I have something to say when I tell people what the story is about. I came up with this:

Gillory is a historical romantic suspense about a young seamstress who is given the keys to her dream of becoming a pianist, and over the course of events, she discovers that no amount of success can earn the love she’s seeking.

But I like saying this better: It’s a historical romantic suspense, set in the autumn of 1947, about a seamstress with a conflicted passion for piano and an ex-WWII soldier who no one really knows.

That just has more of a… ring to it, to me. Plus, it’s a little shorter and more natural-sounding to say aloud in a conversation with a curious someone. Though at the same time, it doesn’t include the theme of the story. Hmm. But anyway, long story short, I don’t have a blurb yet.

Have you a working/mock cover for your WIP? If so, show us! If not, have you an idea in mind?
Not yet.

How did you get the idea for this story?
I had an image pop into my mind of a pianist in a red beret walking down a cobblestone road at night, on her way to a performance. Her hands were in gloves to ward off the chill of the quiet autumn night. And she had black hair.

And then I built on that! So now, that scene won’t exactly happen like I thought it would, but the overall feel of it is the same.

How long do you think it will be? Is it longer or shorter than you thought it would be?
I thought the whole story would be 50,000 words, more or less. And now I’m almost at 70,000 words and I’m only halfway. So, it’ll be much longer than I’d thought… probably close to 140,000 words, more or less. 🙂

Who’s your favourite character so far?
Haha, I love that spelling of “favourite.” I’m always using the British spellings for words, lol… I guess because I grew up reading old British books, but anyway…

Oh, but the question! Favorite character? Oh goodness. I can’t choose between Ean and Gillory, but one of those two, so far. 😉

What’s your favourite memory related to this WIP?
Hmmm. I have a lot of good memories related to this, some of which are the day I first began writing it – November 1, 2021! It was a sunny day and I wrote for, like, four hours straight. So quite a lovely writing day. 😀 Another favorite memory is when I was at the thrift shop and suddenly had the PERFECT idea to correct a little plot hole I’d come upon. Besides that, it’s just so releasing and freeing to incorporate truths I’ve learned in Gillory. I relate so much both to the hero and heroine and love the process of writing them deep into the “dark night of the soul” so that they can have their moment of truth. *grins*

Any special person(s) who helped create it?
My sister. BLESS YOU GIRL YOU HAVE BEEN SO HELPFUL. Others who have been SO encouraging and helpful are my whole family, my IRL friends, and so many of you amazing blogger friends I’ve been blessed to get to know. ❤ (You know who you are. 😉 And if you’re reading this, you’re probably one of them.) I don’t know how I’ll be able to fit in all the people who deserve a place in the dedication. XD

What’s your favourite scene so far (if you can tell about it without spoilers!)?
Impossible to chose a favorite. But some highlights are the beginning (when Gillory and Ean meet), a scene in the rain, a piano performance scene, and some random banter between characters. 😂

WIP Snippets

“Do you play that remarkable instrument? The piano?”

Gillory accidentally pricked herself as she removed a pin. “I don’t.”

“Interesting.”

She could sense the doubt in his voice as if he had said so himself. Why lie? “That is, I know how to. For a few years as a child, my mother taught me. I taught myself when other responsibilities took her time.”

“And yet… you don’t play it.”

Gillory felt a strong urge to turn around and look at him, but she resisted it, sighing and peering at the stitched vest hem instead. 

“It’s complicated.”

“That’s understandable. I don’t like to share much about myself either.”

Is he teasing me?  A swift glance at his downturned gaze and the serious set of his mouth told her he had no such intention. 

“I’m saving to buy one of my own.” That’s all she would say about that. She looked down at his book. It now lay open at the first page.

“So, what is the book about?” she asked, changing the subject. She could feel humor light his face again, though she concentrated on her work on the hem.

“A person who had problems and overcame them.”

---

“You were that hurt by it?” Gillory draped a hand over her heart. “Why, Mr. Thorner, I wouldn’t have pegged you for the sensitive, fragile type.”

He chuckled, nudging her elbow. “Nor I you for the heartless, backstabbing eldest sister.”

“You flatter me.”

“I’ve heard it’s what I’m best at.”

[By the way, “Mr. Thorner” isn’t Ean. *pulls myself away before I can spoil anything*]

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“They won’t do it again—”

“You’re right, next time they’ll just set fire to the whole building.”

“Honest, Gil, I had a… an aggressive talk with them. They’ll never bother you again.”

Gillory eyed Justin, a deep sigh begging for release. “No, they’ll just bother someone else,” she replied quietly.

Dying orange sunlight cast shadows on Justin’s face. “You won’t tell Father and Mum,” he murmured.

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Roriotti’s eyes were dark with gravity. “Whatever it is that happened with Ean, I hope you both are lucky enough to have a happily ever after.”

Her eyelashes fluttered, blinking against the sting of tears, but she held on to his gaze. “Me too,” she whispered. She slid from the seat to stand on the pavement, then bent inside the car to look at Roriotti, holding her right hand tight in her left. “But luck will have nothing to do with it. Only God.”

Is the story still what you thought it would be or has it thrown you a couple curveballs?

It’s thrown me many curveballs indeed! Although it still has the overall structure I’d planned for it. The curveballs mainly consist in new scenes, plot points, and characters I never had anticipated. (Everyone, say to Joseph Howell, please. 😀 *sees everyone wave and say hi* Aww, thank you. I assure you, he appreciates that. And don’t tell him that his name might change. He’s very particular about it.)

Is there a Bible verse, poem, hymn, picture, or quote that helped shape this story?

Bible verse: My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Hymn: Does Jesus Care? (Fun fact: I don’t know this hymn too well because I just found this while flipping through a hymnal a few days ago! But the words PERFECTLY fit a certain dramatic scene I have coming up, so you can imagine how thrilled I was to come across it.)

Quote: I know I can’t be perfect, but one day I’ll be close // And that’s when someone will love me the most // So I’ll just keep on trying, I’ll do the best I can // I can’t compete just being who I am (lyrics from “Wrong” by Lisa Cimorelli – sorry it’s so sad! But it perfectly captures a certain young lady’s misbelief. *smiles grimly*)

And then this: Acceptance is the key to be // To be truly free // Will you do the same for me? (lyrics from Katy Perry’s “Unconditionally.” Which happens to be the only song of hers I listen to, lol. All the lyrics are so beautiful and go flawlessly with the themes in my story.)

When and where have you done most of the writing so far?

At my desk, in the afternoon.

Where do you get inspiration for this story?

Moodboards, songs, and real life experiences, for the most part.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

*laughs to myself* I just wrote a post about this. For the most part, I’m naturally a pantser, but I outlined Gillory before I started drafting it, and that REALLY paid off. What’s worked for this story (so far) has been keeping an overall structure in mind and knowing beforehand each major plot point that’s going to happen, but then winging the actual scenes, intuitively figuring out the flow of the story. I’m letting myself be very open to any unplanned twists that might come about. Long story short, I appreciate structure, but I also love the freedom to discover the unknown as I go along.

Do you have a little ritual before you start writing?

I don’t follow this every single time, but I try to: 1) Pray. 2) Put on music and ambience sounds that fit the mood. 3) Scroll through my moodboards. 4) WRITE WRITE WRITE WRITE WRITE WRITE WRITE WRITE WRITE WRITE WRITE. 5) Take short breaks throughout.

Are you thinking of publishing this story?

YES ABSOLUTELY (Lord willing)! I can’t wait to share it with you. (Also, I would feel very bad if I shared snippets and got you excited, but never gave you the chance to actually read the book!)

What things have you learned while writing this story?

Ah, that’s a good question to end this with. Well, honestly I’m still learning the things my characters are learning, so even though I’ve come to my own “aha” moments about it, the lessons they have to learn are things I STILL need to be reminded of myself. On a more practical note, I’m learning to trust God with the writing process – He will give me the determination I need to complete the story and He’ll do with it exactly what He wills. Basically, He has a plan for it, and that makes it worth writing if nothing else does.

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The Questions

1. Has your WIP a working title? If so, tell us! If not, have you any idea of what it might be?
2. Have you a synopsis for your WIP? If so, give it to us! If not, can you give us a blurb on what your WIP is about?
3. Have you a working/mock cover for your WIP? If so, show us! If not, have you an idea in mind?
4. How did you get the idea for this story?
5. How long do you think it will be? Is it longer or shorter than you thought it would be?
6. Who’s your favourite character so far?
7. What’s your favourite memory related to this WIP?
8. Any special person(s) who helped create it?
9. What’s your favourite scene so far (if you can tell about it without spoilers!)?
10. Can you give us a snippet? 
11. Is the story still what you thought it would be or has it thrown you a couple curveballs?
12. Is there a Bible verse, poem, hymn, picture, or quote that helped shape this story?
13. When and where have you done most of the writing so far?
14. Where do you get inspiration for this story?
15. Are you a plotter or a pantser?
16. Do you have a little ritual before you start writing?
17. Are you thinking of publishing this story?
18. What things have you learned while writing this story?

I’m leaving an open tag! So, if you’re reading this post, PLEASE steal it! Seriously! Yes, even you, the one who just looked away as if I wouldn’t see you. 😛

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Well, that was an incredibly fun tag!!! Make sure to join the newsletter for more sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes stuff, and more! 😉 Let me know in the comments: Do you have a pre-writing ritual? Should favorite be spelled the American or British way? What do you tell people when they ask what your book is about? Am I the only one who has to plan what I say for that? Which snippet was your favourite? (See what I did there 😜)? (I’ll get to your comments on Monday, unless the Wifi decides otherwise.)