The Soul of Sails

Well, I have seen so many others do this, so I felt I had to do it, too. Anyway, I thought it could be fun. I blame Megan and Abigail, for instance. As you see, it’s all from Sails for The Western Sea and this questionnaire actually gives you a simple look over the story. I’m not sure who made the questions though, but I must give them credit. I see that it all got rather long, but please, bear with me. I had to write it all! Here we go:

1. What’s your word count?
It’s very hard to tell since I’ve got documents here and there and all over the place, but based on my last calculations, I would say around 25,000 words. I know, it is not much, but I’m not much of a proper writer. However, I try to ignore the word count, but it’s not that easy.

2. How long until you finish?
Pfft, how can I know? It may take months and years for all I know.

3. If you have finished, how long did it take you?
It’s not finished.

4. Do you have an outline?
That depends. I know how it begins and how it ends, but I’m taking it a bit as it comes. What more is, I have certain events connecting the story so it may look more like a story with an outline.

5. Do you have a plot?
Er… Plot is such a big word. Can we rather say an idea? Or thoughts? Ask me later, please. I may have a better answer then, if you’re lucky.

6. How many words do you typically write a day?
I don’t really write everyday. I write when I feel for writing, and because of that, I cannot give a proper answer on this one, I’m afraid.

7. What was your greatest word count in one day?
Around 2,000 words? I know, it’s not much, but it’s something.

8. What was your least impressive word count in one day?
I… Have no idea. I don’t remember those numbers.

9. What inspired you to write?
I believe when I saw the ones I stayed around wrote and wrote, I also wanted to write. To be honest, I felt very alone and left out so I thought I’d give it a try. When I started to write, I remembered how much I had loved it, and keeping a certain character from Hornblower in mind as well as Retribution; the words just came. I believe the ending of Retribution is the very source of Sails for The Western Sea because even though something else nodded me towards writing, it was a relationship and a person I wanted to bring over to something I could work on; all simply because I loved (and still loves it) it so very much.

10. Does your novel/story have a theme song?
You had to ask that, did you not? All I can say is Wonderful Life by Tina Cousins. That pretty much summons up everything.

11. Assign each of your major characters a theme song.
Do I have to do so? They’re still growing and I don’t feel for giving them a theme song just yet. If I am just going to take some of them now, it won’t be perfect, but it will be something. For Ewan, it has to be Wonderful Life (it’s here I go all teary). For Romain, I’m thinking Elegie by Secret Garden and for Nathan, I’m thinking about Amazing Grace. However, I shall answer this one more properly later.

12. Which character is most like you?
I admit that I wanted Ewan to be based on me, but he’s not. Yes, we are similar at some points, but in fact, we’re completely different! It certainly was a surprise to me when I realized that the character most similar to me, was the character that doesn’t seem anything like me in the very beginning. Yes, I see Romain Adama as the character that’s most similar to me.

13. Which character would you most likely be friends with?
Oh, that would probably be Ewan. He’s the one I think I could have a good laugh with because Nathan is a rather deep character you’ve got to know before you can see yourself as his friend. Ewan is rather shy, but he’s rather lovely and he tries as hard as he can. As soon as he finds somebody that knows a bit about what he thinks and why, he’s likely to be more open.

14. Do you have a Gary-Stu or Mary Sue character?
Oh dear, I hope not! I haven’t intended to include one, at least.

15. Who is your favourite character in your novel?
Ewan and Nathan. Yup, it has to be them. They’re like the two sides of a coin, like Horatio and Archie, like Merlin and Arthur; to have one, you need them both.

16. Have your characters ever done something completely unexpected?
Yes, they have. I cannot tell everything, but what they do is more than what’s expected of them, even though as the author, I know what they’ll do. Oh, and Romain may say things you don’t expect, or rather the truth you don’t expect.

17. Have you based any of your novel directly on personal experiences?
Well, somehow. Parts of the plot are based on personal experiences, especially the mental challenges Romain faces. Furthermore, I believe I know how it’s for Nathan and the thing about trying to write something. At least, it’s something I can relate to.

18. Do you believe in plot bunnies?
Pfft, why would you ask such a question when it’s so obvious?

19. Is there magic in your novel/story?
No, there’s no magic.

20. Are any holidays celebrated in your novel/story?
Important holidays are mentioned (for instance Easter and Christmas), but nothing more.

21. Does anyone die?
You know, this story is inspired by Hornblower and much of the action is during a war… If I was you, I would absolutely assume so. (I’ve already killed one. It nearly made me cry, but I survived. The character however, did not.)

22. How many cups of coffee/tea have you consumed during your writing experience?
To begin with, I don’t drink coffee. It tastes horrible and I absolutely refuse to drink it. Tea however, has been a faithful companion alongside with hot chocolate, and I’m sure they’ll continue to be with me as the story goes on.

23. What is the latest you have stayed up writing?
Oh, it has been rather late, but only in the weekends. I haven’t stayed up late to write much, but it has happened, at least with the introduction of Lord Nathan.

24. What is the best line?
My favorite so far is perhaps one of the first lines I actually wrote for Sails; James’ famous quote: “My Dear Sir, I am sorry to interrupt you. I am coming here with the message that somebody felled outside of your door.” (And you almost have to include the “I shall go and take care of it immediately, and thank you for coming with the message. However, James, I beg you to do one thing; do work on your grammar!” alongside with it, though.)

Oh, and I admit I’m pleased with Romain’s comment. “Having the name of a grape isn’t exactly the most helpful business in the world when you can’t stand botany.”

25. What is the worst line?
Dur, that has to be the opening line of the story. It’s absolutely terrible, especially as the very first line: “It was a fine morning.” How awful isn’t that?

26. Have you dreamed about your novel/story or its characters?
Not as I can recall.

27. Does your novel rely heavily on allegory?
I want to say that you should read what I’ve already said and that I adore Hornblower and that I’m a Christian, but I won’t. I’ll just be a polite and nice girl and say yes.

28. Summarize your novel/story in under fifteen words.
You've done the same for me and others besides a thousand times; it’s my time to return it. (La la la, let’s pretend that I can’t count.)

29. Do you love all your characters?
Yes, I think I do. They all mean something to me in one way or another.

30. Have you done something sadistic or cruel to your characters specifically to increase your word count?
No, not to increase my word count, but yes, I’ve been cruel to my characters. However, I did it for the plot and not the word count.

31. What was the last thing your main character ate?
Disturbing enough, I don’t think any of my characters have eaten anything so far. Well, a fox almost ate a cat at the very beginning. Does that count for anything?

32. Describe your main character in three words.
But… I’ve got two main characters! Okay, then we’ll just take them both. Nathan is loyal, a leader and brave while Ewan is faithful, supportive and thoughtful.

33. What would your antagonists dress up as for Halloween?
A bunch of frogs, I’m sure.

34. Does anyone in your story go to a place of worship?
Yes, several of them do, but there’s just one scene that really is about a place of worship and worship itself.

35. How many romantic relationships take place in your novel/story?
There are very few of them, but of course, you have the “standard” married couples. You also have a relationship which can be seen as a romantic one, but it never develops into anything more. It never gets the time.

36. Are there any explosions in your novel/story?
Yes. For instance, a ship explodes…

37. Is there an apocalypse in your novel/story?
Not really, but I would say there’s a mental apocalypse. It’s rather hard to explain, and I know it sounds disturbing, but it’s in a different form of the word and has to be taken along with a spoon of salt. It’s rather a metaphor.

38. Does your novel take place in a post-apocalyptic world?
Nope, of course not!

39. Are there zombies, vampires or werewolves in your novel/story?
Erk, what an awful question! No, Sails for The Western Sea is a zombie, vampire and werewolf free zone.

40. Are there witches, wizards or mythological creatures/figures in your novel/story?
Not exactly, but they are often mentioned in Nathan’s papers and he likes to talk about them as well as writing about them. It’s an old interest of his and he brings it along with him through the story. In other words, you shouldn’t be surprised if Morgan Le Fay or Merlin is mentioned and written about.

41. Is anyone reincarnated?
None of the ones who die comes back to earth.

42. Is anyone physically ailed?
Excuse me?

43. Is anyone mentally ill?
Ack, I hate that phrase of “mentally ill”. Yes, some characters have emotional troubles or as most would call it, mentally problems, but none are mentally ill. Pfft, I want to throw that phrase out of the window…!

44. Does anyone have swine flu?
Er, the swine flu wasn’t invented at the time my story takes place.

45. Who has pets in your novel and what are they?
Unless you include the dust bunnies, there are no pets to talk about. Yes, there are horses in the story, but they’re not really owned by one man alone.

46. Are there angels, demons, or any religious references/figures in your novel/story?
I would absolutely say that there are religious references because this is a story about two men who grows in their faith. I don’t think it needs to be said more.

47. How about political figures?
Oh yes, you’ve got Lords and Ladies. The King is also mentioned at several occasions, but he’s never there. Oh, and you’ve got Earls, Bishops, a Countess, a politician…

48. Is there incessant drinking?
I haven’t included anything of that, unless you look away from all the salt water that was accidently swallow and the nice water that rarely was drunk.

49. Are there board games? If so, which ones?
There are several card games, but I don’t know the names of them. To me, they’re just playing cards now.

50. Are there any dream sequences?
Ha, yes! A very confusing one, too.

51. Is there humor?
Oh no, it’s dry as a dead fish. Hallo, we’re talking about Lord Nathan Heverrick here and his future friend Ewan Archiebald Tyde; what do you think! Well, they may not be found funny, buy I hope they’re enough to make people smile a little…

52. Is there tragedy?
No comment. *shifty eyes*

53. Does anyone have a temper tantrum?
…and that means what? No, I wouldn’t say so, but someone is known for their temper.

54. How many characters end up single at the end of your novel/story?
How can I tell? We’re in the Navy here…

55. Is anyone in your novel/story adopted?
Yes. For instance, you’ve got little Abigail who’s adopted.

56. Does anyone in your novel/story wear glasses?
I repeat, we’re in the time period where Jane Austen may or may not have been born. I doubt that glasses were very fashionable then, not to mention invented and used!

57. Has your novel/story provided insight about your life?
Maybe. It’s helped me look at things in a different way and I suppose that have provided me a type of insight. It has also offered me the chance of looking at things in a deeper way for then turning it around to something I can use. By using this, I believe I’ve learned more about how one can react in different situations and things I’ve taken for granted are not exactly taken for granted anymore.

58. Your personality?
Bleh, yes. Two names: Romain Adama and Ewan Archiebald Tyde. I blame them for bringing up something with my personality and made me see more of it.

59. Has your novel/story inspired anyone?
I… Don’t think so. However, it’s not a question for me to answer.

60. How many people have asked to read your novel/story?
Um… Not many.

61. Have you drawn any of your characters?
If I did do so, I would be cruel. I can’t draw if it so was to save my own life. I rather jut find pictures on the internet and use them.

62. Has anyone drawn your characters for you?
No. I would love to see somebody draw a character from my imagination, but I fear I don’t know anybody who would do so.

63. Does anyone vomit in your novel/story?
Oh yes. Thank goodness, it’s not explained though. Poor Lucy, she’ll have to take most of the vomiting.

64. Does anyone bleed in your novel/story?
Last time I looked, the story was during a war, there’s an explosion, there are battles, several dies; I would expect so. It’s a messy business, but its handled as nicely as possible. (Right… “Shoot him! Shoot him!)

65. Do any of your characters watch TV?
No, they’re too busy at the sea. Anyway, it’s difficult to get a cable to reach all the way to the other side of the world.

66. What size shoe does your main character wear?
I don’t know, but I can tell you that his shoes are too tight for him and it makes him highly annoyed. Lord Nathan makes a great issue of this, but it never gets sorted. Does that count?

67. Do any of the characters in your novel/story use a computer?
Sure…

68. How would you react if your novel/story was erased entirely?
You don’t want to know. If it happens, I’m not responsible for the damages that will occur after this event.

69. Did you cry at killing off any of your characters?
I don’t believe it’s wise for the plot if I answer this one. However, I can say there I have cried and that I will cry.

70. Did you cheer when killing off one of your characters?
Not yet. However, I think I shall be a bit guilty when it comes to this one. It will be just like the death of the Frogette; Horatio cries “NOOOO!” when she dies while I’m screaming “YEEEEEEES!”

71. What advice would you give to a fellow writer?
I’m not much of a proper writer, but I believe I would say that they should not be desperate after finding something to write; they should write something they feel is right to write. Also, don’t force yourself to write because everybody else is doing so; write because you want it and write in a way that you’re comfortable with.

72. Describe your ending in three words.
Bittersweet (nyha Megan, I didn’t know you had written that until I saw your post after writing this), spiritual and emotional.

73. Are there any love triangles, squares, hexagons, etc.?
You’ve got sine and cosine; do the math yourself. Oh yes, did I mention that they’re in the Navy?

74. On a scale of 1-10 (1 being the least stressful, 10 being the most) how does your stress rank?
Oh dear, I’m feeling bad, but I have to say between eight and nine.

75. Was it worth it?
Until now, there’s been a lot of crying over the story. Everybody else had more words than me, I don’t know how to use the words, I have language troubles, it’s a terrible story, I’m not full of knowledge, I’ve been so frustrated that I’ve cried four hours, I have edited and deleted; it’s been a nightmare! However, it’s something that’s growing with me; I am growing with the story and at the end, I know it’ll be worth it. There is no way that I’m going to give up now.