Writing Updates [3] 10 Things About My New WIP

*everyone celebrates because it’s been literally been a year since my last writing update*

It’s weird, though, right? I haven’t worked on my WIP for a while, but!!! I suddenly felt motivated to start writing again literally because Ilsa said that she really enjoyed reading my snippets.

And I need approval/validation, so I decided to write more so that I could feel validated?

#psychology #IDefinitelyKnowWhatI’mTalkingAbout

Anyways, I was 100% unsure what to actually write about in my new writing update (I still haven’t actually PHYSICALLY written a lot. I feel motivated and hopefully this update will motivate me more?) because normally I would post about Camp Nano or something but. I didn’t actually do anything during Camp Nano?

So I found Cait‘s post, which was about 13 things you “shouldn’t” know about her newest project and I was just like… hello. post idea.

1. the main character is Chinese

This is #ownvoices!! I’m planning to put so much Chinese culture into this and what else do I add to this section? I do not know.

2. extremely anti-colonialism

This is lowkey pretty central to the plot (I’ll reveal more about it when I actually flesh it out more and write at least around 5k words.) but one of the things that I actually hate a lot is colonialism and imperialism!!!

They’re actually the causes of some of the worst problems in the world (like omg look at what Europe did to Africa) and I just. hate how this is hardly discussed.

Besides on Twitter, we need to discuss colonialism and how so many places have been impacted because of this and are still impacted because of this.*

(I’m so happy that I have a more liberal school where my history teacher also hates colonialism.)

*Okay random but in case you guys want any resources on colonialism look at how Nigeria asked for its artifacts back from Britain and how there are still “conversations” about it like NO JUST GIVE BACK WHAT YOU STOLe.

3. i literally only have the plot so far

I came up with this plot the same day that I started writing this post.

Honestly, I originally was planning to write this post earlier and then just write my facts from my old WIP (TNOSS) but then I had an idea baby and it formed!!!

(I did have my pitch for the story already in my mind earlier?? I just forgot about it.)

Also shoutout to my sister for giving me some of the most useful and also useless ideas for my story.

4. the main character is sent away

This is kind of a “traveling” book.

I mean, there’s traveling in it but it probably takes up 10% of the book and there are only two main settings of this book.

It’s definitely not centered around the journey, but the journey is pretty pivotal to the story??

5. both the main character and the love interest are extremely stubborn

WHO WANTS SOME REALLY. REALLY STUBBORN CHARACTERS BECAUSE I DO.

I’m actually so excited for all of this banter pls. Both the mc and the li are stubborn towards each other but they’re actually total cinnamon rolls for each other on the inside.

Is it self-obsessed when you want to read your own wip?? Because if it was already written, I’d want to read it.

Unfortunately, I have to actually write it* but also I’m so excited!!!!

Did I mention how excited I was!!!

I know. Top invention would be a computer that automatically writes my books.

6. i’m going to include so much Chinese food

It’s already a known law that (authentic) Chinese food is better than all other food.

Is Americanized Chinese food your favorite thing? No, because authentic Chinese food is.

Do you want some examples of authentic Chinese food because they’re fantastic? (yes)

{i’m linking all of these foods to some articles i found online that seem similar}

• Ma-Po tofu is basically this really soft tofu in this spicy sauce and I love it!! I had this like, yesterday actually. 11/10
• Soup dumplings (xiao long bao) are basically these dumplings with soup inside of them and you’re supposed to bite it and drink the soup and then eat it and it’s just so good I love them so much!!! 11/10
• Hot pot is basically when you’re eating it while it’s cooking at the same time, aka the pot is still hot!! And there’s noodles and peanut sauce and I just. have so much love for it. 11/10
• Spicy rice cakes are these little rice cakes in a spicy sauce and that’s not very descriptive but they’re delicious and addictive!!! 11/10

It’s official, I’m a food blog.

7. there are drugs everywhere

Look. This is actually really important and central to the plot and important to the plot, so there are drugs everywhere for a reason. Not related to the mafia (unless I change something).

But who isn’t excited for drugs in their plot? (It’s in the plot of Six of Crows so obviously yes.)

8. i’m actually so freaking excited

I think I’ve said this 10x in my post already but I am. SO EXCITED. Maybe even more excited than I was with my old wip??

My sister is also excited and also salty because I didn’t take her idea that my main character should be able to turn into a dragon. Imo she should just write her own novel??

9. my current title is “opium wip”

Like I said, drugs are pretty important to the plot & when am I going to get as beautiful of a title as “Night of Shattered Stars”? (never)

I’m probably not going to actually use opium in my actual story, but a fantasy alternative in some way?? Who knows??

10. it uses the “prince/princess” trope

In my opinion, tropes are never to be done with, especially when there are princes/princesses that are marginalized because while some tropes might be tired and boring, many marginalizationed marginalized people haven’t had a chance to see themselves in these actual tropes.

I think when we’re considering diversity, it’s really important to consider the facts that many tropes haven’t been utilized for poc/disabled/queer people!!

Is this a post about my wip or a rant about diversity, who knows. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Anyways, I actually feel really inspired and excited to write and this is a weird feeling!!! I love it!! Being inspired is a feeling I would recommend.

The plotting for my novel is only 150 words right now, so I definitely have to outline (maybe) and actually write it but who’s ready for some snippets the next time that I update!!!

I love snippets.

Since my blog’s changed, I have to reclaim my blog and place a link in my post!!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin (but follow my blog anyways) (it’s a food and book blog in one) (multipurpose) (very useful)

Do you have any WIPs you’re working on? How do you feel about tropes in diversity? Do you use Bloglovin? What are some of your favorite book titles? Eat Chinese food it’s great.