Meet And Greet- Novel Edition!

Hello friends!

This is a post that I’ve been super excited to make for a long while! I am giving you an inside look in my current Work-In-Progress, my novel!! I just finished the second draft of this project and I’m really really excited about it!

Today I’m going to be “interviewing” myself about my novel!! I’m excited (and a little nervous!) to share this with you guys!! Let’s dive in!

~ What is your novel called, and what is the genre?

My novel is called From Lost To Loved, and it is a Middle Grade Fantasy novel (with a sub-genre of Biblical allegory!)

~ Where did you come up with the idea for this novel?

This might sound funny but…a dream! I tend to get a lot of story ideas from dreams, and this book is no exception. After waking up the next morning from this dream, I hurriedly jotted down four lines in the closest journal I had. (which is turn informed me I needed to have a writing journal! And now I have wayyy too many journals! ) The lines do not make a whole lot of sense so I’ll spare you from the confusion of reading them. (and the plotline has changed a good bit since!)

~ What is it about? (i.e. share the blurb!)

Stay hidden. Stay invisible. Stay alive. 

Emrie, a lonely orphan girl just trying to survive on her own, suddenly comes face to face with a young man named Rueben. Hurt and betrayal from her past rise up in Emrie, as her Emrie’s wounded heart struggles to accept his brotherly kindness. 

Things get even more complicated when a former friend who hurt her, Ashton, shows up again, seeming to have changed. Between Rueben, Ashton, and a generous older man, Alan, with unlimited kindness, Emrie continues to find her life turned upside down. Meanwhile, she dances around the truth with all of them, trying to hide the shameful secrets she carries.

 Can Emrie wade her way through these confusing relationships and let herself feel love or will she stay hidden forever?

From Lost To Loved is a story of an orphan girl finding her place in the world, and most of all finding the family she always longed for, but never knew herself worthy enough to have.

~ Tell us about the setting where the novel takes place!

This story takes place in a fictional world/kingdom called Retha. (insider tip: you might find something interesting if you unscramble the letters of Retha! ) Despite the fact its a fantasy world, it does not have magic or mythological creatures, as some fantasy works do. There are a few  things that set Retha apart from other worlds, the largest being their wonderful and highly-admired ruler, High King Arel.

~ Who are your main characters? Tell us about them!

Well, as you might’ve been able to figure out from the blurb, I have three protagonists!

1- The main character is a young teenager named Emrie, who is 14 years old, and forced to survive on her own after her parents passed away. Various experiences throughout the years post her parents death cause to close her off to others at least until Rueben shows up….

2- Rueben is an 18 year old young man, also orphaned by the yellow fever that took Emrie’s parents, yet he has only lived on his own for a year. With a passion for medicine, an enthusiastic personality, a heart of gold, and sometimes witty personality, he becomes a protective brotherly figure of sorts for Emrie, and most of all, begins showing her that she is worth loving.

3- By far the man with the most secrets, or rather the man with the biggest secret, Alan is a man of mystery. Appearing about town as a peasant, yet seemingly to have an endless amount of money, Alan also seems to have no end to his kindness and love, showing both in abundance to the orphaned friends, Emrie and Rueben.

~ Who or what is the antagonist (the villain)?

King Arel has a sworn enemy whose name is Tasna. Tasna, the epitome of evil, finally unleashes his power on Retha, with the goal of usurping the throne & bringing Retha under his dark rule forever. Yet he isn’t aware of the power the King holds. Rueben finds himself thrust in the middle of one of the biggest battles in Rethan history.

However, the largest antagonist force might be within Emrie’s own heart. Overcoming her fear of rejection and forcing herself to trust others, might be harder than an mortal enemy Emrie will face.

~ What is something that excites you about this novel?

The fact it’s not just any novel but a Biblical allegory of our Father’s love, a truth which is portrayed in so many ways throughout the story!

~ Is this going to be a series or standalone?

A series! Perhaps on a few books (like a duologoy, or trilogy) but definitely not a stand alone! I’m looking forward to exploring more into Emrie, Rueben, and Alan’s stories in the second book this fall!

~ Tell us a few unique elements in this story.

Hmm… I would honestly say that Rueben & Emrie’s relationship is unique. Often boy-girl relationships in books are all about romance, but that’s not the case in my book. Rueben is a really sweet big-brother type character who loves on Emrie, but not with romantic love but with the love of a brother!

~ Do you have any fun extras? (a song, collage, Pinterest board, map, fun theme, etc.)

I made character collages for Emrie, Rueben, and the “former friend” Ashton!

Some songs I love listening that remind me of this book are Coat Of Many Colors (Brandon Lake), Gratitude (Brandon Lake), You Will Be Saved (Elevation Rhythm), Sunday Is Coming (Phil Wickham), and Why (Elevation Worship + The Valley Boys)! As well as lots of instrumental music I listen to during writing! 🙂

~ What are your goals for the book?

I am working towards traditionally publishing it but I’m not sure when it will be published since I have not even begun the actual publication process yet. Though I will keep you posted on the progress! 🙂 So far I have completed the second draft and about to send it to alpha readers for their feedback! (I have a few spots left for alpha reading so if you are interested in alpha reading, please let me know here and I can give you more details!!)

Yay! There is my inside look at my novel!

This has been such a fun journey so far, and I’m just so grateful to the Lord for how He has inspired, encouraged, and led me through this! Soli Deo Gloria!

What did you think of this post? Does my book sound interesting? Do you have a project you’re writing? I’d love to chat in the comments, and I respond to each of you!

Until next time,

Bella