My Current Novel Projects

[Margos]

Well, I've had two ideas for novels floating around in my head lately, and I just thought I'd share. Here's the thing, I haven't actually started writing... I'm still in the planning stages for both (although one of them I could probably start writing whenever, it's pretty fleshed out). Anyway, just for fun, I made websites for both of them, just to see if I could generate some interest, maybe get a little bit of a following, whatever... And then sort of give exclusive content as it gets further along in the actual writing (sort of like how movies are promoted?). So... here's my URLs.

http://dragonsbane.webs.com
http://childrenofnight.webs.com

I just thought I'd share with my friends here at UD first, and maybe tell you a bit about my projects, if you're interested.

Dragonsbane is an idea I've been working on for quite some time. Of the two, it is my favorite, and the one that I'm fairly certain of how it's going to pan out plot-wise. It's basically the story of the movie that I personally would want to make if were WDFA looking for a new kind of Princess story. Basic Plot: Princess Willow wants to be a legend. Princess Lily just wants to be herself. Can these two rivals settle their differences to save their own lives?

Children of the Night is a more recent idea. Not necessarily as good, but I can't get it out of my head, and I've rather fallen in love with my 3 main characters. I told my friend about this one... She's concerned that it may be seen as a Twilight rip-off. Ugh, I so had an idea of this nature before I even heard of those books! Yeah, it's a love triangle involving a werewolf and a vampire. But it's all original, honest! Trust me, it's a more intersting and complicated love triangle. Basic Plot: Raphael and Madelynn have always been best friends, ever since kindergarten. But can their friendship withstand their love for the same girl? And can these three supernatural teens stop the forces of evil all by themselves? (Note that this story is not as fully developed in my mind as the other. For this reason, the main conflict, love triangle aside, is.... foggy at best. I have a few ideas that could work, though.)

So... what do you guys think?

[UmbrellaFish]

Dragonsbane reminds me of a book by Gail Carson Levine called "The Two Princesses of Bamarre". You may watch to check it out or Wikipedia it, to see how much the stories correlate. I will say TTPOB is my favorite Levine book, so if done uniquely you've got a great novel on your hands.

I actually like the second concept more than the first. I have a question, though. Is Jade, whom I presume to be the female love interest, a witch (I read the site)? However, because it sounds so much like Twilight, you'll really have to set it apart from the rest. I won't give you any ideas unless you ask, because I know when I write a story I'm very particular about how I recieve help on shaping a plot.

Keep writing! I think you're onto something!

[littlefuzzy]

I don't know how copyright works on titles, but there is a book by Barbara Hambly called Dragonsbane: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragonsbane

There's also another one at Amazon called Dragonsbane by Patricia C. Wrede, although it appears that one is a retitling of a book called Dealing With Dragons:
"Princess Cimorene is bored of being a princess. So she runs away and becomes dragon's princess to the mighty Kazul, a powerful dragon with green shining scales and sharp silver teeth. But Cimorene soon discovers that living with dragons isn't always easy. "

[blackcauldron85]

Thanks for sharing this with us, Margos- I think that it's exciting! I'm loving the concept for Children of the Night! There are a lot of books in the young adult section that have supernatural plots as of late, so hopefully, if your book gets published, people will give it a chance and not think of it as a Twilight knock-off. I'm liking the empowermentness of the princess in Dragonsbane! Definitely can't wait to read more about your progress with these!

I always admire people who are working on stories- I used to write short stories and poems, but then I stopped, and I have an idea for a story, but I haven't done anything about it yet except for write down all that I remembered from my dream (since that's where the story originated). But, yes, please keep us updated!!!!!

[Margos]

I actually like the second concept more than the first. I have a question, though. Is Jade, whom I presume to be the female love interest, a witch (I read the site)?

Yes, she is. There are a few pretty big differences that separate Edward/Bella/Jacob from Madelynn/Jade/Raphael. I think it's going to stand out from Twilight. Hopefully.

As for the works you guys are comparing to Dragonsbane... I've never heard of any of them. I'm going to check them out.

EDIT: Just thought I'd update quick to say... All of this talk about my stuff has inspired me, so I sat down and wrote the Prologe and first chapter for Dragonsbane. I think it's an OK start. Some of it is coming out darker than I expected.
I also expect to get to work on fleshing out the plot for Children of the Night sometime soon. I just want to get a good bit of work started before I go off to college and become too busy to work on it LOL.

[Margos]

Sorry for the double post, just thought I'd let you know that I'm currently uploading the first episode of my video blogs for each novel. (I just realized my laptop had a webcam and I thought, why the heck not?)

Each episode features, as a special treat, my main character design drawings. I always draw major characters before I start to write anything, because it helps me get into the world. So I shared them, as a bonus for anyone who tunes in and can put up with my annoying voice and complete idiocy in front of a camera for about 3 minutes.

[Disney Duster]

Margos...be careful about putting your ideas online, even sketches, even in a video series.

Especially if you want this to be made by Disney one day.

However, a video talking about your progress, your trials with this, your experience, and how you feel about it and the characters, that may be better, as long as you don't give too much away.

[Margos]

Margos...be careful about putting your ideas online, even sketches, even in a video series.

Why?

Especially if you want this to be made by Disney one day.

I'm not sure what that has to do with putting my ideas online. I'm trying to build some interest/hype ahead of time, so maybe I can release them with some sort of following someday.

However, a video talking about your progress, your trials with this, your experience, and how you feel about it and the characters, that may be better, as long as you don't give too much away.

Good idea, Duster. That was the direction I was going to take with future installments of the blog. I was just giving some general plot overviews, and character descriptions. Nothing much in the way of spoilers, though. Trust me, you don't know half of what goes on in these stories from what I've already posted. There will be much, much more....

[Escapay]

Margos...be careful about putting your ideas online, even sketches, even in a video series.

Why?

Because once it's out there, it's out there. Anyone can take it, change it up a bit (even if it's only the smallest of changes) and call it their own.

albert

[Margos]

Because once it's out there, it's out there. Anyone can take it, change it up a bit (even if it's only the smallest of changes) and call it their own.

Which is part of the reason I'm not giving too many spoilers about the plot away. If someone tries to steal my ideas, I still have many elements of the the plots that I have kept to myself, enough to still be able to complete the novels and release them without fear.