David Wiley, otherwise known as the Scholarly Scribe, is one of my favorite new finds. He writes the kind of stuff I love to read. Check out his Monster Hunter stories, or any of his other stories, for some fun short fantasy, or take a look at his serial novel-in-progress, The Curse of Fierabras. A week or so ago, David flattered me greatly with some very kind words, and tagged me with the following meme about my current writing project.

1) What is the working title of your book?

I’ve been calling it The Jade Dragon, but I don’t know if that will stick. I don’t know if I’d call it a “book” just yet, though.

2) Where did the idea for your book come from?

Honestly? The Trifecta Writing Challenge prompt. That week the word was the third definition of “dinosaur” (“one that is impractically large, out-of-date, or obsolete”), but I had missed the weekend prompt, which was to start with the words “My flight was late,” and go from there. So I combined the two. Mostly, though, I love the word “dirigible.” (Sound interesting? I’d love for you to check out the Jade Dragon series...)

But I should clarify: at that point it wasn’t intended to be more than a 333-word response to a prompt. Certainly not a novel. I struggle with plot over longer pieces, so it’s been a lot of fun watching this story unfold in dribs and drabs. I have no idea where it will take me, but that’s the adventure of it.

3) What genre does your book fall under?

People tell me it’s steampunk, but I’ve never actually read any myself, so I can’t say. It was intended to be a sort of sci-fi, only with dirigibles and lots of brass gears instead of spaceships and lasers. Is that steampunk?

4) What actors would you choose to play a movie rendition of your book?

Um. That would imply I could tell one actor from another. Seriously. I am so not a movie person.

5) What is a one-sentence synopsis of your book?

On the post-technological world of Loess, Anna Verril is traveling above the dusty sea on the airship The Jade Dragon when her past catches up with her, putting herself, the Dragon, and the balance of power across the planet in serious danger.

6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

No plans as of yet – right now, the fun is in the writing of it. Seeing as it’s all online at this point, I assume I’d likely have to go the self-publishing route.

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of your novel?

Still writing, but at this rate, it’s going to be years. Especially since I’m currently answering a meme instead of writing the next installment. Some weeks I can bang out 1000+ words, others – like this one – I struggle to gather my thoughts. With a full-time job and two kids under 4, well, you know how it goes.

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

The closest thing I can come up with is Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Barsoom series, at least as far as setting goes. My story is more contemporary and character driven, I think. And certainly less “damsel-in-distress.”

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?

This book in particular? Aside from Trifecta, I really can’t say. I’ve participated in the National Novel Writing Month twice, and loved every moment. I really enjoy the process of finding just the right words that say what I mean and also sound beautiful together. But it was a college friend, Cameron Garriepy, who reminded me that if I love writing so much, I should be doing it more. She introduced me to Write On Edge, and from there, I discovered all sorts of other wonderful people. (Cam has just published a novel, by the way: Buck’s Landing. Go check it out.)

10) What else about your book might pique the readers interest?

I am very much inspired by the language and writing style of Guy Gavriel Kay, and the sheer imagination of Neil Gaiman. I like to think that this comes through in my own writing on occasion. I love stories that aren’t pure good vs. evil, and I’m hoping that this one will turn into something that pulls the reader’s sympathies in multiple directions.

Tag, you’re it!

For this meme, I’m tagging a relatively new writer on the Trifecta scene. Draug appeared a few weeks ago, and her short pieces just keep getting better and better. In fact, she placed in the top three the last two weeks with some really excellent writing. She also tends to be the first person to post her response, which says to me that her brain is constantly thinking of new stories. Draug is in the midst of National Novel Writing Month at the moment, but I hope she will take a few minutes to tell folks about herself and her current project.