Know the Novel Pt. 1 // Introducing Mr. Awake

Hey guys! I am SO excited to announce the project I’m going to be working on for Fall Fic Frenzy (an awesome writing challenge being hosted by the lovely Christine Smith)! This story has been in the back of my mind for so long now and I’m hyped to finally get it down on paper.

If you want to join in this challenge, you can follow this link to join the link-up. And if you want to join in Fall Fic Frenzy, instructions to join the Discord server are in the same post.

Alright, let’s go!

What first sparked the idea for this novel?

I don’t really know, honestly. I just really have a soft spot for superhero stories and this just kinda happened. Daryl is a side character from another story idea of mine that I’ve had stuck in my head for so long and he’s kinda developed an entire backstory…there’s a lot of suspense, drama, keeping of secrets, and just general confusion and tension. 😂

Share a blurb (or just an overall summary)!

Daryl is a computer scientist working for one of the most renowned laboratories in the U.S. But when something awful happens and people are not who they seem, Daryl must put on an old face in order to stop a new foe. Going solo for the first time, Daryl navigates the dangerous life of a vigilante while also trying to protect (and connect) with the people he loves.

I mean, it’s kinda vague 😅 And it doesn’t mention all the superheroics and relationship drama and weird human/hybrid experimental villains…but that’s for the reader to find out, right? 😂

Where does the story take place? What are some of your favorite aspects of the setting?

For the most part (except at the very beginning) it takes place in New York City. It’s such a colorful, dazzling, and also dangerous place and it just seemed to fit. It’s been a lot of fun thinking of scenarios with the myriad of options in New York, from alleyways to skyscrapers to gas stations to subways. It’s a big place and it’s easy to get lost in it, both physically and mentally.

Tell us about your protagonist(s).

As aforementioned, Daryl is a computer scientist and also secretly a superhero by blood. But he stopped fighting crime after the other half of his duo wanted out. So now he works as a researcher at a prestigious lab. But once stuff starts a-happening and Daryl sniffs a lead, he feels he can’t just let the bad guys get away with it. He has a really strong sense of justice and right and wrong and he’s not easily swayed. He’s also just really sarcastic and dry and is so much fun to write 😂

Who (or what) is the antagonist?

^{credit goes to kinomatika}

Man…there are a lot of antagonists 😂 There’s the main ones, Tony and Saundra, the heads of New Wave Labs and also secretly supers. And there are all of their messes 😅 They’ve been experimenting on (often times unwilling) victims and splicing their DNA with animals and forces of nature. Daryl has the fun task of figuring out why the heck they’re doing this.

^{credit goes to cameronmark}

What excites you the most about this novel?

I think I’m most excited because of Daryl. I just love him as a character! He’s trying to do right, but emotions clash and secrets must be kept and it’s S T R E S S F U L.

Is this going to be a series? Standalone? Something else?

It’s a standalone, but it’s set in the world of a trilogy idea I have. It’s kind of a prequel, in a way.

Are you plotting? Pantsing? Plantsing?

I am usually a plotter all the way, but this time I’m only using some rough scene notes I have written on Post-Its. It’s new for me, but it’s also kind of freeing being able to just follow the story where it goes. I just hope I have enough to go on so I don’t flail once I hit the the middle blues 😅

Name a few unique elements in this story.

• A TV-headed game show host supervillain, among other weird and dangerous human/hybrid creations
• A charismatic scientist who happens to use his charm to get away with crimes
• Unique superpower system involving scars and colorful auras
• Early 2000s nostalgia

Share some fun “extras” of the story (a song or full playlist, some aesthetics, a collage, a Pinterest board, a map you’ve made, a special theme you’re going to incorporate, ANYTHING you want to share!).

The story is set in the same world as another idea of mine, so the aesthetics are similar to that idea.

• Spotify playlist
• Pinterest board

That’s all I’ve got! I’m super pumped to finally get this idea down and into a rough first draft! Are you participating in Fall Fic Frenzy? Or maybe NaNoWriMo? Let me know down below!

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