Writing Update! My Novel is Still a Glorious Mess

The characters have opinions, the plot is misbehaving, and I still don’t know what chapter one looks like.

Gather 'round, because it’s time for another update on my current work-in-progress currently dubbed Project Screech. The YA fantasy with demons, romance, and just enough of a creep factor to get the youngins squirming.

🧠 The Brainstorming Is Ongoing (and that’s okay)

I'm just about to hit the outlining stage! I know what you're thinking:
Krystal, you've been working on this thing for months and you're still in the brainstorming phase??
Yes! I admit I wasn't thrilled with the lack of my progress when I was seeing all of the talented writers on Instagram and Youtube smashing out 2000-3000 words per day, but I believe it's best not to rush the brainstorming.

In this time, I've been busy going over my three main characters with a fine tooth comb to make sure they feel real, and have some life in them when they get to the blank page. I've figured out the character arcs I want them to go through as well as the motivation, wants, and fears, each character needed.

I've also used this time to work out what tropes I wanted in this story, however theme is another thing entirely that I've always struggled with so this might not be decided until the first draft is complete, and that's okay. I can discover it as I write.

I still have the villain to flesh out, (nobody tell her she doesn't have a complete arc yet) but I do have the bare bones down for personality and motivations. So it should be one good afternoon to get her sorted.

I've been using Milanote to put all my plotting ideas in a big bundle, so my next task will be going through those and keeping what sounds fun and tossing what doesn't, and smooshing them all into one coherent timeline!

🗺️ So... What Even Is This Book About Now?

Good question! Here's the current vibe blurb:

A demon-fused boy, a morally conflicted exorcist, a miko with too much power and hidden feelings, and one VERY determined villain hiding while doing suspicious science.

My story will include:

• Found family with a dark twist
• Slow-burn romance with so much tension
• Creepy forests, whispered secrets, and emotional breakdowns under moonlight

Since my last post about uncommon but beloved romance tropes, I’ve somehow worked even more tropes into the story.

We’re talking:

• Monster boy x human girl
• Found family (with sharp teeth)
• Emotional support exorcists
• “We only have one bed” because classics exist for a reason

Some of these started as jokes. Some of them... stayed jokes. But they actually made the story better.

✍️ What I’ve Actually Written

Okay writing-wise, I’m still deep in discovery mode. But I’ve drafted:

• A few key scenes full of emotion and badly-choreographed sword fights
• One demon-related tragedy
• A super flirty moment that I wrote entirely out of order but couldn’t resist

Right now, my novel looks like a jigsaw puzzle with no corner pieces. But every scene I write helps me understand the characters more - and honestly, that’s what I care about most. Plus it helps to get the writing-bug satisfied while still trying to put the story ideas together.

✨ Character Glow-Ups

Brainstorming has forced me to face some truths about my characters. Like:

• Jun, my demon boy, is way more soft-hearted than he lets on, and now has a major turning point where he must choose mercy or power.
• Shou is still emotionally constipated and a little shit, but now he has a new scene where he says something almost affectionate—a milestone.
• And Michiru, our miko queen who is shou's brother and Jun's crush, has grown into a tragic powerhouse of moral conflict. I regret nothing.

🐸 So What’s Next?

• Putting all my vague ideas to use and getting an outline started.
• Actually writing Chapter One? Maybe?
• Finalizing the arc for my very sad, very in-love demon boy
• Fleshing out my villain. She deserves it.

In the meantime, I've been reading Howl's Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones and it's making me giddy and giving me ideas. I'm doing a horrible thing and making a new Pinterest board for it. Let's call it Project Whimsy for now. Its the complete other extreme of Project Screech vibe-wise so I needed to get it out of my system so I could fully focus.

💌 Over to You

Where are you at in your writing journey right now? Still brainstorming? Wrangling a messy draft? Starting over for the sixth time with a new plot bunny? I’d love to hear about it! Comment down below, or come have a chat on instagram, @krystal_writes_books.

And if you like the chaos, don’t forget to subscribe for more updates! 🐸✨

✍️ Hop to it and keep writing! 🐸 - Krystal