The Naughty List Tag

Happy holidays, everyone! I thought I'd have a little fun and do Jenna Moreci's Naughty List writing tag. Thought of doing a video but I don't have time to edit it and get it up before Christmas. Maybe next year.

There are 3 rules for this tag.
1) You must use your current work in progress manuscript
2) Don't use a character more than twice
3) Provide a description of your story before the tag.

As I'm bouncing between 2 stories in the same series, I'm bending the rule slightly and using both if the questions apply. The first project is New Witch on Campus, the second book in my Witches of Coolersville series, currently editing. And I'm writing the 3rd book as yet untitled.
New Witch on Campus takes place at the start of a new school year. Tara and Marissa head off to Continental College for their freshman year. But, it's not all easy. People are going missing and, when one of those people is someone the girls care about, they have to get help from some unlikely allies otherwise the world is screwed.
My untitled story is right before Halloween and focuses on Marissa. Tara goes back home to visit her family. Marissa and Michael decide to take a bike ride in the park. When, suddenly, they're pulled into a fantasy realm that I haven't named yet. 😇 They have to find their way home. Marissa also has to hide the fact that she's a witch because magic is illegal and there's a kind of witch hunt hysteria going on.

So, let's get on with the tag!

1) Which character would get wasted and end up humping the Christmas tree?
This has to be Henry, Tara’s boyfriend. While he isn't of age yet, he is in a band and they make a point of seeking out the places that don't card very well or not at all. He thinks this is a great idea and he's so cool. But, he becomes a bumbling ass hole when he drinks, especially when he drinks bourbon which is his favorite.

2) Which character deserves to get the crap beaten out of them by Krampus?
This is an easy one. Abigail Tillman. She makes her first of many appearances in New Witch and I already hate her. She's the daughter of a really rich man who basically runs half the town, and is on the college board of directors. She’s had everything handed to her and has become an entitled little snot bag. She has grown up with Marissa and Henry and it's her life's mission to make Marissa’s life hell. She needs a swift kick in the ass.

3) Which character is the Grinch this year?
I'm gonna go with Lord Boris Fitzpatrick. He is a high ranking noble and the King's brother in the unnamed realm in book 3. He's the one implementing all the laws against magic. And, people are not happy about it. He'd ban all festivities in the Kingdom if he could.

4) Which character would try to get a little too friendly while sitting on Santa's lap?
Definitely Lilia Moon. While she and her husband have a very loving and loyal relationship, it hasn't always been this way. When you're together for almost 200 years, things tend to head south once in a while. And, there have been times in the past where they've separated. And, Lilia is a woman with strong passions and urges that need to be satisfied. And, she did. Although, not without some consequences by spurned lovers when she reconciled with Darien.

5) Who would your antagonist most like to tongue under the mistletoe?
Well, I haven't gotten that far into book 3 for an antagonist. And the one in book 2 is complicated and psycho, so I'll have to say Darien Moon. Now, again, he worships his wife. But, he's also a nut job and a bit of an ass hole. So, I think he'd get a little bit too frisky with either Tara or Marissa, hell maybe even Gran, just to get under their skin and freak them out a bit and then go back to Lilia and laugh at their expense.

6) Which character would accidentally tip the Menorah and light the house on fire?
Not gonna lie, Tara. Yes, she's my MC for a lot of this series. And, she's becoming a powerful witch. But, she's also human. And she's always been incredibly clumsy. The girl trips over her own feet... a lot.

7) Which character is most likely to bring magic brownies to the party?
Gonna have to say the lead singer in Henry’s band. He's a trouble maker. Doesn't have a huge role yet in the series but he is mentioned in New Witch. He's the one who seeks out all the clubs that allow under age drinking. He smokes, and not always cigarettes. He'd probably bring them just for himself but then, once good and buzzed, he'd offer them to people.

8) Which character is most likely to ring in the new year naked? And why the hell are they naked anyway?
My first reuse of this tag. And, that would be Lilia and Darien Moon. Why? Because they'd spend the night screwing like bunnies. It's how they celebrate New Years... and their anniversary... and birthdays... And... You get the point.

9) Which character is kidding themselves by insisting they belong on the nice list?
I have to go with Abigail again. Because I really can't think of anyone else who would fit it. Sorry. I know. Cop out answer. But, it's true.

10) Which character would your readers be shocked to find on the naught list?
Gran. Yeah, she's a sweet old lady and everyone loves her. But, she was a hell raiser at one point in her youth. I haven't developed that story yet and I really want to write a story about it one day. But, I want to get more into the stories with Tara and Marissa first.

So, that's the Naughty List Tag. I'm going to tag Sandy Windham to do this on her blog. And, anyone else who wants to do it either on their blog, social media, or YouTube channel.

Hope everyone has a very happy holiday, whatever it is you celebrate. Here's to a fantastic 2017 and I'll post again soon.

Bye!

Writing Tag

I saw this on Jenna Moreci's YouTube page. I plan on filming a collab with by friend, Lisa, but for fun I'm answering the questions by myself here.

1. A crazy hacker’s gone into your computer, and has deleted all of your music, except for one song off of your writing playlist. Which song is it?
Well, this wouldn't be an issue. I don't have a writing playlist right now outside my Pandora stations. So, that's not an issue.

2. Your protagonist and antagonist have been paired up by friends to go out to lunch together. Where do they go?
Yeah... I don't know how this would go. And, I don't want to talk too much about my book 1 protagonist because it's slowly revealed throughout the books and I don't want to give it away. I'll just say Tara would just end up being uncomfortable for a while. Book 2, there would be a fight. Book 3, one of my antagonists is this crazy billionaire running for mayor. He would pick a classic diner or steakhouse and they would just end up fighting the whole time.

3. You’re crossing a bridge when the troll living under it stops you. He demands to read a chapter from your novel, and won’t let you cross otherwise. Which chapter do you give him?
Chapter 6 is a very short chapter with an awesome dream scene. I had so much fun writing this one. Chapter 9 is a cute little date scene before the main issue arises. Then, there's chapter 20 with a big fight scene if the troll likes violence.

4. Your friends have invited you out to a party. Surprise! All of your characters are there. Who do you choose to hang out with?
This would be so fun! Yes!! Especially in book 1, I love all the characters. I'd probably sit with Gran and listen to her stories.

5. Crap. You left your car keys in your house, and you’ve (somehow) locked yourself out. Which of your characters picks the lock for you?
Darien. He's crafty and a little shady. He'd help me out with the expectation I'll repay him someday that he chooses. And, he'll also mock me for years to come until we're even.

6. The zombie apocalypse is happening right now. (It sucks.) Everyone is fleeing the planet, and moving to Mars. ONE of your characters can go with you. Who do you choose?
Hmm. As much as I'd hate to separate these two, I'd bring Lilia. She's tough and resourceful and super powerful and badass. Although, she'd probably work her way into a position of power and become queen of the planet.

7. You’ve been given the opportunity to travel to one place (town, building, landmark, country) in your book. Where do you go?
Hmm, well, since I never went to a "real college," I'd want to check out Continental College. The setting appears in book 2 of the series. It's a fairly large campus without being overwhelming. And then, just outside campus is a line of bars and clubs and shops to hang out at. It's just a cute little setting.

8. You meet your main character and start a conversation with them. Problem is, you’ve only got six words or less to do so. What do you say?
This is to start a conversation, right? So, I can use more later? Well, I'd probably say something like, "Have you read the Scarlet Trilogy?" Tara's a bookworm. So, I'd mention my favorite book series and watch her eyes light up as she talks about her passion.

9. Crazy acid rain is falling from the sky. Which of your characters would you use as an umbrella?
Easy, Abigail Tillman. She's a character in my 3rd book I'm currently working on. And, OMG, I already hate her. She's a snotty little rich girl. She is a party girl but her father is so stupid and absorbed in his own stuff that he thinks she's completely innocent and she's got him wrapped around her pinky. All she has to do is turn on the waterworks and she gets whatever she wants from him. And, when people refuse to put up with her shit, she gets Daddy involved to ruin their lives. Think a female Draco Malfoy.

10. You’re out at a restaurant with your main character, and the time has come to order dessert. What do you order for them?
Chocolate. Like me, Tara's a choco-holic. So, we'd probably order a molten brownie or something full of chocolaty goodness.


That's the writing tag! Whoever wants to do it next, feel free and I'll have another post soon. Bye!