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NaNoWriMo might be over but Writer's Camp x NaNoWriMo (which is our 3rd edition of Writer's Camp) is still going strong! We chatted with writer, Twoony, about their writing process and if they could share any advice for aspiring writers. Twoony has several popular stories on Tapas, with "Speak the Truth" recently being adapted into a comic. 

1. Do you prefer plot-driven or character-driven stories?

While I think we all prefer a bit of both, I definitely lean towards character-driven, not only for reading but also writing. I enjoy when a character has more than one layer, is more than just "the perfect MC." I want to hate them. I want to love them. I want their thoughts and feelings to alter not only the plot but also the readers own feelings and thoughts about them or the story itself. 

2. Do you write a little every day, or in big spontaneous chunks?

I write every day but there is always a day or two where that little bit of writing time turns into a lot of writing time so I guess it's a bit of both?

3. How do you get in the mood to write?

I pace my room while listening to music and daydreaming. It's not always about my own characters but just a story in general and after about 20 to 30 minutes I'm pumped to write. If that doesn't work, I play games like World of Warcraft, something to get my imagination rolling!

4. How do you shush your inner editor?

Oh, they've never shushed! Lol but, honestly, I take a step back. Either listen to music, watch some YouTube videos, play some games and come back later so I can look over my work again while feeling refreshed.

5. When you're in a pinch, how do you find extra inspiration?

I don't know if this is weird but I typically read over my own story. Whether it's the one I need inspiration on or an older one, it helps remind me why I like writing so much and how much fun I have doing it, which just inspires me to keep going. 

6. What's the silliest thing you've written to up your word count?

For NaNoWriMo? Oh, I don't know if others would think it silly but last year I feel I put a lot of unnecessarily long descriptions of...everything lol. When I read over it, I cringe and ask myself, "Why are you taking two paragraphs to describe this? It could be one!" We all get desperate during NaNo ok!!!

7. What's your favorite concept you've written for a NaNo novel?

I've only participated in NaNoWriMo twice but this year's concept was definitely my favorite! I feel I had it more planned out this year and had a much easier time writing while keeping to the sort of fantasy/action/romance genre that I wanted to try out!

8. How similar are your characters to yourself? Do you write what you know or imagine things completely new?

Typically, I make my characters differ from me in a lot of ways. Obviously there are some similarities but I know, appearance wise, I try to make them everything that I'm not. I used to just write what I knew but, lately, I have more writing friends, experience, more research and am more aware of where to go to learn new things that I've been trying to expand my horizons and imagine things I've never personally experienced. 

9. Favorite literary tropes?

Enemies to friends to lovers. I love when people have a rivalry or some reason to dislike one another but, for whatever reason, they start to see different sides to each other and BAM they're caught in the web of love!

10. How was your NaNoWriMo experience this year? Congratulations on winning! 

This year was a lot easier for me. I felt like I knew what to expect and how to go about hitting the 50k mark. I was definitely more prepared. I had chapters outlined so I didn't have to sit around every day asking myself, "Ok, what's next?" It was a lot of fun, which makes me even more excited for next year!

11. Congratulations also on the launch of the comic version of "Speak the Truth"! What was your inspiration for the original novel?

This is probably disappointing but I didn't really have one. I started "Speak the Truth" years ago with the intention to just write my favorite trope, which is the "opposites attract" or "enemies to lovers" in hopes to get out of a really bad writer's block. I guess my writer's block inspired me if you look at it like that? But I had so much fun with it and was finally writing regularly again that I just went for it. Originally, I wrote the first 10 chapters with no idea of how the story would go then started seriously plotting afterwards once I realized that I really liked the idea for it. 

12. Are there any differences between the Speak the Truth comic and novel? What has the process of adapting it been like?

There are some differences planned! As of right now the comic is sticking very close to the novel but I do plan to add more focus on Quinton and his thoughts once his relationship with Aron gets closer. Readers really wanted his perspective during the novel but I dislike random P.O.V. switches so I never changed it but, with the comic, it seems more fitting to do so. Adapting it has been both fun and stressful, haha. At first (well, even now) I wasn't sure how much text in a panel was too much, how do I describe the setting while giving the artist some freedom, what changes can I make that will help it visually without upsetting the readers, there were (still are) a lot of questions that I don't know if I gave the right answers to since this is my first time writing a script. There's definitely more to it than people think, more than I originally thought to but it's been a very eye-opening experience that I'm happy to have been given the chance to do! 

13. For those who haven't had a chance to check out the "Speak the Truth" comic or novel, how would you describe them in three words?

Growth, acceptance, and love. 

14. Do you have any advice for those who are new to Writer's Camp, NaNo, or even just writing in general?

Yes! Never be afraid to push yourself. I was intimidated by NaNoWriMo last year but I am so grateful I did it. Whether you get to the 50k or not, it's an experience that every writer should try out. As cheesy as it sounds, failure is the best teacher so never be afraid to fail. Always try new things. Always expand your horizons. If you can't do NaNo this year, challenge yourself in whatever way you can. Writing is always about improving so keep moving forward! 

⚡⚡Lightning Round! ⚡⚡

Cereal or Milk first?

Cereal!

Pineapple on pizza, yeah or nah?

A giant NAH!!!

Friends to Lovers or Enemies to Lovers?

Enemies to Lovers

Slow Burn or Fast Paced?

Slow Burn

Fluff or Angst?

Give me both, all the good stuff!

We wish the best of luck to everyone participating in Writer's Camp and hope everyone had fun during NaNoWriMo!

Stay tuned for more Creator Highlights. See you next time!