2 : The Notebook
"Ysavel, how's your novel going?"
I run my hand through my hair in frustration. It's been a week since my last novel was rejected, and now my editor is asking about the novel I haven't even started.
"I'm working on it. Just give me more time," I reply over the phone.
On the other end, Adele, my editor, sighs audibly. She's probably frustrated with me now. It's been a week, and I haven't provided any updates on the new novel I'm working on.
"Ysavel, you really need to give it your all, because you know what will happen if you don't, right? Anyway, I better get going then. Just call me if you finish it, okay?"
After the call, I found myself staring blankly at my laptop screen. Just a few days ago, my editor had made it clear that if I didn't produce a story worth publishing, they wouldn't renew my contract. It's somewhat of a relief that, despite not having published anything since signing with them, my contract is still valid. Among the writers they've signed, I'm the only one who still hasn't published anything after two years.
"What am I supposed to do now? I can't even think of a good story plot. How can I create a story that will make everyone read it?"
I shut my laptop and slump onto my bed. Should I really give up on writing? But it's my passion, my dream.
Frustrated, I hurl my pillow at the wall. "All I want is to be a writer. Is that too much to ask?"
As the wind suddenly blew, some papers on my desk flew and landed on the floor. Hastily, I picked them up, only to find it was the manuscript of the last novel I submitted: "King, Are You Gay?" It was a story I had first published online during my college days. I sit on the floor and begin to read.
The story unfolds in a medieval setting, following a group of nobles. The male lead, who is the crown prince, is portrayed as intelligent and compassionate, always prioritizing the welfare of his people. He embodies the ideal prince and future king that everyone desires.
The female lead disguises herself as a male royal guard serving alongside the male lead. Unbeknownst to all, she is none other than the Crown Princess of the neighboring Kingdom of Aeslaerean. Her guise is a means to evade a forced marriage alliance with another kingdom. Renowned for her exceptional swordsmanship and combat skills, she garners immense respect as one of the kingdom's finest knights. However, her true identity remains a closely guarded secret known only to herself.
That's when the villainess of the story enters. A daughter of esteemed nobility. She grew up alongside the crown prince and the disguised crown princess. She was revered for her beauty and kindness, cherished by all who knew her. However, her tranquil existence shatters when she falls deeply in love with the crown prince.
Driven by selfish desires, she resorts to manipulation and cruelty in her pursuit of his affection. Yet, despite her efforts, she ultimately loses out to the disguised crown princess, leading to a tumultuous spiral of jealousy and resentment. In a desperate bid to reclaim what she believes is rightfully hers, she orchestrates a series of machinations to disrupt the budding romance between the two leads. Only to realize the futility of her actions in the end. With a heavy heart, she relinquishes her pursuit of the crown prince, acknowledging the impossibility of winning his love.
My editor noted potential in the storyline but suggested adding unique elements to differentiate it. They found the villainess's quick abandonment of the crown prince inconsistent and felt she lacked depth, appearing too good for a villainess.
"What do they want? To make the villainess relentlessly pursue the crown prince, despite his lack of interest? But that doesn't make sense. Why would someone like Csille, who values herself highly, degrade herself by chasing after someone who doesn't value her. I don't understand why they want her character to act foolishly in love. She may be selfish, but she's not blind to her own dignity." With a frustrated sigh, I gathered the scattered papers and arranged them neatly on my desk.
"What should I do with you?" I muttered, eyeing my manuscript with frustration. "Perhaps it's time to rethink Csille's character. If they want a villain, I'll give them a truly despicable one."
As I typed away on my laptop, consumed by thoughts of rewriting the plot, my gaze drifted to the notebook gifted to me by the mysterious little girl.
"Since you helped me, I'm giving this to you. You want to be a writer, right? Write your next novel in this notebook, and you'll surely become famous. But you should be-"
I picked up the notebook and flipped through its pages, noting its aged appearance. Despite its weathered exterior, the contents within were nothing short of remarkable. The paper was unusually thick, unlike the standard thin sheets found in typical notebooks, and its yellowed hue added to its antique charm.
"Should I give this a try?" I pondered aloud, holding the notebook thoughtfully. "I've never attempted to write my novel on paper before. Perhaps it's worth a shot for a change. After all, countless writers before me crafted their stories using similar materials."
With a determined nod, I resolved to give it a go. This might just be my final opportunity to write, so why not embrace the traditional approach?
What was that little girl trying to tell me?" I wondered aloud, struggling to recall her unfinished words amidst Lena's shouting. Shaking my head, I shrugged my shoulders. "Well, whatever it was, I guess it's not too important. I'll just start writing in this notebook. Hopefully, the little girl's words will come true. Please, let me publish a book," I murmured, holding the notebook tightly.
Closing my laptop, I grabbed a sheet of scratch paper. "Alright, let's begin by reworking the storyline," I said to myself, taking a moment to recall my editor's suggestions. They wanted the villain to be truly wicked, determined to destroy the relationship between the male and female leads. My original storyline was deemed too straightforward, so they suggested adding more complexity to keep readers engaged.
"It's a shame, really. I never intended for my villainess to be purely wicked. She was once the crown prince's fiancée, after all. But since he didn't choose her, I suppose I have to paint you as the antagonist, Csille," I murmured, gazing at the name written on the scratch paper.
"Oh well, where would we start," I sighed, flipping open the notebook to start rewriting the plot.
Princess Paislee, fleeing an arranged marriage alliance, seeks refuge in the neighboring kingdom of Vrawyth. Disguised as a male knight, she finds herself appointed as the royal guard to Crown Prince Fraser. However, complications arise when the prince begins to show affection towards her, unaware of her true identity. As Paislee navigates her dual identity, she must confront the possibility of the prince discovering her secret and the potential consequences for both kingdoms.
Csille Lauretré, the sheltered daughter of the noble family of Lauretré, destined to bring ruin upon the entire Kingdom of Vrawyth. Though beloved by many, her true nature lies hidden beneath a mask of friendliness. Behind closed doors, she is ruthless and self-serving, willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill her desires. Driven by an insatiable desire for power and the affection of the crown prince. She would stop at nothing to achieve her goals, even if it meant resorting to treachery and violence, casting aside anyone who stood in her path, including Crown Princess Paislee of Aeslaerean Kingdom.
"I suppose this will suffice. I'll just have to adjust Csille's character traits, and it should work." Glancing at the drawing of Csille, the antagonist, I sighed. "I'm sorry, but you'll have to be the villain now."
