50 Spoiler-Free Facts About Martin Hospitality

You read that right. 50 spoiler-free facts about my newly-released novel, Martin Hospitality. Enjoy the behind-the-scenes equivalent to writing a novel. Also, can we take a moment to appreciate my watercolor artist's photography skills?

1. I always intended to give the Martins a dog on their farm but never did
2. I killed off twice as many characters as I had originally planned
3. Gemma doesn't have a favorite color
4. The baby's middle name is never given because I haven't decided yet
5. I despised editing the first draft even though I'm a freelance editor for other people's manuscripts
6. The title is original to the first draft
7. This March will mark the 2nd anniversary of the bizarre dream that inspired the story
8. Gemma's middle name is Louise
9. The weather is based on Kansas's weather in 2015
10. I never finished outlining the book's plot
11. None of the characters are purposely based on a real life acquaintace
12. The baby's name was also my great-grandfather's middle name
13. The novel is set in no particular small town in rural Kansas
14. I took meticulous notes for the novel whenever we visited my aunt and uncle in Kansas
15. Chapter 12 was the first one I ever wrote.
16. I'm planning toward a trilogy following Gemma's life
17. I mostly drafted the novel in my room on my laptop
18. My greatest motivation to keep writing was my alpha readers who read as I wrote and wanted the whole story :)
19. Character charts are my favorite part of plotting but I only used them for three of the main characters who required the most backstory
20. I wrote Martin Hospitality mostly after 9pm
21. Most of the character and some other notable things will make an appearance in book 2
22. Not plotting the second half of the book gave me a messier draft but better twists and development since I just went with it
23. It's not perfect and it took me a while to swallow my perfectionism and be okay with that
24. I never chose specific car models for any of the vehicles in the book
25. I followed the Wichita geography meticulously
26. Therefore: her church, office building, and street she lives on exist
27. There are a couple tiny fandom Easter eggs in the book
28. I always intended to self-publish
29. It took me 10 months to complete the first draft
30. Gemma's last name Ebworthy was originally going to be Pennyworth
31. The addition of the cat was a spur of the moment decision to spice up Gemma's apartment life
32. The Martins' house floor plan is based on a dream. I had to draw it before I drafted so it would make sense
33. The entire novel was based on a dream: a blend of a Beverly Lewis novel and my aunt's move to Kansas. And a really attractive farmer ...
34. Figuring out what I wanted for the cover and who could do it for me was one of the most difficult things initially. Now it's my favorite
35. Mr. Martin was one of my favorite characters to develop because of his complexity but also the most difficult by far. He's controversial ;)
36. The first draft was approx 94,000 words. The final draft was approx 102,000 words.
37. Alpha and beta readers were the best part of the entire experience. Definitely use them
38. Most of the research I had to do was on corn, medical conditions, and Kansas paternity
39. I only hand drafted a few scenes when I was on the go but I had to pause and think much less since I write slower than I type
40. The Martins' church is based on Ebenfeld, the first Mennonite Brethren church in the nation
41. I spent 5 months on all the editing and rewriting
42. I only renamed one character from the first draft but unnamed several others
43. In order to make the Martins accurate and not too much like my family alone, I drew off some of the customs of friends
44. Gemma's apartment is based off a unit of apartments a local family own and I do the bookkeeping for
45. I made Farris a sweet tempered and fairly content baby, but he's going to be quite the toddler
46. Like any very large family, I had to give the Martins a van although I didn't originally
47. I didn't usually listen to music while I wrote, but I began to while writing this book so I could focus while writing with siblings around
48. Its theme could be considered redemption
49. I have sold around 40 copies
50. It's difficult to come up with this many facts ... That's a fact, right? ;)

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Phew! Those took me forever to come up with when I did this originally on social media. Which fact was your favorite?

ALSO!! Next Saturday will be my blog's birthday blowout! Photos, giveaways, announcements ... all that good stuff. If you want a chance to win an e-book version of Martin Hospitality, design a birthday image for The Left-Handed Typist and e-mail it to me or tag me on social media (@abitheauthor) before Saturday. I'll choose my favorite and all the submissions will be featured in the post :D

Have a great week!