Paige Knowlton

✨Indie Author | Believer ✞ | MG & YA Novels ✨ Shining, we are the champions Trying to make a difference

[writingbypaigek]

~The Introduction~

Hiya! My name is Paige Knowlton. I'm an independent author who is a fan of adventures, fantastical elements, and wholesome bonds between characters. I write MG and YA novels with hopeful endings.

I've wanted to be an author since I was ten, but actively started pursuing that goal in my teens when I joined the Writergram community. I've now been in that community for five years and have published two books in that time!

Meet the Author

My Books

Tiny Explorer [2024]

A teenage girl of a miniature race persuades her new ordinary human giant friend to join in an adventure to relocate her race's origin city. Trouble brews when they find it.

Mon Ami [2022]

A teenage girl is excited for a French exchange student to live with her family for the school year. However, she soon finds herself struggling with bringing the student into her friend group, comparing herself to the student, and feeling inferior.

My WIPs

Academy Project [duology]

A fourteen-year-old girl, Aspen, has been living on the streets since she was five. She is invited to an academy meant to help orphans like herself get the education they need to thrive as adults. The first book focuses on her adjusting to being truly part of a community again, dealing with the struggles of learning when she has missed so many years of school, and healing from her time on the streets.

Canary Project [standalone]

In the 1910s, Neal and Cordi live in Wyoming, where coal mining is one of the biggest industries. This fact will be the catalyst that will change the lives of these siblings. This adventure involves cave ins, magical necklaces, cross-country train travel, and a secret group brought togther for a purpose.

Musical Fantasy Project [standalone]

Noelle is pretty tired of her world. Her parents rely on her to raise her younger siblings, she's bullied at school, and she has no support left with her older brother overseas for college. Then she is given the key to an alternate plane of existence where she finds friends, love, and a sense of belonging. Above all else, it's a way to escape reality.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm not super familiar with posting on Tumblr, so please bear with me, but I'm excited to explore this community too! I think this will work well as a compliment to my Insta social presence because the post formats are very different! I enjoy designing more intricate posts with a higher mix of images and words, but sometimes I want to ramble on with far more words - I am a writer afterall!

So thank you to whoever decides to follow my journey here. I look forward to getting to know the community! ^_^

My Links

Instagram is my other main social platform, and where you'll currently find the most content about my stories, projects, and journey

My website is where you'll find my sporadic blog posts and a list of all social media platforms I have an account on

I'm very active on Goodreads! If you seek book recommendations, feel free to look through what I've read!

[fujokafka]

we need to bring back old school tumblr communication and im so serious. sending an ask to a mutual just to say hello. seeing three different asks in your inbox all asking how your dentist appointment went. seeing a post you think one of your mutuals would enjoy and tagging them/sending it to them in the dms. nowadays its just silently liking a post or (if youre feeling extreme) replying under posts. WHAT HAPPENED TO US!! we used to be a proper community!!!! #LetsBringWhimsyBack

[andthelaw]

reblog if you want ppl to send you random lil' asks

[writingbypaigek]

get loved, nerd

Awww thanks! Things have been a bit rough lately, so this is really appreciated! 🥰

[writers-potion]

List of Interesting Latin Phrases

A list I made just to satisfy my vain cravings for resonating mottos for a secret society I'm working on. Enjoy!

abi in malam crucem: to the devil with you!

ad astra per ardua: to the star by steep paths

ad augusta per angusta: to honors through difficulties

aegis fortissima virtus: virue is the strongest shield

amor vincit amnia: love conquers all things

animo et fide: by courage and faith

arbitrium est judicium: an award is a judgement

aut mors aut victoria: either death or victory

aut vincere aut mori: either victory or death

bello ac pace paratus: prepared in war and peace

bibamus, moriendum est: let us drink, death is certain (Seneca and Elder)

bonis omnia bona: all things are good to the good

cede nullis: yield to no one

cito maturum, cito putridum: soon ripe, soon rotten

consensus facit legem: consent makes law

data fata secutus: following what is decreed by fate (Virgil)

durum telum necessitas: necessity is a hrad weapson

dux vitae ratio: reason is the guide of life

e fungis nati homines: men born of mushrooms

ego sum, ergo omnia sunt: I am, therefore all things are

pulvis et umbra sumus: we are but dust and shadow

quae amissa salva: things lost are safe

timor mortis morte pejor: the fear of death is worse than death

triumpho morte tam vita: I triumph in death as in life

tu vincula frange: break your chains

vel prece vel pretio: for either love or for money

verbera, sed audi: whip me, but hear me

veritas temporis filia: truth is the daughter of time

vero nihil verius: nothing is truer than the truth

vestigia nulla restrorsum: foosteps do not go backward

victus vincimus: conquered, we conquer (Plautus)

sica inimicis: a gger to his enemies

sic vita humana: thus is human life

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* . ───

💎If you like my blog, buy me a coffee☕ and find me on instagram! Also, join my Tumblr writing community for some more fun.

💎Before you ask, check out my masterpost part 1 and part 2 

Reference: <Latin for the Illiterati: a modern guide to an ancient language> by Jon R. Stone, second edition, 2009

[sourdough-seal]

“how did you get into writing” girl nobody gets into writing. writing shows up one day at your door and gets into you

[writingbypaigek]

Got this super cool 1916 book from an antique store and I’m gonna start reading it today!

[sikoi]

me looking up the definition of a word i totally know the meaning of i just have to make sure it didn’t change for some reason or i made it up

[veyoux]

when you come up with a plot and it’s no longer just weird vibes and random scenes

[writingbypaigek]

Had a painting night with my bestie yesterday and made this :3

[writingbypaigek]

NaNo Alternatives for November

NaNo's 50k writing challenge is no more, but there are other communities offering writing challenges for November! Here are the two I know-

StoryForge

StoryForge is an anti-AI platform dedicated to writers sharing their stories with each other and giving each other feedback. They have a 30k in 30 Days challenge starting tomorrow!

KDWC

For female Christian writers, King's Daughters' Writing Camp is a fun community that gets together THREE times a year for a month of setting your own writing goal and working toward it. KDWC is every March, July, and November.

If you know others, feel free to add them onto this post!

[writingbypaigek]

KDWC registration is open now!!

It would be super cool to see some of you there! ^_^

[kazoosandfannypacks]

Work-In-Progress Ask Game!

Do you have a story (or many stories) you're working on writing? Reblog this post to encourage others to ask about it! Do you want to support authors? If you see someone reblog this (or if you reblog it from someone or they reblog it from you!) send them a question or two!

What's your current word count for this WIP?

Is this story part of a series? How does it compare to the other works in the series?

What's a line from this WIP that you're already really proud of?

Where are you at in the writing/drafting process?

Is there anything you love that you've had to cut from this WIP?

Is your title final, or just a working title? How dod you come up with it?

Tell me about your main character!

Tell me about one of your favorite side characters!

Tell me something you love about the plot!

What are some key words/themes in this WIP?

If there's romance in this WIP, tell me about it!

If there's found family in this WIP, tell me about it!

If there's angst/whump in this WIP, tell me about it!

What inspired you to write this WIP?

Do you have a playlist for this WIP or have any songs you associate with it? Share them!

Have you made any art/moodboards/sketches to help visualize some of this WIP? Would you like to share?

Tell me about a character arc you're excited for!

What's something you're looking forward to people reading once you finish this WIP?

What does/did plotting look like for this WIP?

Have you included any fun references to/taken any inspiration from any other pieces of media? Which ones and how?

Describe a spoiler, but in the most un-spoilery way possible.

What's a favorite piece of worldbuilding for this WIP?

When do you forsee this WIP will be finished?

Does this WIP contain _______? [Asker can fill in the blank!]

[Free question!]

[writingbypaigek]

wrote over a hundred words in one sitting ayyy let's goooo 🔥🔥🔥

[writingbypaigek]

my fave Aspen and Vance sibling vibe moments so far

Vance leaned against the frame, glanced back at the hall, then whispered, "We're throwing [redacted] a party, right?"

Aspen grinned and closed the book. "Definitely."

"So, when's her birthday?"

"May 27th."

Vance hummed in contemplation. "Next week. Do you think we can prepare everything in time to have the party this weekend?"

"I'm up for the challenge if you are."

"You know it." Vance matched her grin and added, "Shopping on Friday, then? I'll drive."

Aspen nodded. "I'll make a list."

***

Aspen was distracted from admiring the scene by a hand reaching for a strawberry. She shielded the bowl with her hand just in time. Vance frowned.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "[redacted]'ll be here in a few minutes. You can wait."

"Yes, ma'am," Vance muttered. He leaned against the table and sighed. "Unbelievable that I don't get snacking privileges as co-party planner."

Aspen rolled her eyes.

***

"When's your birthday?" Aspen asked.

"Middle of September," Vance answered.

Aspen grinned and rubbed her hands together. "Perfect. I have my next party to plan."

"But we'll have yours to plan first," [redacted] said. She looked at Vance and explained, "She's an August baby."

Vance smirked. "I bet I can plan a more epic party for you than you can for me."

"You've got yourself a bet!" Aspen extended her hand and Vance shook it.

***

"I need your help, but you can't ask me why," Aspen said.

The eyebrow on the same side of Vance's face as his uncovered ear rose. He fully removed the headphones and said, "That's an interesting way to greet someone."

"I'm serious, Vance."

He frowned and looked her straight in the eye. "Can you at least expand on how you want me to help?"

***

Aspen smiled too, but her expression was quite sheepish. "Now?"

"Seriously?" Vance hopped out of the chair. "You waited until the last moment to ask me?"

As they walked out of the room, Aspen explained, "I didn't know how this would go! If you kept being difficult, I was going to bring up the time to put pressure on you to decide."

Vance stopped in the middle of the corridor and looked at her. "I don't know if I should applaud you because that's a smart trick or lecture you for using it against someone already on your side."

Aspen put on her sweetest grin and said, "You can think about it while you're waiting in the car!"

[writingbypaigek]

On the subject of Aspen

I hit 15k on book 2 of the Academy Project yesterday!! Aspen's already been through quite a variety of situations in this book, and there's so much more to write ;-;

I mean, she already went through a lot in book 1, but in book 2 there's a lot going on.

Aspen's been a really interesting and fun main character to explore! Her backstory combined with her circumstances makes for many varied responses to situations. She's definitely the most nuanced MC I've written thus far. And I'm still getting to know her as I continue to write!

^ reminder of what she looks like

The development of her character has been really interesting so far. In the very first chapters, she portrayed herself as somewhat over-confident and sassy when interacting with other characters:

"My only 'crime' is being on the streets, and since I doubt you plan to do anything about that-"

"Thanks, but I'm just homeless, not lost."

But when she found herself in a completely unfamiliar environment and new social dynamics at the academy, she became way more timid and unsure of herself.

The confidence was a defence mechanism. It kept her safe on the streets. She was used to being unseen. Now, people were perceiving her and *gasp* trying to understand and get to know her??

As she got more comfortable at the academy, she gradually became a little more outgoing again. Some of her sass returns in how she teases her friends. It's a lot more natural though, rather than coming on strong like at the very beginning of the story.

And the whole time the way she outwardly portrays herself is shifting and changing, she's also working through a lot internally. For the first time, she believes there are options for her future. She begins to hope, to dream. But she also has to navigate a resurgence of memories and emotions about the family she lost. She often grieves their loss of a future even as she's finding hers.

And then, halfway through the first book, everything gets turned on its head and new dynamics are introduced. They are lightly explored in the second half of the book on top of the elements already discussed, but then they move to the front and are pushed further in the second book.

if anyone has questions or curiosities about elements of this project, pls pls don't hesitate to ask, I'd love to yap more! :D

[writingbypaigek]

just discovered the song Pilgrims by New Dialogue and it is mega writing vibes 🤩

[elronthemage]

Dreamer

what am I if not a dreamer,

if not a hopeful heart

looking to the stars

for the answers to questions

long forgotten by the world?

I am nothing,

empty and listless

devoid of the colors in my soul

of witch I know none by name

and all by heart,

For dreams give us hope of a new dawn

And the young dream the brightest.

[portraitoftheoddity]

The problem with having OCs is that sometimes you wanna read about your little guy being in situations but unfortunately he is YOUR little guy and no one is gonna put him in that situation but you. Tragic.