Lara Avery

How’s the Book Going: The End and The Beginning

I sent the book to copyediting a few weeks ago, and I’m already primed to write the next one. I’ve reflected here on the value of order and discipline in one’s life in order to enable wildness and freedom in one’s art, and I’m craving wildness. I want to keep pushing myself artistically, a phrase…… Continue reading How’s the Book Going: The End and The Beginning

How’s the Book Going: p. 477

On deadline while I was supposed to be on vacation, 2018. Every submission experience I’ve ever had was defined by the two or three (or five) nights before the deadline. I would spend days camped at a coffee shop, drinking drip light roast out of the largest container they had, taking cigarette breaks every hour…… Continue reading How’s the Book Going: p. 477

How’s the Book Going: p. 329

Listening to a podcast in which two under-employed actors from Los Angeles narrate the life of Dolly Parton from a saccharine script. Eating a lemon-flavored protein bar that tastes like Pine Sol. Two beverages: one iced coffee, one water, both out. My manuscript is two months late, and my editor finally broke her silence. Something…… Continue reading How’s the Book Going: p. 329

How’s the Book Going: p. 261

Now seems like a good time to reflect on the emotions of writing emotions. Once upon a time, back in 2015, I wrote a book about a girl who was dying. This was my third novel for young adults, and it was also the third novel where impending death was one of the primary concerns.…… Continue reading How’s the Book Going: p. 261

How’s the Book Going: p. 249

This morning I focused on another romance project I’m collaborating on with a friend: a romantic comedy screenplay about two very hurt people who meet each other at (what they believe is) the wrong time in their lives. Fate continues to intervene, however, bringing them together over and over. In the end, they realize it…… Continue reading How’s the Book Going: p. 249

How’s the Book Going: p. 247

What did I say I would write about today? That’s right, the emotions of writing emotions. I may not write about that. I’m feeling pretty good at the moment—I’ve just eaten leftover spaghetti—and I don’t feel like cracking that particular patch of ice. Maybe in a bit. The book is a romance. Romantic love drives…… Continue reading How’s the Book Going: p. 247

How’s the Book Going: p. 239

Finally, 239 pages in, I would like to answer your queries about the new book. So, here it is: The new book is about a woman who learns how to open herself up to the world after a great personal tragedy. This is the first book under my name for adults. If I finish on…… Continue reading How’s the Book Going: p. 239

Notes on Leaving

In the middle of the night in March of 2021, someone was banging on my door in a dream. I opened my eyes. I could hear the burglar break the window of my bathroom and make their way into my apartment. I sat up in bed and called out, telling them as gently as I…… Continue reading Notes on Leaving

Shelter in Playlist: The End of “Chaos”

Last year, I made a hobby out of putting together playlists and writing about them. This is the fifth and final entry in a series called “Chaos.” If you’d like to read from the beginning of this playlist, start here. Normally I write about one song at a time, but it’s time to put this…… Continue reading Shelter in Playlist: The End of “Chaos”

Shelter in Playlist: “Lessons From My Mistakes… but I Lost Your Number”

This summer and fall, I’m going to make playlists and write about them. This is the fourth entry in a series called “Chaos.” If you’d like to read from the beginning of the playlist, start here. Hope you enjoy. “Learning From My Mistakes…but I Lost Your Number,” by Liv.e People often use the word “despair”…… Continue reading Shelter in Playlist: “Lessons From My Mistakes… but I Lost Your Number”