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
Category: Art
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. 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
Shelter in Playlist: “Spring”
This summer, I’m going to make playlists and write about them. Here is the penultimate post about a series of tracks of I’m calling “Lovestuck.” If you’d like to read the posts in order of how the songs appear on the playlist, start here. Hope you enjoy. “Spring,” Angel Olsen Last night Ian and I…… Continue reading Shelter in Playlist: “Spring”
Shelter in Playlist: “Sunny Afternoon”
This summer, I’m going to make playlists and write about them. Here is the sixth entry about a series of tracks of I’m calling “Lovestuck.” If you’d like to read the posts in order of how the songs appear on the playlist, start here. Hope you enjoy. “Sunny Afternoon,” The Kinks Despite its upbeat rhythm…… Continue reading Shelter in Playlist: “Sunny Afternoon”
Art and the Market
This is adapted from an email I recently sent to an old friend. I had an incredible workshop leader a couple years back that was a bit precious about his approach to writing. He was all about guarding his time with his “craft” at all costs, protecting it from the demands of the market, insisting…… Continue reading Art and the Market
Lara Avery 