Raw emotions - Answering a Q&A question...

Answering a Q&A question from the event I'm running on my Facebook page!

If you have any questions pertaining to anything to do with my book series or writing or whatever, please don't hesitate!

Today's question is from Megan Blakley-Seiler. (Thank you again, Megan!)

She said:  Dystopian future novels, and especially female protagonist dystopian novels, are wildly popular. Can you talk about why that theme resonated with you for your books, and talk about why you think it is so attractive to your audience? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Here's my response: They really are SO popular. And to be honest, because of their popularity, I was nervous to release one of my own. I thought readers might be getting tired of the genre, and was afraid that mine would get skipped over. When inspiration for Slave began, I'd just come up for air after binge reading the Hunger Games and the Divergent trilogies, along with Marie Lu's Legend trilogy, The Selection series, and several others. I was craving another, as we often do, and decided to write one myself, but dared myself to try for something that was clean enough for all demographics of readers to enjoy. By the time Hannah's story took shape, it was clearly a dystopian. That genre was where it nestled the best. Perhaps dystopian novels are so popular because we relate to the underlying struggles in the stories. We all go through difficulties at different times in our lives for different reasons. We all know what if feels like to be afraid or to need to overcome something. Or maybe it's that these stories, when done well, remind us to take a closer look at the world around us...at the direction we could be headed if we aren't careful. We want a story to challenge us to be better. When I first began mentally creating the story of Slave, I was compelled by a simple idea: good-hearted men trapped in criminal lifestyles under threat. This is not a fictional notion; I believe firmly there are these people all over the world in many different cultures, caught up in situations because their families are threatened or their own lives are at risk. Yes the majority of criminals are such because they chose it for whatever reason, but I narrowed the lens to those few, the ones who may be silently tortured by their own actions. This was one of the initial inspirations for Slave and where the story became clearly dystopian. {I chose to write from Hannah's perspective so we could see their evolution and journey through her eyes, as one of the victims watching the enemy transform.} As to why I think it is so attractive to readers, it's hard to say. Everyone approaches a story from a different perspective and a unique worldview. We all get something slightly (or significantly) different from reading the same stories. But if I were to guess, I would say that readers are drawn in by the emotional journeys of the characters. At least that's the truth for me when I read dystopian novels {or any novel, really}. {Slave ended up being exceptionally emotional. Hannah was created to be a very empathetic character. She's not just working through her own trauma, but feeling the trauma of others along with them. Writing these books often has me in tears.} Love, grief, joy, fear, anger, longing...these are all emotions that are familiar to us. Stories sometimes help us make sense of the things we're feeling. When we're able to immerse ourselves in the lives of characters, we get to learn lessons with them. When they fall, we feel the impact of their choices. And when they overcome, our hearts swell with pride. Dystopian stories in recent years have been deeply emotional and raw, and I love that. I love to read it, and I love to write it. I hope that answers your question, Megan! Always, Laura

The Pause...

Truth be told, I'm a lazy writer. (Hence this being my first blog post in months....sorry!) Or maybe it's that I'm a procrastinator because the task always feels so daunting. Whatever it is, I find I really have to push myself to write consistently.

Over the last couple of weeks, I've found the process exceptionally difficult. As reviews for my first book, SLAVE, pour in, I find I'm caught up in the detailed critiques some of them list out. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for every single bit of it. We don't grow as writers and storytellers by shrinking away from critics. At some point we have to poke our heads out of our hermit holes and at least glance at them. While some negative response is just mean-spirited, for the most part we can learn a great deal by listening to our readers.

But for some reason, I've found myself almost halted by the response. And isn't just the critical reviews. The majority of SLAVE's reviews are surprisingly positive! Even those have my fingers stalling over the keys, hesitating.

I think what it is is that now this story that for so long was simmering in my head is now out there, being considered and analyzed and enjoyed. It's being interpreted in new ways because the readers each approach it with a different worldview. Perhaps much different than mine.

Don't get me wrong, it's all very exciting. But this is part of the growth of passing the threshold from writer to author. It's the vulnerable side of this journey. The hope is that we, as storytellers, will always improve. The potential for growth in this field of work is endless. To achieve that, we have to be willing to pause and listen. Maybe not always, and maybe we don't have to take in everything. But there is value in lifting our eyes from the endless typing and letting our gazes move over the ever growing crowd of readers. There's value in taking in the response, and letting it give us pause.

After a time, hopefully not long, my thoughts will settle back into focus. I'm still writing, and BOOK TWO is slowly taking form. I'll hit a stride soon, and my family will wonder why Mommy hasn't washed her hair in a couple days. (<<Let's be real.)

Until then, I see you, readers. I hear your kind words, and I acknowledge your questions. I take it all in. Soon I'll have to push you out of my head and let BOOK TWO come to life on its own terms. But know that you are shaping my skills as a writer, and I value your input!

Love always,

Laura

Slave (Book One) Playlist

I am extremely affected by music.
Strong lyrics, crescendos, ballads, drum beats...it all gets me. So, like many writers, I compiled a playlist of songs that in some way inspired the writing process of Slave. Some songs simply carried a mood I was chasing for a scene. Others possessed lyrics that spoke directly to the characters I was dealing with that day, week, month.

Without further ado, this is my playlist for Slave (Book One). I'm so greatful for the positive responses the book is receiving! It's a story that means a lot to me, and I'm thrilled to be finally sharing it with you!

So, here 'tis.

1. Fleurie - Sirens
2. Sia - Alive
3. Sia - Bird Set Free
4. Christina Perri - Lonely
5. Coldplay - Midnight
6. Bethel Music - No Longer Slaves
7. M83 - I Need You
8. Amber Run - I Found
9. Story of the Year - Swallow the Knife
10. The Sound of Silence as sung by Allison
11. Fleurie - Breathe

Hope you enjoy!

Book two is currently in progress. Here's a glimpse into my current playlist:

SVRCINA - Meet Me On The Battlefield

Until next time!
Laura Fran

Blank Screens

Am I the only writer having 'second book' panic? Writing a series is a new concept for me. I've had positive responses from book one, but now that it's time to get book two moving, I'm frozen!

It doesn't help that I have this weird obsession with the first line. Maybe it isn't weird, and maybe I'm not the only one. But for me, the first line works like a catalyst. Of course the line will change and evolve many times before the book is published. But to get a running start, I need that {temporary} first line to be solid. I guess all writers have their quirks.

My problem isn't a lack of direction. I know where this book is going, and I know how it will end. It's just that old 'can I really pull this off?' feeling. You'd think that having successfully finished, edited, formatted, and published the first novel, I'd have a little more confidence. But I'm finding that isn't the case. Call it pre-writing jitters. Call it fear of not meeting expectations (including my own). Either way, it's had me staring at a nearly blank screen for weeks.

So what am I supposed to do with this problem? What do successful authors say? In a word: write. This is where first time writers slump their shoulders and sigh. I know, because I've done it. We all have been at that early stage as a writer when we googled the odd habits of legendary authors, hoping some strange writing ritual they 'performed' would work its same magic on us. Writing in the tub, on the toilet, or upside down. Listening to bird sounds, ocean waves, or a fog horn (said no one ever). Renting a hotel room, writing before dawn, or staying up late. Everyone has their 'thing'. But the 'thing' also changes. Sometimes the tub isn't working anymore, and it's time to hang from a bungee cable. (Maybe not?)

The point is, every author has a unique method. But there is something that all writers have in common, across the board, around the world, through the passages of time.

We have to actually start writing.

At first it'll feel like labor. And likely the first words we write will be akin to a third grade essay. But the only way to get words flowing is to turn on the tap.

So here I go. I shall now type words. Because:

I believe in you!
Always,
Laura Fran

Knock it off!

Today let's talk about comparison.

There are so many books out there in the libraries of the world, but a few authors have hit celebrity status. I work primarily in the Young Adult genre right now, so I'll name a few obvious individuals who have hit it big. Veronica Roth, Suzanne Collins, Tahereh Mafi, Marie Lu...the list goes on.

In the dystopian sub-genre, you'll often read things like: "If you loved The Hunger Games..." or "For fans of the Divergent series!" And I think that's great. What an accomplishment for Roth and Collins to be the standard, at least for a time, in their genre. I also understand this as a marketing strategy. Authors and publishers are leveraging on the similarities to these books, dipping into a vast pool of readers that are craving their next thrilling fix. I get it completely.

But for those who are just putting pen to paper, for the hopeful writer who dreams of celebrity, I would caution you: Don't try to recreate someone else's success in your own career. The last thing you want is for your work to be called a knock off. I'm a student of other author's reviews. Call me crazy, but part of my process as a writer is to spend time reading through reviews left on other books in my genre. After all, it is the reader we hope to please. What better place to get in their minds, then in their reviews.

The types of comments I often read are: "Same plot as Divergent!" or "So basically it's the Hunger Games, but with zombies."

If there is nothing new under the sun, if we are all just recycling the same ideas-rearranging them to form another story...then yes, there will be similarities. But with hard work and the application of our own creative efforts, we CAN pen stories that, while mildly similar, stand on their own as inventive and new.

You have experienced things that I have not. You have lived a completely different life than me. If you were to dig deep, write in a way that scares you a little, be vulnerable...you'd find that you are not, in fact, a knock off writer. You are unique and creative and bold. You can say something that I can't, in a way that I never could.

Don't be afraid to step outside of the mold. Be willing to try something new. You won't please everyone. But you will find your group of readers, and you will know that they are YOURS...not borrowed.

I believe in you!
Always,
Laura Fran

Pump up the jams...

Many writers find inspiration in music, and I am no exception. Whether we're talking the LOTR film score, Beethoven, or Sia: music evokes so many emotions in me. Sometimes this is where the stories come from. I'll hear a song, and a scene will play out in my mind. {I'm a very visual writer, too. I stare at walls for way longer than normal listening to a song and replaying a scene until I get my mind around every detail. Once, not long ago, I paced the kitchen with my headphones on...and only stopped after noticing the kids strange looks. Another time...I acted out a scene in which the character was dealing with solitude and loneliness...trying to get in her head. I have a flair for the dramatic.}

It's important for writers to live with their senses on high alert. Take in the sound of rain outside your window—listen to the tink of the drops on the flower pots. Feel the way the wind glides over your arm, raising goosebumps over your skin. Remember the quick swell in your chest when you're moved to tears. See the small touches of a couple in love: his hand on the small of her back, her fingers touching his arm, the quick glances and connections of their eyes. There is so much to absorb in life, and writers must be the masters of observance.

Music, for me, is an amplifier. I feel the scattered raindrops just before a storm, and the right song will stir a feeling of nostalgia. I see a woman sitting on a bench, eyes unfocused, and the music in my earbuds adds to her story, until my mind has decided that she is mourning the death of a loved one...or aching for the return of her soldier. In reality, she's probably hungry and thinking about her favorite sandwich. But to me, her life is angsty.

And thus a story is born.

I know I'm not alone in this. Music is universally moving. That's why movies utilize them. That's why we cry when the orchestra hits a crescendo. Music is used in worship, perhaps because it feels like an extension of the emotions we don't know how to express on our own. And for me, music and powerful lyrics are a driving force in my writing process. There is no 'writer's block' that a hot bath and my playlist can't fix.

In case you're curious, here are a few songs that helped me through some tough scenes in my recent story: Slave.

1.) The first song to impact this story is called No Longer Slaves, by Bethel Music. There isn't a specific scene to point out for this song, but rather the theme of the story as a whole. There's a line that says: "I'm no longer a slave to fear..." We live in a culture of fear. With terrorism, civil unrest, social unrest, and many other issues trying to divide and conquer us, I couldn't help but narrow this concept down to a single individual, and write the story of her path to freedom from fear. As I said in the last post, overcoming fear is part of my worldview, because I have lived it. So this song was something of a catalyst.

2.) The next song is The Lonely, by Christina Perri. This song influenced the first scene of the book. In chapter one, we find Hannah in the solitude of her living unit. Dark and cold, the loneliness is consuming-a constant reminder of the parents she lost. The lines that stand out are: "Too afraid to go inside, for the pain of one more loveless night. But the loneliness will stay with me, and hold me 'til I fall asleep." This especially comes into play near the end of chapter three.

 3.) The last song from my playlist that I'll share with you is Bird Set Free, by Sia. I was late to the game and only discovered this song toward the end of the writing process. The lines that stand out for me are: "Had a voice, had a voice, but I could not talk. You held me down. I struggle to fly now. But there's a scream inside that we all try to hide. We hold on so tight, but we can not deny {it} eats us alive. It eats us alive. There's a scream inside that we all try to hide. We hold on so tight, but I don't wanna die. I don't wanna die. I don't wanna die." and "I have a voice, have a voice-hear me roar tonight. You held me down, but I fought back loud." The whole song sums up Hannah's journey for me. There are a number of scenes that come to mind with this song. Most of them would be spoilers...so I'll resist telling you.

Eventually I'll post my entire playlist. But not yet. What about you? Are there songs that inspire your writing? When I'm typing and lyrics are distracting, I very often turn to my Film Score Pandora station. Does music help or hinder your process?

Happy writing, friends!
I believe in you!

Always,
Laura Fran

I'd go stark raving mad!

Who we are is greatly influenced by those who raised us. Their experiences, nuances, character traits, and how they treat us. In the same way, our stories and characters will be greatly influenced by our own experiences and values. It's called our worldview, and it's important to telling a compelling story.

I'll share a little of mine with you.

Since a very young age, I have struggled with social anxiety. Hyperaware of all my awkward movements, emotionally sensitive to negative or uncomfortable interactions, uncomfortable with attention and even excellence, fearing what the people around me are thinking in regards to my every move...these are just a few of the difficulties I've learned to live with over the years. It gets easier as you grow, but the most tumultuous years for me were high school. As if those years aren't hard enough, sometimes the fear and panic was debilitating. I close my eyes and can draw up dozens of memories of sitting in the bathroom stall not wanting to go back out, trying to look busy so no one would talk to me, dropping speech class after acing my first dramatic monologue-because even though it was an adrenaline rush to do it well, the idea of doing it again was terrifying.

This is where I draw from when I write. At thirty, I have found peace with who I am. I don't see my social awkwardness as the curse I thought it was for so long. I know I am wonderfully made by a Creator who understands what I need more than I do. My weakness makes me need Him. I'm okay with that.

But when I'm writing characters now, I can empathize with many of their feelings. When my character is panicking, I remember that physically. When they're feeling strong after overcoming a fear, I get that too. I feel it deep in my gut, because in some way-at some point in my life-I've been there.

This is my worldview. It is a place I can confidently write from, because I feel strongly about it and have lived it. Does that mean all my protagonists will be teen girls struggling with social anxiety? No. But it does mean that for me, my written works are heavily influenced by my passion for overcoming fear. Sometimes it will be subtle, other times the main theme. But it is always there, because it is part of my worldview...my manifesto.

I encourage you to take the time to examine what your worldview is. I'm always reminded of that scene in Everafter when Prince Henry says,

"I used to think that if I cared about anything, I'd have to care about everything. And I'd go stark raving mad! But now I've found my purpose..."

Decide what you care about. What do you feel strongly about? Allow yourself time to develop a solid worldview, and then let the words flow from a more meaningful place.

I believe in you!
Always,

Laura