"I need someone to understand/ Can you hear me/ I'm lost in my thoughts"

I've already admitted that I was the atypical English major in college. In fact I didn't enjoy the majority of my assigned reading. Moby Dick? No thanks. The Last of the Mohicans? I barely got to page 60 before complete boredom set in. I'll admit I liked Sense and Sensibility and enjoyed the plays I read in my Modern Drama class (or really any class I took with Dr. Vance) but that was pretty much it. So since this whole "you're writing a book?!" thing continues to come up in random conversations (which makes me immensely embarrassed and uncomfortable. Just for the record.) I am getting asked more and more frequently who my favorite writers are and what my book is going to be like. So, this post is going to have two answers in one. I'm like the final season of Lost, I'm giving you some answers!

I realized a few months ago that my "book" was probably going to be aimed at young adults (or YA as it is called in the biz). I've always liked to read books about people who around my age. I can relate, I know what they are going through, I understand how they think and process events and information. So even right now at the ripe age of 22, I wouldn't mind reading a book about a 16 year old (see Harry Potter and Twilight) or characters who are older but I can still relate to. I don't mind reading about characters getting married or having kids but getting divorced or dealing with a midlife crisis, I could do without. But at the same time, I'm not married, I don't have kids, I haven't been through a divorce so... I can't really write about things I haven't experienced. Cause I definitely am abiding by the "write what you know" rule. So. That being said an author that I think I most closely associate my style of writing with is Sarah Dessen.

Here is the blurb from the back of my favorite Dessen novel "The Truth about Forever":

"A long hot summer... that's what sixteen year old Macy Queen has to look forward to. Her boyfriend, Jason, is going away to Brain Camp. She's stuck with a dull-as-dishwater job at the library. And all of her free time promises to be spent studying for the SATS or grieving silently with her mother over her father's death.

But everything changes when Macy is corralled into helping out at one of her mother's open house events, and she meets the chaotic Wish Catering crew. Before long, Macy ditches her library job and joins up with the Wish gang: bighearted Delia; quiet, introspective Monica; and the fun-loving, fashion-conscious Kristy. But best of all, there's Wes- artisitc, insightful, and understanding Wes- who gets Macy to look at life in a whole new way..."

Here is another blurb from my other favorite "This Lullaby":

"Remy always knows when to give a guy "the speech"-- right after the intial romantic rush. but before anything gets too serious. She's had her fair share of boyfriends, and she's learned all there is to learn from her mother, who is currently working on husband number five. So why is it that Remy can't seem to dump Dexter? It can't be his name. It can't be that he's messy and disorganized. And it certainly isn't that's he's a musician-- just like Remy's father, a man she never knew because he left before she was born. Could it be that Remy's romantic rules to live by don't apply anymore?"

And finally we have the blurb from "Just Listen":

"Annabel Greene is the girl who has everything. At least that's who she plays in the commercial for Kopf's Department Store: top student, popular cheerleader, dazzling prom queen surrounded by friends. In real life, though, Annabel is the girl who has nothing: no best friend since her relationship with mean-but-exciting Sophie ended with malicious rumors flying, no peace at home while her older sister's eating disorder preoccupies the family, and no ability to tell anyone what's on her mind.

And then she meets Owen Armstrong- intense, obsessed with music, and determined to always tell the truth, no matter what the consequences.

Can a girl who hates confrontation find a way to connect with a guy who thrives on it? And can Annabel find the courage to tell what really happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends?"

I have a feeling a lot of your hopes just deflated about the book. But that's honestly what I am aiming for. Nothing revolutionary, nothing mind-blowing or philosophical. Family is going to be a big component (though maybe not as large as my family members are hoping), friends are going to play a major role, and that crazy little thing called love might be making an appearance too. Oh but don't worry, my story isn't taking place in high school. I've been there and done that so I don't need to mentally live there for a few more years. Blah.

So that's why I don't rattle off a list of favorite authors whenever someone asks. Sure, I like Dessen, Emily Giffin, Jodi Picoult, and Kristin Harmel, but those aren't exactly names everyone knows like Tolstoy, Bronte, Steinback, or Tolkien. I'm not embarrassed, it's just people can't relate so I just say "Oh I like contemporary (aka frou frou) stuff". Plus I get judged by boys when I say Nicholas Sparks. Say what you will about him, but the man can write a love story and make you cry in the last chapter. Every. Single. Time (Or is it just me? I cry at Publix commercials so it could just be me).

See why I've been so reluctant to talk about the book? I think a lot of people have their expectations set way too high. I'm just trying to tell a story that I've had in my head for years and I like it but I don't know if every one else will. But I'll never know if I don't try so let's keep going.

Book update:

22 chapters DONE.

262 pages.

79,998 words.

Holy crap!