Writability

Vlog: An Important Update

I've been getting questions about my gender and sexuality on YouTube for some time now. So. Let's talk about it.

Vlog: How Do You Know When You're Ready to Write Your Book?

You asked, I answered! Today I'm talking about how to tell when you have enough of a plot to write an entire novel.

RELATED VLOGS:

Twitter-sized bite:

How do you know when you're ready to write your book? @Ava_Jae talks brainstorming & plotting a new WIP idea in today's vlog. (Click to tweet)

Vlog: 5 Queer Books by Queer Authors I'm Excited About

It's Pride Month! So for fun today I'm talking about queer books by queer authors I'm excited to read—and so should you be.

RELATED LINKS:

What queer books are you excited to read this year?

Twitter-sized bite:

It's Pride month! Want to support queer books written by queer authors? @Ava_Jae shares some great options. (Click to tweet)

Vlog: On Working with Editors

Today I'm answering related questions I've gotten for a little while: what's it like to work with editors both in traditional publishing and freelance circles?

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What do you think?

Twitter-sized bite:

Curious about what it's like to work with an editor in traditional publishing or freelance circles? @Ava_Jae breaks it down. (Click to tweet)

So. I'm sure you've probably noticed that for the first time in seven years, I've been missing blog posts as of late.

Sorry about that.

At this point, I think I have to come to terms with the fact that I'm overwhelmed. I thought things would get better after my school semester ended—and they have!—but I still have so much to do between freelancing, CP stuff, and my own writing that I feel perpetually behind everything which has not been awesome. And I've been so overwhelmed with that stuff that unfortunately I've been dropping the ball with blog posts.

So I think it's finally time I admit I need a break.

I'll continue posting my vlogs here—but if you really want more blog-like posts, you'll want to go to my Patreon. I do post there every month with updates, including newsletter like formats and random musings. Even the lowest tiers get access to the casual posts I put up every so often.

But mostly I need to buckle down. I haven't been able to touch revisions on a manuscript I desperately need to get out to my CPs—and I'm dedicating the rest of the day today to do that. But I also need to fully plot a book and write the first draft this summer, and much to my alarm May is nearly over. I'm also over twenty books behind on my reading goal of the year, so all of this is to say I need to give myself more space to focus on words, and reading—and, you know, breathing.

I'll keep posting here with updates, random writing posts and what not, but irregularly.

Thank you all for your support and patience.

<3

Vlog: Was I Ready to Write a Series?

Today's question digs into my experience debuting with a trilogy—and whether I felt ready to tackle three books when I agreed to do so.

RELATED VLOGS:

Have you ever considered writing a series?

Twitter-sized bite:

In today's vlog, @Ava_Jae answers whether or not they felt ready to tackle a trilogy with their debut. (Click to tweet)

What Feels Like Home

Photo credit: gary.hge on Flickr

From May 10-15, I was in Michigan, visiting family in the house I'd lived in for roughly two years.

I've had a rather migratory life.

In my twenty-six years, I've lived in six homes and two dorms scattered across three states. My late teens and early twenties in particular were especially uprooted—between colleges and family moves I was constantly aware that wherever I was was temporary, that I wasn't going to stay. This made a lot of things awkward—especially relationships—but the most lasting effect was I never really felt at home.

Which, you know, comes with knowing you don't plan to stay. You don't want to get attached to anything—not even a building—if you know you'll be packing up and going elsewhere soon.

But as I flew back to my apartment, in the lovely city that welcomed me back in September, I was struck by a realization. Though I've only been here for about eight and a half months, for the first time in literally years...I really feel at home.

For the first time in ages I'm planting roots. I'm planning to stay. I'm making long-term relationships and collecting things of my own and most of all I feel good here. I can really say it's good to be home.

Which, to put a writing spin on this, has me thinking: what is home to my characters?

The answer, of course, will vary manuscript to manuscript and character to character. But I think it can be an interesting question to consider while drafting—and you never know what insights it might give you into your characters' minds.

What is home to your characters?

Twitter-sized bite:

After 6 homes, 2 dorms, & 3 states @Ava_Jae considers what feels like home to them—& how to use that question to develop characters. (Click to tweet)