Why I Had to Write a YA Love Story

Inspiration twinkles in unexpected places so when I got the spark of an idea for my new Young Adult novel, I hadn’t a clue how that flickering flame would eventually ignite. Nor did I also have any idea how long it would actually take to start the fire and finally complete this book. That the whole thing didn’t blow up in my face is a miracle given the number of hours I spent locked away in my office pecking at the keyboard, going over notes from my out of this world amazing editor Benee Knauer or reading posts from neurodiversity experts like Becca Lory Hector and Jennifer Cook and scrolling IG absorbed with @beneeknauer2620 @actuallyaspling @thinkingautism @jenniferniven, @librosschmibros, @villagewellcc, along with @sadsnailadventures.

I prayed Mr. UnHollywood would understand my obsession with these strong voices on neurodiversity, that he wouldn’t tell me to take a hike for leaving him on his own too much. Marriage is tricky that way, but somehow, he understands that ideas come and go; and then there are the stories you simply cannot turn off. A fragment of fire burns in your belly, and you simply have to write it. Did I mention how lucky I am to have a partner like him?

Lucky, too, that I had such intelligent and unbelievably generous folks who had coffee with me, let me pick their brains and were early readers of my story. Write what you know, heck yes, but don’t be afraid to learn new things!

Writing is personal. It’s also frustrating sometimes because it takes so much work to get it right. I don’t care if you’re journaling or blogging or posting on social media, the creative act is the same: It takes intention. It takes work. A lot of work. According to Stephen King, “Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.”

This book is different from others I’ve written. For one, it’s YA, which is new territory for me. While the target audience is high school kids, the genre has long been a fan favorite with adults. There are so many reasons why stories about teenagers are so irresistible and relatable to me. For one thing, I used to be one. Hah. And two, YA novels are famous for highlighting huge emotions and big stakes. And yeah, the themes often revolve around love.

Seems to me love is often found when you’re not looking for it. Did you know I met Mr. UnHollywood in an elevator? True story. Cue Aerosmith’s Love in an Elevator. The characters in my book, one neurotypical, one neurodiverse, never planned on being together.

Romance, being flirty and getting in touch with that part of yourself is such a universal want because at its core, love is about being understood and seen. Whatever age you happen to be.

I can’t wait to share my new book with you in January!