Books to Read, Fiction, Teen Books, YA Fiction, YALit Cami Books to Read, Fiction, Teen Books, YA Fiction, YALit Cami

Reading Wonderland Interview: Lisa Brown Roberts

The Bookworm Crush by Lisa Brown Roberts is the companion book to The Replacement Crush. Both are available at bookstores (I urge you to choose your local independent bookstore!)

The Bookworm Crush by Lisa Brown Roberts is the companion book to The Replacement Crush. Both are available at bookstores (I urge you to choose your local independent bookstore!)

Welcome! Welcome to the bottom of the rabbit hole. I will be your host as we tour this Reading Wonderland together. Here’s your magical elixir for the journey:

First stop, YA Romance and the adorable YA RomCom. As a genre, YA books (and truthfully, stories on the whole) are so much about identity and relationships, that a category of finding love and acceptance while discovering self is paramount. Our author on today’s blog, Lisa Brown Roberts, is a veteran writer with six titles to her name, the most recent being a RomCom called The Bookworm Crush that came out in 2019.  

In The Bookworm Crush, Amy loves reading and books - especially romance novels - but she doesn’t see herself like the brave heroines she reads about. Toff, on the other hand, is an anti-reader, but an incredible surfer ready for the pro-circuit. When Toff rescues Amy from an adventure that perhaps is on the verge of going awry, Amy realizes he’s the perfect person to help her win a competition to meet her favorite author, because he is, after all, a winner. What Toff doesn’t realize, however, is that by agreeing to work with Amy, she’s going to push him to face some spaces in his own heart he’s been avoiding. Told in alternating perspectives shared by both Amy and Toff, readers get to go on a ride with them that is laugh-out-loud funny, gorgeously sweet, and wonderfully poignant leaving the reader satisfied and buoyant.

I’m so excited that Ms. Roberts agreed to be interviewed to dish about The Bookworm Crush among other things that make reading magical. 

CL WALTERS: The Bookworm Crush, the companion novel The Replacement Crush (both YA RomComs), was  released in 2019. What were one or two real-life experiences/observations/inspirations that contributed this story?

LISA BROWN ROBERTS: The Replacement Crush- I love bookstores (don't we all) and thought how fun it would be to essentially grow up in one, and work there recommending books and running a book club. It was fun to create that life for Vivian, the heroine. Vivian's mom (Rose) is an author/bookstore owner, and making her an author was pure selfish indulgence on my part. I gave Rose some of my own traits, and incorporated my son's embarrassment about how flaky I can be when I'm in the middle of writing a new book.

The Bookworm Crush - Instagram is my favorite social media space, and I really love bookstagram. Incorporating that into a novel was so much fun. I'm so thrilled with all the positive feedback I've received from book bloggers and bookstagrammers who loved that aspect of the story. I love all of the amazing bookstagram photos of this book, too! It's very "meta." :) 

CLW: You already know that I adore Toff (and I know I am not alone in that swoony adoration); I have posted about him enough. Did you make a Pinterest board for his character and what other elements inspired this adorable prankster?

LBR: Ah, Toff...I had so much fun with him! My books are always created characters first, plot second. Toff just appeared fully formed in my mind when I wrote The Replacement Crush. Some characters reveal themselves more slowly to me, in layers, but he just *boomed* onto the page, ready to party! 

It was hard not letting him take over The Replacement Crush. I knew I had to write his story and I was so happy that Entangled Teen wanted to publish it. I had to give Toff his first real romance, and Amy had crushed on him forever, so...happily ever after for them and for me as an author!

I think we all know those guys – the life of the party, the ones who bring the fun, who charm themselves out of trouble…I certainly crushed on more than one as a teen.

I do create Pinterest inspiration boards for each book. I keep them private until the book is published and then I make them public. Sometimes I continue to add to them after the book is out. The thing is, I love the idea of Pinterest, but I don’t have much time to use it as much as I’d like to.

CLW: The interesting Instagram/Bookstagram world is almost a character in this book. What were things you researched to flesh out this facet of The Bookworm Crush?

LBR: I started following the bookstagram world a couple of years ago and was astounded at the passion readers have! The #shelfies amaze me - so gorgeous and unlike my messy bookshelves. I love #BookfaceFriday and knew I had to incorporate that into the book (side note- I had to explain #BookfaceFriday to my editor since she'd never heard of it). Basically, I do a lot of stalking on bookworm accounts, but not in a creepy way. One of [the] best reader emails I've received was from a girl who was so inspired by Amy that she started her own bookstagram account. That made [me] so happy. 

CLW: The Bookworm Crush is your sixth book (Congratulations!). Do you have a standout experience with a fan you’re willing to share?

LBR: My favorite part of being an author is interacting with readers. Social media is great, but meeting readers in person is fantastic. A couple of years ago, I attended a reader event in Atlanta that was mostly geared to adult romance readers. Lots of fun, but not much action in the YA author area, so I was thrilled when a sweet teen girl approached my table holding copies of all my books. She said she’d come to the event to meet me. Nothing tops that! 

CLW: Do you have a favorite #otp (While #bonnieandclyde should make a list maybe a different one)?

LBR: Just like Amy in The Bookworm Crush, I love Lizzie and Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. I’ve written my own P&P retelling (like so many other authors) and hope to publish it someday. Barack and Michelle Obama are a real-life #otp for me, along with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Also, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan are a fabulous BFF #otp. 

CLW: One of my favorite scenes in The Bookworm Crush is when Amy becomes the victim of an incapacitated Toff. Was there an event that inspired this particular scene or perhaps specific things that inspire your process in writing scenes filled with romantic tension?

LBR: I’m glad you liked that scene! It was added during the revision process with my editors. We cut one scene and needed another. I’m not really sure what inspired it, though I wanted a scene where Toff and Amy were “trapped” together, which this was. When I wrote it, I wasn’t sure if it worked. I couldn’t tell if it was funny or just weird. My editors loved it, so I trusted them, and hearing from readers that they like it, too, is a relief!

Writing the scenes with chemistry and romantic tension are my favorites. They usually grow organically from the characters. For instance, in the #BookfaceFriday scene, I knew Toff would be ridiculous and bossy and flirty, but I didn’t know exactly how until I started writing and he took over. Again. ☺ 

CLW: What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

LBR: I can’t pick just one! 

Writing a first draft is my favorite part of the writing process. Actually, getting that “ah ha” feeling when I come up with an idea that I’m excited to write is my first favorite part, then capturing the feeling of the story and wrangling my characters into a draft is my second favorite part of the process. I turn off my internal editor for that first draft, and it’s so fun and freeing to write everything I want to. I worry about cutting later. 

Opening my box of author copies is another highlight, especially after going through multiple rounds of revisions. Holding the finished book always causes happy tears.

Hearing from readers once the book is out in the world-that is the best. I love when readers see themselves in my stories, and find the characters relatable and real. Those are the highest compliments. Well, and when they fall for the love interests, too. That’s always good. ☺

CLW: Which specific authors or specific books - YA and otherwise - have inspired your own author’s journey?

LBR: Here are a few of the bigger influences:

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle – my favorite book as a kid, along with her nonfiction that I love as an adult. 

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, of course

All of Judy Blume’s books

Julie Anne Peter’s books. Julie was my first writing mentor, and she’s a brilliant author. Her books are fierce and brave. She was one of the first big LGBTQ authors in YA, and her book Luna, featuring a transitioning character, was nominated for a National Book Award.  She’s also hilarious and kind, and she’s the reason I didn’t quit writing. 

CLW: The theme is YA Romance. What books make your top-five list in no particular order?

Really tough to narrow down, but here are five of my favorites:

Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

CLW: What are you working on now?

LBR: This very moment, it’s hard to write because of COVID. My day job is super busy, and when I’m not doing that, I’m spending my time with my family trying to stay upbeat and getting sunshine as much as possible.

However, once I resume writing, I’ll get back to a couple of YA rom-coms that are in various stages of creation and revision. 

CLW: Where can readers find you?

LBR: I’m most active on Instagram, semi-active on Facebook, and usually avoid Twitter, but pop on once in awhile ☺

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram |BookBub|

Next Week: Rob Rufus and The Vinyl Underground



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Indie Author Marketing: Road Trip Wrap Up

On Sale today, where ever books are sold. Hooray!

On Sale today, where ever books are sold. Hooray!

We did it. We made it to the finish line, and The Cantos Chronicles are out in the world today. How we did remains to be seen, but here’s the feedback on our journey:

  1. Followers LOVE the new covers!

    This was the first thing that was mentioned as a ”stand out” in terms of marketing these books. This doesn’t surprise me (and probably doesn’t anyone else either) which reiterates the point that authors (indie authors, specifically) should budget for a cover as part of your marketing strategy. How the product appears matters. That shouldn’t come as a surprise, right? Case in point: Look at the two Swimming Sideways covers (pre-rerelease and post). Which one do you like better?

The black and white was the second cover. It’s a Canva stock image and clearly an inexperienced Indie move. It isn’t the wisest choice when trying to “stand out” in a competitive market. The new cover is designed by a trained graphic artist, Sara Ol…

The black and white was the second cover. It’s a Canva stock image and clearly an inexperienced Indie move. It isn’t the wisest choice when trying to “stand out” in a competitive market. The new cover is designed by a trained graphic artist, Sara Oliver Designs, and is original to Swimming Sideways!

Um. Yeah. The new cover is hands down better than the other (thank you, Sara!)

2. Followers enjoyed getting to know me (the author).

Shocking - I know - baring who I am isn’t comfortable - naturally introverted, but adaptably extroverted. That means I’m a freaking chameleon. No. Actually, it doesn’t, but I’d like to think it is a super power. Okay. In all seriousness, while being more in the “spotlight” doesn’t feel comfortable, it is a part of building a relationship. There is a give and take between people. What’s your favorite color? Mine is… This must occur, right for that reciprocal relationship building. This doesn’t stop even in a social media world which means we have to put ourselves out there.

What made this difficult for me (besides the whole discomfort of being in the “spotlight”) is the belief that I don’t think I’m all that interesting. I’m just ordinary Cami. Here I am feeling like my brain might be boiling over trying to figure out what’s interesting, and I’m thinking “there’s nothing worth sharing.” Perhaps this is a lie I tell myself because people expressed: I liked getting to know you. Hmm. Who knew? The lesson then: I can’t be afraid to put myself out there; I can’t worry about if what I have to share is interesting or not because I can only be myself; and I can’t be afraid to share my truth.

3. Followers liked getting to know the characters in a different way.

The methods mentioned were sharing the music playlists, sharing the book lists, and the new content snippets that helped readers feel more connected to the characters. That’s cool (and I wish I could share with you how cool these people are in my head… still!)

4. Followers liked being able to “talk” with other followers about the books while reading.

One IG follower said that being able to talk about the books with other readers while reading was a little like a “social media book club.” Bookstagrammers have this on lock and are very prolific in this regard. It’s a great tool (though I won’t pretend I’ve figured out how to generate more engagement with this; I think it will continue to be time and consistency).

Well. Here we are fellow road trippers. We’ve parked the van in the garage. We’re popping the champagne. Let’s toast to nine weeks of bumping along this Indie Marketing Road to a job well done. Thank you for being on this journey with me.

What’s next? Not sure. I’m going to take a couple weeks to finish my current book and figure myself out.

Now, I have to figure out how to look at the “after publication” marketing. :)


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Book Marketing, Books for boys, Books for Teen Boys, Books for Teens, Books to Read, Cantos Chronicles, CL Walters, Coming of Age, Fiction, fiction - mental health, Independent Author, New Fiction, Swimming Sideways, Teen Books, The Bones of Who We Are, The Ugly Truth, YA Contemporary, YA Series, YALit, Young Adult, YA Fiction Cami Book Marketing, Books for boys, Books for Teen Boys, Books for Teens, Books to Read, Cantos Chronicles, CL Walters, Coming of Age, Fiction, fiction - mental health, Independent Author, New Fiction, Swimming Sideways, Teen Books, The Bones of Who We Are, The Ugly Truth, YA Contemporary, YA Series, YALit, Young Adult, YA Fiction Cami

Indie Author Marketing: Update No. 8

One more week until The Cantos Chronicles releases March 31, 2020!

Good News! IndieReader.com gave Swimming Sideways, Cantos Chronicles Book 1 a 4.5 stars out of 5 stars rating! That means it’s considered a, “IndieReader Approved” designation and will go on their “BEST OF…” YA round up. That’s AWESOME!

One another note:

With the chaos of the current situation, I wasn’t sure if I should even post, but I decided that regardless, I’d committed to this Indie Author Marketing Road Trip. Though I’ve been grounded to a halt due to a very flat tire, a bent rim, and inclement conditions, but that’s part of the journey right? It begs the question: How do we adapt in the face of challenges.

This is pretty challenging. :)

So here we are.

  1. My events are cancelled for now. As difficult as this is to take, I’m choosing to look at it as an opportunity to develop and grow. I hope to eventually reschedule.

  2. My IG friends have come in clutch by posting. Thank you to them for keeping things visible. I appreciate it so much. I haven’t seen any of the reviewers post yet. Hope those are forthcoming.

  3. I’ve maintained my Social Media content - that’s about the extent to my abilities right now. It Is what it is.

  4. I’m working on April’s newsletter for my subscribers and some new work to share with them.

  5. I developed a #bookstagram challenge with the hashtag #quarINTEENd which I hope provides 1) something fun and creative to do in April while we’re all shut in; 2) sparks discussion between book lovers, and 3) adds to the community.

In light of the climate and the difficulties, I offered an Ebook copy of Swimming Sideways to interested readers via Instagram and Facebook. The offer still stands. You can sign up for my newsletter, you can email me (clwalters2015@gmail.com) or DM me on Instagram, and I will email you the ebook. This offer is valid until Tuesday, March 31. Happy reading.

Available March 31, 20202 in Ebook, Paperback and Hard Cover wherever books are sold.

Available March 31, 20202 in Ebook, Paperback and Hard Cover wherever books are sold.

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Book Marketing, Book Playlist, Books for boys, Books for Teen Boys, Books for Teens, Books to Read, Cantos Chronicles, CL Walters, Coming of Age, Conflict, Fiction, fiction - mental health, Independent Author, New Fiction, Playlist, Swimming Sideways, Teen Books, The Bones of Who We Are, The Ugly Truth, YA Contemporary, YA Series, YALit, Young Adult Cami Book Marketing, Book Playlist, Books for boys, Books for Teen Boys, Books for Teens, Books to Read, Cantos Chronicles, CL Walters, Coming of Age, Conflict, Fiction, fiction - mental health, Independent Author, New Fiction, Playlist, Swimming Sideways, Teen Books, The Bones of Who We Are, The Ugly Truth, YA Contemporary, YA Series, YALit, Young Adult Cami

Indie Author Marketing: Update No. 7

If I thought I didn’t know if I was coming or going last week, this week it’s all about staying put. I’ve had to park it. At home. Social Distancing. And with no end in site, it makes me wonder what’s to come? Well, hopefully I’ll offer some interesting content. Here’s a vlog brought to you from the inside of my bathroom (LOL) as I reflect about this week.

In the grand scheme of my Independent Author Book Marketing road trip, the vehicle sort of stalled on the side of the road. I got pulled over by the police and escorted to the next motel where I’ve been directed to hang out for the next couple of weeks. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Great. What does this mean for book marketing? Long term, I don’t know. My events might be shot. Short term, I’ve got Social Media.

One of the things I mention in the vlog was publishing the Book Playlists on Instagram for each of the books in The Cantos Chronicles. One of the biggest necessities of marketing is identifying the target audience. As a YA Writer, I’m speaking to teens, specifically 16-18 year olds (though I’m beginning to wonder since my books seem to have a crossover adult appeal. This begs the question: am I marketing to the correct audience?) Since art of all kinds speaks so loudly to me, and every teen I have known speaks music, I decided a playlist might be a solid interactive experience).

I’ve begun to consider that this isn’t a short term game, but a long one. I’m in the process of building a relationship with readers. That’s going to take time and consistency. So while we might be “In the Wait” (Oh hey, head over to Wattpad to read those short vignettes if you’re interested in them), I need to continue to be vigilant in offering the strongest content I can to showcase who I am as a writer and as a person.

Rerelease day for The Cantos Chronicles is right around the corner (March 31, 2020) though they are available for PreOrder. Two more weeks!

Next Week: Indie Author Marketing: Update No. 8

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Indie Author Marketing: Update No. 5

The new covers are here!

The new covers are here!

The covers to The Cantos Chronicles are out! Swimming Sideways, The Ugly Truth and The Bones of Who We Are look glorious both online and in person, because guess what came in the mail this week!?!? The books. The reveal video is an agenda item for this coming week.

The cover reveals and the book trailer were the biggest agenda items for this fifth week on the Indie Marketing Journey. It was a giant mountain with several switch back hairpin turns, but we made it! Several days removed, I’m happy, hopeful and grateful for the reception of the covers and the trailer reinforcing the efforts I made this month, though gains will remain to be seen.

What else did I work on this week?

  1. My March Newsletter has been written and scheduled. One of my goals with the newsletter is to make it beneficial for people to sign up, so I offer items that only subscribers are provided. This month my subscribers are automatically entered into the next giveaway promotion as well as receive a deleted scene from Swimming Sideways that didn’t make it into the final version. I hope that things like this provide subscribers with the “extra” they are looking for by being subscribers.

  2. After making sure the March blitz is planned and ready, I’m in the process now of planning out the content for this coming month. If the first four weeks was about building the bond between readers and the characters of the books, this second four weeks will be about maintaining the connection, trying to create visibility, and generating excitement.

  3. My social media goals have also shifted some. While I am maintaining my author support system on IG, I am activity working to connect with my target audience. Last week, I wrote about posting to wattpad unsure about the cost-benefit analysis, but I can provide anecdotal evidence that I have had more people reading. Has this translated to people interested in committing to The Cantos Chronicles? I’m not sure yet, but I am hopeful.

Are you enjoying the journey with me? What have you tried? What are you thinking about? Talk to me so I don’t fall asleep at the wheel. Be sure to leave a comment. Oh, and would you turn up that song on the car radio too: “Sunflower” by Post Malone and Swae Lee.

Next Week: Indie Author Marketing Update No. 6


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Indie Author Marketing: Update No. 1

My planning and writing space.

My planning and writing space.

This week marked the first steps into the eight week marketing blitz for the Cantos Chronicles, a completed YA Trilogy that’s undergoing a complete rebrand: new ISBNs, new covers, new interiors. With a ton of work (and money) invested in the rerelease, marketing and publicity to spread the word is even more important and has never been clearer how in over my head I am. But when has that ever stopped me?

Here’s what I did this week:

  1. My newsletter went out this week with the new covers of the trilogy. Lots of information out there insists that newsletter subscribers are an indie author’s most important asset. There is a definitive need to build this list and cultivate that relationship by providing subscribers with benefits that no one else is able to access. So - they were the first to have access to the new covers (which I’m ecstatic about) as well as new content of my work in progress. And wouldn’t you know it, I got a few emails from subscribers excited about them. Hooray!

  2. The second thing I did is begin the calling and planning of various events (book stores, media outlets, podcasts, etc). I’m not going to lie - this feels a lot more like doors slamming in my face than opening. The difficulty of this step is the lack of relationship which is really what a publicist provides. But without that added cost in my budget yet, I’m going to have to build these relationships on my own. Slammed doors aren’t enough to stop me; I’m searching the work around - the secret door. I’ll keep you posted.

  3. On instagram @cl.walters, I’m using an IG month challenge to begin connecting the Cantos Chronicles stories with followers. I have two months until the rerelease happens (March 31) so with eight weeks to go, I didn’t want to create brand weariness or blindness. Instead, I’m hoping this provides the ability to connect, think, and link reader interest with the writing and the characters. Additionally, I want to maintain current momentum with readers who have already enjoyed the series by offering new content. I chose #onewordpromptchallenge hosted by @mjvaughn1_author because of the way the challenge is open ended and I’ve found it inspires me creatively. The prompts have offered me a way to mingle new content with existing content. The hope is always to invite engagement on IG because that is what creates visibility. I’ll keep you posted on the effectiveness of this method. Two days in, engagement is low (big-eyed worried face).

With this week in the books, there’s a sliver of myself that’s worried. What if this is an epic fail? What if I sunk a ton of money into something that is dead on arrival? As a perfectionist, I’m putting a ton of pressure on myself - I can feel it. And then there’s a part of me that recognizes this journey is several marathons in succession - nothing worthwhile is built overnight. Even as cliche as it is, the cliche exists for a reason. That is why I wake up and try again everyday, because I know this dream is worth it. The hope, however, doesn’t necessarily calm the fears that I’m going to fall flat on my face. That’s the risk, though, I suppose. And I’m not sure I’ve been one to back down from the challenge, fear and all.

Next week: Indie Marketing Update No.2

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The Bones of Who We Are: Gratitude

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It has been a week since The Bones of Who We Are released. A gorgeous week filled with support for Gabe and his story. I am so very grateful. I remember when I got to that point I was ready to share the story, how terrifying it was because I knew I’d taken a risk with his story, but with the wonderful and supportive feedback, I am so ecstatic.

John Green said in a Crash Course about Literature that when an author lets go of the story and gives it over to the audience, it ceases being the author’s story and becomes the readers’. I love this. So, I’d like to share some of the impressions Gabe’s story in THE BONES OF WHO WE ARE has provided to readers.

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“... the words were magic, each line so delicately put like a song you wanted to continue singing... the author sends you spiraling inside [Gabe’s] brain and his story ... and each step of the way, you become [his] cheerleader...”
— Sophie Fahy, author
“...it is rare to find a novel, a character that resembles oneself - at least for me - it was as if I was looking into a mirror... CL Walters talent for capturing, conjuring the essence of her characters is remarkable... [She] is a talent that you do not want to miss.”
— W. Scott Brown, author
“I became a fast fan of CL Walters after reading Swimming Sideways and The Ugly Truth. The Bones of Who We Are is a brilliant conclusion to the Cantos Chronicles YA Book Series.””
— Janine Caroline, author
“Have to warn you, have tissues next to you while you read. You’ll need them.”
— Mike Walters, author
“The aspect that makes these books so good is that the themes, conflicts, and internal battles are deeply relatable...”
— Sammi, a reader
“Walters tackles heavy, important issues like Mental health and Racism with grace and tact - with a responsibility to the story without losing her voice. Beautifully paced, she drew me in but kept me guessing as the story moved to a breathless conclusion... This is a story everyone needs to read.”
— Bethany, reader

Thank you so much to all of the readers who have read Gabe’s story. I am so deeply humbled and grateful for your willingness to take a chance on Swimming Sideways, The Ugly Truth and now, The Bones of Who We Are. Please continue to share your experience with me, with others. I believe in these stories, and it is so wonderful that you do too.

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The Bones of Who We Are: It's time.

It’s here! Tomorrow - Tuesday - October 1, 2019, The Bones of Who We Are is out. It’s been an arduous (thought fulfilling) adventure, and I couldn’t be more excited and proud of this story. I can’t wait to hear what you think of Gabe’s journey, so be sure to post a review to Amazon, share it on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. I’m looking forward to it.

“[This story is] emotional and thought provoking. We all need a hand in finding the beauty within.”
— Advance Reader
“Martha and Dale . . .they smile laughing and dancing to music only they can hear. I’m at the dining table watching them and for a split second, I allow myself to think about a future I’ve never considered before...”
— Gabe, The Bones of Who We Are
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The Bones of Who We Are: A Difficult Story

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My father - my rock - passed away in October 2017. I miss him everyday. I didn’t think I would ever find the words to write again. When I tried, all that made it to the page were visceral and painful images of where I was stuck: my cave. About six months later, I was sitting at a traffic light and heard Abby say “I need you to write my story.” The pilot light was relit, and I found my way through a new draft of SWIMMING SIDEWAYS. 

The summer of 2018, with SWIMMING SIDEWAYS and THE UGLY TRUTH drafted, I went home to Oregon for a month to help my mom and sister go through my father’s things. Most of the month was spent broken-hearted, trudging through necessary spaces. I cleaned the garage breathing in my father’s work space and going through each of his tools. This was something my mother wasn’t going to be able to do. My dad and his workshop were symbiotic; he could fix anything, and his workshop reflected this. So, immersion in his workshop, going through each of his toolboxes and trinkets, the jars of things he saved because they’d come in handy one day, cracked me open. Somehow, in the breaking of my heart and the diligent reorganization of his things, I was able to assemble the broken parts of myself back together. It was during this four weeks in Oregon that I began drafting Gabe’s story, and as I stitched myself back together, Gabe’s began to unravel.

I’ve warned readers that Gabe’s story isn’t an easy story to experience, and that is because THE BONES OF WHO WE ARE deals with heavy topics: bullying, depression, identity, loss, grief. Maybe in a way, the loss of my father is reflected in the pain of Gabe. My pain became his, though Gabe’s story was always this, I just couldn’t write it before. The pivotal scene in the book - the reason Gabe is who he is - was written back in 2009, eight years before I lost my father; nine years before I went through his workshop and faced my own undoing. 

Perhaps, I was never going to be equipped to tell Gabe’s story without understanding the complete loss of someone so essential to my own identity. Perhaps, sitting inside my father’s workshop by myself allowed me to grasp loss, life, and grief in a way I never would have without that struggle. As writers our life experiences impact the depth of our knowledge. Virginia Woolf wrote, “Every secret of a writer’s soul, every experience of his life, every quality of his mind is written large in his works.” So, I suppose by realizing how painful it was to look at my father’s empty steel-toed work boots and be slammed with the awareness of how much I missed him, it forced me to jump into the deep end of loss. When the only thing I could do was climb into bed and bury myself in romance novels because those stories were as much as I could handle to not sink and drown, I found a way to tread water. Perhaps, this trial was the only way I was ever going to be able to empathize with Gabe’s experience. 

THE BONES OF WHO WE ARE isn’t an easy story, but then life, love, loss, grief never are. That is the truth of what it means to be human. We hurt, but there is power in the warmth of hope. That - the hope - is what my father would have loved about Gabe’s story.

NEXT WEEK: A Letter from Gabe to readers

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Books for boys, Books for Teen Boys, Books for Teens, Books to Read, Cantos Chronicles, CL Walters, Coming of Age, Fiction, fiction - mental health, Teen Books, The Bones of Who We Are, The hero's journey, The Ugly Truth, Swimming Sideways, Writer's Life, writing process, Young Adult, Writer Cami Books for boys, Books for Teen Boys, Books for Teens, Books to Read, Cantos Chronicles, CL Walters, Coming of Age, Fiction, fiction - mental health, Teen Books, The Bones of Who We Are, The hero's journey, The Ugly Truth, Swimming Sideways, Writer's Life, writing process, Young Adult, Writer Cami

The Bones of Who We Are: Journey to Gabe

When Gabe became a character in my mind, he started as a fallen angel. There was something magical and beautiful about him in those first drafts of the original paranormal story. He was the blameless sacrifice - the Christ figure - idealized in all his beauty and glory. Then in 2009, I was teaching a class on creativity and in our daily pages, I wrote a heartbreaking scene that I couldn’t shake. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that the character was Gabe as a child, and it shattered the paranormal drafts of the work-in-progress at the time. Nothing already drafted could stand if I used the scene. What the heck was I supposed to do with that, I wondered. 

So the scene sat in my head as an unresolved issue with Gabe’s character. I put the manuscript - two years and nine drafts completed - away (partially because of this unresolved issue, but mostly because a wave of fallen angel stories broke in 2009 and 2010).

In 2015, Seth - the loudest of the three characters - who’d been dragged into hell at the end of the first paranormal story, began nagging me about having left him there. I pulled the story out again. I was teaching Homer’s Odyssey and the Hero’s Journey to my freshman at the time, and decided to plot Seth’s story using Chris Volgler’s work, and suddenly something clicked. The story was there, but I believed it to be a stand alone novel assuming Abby and Gabe were just secondary characters. So, I finished THE UGLY TRUTH in 2016; I was never happy with its ending. My family and friends enjoyed it (or pretended to), but I couldn’t get the nagging feeling out of my head and heart that the ending was all wrong. 

So, it sat for another two years.

Then in March of 2018, I was sitting at a traffic light, waiting, and I heard Abby say in my head, “I need you to finish my story.” In that moment, it dawned on me that all three of them needed their own story. Abby. Seth. Gabe. With Seth’s already done, I went back to the original paranormal manuscript to see if there was anything salvageable for Abby and Gabe. With a ton of cutting, rewriting, and creating new content, Abby’s story, SWIMMING SIDEWAYS, came together, but like Seth’s narrative, I struggled with the ending. I couldn’t figure out how it was supposed to connect until it dawned on me: Abby’s story was first and both she and Seth’s stories were necessary in order to tell Gabe’s. Like finding the last pieces of a puzzle being put into place, I understood the whole story in three parts. The entire series had been moving toward the culmination of Gabe’s narrative all along. 

That quiet, painful scene I wrote back in 2009, suddenly made sense, and served as the cornerstone around which Gabe’s entire story is built. 

The aesthetic I made for Gabe’s story.

The aesthetic I made for Gabe’s story.

Next week: the difficulty of writing Gabe’s story .



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