When Writing Several Stories at Once

I’m in a unique position in my life at the the moment, and I’m not just talking about being in my mid-20’s and already the author of two novels. If anything, I’m talking about the writing projects that I’m currently working on. Yes, projects.

At the moment, I have several going on at once, and none of them are the collaborations that I’ve been involved with. I’m wrapping up work on my secret project (especially since I’ll be announcing it pretty soon), I’ve been working on a short stage play for a writing workshop I’ve been taking for the past month, I’ve begun the writing process for my third novel (all the while still in the development stage for it), and I’m in the midst of forming an idea in my head for what could potentially be a screenplay.

Looking Back on the Life and Times of Anne Frank

A thread on Twitter that a friend of mine retweeted got me realizing something that my younger self would have been very disappointed with me for forgetting. This year, specifically this summer, marks a number of anniversaries for Anne Frank; the young Netherlands-based writer who perished in the Holocaust, and whose voice would go on to speak volumes to the rest of the world and across generations.

Loving Day and Busy Days (and a Surprise)

I’m not proud of the circumstance surrounding the development of this particular blog post, for I feel in this case scenario that I’m just putting something out there for the sake of putting something out there. However, I’m writing this to not only keep to my streak, but that there actually is something that I want to briefly touch upon.

First, let me clear the air when I say that even though it’s Saturday, I’m writing this a few days in advance. The past few days have been unbearably busy with reading “Raisin in the Sun,” work on a script, preparing material for my weekend tutoring job, work on a secret project, and waiting in between time for posthumous tunes to drop. Oh, and I have my first little sale going on for An Absolute Mind, in honor of Loving Day.

Thoughts About Personal Essays

Personal essays; we’ve all read one at some point or another. They are the slates of non-fiction that are not long enough to be considered an autobiography nor a memoir, and yet to some extremity, strive to prove a point by way of sharing whichever selected aspect of the writer’s life. While it’s a genre of writing that has existed for the longest time, it seems that it’s only within contemporary times where there’s a surge in terms of the quantity of them out there. If you think about it, it’s not too surprising. We have the Internet, and as a result, publishing online and immediate satisfaction has never been easier than before.

Happy 3rd Anniversary to “The Shadows”!

I’m at that point now where it’s been three years since becoming a published author. For those who’ve been following this blog, then you’ll know that that happened not when I released A Moment’s Worth in July 2014, but about a month and a half before via a soft launch, when I made my short story, “The Shadows,” available to Kindle users.

This is the official synopsis for it:

Just like how light can contradict darkness, darkness can obscure the light.
That’s exactly how the shadows – the Sun Spirits – work as they go about day-to-day, observing humanity. However, after hearing too much about humanity’s act of ongoing violence and other wrongdoings during the daily meeting of the Council of the Sun Spirits, the Chieftain declares a ban on the appearance of the sun for all of eternity. It will take a lot of conviction from the council for him to see with eyes of reasoning.

Reflection: 6 Months of “An Absolute Mind” and My First Reading as an Author

This is not the world I had anticipated my second novel to be released in, but for several reasons, I am glad that it is in existence in this time that we are in now. I can’t believe it’s been just over six months since the publication of An Absolute Mind. The speed of time is something that I will never be able to digest properly, for it really feels like last week – if not yesterday – since I released this second work out into the world.

Getting Closer to My Truth By Way of Representation

We are now about halfway through May, which also means we are about halfway through Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. When looking at the way of things last year, it’s mind-boggling how much has changed, while some things remain the same. Nowadays, Hollywood, despite previous failures, continues to whitewash roles meant for Asians and Pacific Islanders (as proven from this latest abomination surrounding the upcoming biopic about Ben Kanahele), whereas the White House is not doing anything to properly acknowledge this month beyond the half-ass statement Trump released at the beginning of it.

Representation matters, regardless of what anyone may say against it (and those who do really need to have a look over of their own privilege) and in the past, when in discussion about this particular month, I’ve explored this subject matter through a personal lenses and at different angles; from seeing stories about people like me being portrayed on screen to how I fit in on the growing list of Asian American authors. However, I’ve yet to discuss an angle that hits even more close to home, regarding an issue I’ve becoming increasingly aware of in recent time.

Recommended Listening… and Remembering

Traditionally on the first Saturday of May, I would hone in on the fact that it’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and tie that in to my continually growing thoughts about portrayal of Asian American characters and narratives in literature. While that was the intended plan for today’s post, after what has happened this week, it just doesn’t feel right (and I’m not just talking about the sh** storm the GOP party continues to stir).

Thoughts About Music By Way of Poetry

We are at the end of April now, and so naturally, National Poetry Month is simultaneously wrapping up. Apart from occasional haikus and features about various poets, for whatever reason, there hasn’t been a lot regarding this month-long celebration that has popped up on my radar. Whether that be because of everything that’s been going on for me this month, the political climate, or something else entirely, I don’t know. However, I do want to take a minute to appreciate that value of this month’s focus, and link it to its unique relationship with another medium with a kindred spirit: music.

Playwright’s Commentary: “She’s Strong With the Force” and “Fractals”

If you’ve been keeping up, then you probably know by now that the show that I’ve served as a writer and producer for, “The Geek Show,” is currently playing at San Francisco’s Bindlestiff Studio. This duality of both a love letter and critique about the geek culture has been a labor of love for everyone who has been involved, and so to finally be putting it on for audiences is quite a thrilling feeling indeed.

Tonight's the night geeks! I've been involved with this project for about a year and I can't wait for people to see the final product. We have six performances, so be sure to buy your tickets here: http://geekshow.bpt.me. #TheGeekShow #theatre #BindlestiffStudio #geeks #nerds

A post shared by Lauren Lola (@akolaurenlola) on Apr 20, 2017 at 9:46am PDT

It’s been a minute since I’ve been involved with a play at all, and it’s been 12 years since I last wrote something for the stage. “The Geek Show” gave me the opportunity to test out my stage writing for the first time in that long, and it made for quite the experience. It also helped that I would be drawing on interests of my own as a geek, and fuse it in a way to make something special.