From Writing to Editing (Second Novel Status Report #2)

It’s been four months since I made the first update regarding progress on my second novel.  Since then I’ve mentioned it briefly here and there, without going too in-depth on the process.  However, I feel that enough time has passed now that I found it appropriate to write up another update.  Besides, since my first update, I’ve transitioned to a new stage in the process.

A little over two weeks ago, I finished the rough draft of the second novel.  It took a little over six months to write it (which is a shorter period of time than when I wrote A Moment’s Worth), and maybe the cool thing about it is it’s longer as well.  Since then, I’ve begun the editing process.  At the moment, I’m going through it myself and making edits.  I already knew ahead of time that there would be things I would want to change in the manuscript, and so now I’m taking the time to do so.

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Here we go again. Let the editing commence! #secondnovel #AAM #writerslife

A post shared by Lauren Lola (@akolaurenlola) on Jul 14, 2015 at 10:24am PDT

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In the Scheme of Full Circles: When “A Moment’s Worth” Meets “The Land of Stories”

In A Moment’s Worth (spoilers up ahead for those who haven’t read it yet), there is a chapter where a couple decides to end their relationship by meeting up at the very cafe they originally first met at five years prior. The reason being is their shared belief and admiration for full circles; about how they’re always at a constant loop, even if in different forms.

That was something that was going through my mind yesterday evening. I always find it funny when one of the themes that I addressed in my debut novel somehow seeps out into my real life, and the occasions have been rare. When life imitates art, it can be dauntingly reassuring that what a creator creates can become real.

As mentioned before, three days ago marked one year since the release of A Moment’s Worth. Along with lots to celebrate this past year, I’ve also evidently encountered many hurdles. I’ve had trouble getting people to check it out. In particular, I’ve had trouble getting people I know to read it. The struggle has been real and I’ve obviously been angry over it. However, yesterday was different when- as mentioned on Wednesday- I gave access to my novel to someone in particular. And that particular someone was Chris Colfer.

My New Novel, United States of Japan, Is Publishing from Angry Robot Books

Along with yesterday marking a year since the release of “A Moment’s Worth,” I along with many others found out about some amazing news. A buddy of mine, Peter Tieryas (author of “Bald New World”), announced his forthcoming novel, “United States of Japan.” This is his second novel overall and first one through his dream publisher, Angry Robot Books. Just from the little bit he’s said about the synopsis alone, I can already tell that this will make for a very intriguing read when it comes out next spring. Plus, the art work for it looks awesome!

Needless to say, I am happy for Peter. I remember when I first learned of him through his unique short story collection, “Watering Heaven.” Since then, he’s been making waves as a wordsmith and I’m so amazed to play witness to it all.

So congratulations on “United States of Japan” Peter! I look forward to reading it!

The Whimsy of Creation: The Blog of Tieryas

Dream agent, dream editor, and dream publisher, I’m so proud to finally be able to announce United States of Japan is coming out from Angry Robot Books. It’s a spiritual sequel to Philip K. Dick’s The Man in the High Castle, and it explores many of the tragedies that took place in Asia during WWII. It has been a haunting two-year journey writing and researching this, and it gives me so much joy that it’s coming out with such an amazing publisher. Big big thanks to artist extraordinaire John Liberto for this teaser poster of USJ that in many ways embodies the spirit of USJ. Below is the link to the North American distributor:

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/535803/united-states-of-japan-by-peter-tieryas-liu/

It’s been an amazing process as we get everything in line. It’s been very difficult not shouting out about the new deal as we awaited official announcement. But once I got the final okay…

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Special Wednesday Post: Happy One-Year Anniversary to “A Moment’s Worth”!

designed by Lauren Lola

The concept of time flying is no joke, for it can pass by incredibly fast.  It’s a concept that comes to mind for me especially as I look back on what happened a year ago today.

Today is the one-year anniversary since the release of my debut novel, A Moment’s Worth.  After a year and a half of devoting blood, sweat, and tears to the beginning of a lifelong dream of mine, it officially took off on July 15, 2014 with this particular work of mine.  For those who don’t know what it’s about, here is the synopsis for A Moment’s Worth:

Thoughts About Debut Novels

With the one-year anniversary of the release of A Moment’s Worth next Wednesday, I’ve been thinking about debut novels as of lately.  I’ve been thinking about how meaningful they are; how they are the signifier to what one hopes to be the career of a lifetime.  It takes guts to write a novel.  To put one out there on the other hand, that’s practically a whole new level of courage.  It’s like letting the world peer at the activity that’s going on in your mind and make judgments from there.  Not to say that that isn’t the case with every novel one writes, but it’s something that’s very crucial the first time around.

In Support of Pride and Defiance of Prejudice: LGBT and Storytelling

Happy Independence Day to my fellow American readers!  On this day 239 years ago, the original thirteen American colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence that declared them a new nation, and therefore completely breaking ties with the British Empire.  As is traditional with every Independence Day, more hotdogs will most likely be consumed today than any other day of the year, parades are likely to take place in varying cities big and small, and of course, there’s also the round of fireworks that will engulf the sky and put my poor dogs through sheer hell.

I look to the events that are to come into fruition within the next 12 hours or so with not only expectancy, but also with irony.  I find it pleasantly ironic that we are celebrating our country’s independence when a little over a week ago, same-sex couples across the nation were celebrating theirs.