Time for Some Pluck

I have been toying with the idea of writing a young adult novel for quite some time. The thought first came to me two years ago when I read Ella Enchanted, a very popular tween book, and thought to myself. "I could have done that."

In all honesty, I hope I can write a book better than that one, because I didn't think it was all that amazing. The ending seemed awkward and pushed and the character development a little two dimensional. But alas, I have not written anything as good as Ella Enchanted, because I have not written anything. I keep on chickening out. (New maxim.) I think that I am so afraid of failure I can't even begin to try. But thanks to all you wonderful friends and family that have been so sweet as to read by blog, this is about to change.

I began keeping a list of people who said they believe I can write a book. As the list grew longer, my confidence grew stronger. Now I feel like if I don't write a book I will diasappoint. I want to write something that people will enjoy. I think that when you write a book someone absolutely loves, you in one way become a good friend of theirs. I love reading the ideas of other authors, and learning new things from their stories. I have no intention of writing a best seller, or something that will rock your world. This requires a degree of talent I fear I do not posess. But I do want to write something longer than a blog post, and there is no better time to start than right now.  I don't want to just lazy out of it. It is a goal of mine, I just needed a little push to get me going.

So here I go. I have decided to write one chapter every month (starting slow) until I am finished. It will probably take me a couple years, which is the main problem. I am afraid that I will start off strong but then get tired of having nothing to share with others. This would then result in book abandonment and a sense of failure at not being able to finish.

To combat this likely monstrosity, I have decided to share my book with all of you as I am writing it. This way. When the book is done, you can all be my first set of editors and let me know what you thought. You can tell me if my characters were believable, if they were relatable, and if they were the kind of friend you were hoping for. You can tell me if it was boring, slow, too fast, or too cheesey. I must admit, I am inclined to cheese. (And it isn't the good cheese, I am talking the cheese you spray out of a can and can only manage to swallow on special occasions.) (I love using the same word for two different meanings in the same sentence.)

I will post my chapters every month on the Leeny's Literature blog. You can find a link to it on the right hand side of the screen. And I am determined to keep up with the normal blogging in the mean time, although my posts might be a little more infrequent since this is another huge project I am proposing. I will tell you when I have a new chapter posted so you don't have to check that blog all the time too.

AHHH! I am terrified. This is so scary. I don't know why I find it so scary. I think it is because this is something I have always wanted to do, and now that I am doing it, I really don't want to screw it up. It's like getting married. You think "I really want to marry this man. I can't wait." But then you say, "I hope I don't mess this up and that he still likes me after a year."

Dangit. Baby Jo is crying. Which means I have to go for now. But I will be back. Hopefully with a chapter that can give you a nudge if not sweep you off your feet. I am not a writing witch, no brooms here.

Wish me luck!

Your aspiring and scared author - Kayleen Barlow.
P.S. - Anyone got a cool pen name for me?