I’m working on a new MM novel. Like my previous release, this one is also a college first experience MM romance. Here is a short snippet of a scene between our main characters. Kim is inexperienced, moping and pressured from home. Percy has a more stable personality, but he’s also an introvert. After years of close proximity, things are building up to a change in their friendly relationship.
Scene example:
Kim was here because his friend had suggested it.
"Stay and finish the essay. I’ll keep you company and proof read it."
And like an idiot, he had said yes. He really had to finish this assignment and being here wasn’t helping.
He glanced at the bed where Percy lay on top of the covers. Eyes closed, his friend seemed fully relaxed, his breathing calm and deep. Had he fallen asleep? So much for keeping company.
This is just a snippet of a scene in an early chapter. Yes, there will be a happy ending. The theme is exploring and discovering who you are, what you want, and trying to figure out how to get it. It’s also about learning that everything comes at a cost, even though it might not be as bad as you think when you brain is hyped on hormones :)
Another example from further into the same story, with Percy and his trusted friend Chris:
"You're doing that thing again," Chris said.
"What thing?"
"The overthinking thing.” He grabbed a fry off Percy's tray. “Your face gets all scrunchy when you have a crisis."
Percy set his phone down. "I want to ask Kim to dinner, this Saturday."
"Okay, so ask him."
"It's Valentine's Day."
"Yep."
"And I don't want it to be weird."
"Then don't make it weird. You guys eat together all the time. Just ask him, like it's normal."
"But it's not normal. It's Valentine's Day. There's... context."
“Dude,” Chris said and snatched another fry, “it’s all in your head. Get over it, and get to it.”
Let me know if you want a specific type of story, character or trope moving forward.
Have you tried writing?
Readers have an advantage. There’s a saying: write what you know, and it’s good advice. Many authors spend too much time writing, and not enough reading. Some have never read a single book in the genre they write.
If you ever caught yourself mentally rewriting a scene you didn't like or wishing the story had taken a different direction or wanted the characters to speak in a different tone and style… all of that is craft knowledge. You may already be a writer who just hasn't started yet. If this resonates - give it a try! Start with a short story and see how it goes.
Here are a couple of books about writing that I find helpful:
👉 BTW. A newsletter like this one is also authoring. It’s an excellent platform to see if writing is for you. Start for free or get 20% off Beehiiv for the full version which is what I am using here 👈
— Ashleigh
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