I’m Blogging a Book in August
If you watched this morning’s Coffee Chat with Emilie and Christen on Instagram, you’ve heard the announcement of my upcoming blogging a book in August challenge (and of course, what is a challenge without a great friend beside you — Emilie’s doing it too! You’re going to love her story!). Every morning (ish) throughout the month, I’ll post a new piece of flash fiction* around the life of Charlotte Bloom — a sixteen-year-old spy.
I first heard about this “blogging a book” project at the end of June (all credit goes to the brilliant Shauna) and I knew I wanted to do something. At first, I was just going to be flash fiction for thirty-one days, but I really wanted something, some thread, to pull it all together. If you’ve known me for any amount of time, you know that Kim Possible was my absolute favorite in high school (yes, a cartoon), and I was (am) a complete diehard Alias fan. I thought it would be fun to do something with that inspiration. Thus Charlotte Bloom was born.
I know what you’re thinking …
But wait. What about #SS, the project you were working on?
I’m still planning on finishing. The pandemic completely turned me upside down. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it a thousand times — I thrive on routine (which is good and bad). When the kids came home from school this spring, while I loved having them home, I had to completely shift how I was doing my day-to-day. It drained me. It took me way to long to get used to it (probably like six weeks). But here we are finally on the flip side (flip side meaning … I’ve gotten a routine of sorts back). And I got word that in a few weeks more changes to that routine are dropping (like school not starting on the original start date), but I think I have a handle on it this time. Ha! (if nothing else 2020 is all about learning amiright?)
Also, some main topics in #SS are heavy, and I honestly haven’t been able to get into the headspace that I need in order to make this book shine. So I’m taking a break from it — but it isn’t gone forever. Being excited about Charlotte Bloom, in a way, as reignited my excitement for #SS. It is coming, it just isn’t releasing as soon as planned. (The theme of 2020 is PIVOT! and yes I scream it every time a new change happens. You’re welcome).
Why flash fiction? Why not make it a full-length novel?
I’m not saying that Charlotte Bloom will never be a full-length novel, but right now I needed a “different” challenge to get my brain moving. One of my favorite things is picking up a book and finding that it’s written completely in verse. Or written completely in e-mails from one character to another. I like different when it comes to book format. Also, telling myself that I have to write a piece of flash fiction daily, doesn’t overwhelm me as “I’m blogging a full-length book (or novella) in 31-days”. I need something fun to work on, but not too big because I’m a big over-thinker (even if I happen to have a post-it note staring me down on my desk reminding me that when I overthink I slow down ..) So I’m jumping into short fiction with both feet! Here we go!
How does this work?
Well, for the remaining few weeks in July I’ll be dropping little bits on the blog — introduce you the characters, the world, post aesthetics and Pinterest boards … then August 1st, I’ll drop the first piece of fiction. It’s gonna be fun!
This is a “happening-on-the-fly” project, meaning every morning (or the night before) I’ll be working on the next installment. Nothing will be pre-written (and thus will be completely in rough draft form)! You’ll be able to see a project being written in almost real-time.
I’m excited about introducing you to Charlotte Bloom (and Smith and Jack and and and…)! I’ll be sharing the cover + back cover copy right here on Friday (just a hint .., if you want an early peek, you’ll want to be on my subscriber list because they get the first look tomorrow)
If you’re a writer, let me know if you want to join in (because I totally will be there to cheer you on!), and if you’re a reader, I hope you’ll consider reading along. It isn’t going to be perfect (that’s not what this project is about), but, writer or reader, I hope that it brings a little joy to your day, and you are entertained.
(PS If this project interests you, be sure to catch all the fun Emilie’s dropping on her blog about her story — trust me you don’t want to miss it!)
(PPS) Just a heads up you’ll want to follow along semi-daily-ish because in when August is over … it’s all coming off the blog!
Emilie says
SOOO excited to be doing this with you! 😀
Christen says
Right back at you!! This is going to be epic! xo —CK
Nicole says
This is awesome! Charlie’s story sounds so fun. (Major Alias fan here too!)
Christen says
Yay! xo, CK
Tracy E. says
This is inspiring and incredible and sounds so fun! Here as a reader on this journey with you! 😃
Christen says
Tracy — I hope you enjoy! xo, CK
Shana Jahsinta Walters says
I was a big fan of the Alias show. So sorry that it had to come to an end.
I am also taking part in the Blog-Your-Own-Book challenge by Shaunta Grimes. I have literally change my mine three times about what book I am going to blog about. I am going to stick with Free Romance Books To Read Online Prompts for now. Hopefully I don’t change my mind again.
Can I ask why your character Miss Bloom is only 16 years old?
Christen says
Ooh! I like the sound of your book!!
Charlie is sixteen because I generally write YA, and sixteen is about the average age for a character in a YA — I also thought it would be fun to write a character who is struggling with juggling all the things in her teen life 🙂 It’s gonna be fun! haha — xo, CK