Writing Mental Authenticity: What I Learned from My YA Novel
When I started writing my YA contemporary novel Mourning Morgan, I didn’t want it to sound like a PSA about mental health. I wanted it to feel real, with messy conflicts, contradicting emotions, and grounded in the ways teens actually think and talk about their emotions. 1. Authenticity > Accuracy You can research clinical terminology…
Aftercare – Chapter Three
February 6th, 2023, 7:04 A.M. — Lisa’s House I didn’t sleep that whole night, not after what happened. I sat up against the wall, Lisa was still asleep in her bed, she didn’t even look bothered in the slightest. Like she had no idea what happened. I mean she had to know what happened, right?…
Festival – Chapter Two
79 days before. February 5th, 2023, 12:32 P.M. — Shelburne High The sound of Mr. Juper’s voice shook me from whatever half-dream I had slipped into. “Morgan! Glad to see you’re awake,” A wave of giggles rolled through the classroom. Heat crept up my cheeks as I realized I had dozed off. Glad to see…