The series finale blues

What up, y'all. How goes it?

I'm writing to you today from my perch on my couch where I've been chilling for awhile, not writing. I was composing a pretty shitty first draft of a sequel for all of April and now I'm half-way through. But then I stopped. I got caught up in finishing a YA series (The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater, fyi) and then I had to re-read the entire series because I could not part with it. I've never not been able to say goodbye. Even after Potter ended, I was able to say, "Well, it's over. On to something else." But now, I'm clinging to the fandom.

At first, I thought this was weird and was admittedly embarrassed to mention it to any of my friends. It's not normal for a 30-cough-something to spend hours reading fanfiction and watching fanmade YouTube videos of my OTP (Adam and Ronan!) instead of writing. Right? Well, it is normal. Maybe, not healthy after awhile. But then I realized I need to use these feeeeeeeelings in my writing.

Maggie Stiefvater is the model to follow when it comes to developing characters. If she wasn't, I wouldn't be so effed up in the head wondering how Adam and Ronan are getting along post The Raven King. Neither would the thousands of fans writing of their domestic bliss. Also, I've decided I want to explore a male/male romance in my next book. I've written LGBTQ characters in all my books, but I have yet to make a gay couple the focus of the book.

After finishing The Raven Cycle, I'm inspired to challenge myself and my writing. At first, I was feeling an existential crisis. I write paranormal mysteries. People seem to enjoy them. Can I switch it up? Can I write darker, contemporary crime fiction? Will it dilute my brand? But then a lovely friend said, "You're indie. You can do whatever you want." And you know what? She's right. I want to write what I want to write, when I'm inspired, even when I'm not, and try new things. That's what will keep me going.

Fangirling: Maggie Stiefvater

I really should have posted this yesterday, but I was feeling under the weather and spent the day resting. In any case, I am feeling better today and I'm ready to make up for lost time!

According to Urban Dictionary, the definition of fangirling is as follows:

v. the reaction a fangirl has to any mention or sighting of the object of her "affection". These reactions include shortness of breath, fainting, highpitched noises, shaking, fierce head shaking as if in the midst of a seizure, wet panties, endless blog posts, etc. 

As a reader, I fangirl a lot. Over books I have cherished, memes related to favorite characters, and news of a new book or tour by a beloved author. Insert Maggie Stiefvater here.

I have been a fan of Maggie Stiefvater since I first read Shiver (which, according to Goodreads, was back in December of 2010). I have since picked up and read/listened to most of her other books (I say most because I'm rereading my Raven Boys ARC before continuing through the series). There's a certain lyrical and poetic quality to Maggie's word choice that just blows my mind and drags me deeper into her stories. In fact, she is one of the biggest inspirations behind my desire to write.

Recently, I was scrolling through my Facebook feed and saw one of those sponsored ads that I usually skip over. Only I paused because Maggie's name was attached to it. In an exciting moment that fits the above definition, I learned that my favorite author will be on a release tour for The Raven King, the last book in the series I'm working through, and SHE WILL BE STOPPING NEAR ME. [Insert more fangirling after typing that.]

I have never been to a book signing, book con, or author event before because my schedule hasn't really allowed for it. However, this is one of those events where I'm already searching for work coverage and would gladly drive to a town I'm allergic to just to meet this woman. Because, really...

What author(s) do you fangirl over? Do you go to author events?

--Brianna Lebrecht