Shayla Johnson

Catching Up, Writing Progress, and General Updates

Well, it’s been a busy few months for me, and I’m finally getting back into blogging. Nothing of particular horror happened, and I haven’t stopped writing. Remember how I said you should dabble in multiple forms of writing while you chase your novel-writing inspiration? Well, that inspiration indeed came. I found that ruthless, unrelenting motivationContinue reading “Catching Up, Writing Progress, and General Updates”

Tropes Bad? PSA/Mini Rant

If you’ve ever been a young aspiring author who’s obsessed with Youtube like me, you’ve probably come across one of those videos with a title like “20 Tropes Publishers are TIRED of Seeing,” “20 Ways NOT to Start a Book,” or “20 Clichés to AVOID in Writing.” They usually meet one or more of theContinue reading “Tropes Bad? PSA/Mini Rant”

Raya Deserved Better: Let’s Talk About Raya and the Last Dragon

As a 23 year old woman, I still thoroughly enjoy movies intended for kids. A relaxing night for me is often pouring myself a mixed drink and watching Toy Story or Wreck-It Ralph for the millionth time. A lot of children’s media brings me comfort and happiness. While I do a lot of rewatching ofContinue reading “Raya Deserved Better: Let’s Talk About Raya and the Last Dragon”

How Are Well Written Evil Characters Done? Let’s Discuss

Hi. Hey. Hello. My weekly post is a day late, but this time I have an even better excuse than Elden Ring. At least, I think having to hide in a basement from southern weather is a solid one. Anyway, now that I can turn my computer back on, free from worry that she’ll getContinue reading “How Are Well Written Evil Characters Done? Let’s Discuss”

Random Friday Night Thoughts- Let’s Chat About Elden Ring

My normal Wednesday night blogging was interrupted by Elden Ring. Introduction As you’ve probably figured out by now, I can’t turn my brain off when I read, write, play, or watch anything. I call it “The Curse of the Writer” and no matter how hard I try, I can’t avoid analyzing the media I consumeContinue reading “Random Friday Night Thoughts- Let’s Chat About Elden Ring”

Let’s Analyze The Hunger Games Chapter 1-5

There are two things I typically dislike in a YA novel. One is a first person point of view. The other is a deeply dystopian “post war America” setting with little more than a message of “capitalism is bad” and shirtless men, usually much older than our protagonist, around every corner, which is always muchContinue reading “Let’s Analyze The Hunger Games Chapter 1-5”

My Creative Process Waffle #1

As I sit, what’s happened over the last few days still feels a bit too surreal. After all these years of writing, I have finally finished a first draft. For some it may seem like an easy feat; for others it may seem impossible. For me it just doesn’t feel real. Once I finished IContinue reading “My Creative Process Waffle #1”

Sometimes You Just Have to Rewrite (And What Can Happen If You Don’t)

Many a successful author has begun a book series with the intent of that first book being a standalone novel only to find there is more to tell. I recently stumbled across this very revelation in my own book, and it was quite an overwhelming but exciting feeling. Whether it’s the success of the firstContinue reading “Sometimes You Just Have to Rewrite (And What Can Happen If You Don’t)”

My Break Free from Self Insert Characters and Fanfiction

We were all self-absorbed teenagers once, and it is likely if you’ve written fanfiction, at least one of them featured you at the center. After all, didn’t we all sit around wishing we could join our favorite characters in their world? I think for some of us, a lot of the reason we got hookedContinue reading “My Break Free from Self Insert Characters and Fanfiction”