Flipping Narratives in First Comes Love

First Comes Love, as some of you already know, flips narratives between the two protagonists, Dylan and Gray. This actually wasn’t the way the original manuscript was written. The very first manuscript was written completely in Gray’s perspective. I had a lot of fun writing a book from the guy’s point of view. It was refreshing, and challenging as a writer. I used to teach creative writing in high school, and I always had my students do an opposite gender monologue, because I think it’s important to try and understand people outside of ourselves, our ages, and our genders. It also opens up your mind to move and think and see in ways you can’t do when you write just from one gender.

So, after writing the first draft, I talked it over with my editor, Julia. She said, “You know, I want to see a bit more of Dylan in this story. I want to know her better.” At first we discussed rewriting the book from Dylan’s perspective, but that would have changed the entire story. There were so many scenes I loved specifically because they were Gray’s words.

I thought it over and said, “Julia, this isn’t Dylan’s story to tell. It’s Gray’s story.” We agreed that flipping narratives would be a great option, but Dylan is a strong character that tends to steal the spotlight whenever she enters a scene (which is why we love her, right?). So, in my rewrites I was very careful not to let her take the spotlight from Gray. Although Dylan is a huge character and a major catalyst to the story, I still wanted to keep her character a little more mysterious, and Gray’s character the main voice and central focus.

When I talk about my book with people, they either tend to side more with Dylan, or more with Gray (although it appears everyone roots for them as a couple). I think that’s great. They are very, very, different people, which, in my opinion, usually make the best relationships (if they can make it work). Will Dylan and Gray make it work? You'll have to read it to find out. :)

Playlist #1

First Comes Love is here, in the raw, in the flesh. I just received my hardcover copies, which means if you pre-ordered yours, they are on their way! I love this book. I'm just going to scream it. I LOVE IT!! Honestly, if I never write another book again, I would be happy to end my career with this novel, that's how much it means to me. I guess every author feels that way about all of their books, but First Comes Love is very special to me. Please buy a copy. I know you'll love it, too. And don't worry, this won't be the last book I ever write.

I am sharing one of the playlists that inspired this novel (this is Gray's playlist, songs that helped to develop his character throughout the story). There are two more playlists included at the end of the book, but you'll have to track down a copy to see them.

Just a reminder, the First Comes Love release party will be at Grass Roots Books and Music on the evening of May 8th, at 7 p.m. in Corvallis, Oregon. This event is only open to uniquely awesome individuals (yes, that means you), so if you're in the area, stop by and watch me juggle fire torches and break concrete with my mind--as well as autograph books and answer questions. Now, sit back and enjoy some ear candy:

Gray and Dylan? What's up with their names?

A question that I'm often asked by readers is how I come up with the names for my characters. For example, in Awaken I named Madeline after Madeline Island, my favorite place in the world. It's one of the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior. You catch a ferryboat from Bayfield, Wisconsin, and twenty minutes later you touch ground on a rustic paradise, a place for loners who want to get away from crowded beaches and tourist traps (but who also enjoy some great restaurants and pubs).

Okay, I digress. This post is supposed to discuss how I named Gray and Dylan. It's simple, just listen to Mr. Jones, by Counting Crows.

I'm slightly obsessed with this band and with Adam Duritz for his genius song writing. His influence is partly why I wanted to become a writer. He uses writing to tell stories and to vent and to celebrate the highs and low low lows of life. I even got to meet Adam once, at a bar in Los Angeles. I asked him, "If you were stranded on an island and could only bring three albums, what would they be?" He listed off Miles Davis, Ani Difranco, and Joni Mitchell. (Just a fun fact for you).

In the song Mr. Jones, Adam sings, "Gray is my favorite color," which we have in common. I love the color gray; I wear it almost every day. I own about twelve gray t-shirts and ten gray tank tops and gray jackets and sweatshirts and scarves and hats. It's a gorgeous, calming color and it looks great when it’s complimented with something bright (just like Dylan's bright personality compliments Gray's darker character).

The name Dylan? Easy. Comes from Bob Dylan, the greatest songwriter of all times, and also referenced by Adam Durtiz in Mr. Jones when he sings, "I want to be Bob Dylan."

So, there you have it--a long winded explanation of where their names come from and why they are so dear to me.

Sidewalks are Safe

Less than three months until First Comes Love is in stores. I want to celebrate by taking a book tour via yacht or maybe hot air balloon or rocket ship.

For now, here's another interview with Gray and Dylan:

Gray, what’s your favorite thing about Dylan?

Dylan: I bet it's my unique fashion taste.
Gray: Right. No one wears ripped baggy jeans and basketball shoes quite like you.
Dylan: I don't wear basketball shoes.
Gray: Dylan, those black adidas shoes you wear everyday are basketball shoes. They're high tops. I used to own the same pair in middle school.
Dylan: (shrugs) I like skipping and high tops give me great ankle support.

Hey, Gray and Dylan, could we focus here? Let's go back to the original question.

Gray: Sorry. My favorite thing about Dylan...well, surprisingly I could list a lot of things here, but I’d have to say it's her 'random thought for the day.' Everyday, she thinks of something…
Dylan: Brilliant? Epic? Poetic?
Gray: More like insane. Watch, I'll demonstrate. Dylan, let's hear a random thought.
Dylan: Lately I've been thinking about sidewalks and how boring they are.
Gray: Sidewalks?
Dylan: Yeah. Why are they so straight and perfect all the time? Why can’t they zigzag, or be designed in looping figure-eights? Why don’t they have some built-in moguls or sand pits for a little adventure? Why don’t they have a rope tow, so you can wear rollerblades and a rope will pull you around? Wouldn’t that be great?
Gray: (shakes his head)
Dylan: And why can’t sidewalks be colorful? What’s up with all the beige? Beige is the most uncreative color of all times. Why can’t each square be a different color, or painted with a mural so that each piece stands out? Someday, when I own a home, I’m going to get my neighbors together and do something about this sidewalk pandemic.
Gray: Point made.

Gray and Dylan...Continued

First Comes Love is coming out in approximately FOUR MONTHS. I wish it was four days, or four hours, but unfortunately I can't control time (yet). I'm hoping iPhones will come out with a time controlling app one of these days. I would consider purchasing a phone if they did. Or maybe an immortality app? That would be interesting.

Anyway, here is another interview question for Gray and Dylan, the two main characters of First Comes Love.



What was your first impression of each other?

Gray: Honestly? The first time I talked to Dylan, I thought she was mentally imbalanced. I was debating between heat stroke or mild schizophrenia.
Dylan: Thank you.
Gray: See what I mean? She thinks that’s a compliment.
Dylan: I try not to form opinions about people too fast, because they always surprise me, but the first time we met, I knew Gray had promising potential.
Gray: Thanks, coach. I’ll try not to let you down.

Meet Gray and Dylan

It depresses me that I have to wait until May, 2012 to share First Comes Love with all of you. Just for fun, I'm going to interview Gray and Dylan over the next few months, to give you a sneak peak into these characters.

So, Gray and Dylan, I have one question for each of you to answer to help readers get to know you a little bit: If you could write a book, any book, what would the title be and why?


Dylan: I would write a book called, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, the Unabridged Version.”
Gray: I’m pretty sure that’s a classic children’s song.
Dylan: Yes, it’s a song—with gaping holes in the story. I would expand on it. There is so much potential there for an amazing epic adventure. Okay, your turn. Book title?
Gray: The Tao of Ms. Pacman.
Dylan: The video game?
Gray: Yeah, it would discuss ways the video game relates to life.
Dylan: What do the pellets symbolize?
Gray: All the experiences you devour, depending on which path you take. But just like the game, you have ghosts challenging you. They get in the way of your pellets. So, you can dwell on the ghosts, and miss the pellets, or you can focus too much on gobbling the pellets, but then the ghosts will eventually trap you.
Dylan: What do the bouncing fruit symbolize?
Gray: Opportunities.
Dylan: So, what about the pellet that makes you invincible? How does that apply to life?
Gray: I thought I just had to come up with a book title.
Dylan: I would argue that Donkey Kong has more life lessons implied in the game dynamics.
Gray: Dylan, I love you, but sometimes you put the n in annoying.
Dylan: There are two n’s in annoying.
Gray: Exactly.
Dylan: Well, you put the t in awesome.
Gray: What?
Dylan: Exactly.
Gray: (sighs).