Muffin #AtoZChallenge

My April 2024 A to Z Challenge blogging theme is to revise a YA novel I've been working on for almost a decade and then generate a new and better query letter to send in the hopes of traditional publication.
I want to publish that way because I believe it will give the book the best distribution, especially in libraries where underrepresented young people could borrow it. The target audience is teenagers who have an incarcerated family member, teens who are treated as outcasts for situations beyond their control, and Latinas preparing for their quinceañera.
Read more in my theme reveal post: https://uniquelymaladjustedbutfun.blogspot.com/2024/03/theme-reveal-2024-atozchallenge-and-wep.html


Muffin is the name of Lenore's roommate. She prefers to be called Contessa. 

Feedback is needed! I'm revising, so please make suggestions if you have any. 💗

Lenore #AtoZChallenge Main Character

My April 2024 A to Z Challenge blogging theme is to revise a YA novel I've been working on for almost a decade and then generate a new and better query letter to send in the hopes of traditional publication.
I want to publish that way because I believe it will give the book the best distribution, especially in libraries where underrepresented young people could borrow it. The target audience is teenagers who have an incarcerated family member, teens who are treated as outcasts for situations beyond their control, and Latinas preparing for their quinceañera.
Read more in my theme reveal post: https://uniquelymaladjustedbutfun.blogspot.com/2024/03/theme-reveal-2024-atozchallenge-and-wep.html


Lenore is the main character. Knowing as much as possible about her helps craft the story. A character sheet is normally only seen by the author, but I'll share this private look:

Feedback is needed! I'm revising, so please make suggestions if you have any. 💗

Kiss #AtoZChallenge

My April 2024 A to Z Challenge blogging theme is to revise a YA novel I've been working on for almost a decade and then generate a new and better query letter to send in the hopes of traditional publication.
I want to publish that way because I believe it will give the book the best distribution, especially in libraries where underrepresented young people could borrow it. The target audience is teenagers who have an incarcerated family member, teens who are treated as outcasts for situations beyond their control, and Latinas preparing for their quinceañera.
Read more in my theme reveal post: https://uniquelymaladjustedbutfun.blogspot.com/2024/03/theme-reveal-2024-atozchallenge-and-wep.html


Here's the scene where Lenore and Geoff, hiding (fully-clothed) in an empty bathtub, almost kiss. Geoff is especially cheesy with his lines.



Feedback is needed! I'm revising, so please make suggestions if you have any. 💗

Jainism #AtoZChallenge

My April 2024 A to Z Challenge blogging theme is to revise a YA novel I've been working on for almost a decade and then generate a new and better query letter to send in the hopes of traditional publication.
I want to publish that way because I believe it will give the book the best distribution, especially in libraries where underrepresented young people could borrow it. The target audience is teenagers who have an incarcerated family member, teens who are treated as outcasts for situations beyond their control, and Latinas preparing for their quinceañera.
Read more in my theme reveal post: https://uniquelymaladjustedbutfun.blogspot.com/2024/03/theme-reveal-2024-atozchallenge-and-wep.html


Jainism is the religion of a contestant in Lenore's group. This scene takes place on family day.



Feedback is needed! I'm revising, so please make suggestions if you have any. 💗

Ideals #AtoZChallenge

My April 2024 A to Z Challenge blogging theme is to revise a YA novel I've been working on for almost a decade and then generate a new and better query letter to send in the hopes of traditional publication.
I want to publish that way because I believe it will give the book the best distribution, especially in libraries where underrepresented young people could borrow it. The target audience is teenagers who have an incarcerated family member, teens who are treated as outcasts for situations beyond their control, and Latinas preparing for their quinceañera.
Read more in my theme reveal post: https://uniquelymaladjustedbutfun.blogspot.com/2024/03/theme-reveal-2024-atozchallenge-and-wep.html


Ideals.

Why does winning Teen Writer Season 3 mean so much to Lenore right now?

What does she fundamentally want and most believe in, that which fuels her life goals and principles?

Her family wants her ideal to be: (especially her abuela/ grandmother)

"Tradition. The ancient traditions of worship and sacrifice must be preserved and upheld."

Lenore wants her ideal to be:

"Respect. People deserve to be treated with dignity and respect."

But currently, she's dominated by the ideal of:

"Certainity of home." She's afraid she and her father will lose their home. And she's afraid because he plans to sell their house and move them to an apartment in another school district-- the one where the girl her mother killed had attended school. He sees it as a way to save money. She sees a school full of students who hate her even more than the ones at her current school. (Hated for her mother's crime.)

Feedback is needed! I'm revising, so please make suggestions if you have any. 💗

Hello Harvard Housekeeper #AtoZChallenge

My April 2024 A to Z Challenge blogging theme is to revise a YA novel I've been working on for almost a decade and then generate a new and better query letter to send in the hopes of traditional publication.
I want to publish that way because I believe it will give the book the best distribution, especially in libraries where underrepresented young people could borrow it. The target audience is teenagers who have an incarcerated family member, teens who are treated as outcasts for situations beyond their control, and Latinas preparing for their quinceañera.
Read more in my theme reveal post: https://uniquelymaladjustedbutfun.blogspot.com/2024/03/theme-reveal-2024-atozchallenge-and-wep.html


Three "h" words in this excerpt are Hello, Harvard, and Housekeeper. Together, they make a kind of catchy title. 

Once Lenore "accepts the call" as they say in the Hero's Journey format, she goes to the set of Teen Writer Season 3. It's set in an actual private school, part of which is being renovated. The contestants are being shown around and stuff. It's basically "B roll," mostly just establishing the setting quickly. 

Not much is revealed about Lenore here, other than perhaps establishing her economic background. 



Feedback is needed! I'm revising, so please make suggestions if you have any. 💗

Geoff #AtoZchallenge

My April 2024 A to Z Challenge blogging theme is to revise a YA novel I've been working on for almost a decade and then generate a new and better query letter to send in the hopes of traditional publication.
I want to publish that way because I believe it will give the book the best distribution, especially in libraries where underrepresented young people could borrow it. The target audience is teenagers who have an incarcerated family member, teens who are treated as outcasts for situations beyond their control, and Latinas preparing for their quinceañera.
Read more in my theme reveal post: https://uniquelymaladjustedbutfun.blogspot.com/2024/03/theme-reveal-2024-atozchallenge-and-wep.html


Geoff.

I can't bring myself to call this character the "romantic interest." 

Something does happen between him and Lenore. But he lies about it and creates a rumor about doing intimate actions with Lenore. I see him as pond scum. She may be more forgiving and tolerant than I am.

Many days later, family day happens. And Geoff fakes a relationship with Lenore. But Lenore's roommate calls him out.



Feedback is needed! I'm revising, so please make suggestions if you have any. 💗