We finally made it — Shattered Stars is out in the world.
I’ve never launched a book before, but in a world where everything happens automatically and digitally — I thought it would be nice to have an analog adventure. I put on my best Xela fit and drove around town, experiencing a few book adventures.
Stop 1 was WHISKEY. It’s a huge motif through the book, and I spent many nights writing with a classic double. Most of Jack’s whiskey enthusiasm comes from my own - and therefore his taste is that of the Irish variety. So to celebrate this — I went to my favorite dive in town and enjoyed a double of a nice Irish whiskey. The actual dive in the book is heavily inspired by a famous bar called Dee’s in Pittsburgh, PA. Much like Jack — I spent many nights at that bar with a few doubles of whiskey and a bartender that always treated me like an old friend.
Stop 2 was CRYSTALS. I don’t have to explain the relevance here, as writing these books developed in me a knowledge and enthusiasm for shiny rocks that I never thought was possible. For a long time now, I’ve collected spheres that look like planets. It’s an eccentric quest, and my collection grows a bit too slowly for my taste. I visited my new favorite crystal shop, hoping for another conquest. Would I have preferred a Black Opal? Of course. But I came home satisfied nonetheless.
Stop 3 was BOOKS. A selfish errand, I’ll admit. My own collection of copies has dwindled significantly, so I wanted to visit one of the few physical copies that exist in the wild. It doesn’t hurt that the local indie bookstores in my area are amazing and full of incredible humans, who always make me feel so welcome (and make amazing coffee).
Stop 4 was FLOWERS. I’ve long held an interest in floriagraphy, the Victorian language of flowers. Every named flower through the books holds meaning, both in name and in color. It became my favorite running system, a simple and beautiful way to express something that can’t be said out loud. Perhaps appropriately, this way of communicating belongs (at least at first) to Jack, who I think is much like a traditional Victorian hero in the way he both can’t say what he actually thinks, and believes that sending insult bouquets around the city is an appropriately petty use of his time.
Stop 5 would have been the SUNSET. Sadly, the weather did not get the memo about my self-indulgent book release, so I will need to revisit it another time. The mountain will have to wait.
Finally — Stop 6 is HOME. Both the place where the magic actually happens (and the naps, amirite?), and the thing that all the characters are truly searching for. Someone close to me used to say that ‘a house is just the place you put all your things’, but I want to add that ‘a home can be wherever you feel safe’. And that safety can come in many shapes, such as places, people, and community.
Now that my book is out there — a both humorous and probably revealing piece about how I think, I’m also looking for home. For community. For the people who will love this thing just as much as I do.
until next time,
lexe.
