Well... I guess Holly's gone and done it, as per usual!
'Fake it Till You Make It' has been wildly more popular than I ever expected, and for that I am eternally grateful to all of you who have read and commented on it. As we head toward the final chapter of the book, I have some news... and thoughts I would like to share with you, my wonderful readers.
First up, This end is not the end... The second installment has already begun to hit paper, tentatively titled 'Don't Fuck It Up.' Charting Holly Winters' journey as a private school girl with all the joy, tears and chaos it involves. Oh boy, this one is going to be a riot... I'm only a chapter in so far, and it already is careening off the tracks at the speed of a Dew-powered Racoon on rollerskates.
To think that 'Fake It' started as a short satirical first-person writing exercise that I never planned to post, it's become my longest work and most cherished. 212,490 words... bloody hell.
Will there be a third 'Fake It' book after DFIU? Technically yes, though it has no title... right now my mental framework for the Hollyverse (How am I writing a universe, wtf) is thus:
Book 1: Fake It Till You Make It - Alex's journey to coming out as Holly.
Book 2: Don't Fuck It Up - Holly's journey as a school girl in her Junior year. dealing with being transgender and all it entails.
Book 3: Untitled - Holly's Senior year, growth, the future, An as yet undecided shenanigans filled adventure...
Book 4: Untitled - Holly arrives at Medical School - Dealing with life where she's just seen as any other college girl and not transgender and all the brainworms that entails.
Will they aim to all be as funny and similarly tongue in cheek as Fake it? Yes.
What's next? Well, it will be a while before I start posting DFIU, but in the meanwhile, I have a couple of shorts I've been working on, including a short/novella to sit parallel to 'Fake It'... The journey from Doctor Veronica Winters' perspective... Yup. All those moments and scenes where you really wanted to know what Holly's Mom thought? You get to find out now, right from the horse's mouth! I'm excited to share this one, it adds some comedic context.
Well, I'm rambling and I've never actually posted one of these blogs before so I hope you enjoyed the brief little chat and what I have to come...
Thanks for reading this and thank you so much for the attention you've given 'Fake It' It's filled me with joy to see its reception and enjoyment. I think it's my best work yet and one I hope to surpass.
Alyssa.
Comments
Yay!!! More Holly!!!
Alyssa, I think you’re too modest. Fake It isn’t just “your best work yet,” it’s one of the best stories I’ve read here — up there with the very best. Your narrative style is fresh and original, your protagonist is fantastic, and the story moves effortlessly from funny-as-shit to touching and deep . . . and back again. As an enthusiastic fan, I’ve recommended this story to numerous friends and will be delighted to read more of the “Holliverse.” My only caution is to give yourself room, as well, to tell completely different stories, with other characters that have different issues and voices. It’ll keep you sane. :)
Emma
I certainly don’t plan to do
I certainly don’t plan to do things in a row! I have 3 other separate stories on the go currently that have great potential… I really struggle to not write thrillers!
Notably a novelisation of A Mother’s Love… it needs it… and it’s epic so far if I do say so myself!
As always thank you for your kind words, you’re too lovely Emma.
I like Turtles.
Everything that Emma said
I agree with everything that Emma said ( of course, who wouldn't!) but also recall that you had mentioned a sequel to the different, but totally gripping "Angel on her Wing", a book which I am ashamed to admit, I only started to read having enjoyed your writing "voice" in "Fake it" so much. One page in, though, I was totally hooked.
Lucy xx
"Lately it occurs to me..
what a long strange trip its been."
So...
I am dabbling with a sequel to Angel, a bit of a 'WW2 SOE European romp that's much more campy WWII Spy antics and shenanigans with some reflections on Maria's reception by her parents, friends, functioning as a woman in that society.
I have the novelization of A Mother's Love... an aviation-themed novel set in Mexico with crime and chaos... and a 'what if' adapted from the Night Agent Novel that just felt ripe for a trans novella.
There's a couple of shorts I want to write too... flexing different styles and approaches to try new things :) But these will come along as we go is 'the plan' :D
I like Turtles.
I'm slightly surprised ...
... how much I enjoy 'Fake it ..'. It is after all not an unusual theme for BC - it even has the well used shopping themes which I often skip with other writers. However the light hearted, quirky writing style has me reading parts I often ignore and makes Thursday afternoons (in the UK) something to look forward to.
What is a bit darker is the thought that should this be happening in contemporary USA it would be a very different story and Holly would not be able to chart the course she does here. I'm sure someone will write a TG story set in Trump 2.0 America but, gladly, Alyssa's story isn't that one. If she did it would be what we over here might call 'a belter'! :) The secret police would make Holly's teachers take a very different position much as they might not like it.
Thanks for the delight - I need something to cheer me up.
Seeing as this is set in 2004
Seeing as this is set in 2004.. it works. Now?
Now would be a horror story, and frankly, fuck writing that. We don't need that, we need to have love, acceptance and truth be our story backbones today... it will help us see tomorrow.
I like Turtles.
I heartily agree with Emma Anne…….
As this little romp through Holly’s life has rapidly become one of my all time favorite stories. Your wit and the easy, rolling style to your writing makes it a joy to read and something that I look forward to seeing each week. I look forward not only to the continuation of Holly’s journey, but to any other work that you produce in the future.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful story and your fantastic talent with me!
D. Eden
Dum Vivimus, Vivamus