16 Comments
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Cherry Pfau's avatar

Looking forward to reading your book Maia. You definitely hooked me and my curiosity is killing me.

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Deborah Schaumberg's avatar

Maia, this excerpt is so atmospheric already! I can’t wait to read more. Thank you for sharing your process and the idea of observing your characters- love that. So happy to be here with you all!

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Steph & Maia's avatar

So glad you’re here, Deb! And hearing it is atmospheric from you is a gift— your scene setting is so rich and detailed. -m.

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Janis Price's avatar

Wow, this was wonderful. Not just the snippet of story, though I can't wait to read more, but the setup too. So cool to get a glimpse inside your process. Thank you for being brave and letting me journey with you.

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Steph Jagger's avatar

If I may speak for both Maia and myself, thank you so much for this comment. We're so excited to share our work but more than that, the messy process behind it. I'm so glad you're resonating with that!

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Steph Jagger's avatar

I love this my writerly sister. Your play on sound throughout the piece drew me in quickly.

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Steph & Maia's avatar

TY! I'm glad you like cause you're gonna be editing it.🤣

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Karista Bennett's avatar

I was literally leaning into the screen of my computer reading your story in anticipation! I came to the end and realized I wanted to more. Thank you for sharing. Your voice is sublime. I love the piece about stepping back and simply be the observer of my character. Such great advice! I needed to read that.

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Steph & Maia's avatar

I had a HUGE exhale of relief reading this. Thank you, Karista!

And, yeah, the turning point for me was realizing that my character needed to do her own thing and not be bossed about by me.😂

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Karista Bennett's avatar

🤣

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Tracey's avatar

You will! You are a very talented writer.

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Steph Jagger's avatar

Isn't she just...so. good.

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Angie Stegall's avatar

So brave for sharing! Thank you. I, too, need to step back be the observer of my character. I know a bit about her and about the story, but beyond a few scenes I've written...I'm feeling avoidance to sit down again and write. Time to put on my big girl pants and become the one creates the space to observe!

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Maia Toll's avatar

“Create the space to observe….” YES! That was the game changer for me. Once I trusted that I had created an interesting character, and stopped trying to manipulate her, the story began to flow from her actions and reactions. It began to feel both much more natural and much easier.

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Tracey's avatar

the story has hooked me in already! Can't wait to read the book.

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Maia Toll's avatar

Hooray!! That makes me sooooo happy! Stay tuned to see if I can pull it off.🤣

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