Aisha Urooj's Blog, page 18
March 10, 2020
On Friendship
I came across a quote that I just had to share regarding friendship:
“But no matter the medicinal virtues of being a true friend or sustaining a long close relationship with another, the ultimate touchstone of friendship is not improvement, neither of the other nor of the self, the ultimate touchstone is witness, the privilege of having been seen by someone and the equal privilege of being granted the sight of the essence of another, to have walked with them and to have believed in them, and sometimes just to have accompanied them for however brief a span, on a journey impossible to accomplish alone.”
-Poet and philosopher David Whyte
That is what I want My Dear Ellie to be about! By the end of the novel, Cassie is on a seemingly impossible and in this case, a very journey for her friend Ellie, a journey which fades everything and everyone else to the background for her while focusing on just one ultimate goal, creating the best possible life for Ellie.
“But no matter the medicinal virtues of being a true friend or sustaining a long close relationship with another, the ultimate touchstone of friendship is not improvement, neither of the other nor of the self, the ultimate touchstone is witness, the privilege of having been seen by someone and the equal privilege of being granted the sight of the essence of another, to have walked with them and to have believed in them, and sometimes just to have accompanied them for however brief a span, on a journey impossible to accomplish alone.”
-Poet and philosopher David Whyte
That is what I want My Dear Ellie to be about! By the end of the novel, Cassie is on a seemingly impossible and in this case, a very journey for her friend Ellie, a journey which fades everything and everyone else to the background for her while focusing on just one ultimate goal, creating the best possible life for Ellie.
March 6, 2020
Writer's Block
I recently read an article on the New Yorker which featured a brilliant writer going through a writer's block for quite a number of years. Her writing was stalled mainly due to her focus on perfection, there were other setbacks and crises she was dealing with too. In my novel, Cassie is the one who suffers from analysis paralysis, not because she is a perfectionist, but rather terribly and hopelessly indecisive. She is a great character for all her quirks.
When I was writing My Dear Ellie, I didn't bother when I faced writer's block, in part because I had no idea I would be publishing a novel nor did I have a deadline or any expectations at all other than just writing. Maybe that is the key lol.
How do you get over your writer's block?
February 26, 2020
Writing style near the end of My Dear Ellie
I want to talk about the writing style near the end of My Dear Ellie (without giving away any spoilers) the seeming randomness of her thoughts is deliberate.
I wanted to be in Cassie's headspace, where it is pure chaos, almost as if she is drifting between sanity and madness, and has a sort of feverish urgency because of what happens to Ellie. She seems to be drifting in and out between two worlds, this one and the next. It will become clear in book three, I promise. I am excited to bring you to that point in the future.
I wanted to be in Cassie's headspace, where it is pure chaos, almost as if she is drifting between sanity and madness, and has a sort of feverish urgency because of what happens to Ellie. She seems to be drifting in and out between two worlds, this one and the next. It will become clear in book three, I promise. I am excited to bring you to that point in the future.
February 18, 2020
Meet the characters in My Dear Ellie
Meet the characters in My Dear Ellie:
Eleanor James (Ellie)
Adventurous
Bold
Stubborn and usually gets what she wants
Rich but inattentive parents
Superstar talent but super impatient
Secretive and always up to something
Cassie is her best friend in the entire world
Cassandra Grace (Cassie)
Shy, stammers when nervous
Loving
Slightly anxious prone
Terribly indecisive
Would do anything for her best friend Ellie
John Damon
Cute High School senior
Patient and kind
Adores Cassie and wants to know her better, if only she would talk to him
Tries to get Cassie's attention multiple times
Buddy
3 months old golden retriever
Rescue puppy
Cutest puppy in the world
Eleanor James (Ellie)
Adventurous
Bold
Stubborn and usually gets what she wants
Rich but inattentive parents
Superstar talent but super impatient
Secretive and always up to something
Cassie is her best friend in the entire world
Cassandra Grace (Cassie)
Shy, stammers when nervous
Loving
Slightly anxious prone
Terribly indecisive
Would do anything for her best friend Ellie
John Damon
Cute High School senior
Patient and kind
Adores Cassie and wants to know her better, if only she would talk to him
Tries to get Cassie's attention multiple times
Buddy
3 months old golden retriever
Rescue puppy
Cutest puppy in the world
February 5, 2020
Of Beast and Sleeping Beauty
This was the hardest chapter for me to write in My Dear Ellie. Although there were clues throughout the book, even I was taken by surprise at the direction Ellie's life takes in this chapter. Her struggle would be evident in all three books and it is not written simply to be sensational.
Other writers that I admire, such as JK Rowling have said in interviews, how hard it is sometimes to decide what to do with a character as you grow attach to them. Creating a negative scenario to a beloved character can feel raw and emotional. I love Ellie's character and I promise, her life story will make sense in the grand scheme of the series. For now, I hope you can bear the darkness for our dear Ellie. The second book will be lighter in tone than my first novel.
Other writers that I admire, such as JK Rowling have said in interviews, how hard it is sometimes to decide what to do with a character as you grow attach to them. Creating a negative scenario to a beloved character can feel raw and emotional. I love Ellie's character and I promise, her life story will make sense in the grand scheme of the series. For now, I hope you can bear the darkness for our dear Ellie. The second book will be lighter in tone than my first novel.
February 1, 2020
What countries should Ellie explore?
Ellie will be exploring the world in her once in a lifetime trip in 'Eleanor's Travels', but what countries should she add to her bucket list?
Potentially I have included Japan, Australia, Argentina and Turkey. Antarctica is also a must if she want to claim that she has set foot on the seven continents.
I want to include Papau New Guinea because of the rich biodiversity on that small island and Ellie is a big nature lover.
My main challenge would be to highlight one thing from each country that will stand out to Ellie and will also help her find the inspiration she is looking for.
On to more research for the second novel in progress.
Potentially I have included Japan, Australia, Argentina and Turkey. Antarctica is also a must if she want to claim that she has set foot on the seven continents.
I want to include Papau New Guinea because of the rich biodiversity on that small island and Ellie is a big nature lover.
My main challenge would be to highlight one thing from each country that will stand out to Ellie and will also help her find the inspiration she is looking for.
On to more research for the second novel in progress.
January 27, 2020
Ellie's love interest
In my first novel "My Dear Ellie", Ellie found herself falling only for bad boys. In the second novel chronicling her adventures, I do want her to meet someone special.
I am placing elements in the second novel that links the first novel and maybe even the book that will come after. Events are interlinked in the two novels so far, including the heart of roses and thorns and infinity symbol. Readers will find out more about interaction between John and Ellie and many surprises about Ellie and her struggles including the allure of drugs. The more I think about it, I want this series to be a trilogy. I am thinking of naming the series and I have come to a few possibilities:
Infinite heart series
Eternal Friendship series
Ellie and Cassie's chronicles
I am placing elements in the second novel that links the first novel and maybe even the book that will come after. Events are interlinked in the two novels so far, including the heart of roses and thorns and infinity symbol. Readers will find out more about interaction between John and Ellie and many surprises about Ellie and her struggles including the allure of drugs. The more I think about it, I want this series to be a trilogy. I am thinking of naming the series and I have come to a few possibilities:
Infinite heart series
Eternal Friendship series
Ellie and Cassie's chronicles
January 25, 2020
Progress on my second novel
I have started my second novel, which I want to title either Eleanor's Travels or Eleanor's world. I am still deciding whether to go with Eleanor or Ellie? The title is a moot point at this stage but I am excited about the storyline.
Ellie will be traveling to different countries around the world! To better prepare, I will have to research the different countries and decide which element to highlight: food, culture, sights? There are so many options! The common element will be how Ellie sees the world. It was great writing the first book with Cassie's point of view but Ellie is bolder and more adventurous so it will be interesting as a writer to see how her story unfolds
Ellie will be traveling to different countries around the world! To better prepare, I will have to research the different countries and decide which element to highlight: food, culture, sights? There are so many options! The common element will be how Ellie sees the world. It was great writing the first book with Cassie's point of view but Ellie is bolder and more adventurous so it will be interesting as a writer to see how her story unfolds
January 24, 2020
What makes a classic?
I have been wondering, what makes a classic book? What elements of a story makes you read and reread one book?
For me, Lord of the Rings and Pride and Prejudice are two books that I have read multiple times. Both are very different, one is an epic fantasy with fantastic creatures and magical lands and the other is a book on social commentary set in an earlier period with dances and focus on status, manners and decorum. One has epic wars between orcs, elves, dwarves, humans and the other has an epic showdown of words between passionate characters (Darcy and Elizabeth). Humanity centers in both of these books.
So what makes a classic read for you?
For me, Lord of the Rings and Pride and Prejudice are two books that I have read multiple times. Both are very different, one is an epic fantasy with fantastic creatures and magical lands and the other is a book on social commentary set in an earlier period with dances and focus on status, manners and decorum. One has epic wars between orcs, elves, dwarves, humans and the other has an epic showdown of words between passionate characters (Darcy and Elizabeth). Humanity centers in both of these books.
So what makes a classic read for you?
January 23, 2020
My Dear Ellie
When I started writing two years ago, it was simply because I was inspired by a real life friendship. I hadn't thought that one moment of inspiration would lead to many more moments til the point where here I am with a published book on my hands. My first novel!
Writing "My Dear Ellie" gave me comfort during a tough two years, including losing loved ones. The story may be an idealized look towards friendship but I would like to believe that such a bond can exist between two best friends. Both Ellie and Cassie are a source of comfort and strength to one another and I hope the book would be too to any readers. There are everyday moments of hilarity as well as deeper reflective moments in the book. I will continue writing in hopes to improve and because I have found that I love to do so. Thank you for stopping by, hope you find what comforts you and gives you joy.
Aisha Urooj
Writing "My Dear Ellie" gave me comfort during a tough two years, including losing loved ones. The story may be an idealized look towards friendship but I would like to believe that such a bond can exist between two best friends. Both Ellie and Cassie are a source of comfort and strength to one another and I hope the book would be too to any readers. There are everyday moments of hilarity as well as deeper reflective moments in the book. I will continue writing in hopes to improve and because I have found that I love to do so. Thank you for stopping by, hope you find what comforts you and gives you joy.
Aisha Urooj
