- What challenges did you overcome throughout this story project? How did you go about overcoming these challenges?
Honestly this story was a little difficult, because it hit a bit close to home. I especially struggled with the “dreamscape” descriptions, the characters, and transitions and I don’t think I quite nailed the vibe I was going for, so I apologize for any confusion. Then again, this is also my first time writing wonderland style fiction so I think I did well even if it wasn’t quite up to my expectations. I believe being kind to yourself is the most beneficial thing an author can do.
b. How did writing and researching this story change the way you think?
Writing and researching this story was, in a way, cathartic. It really helped hammer in the impacts of friends and the various ways they help people grow. Sometimes friends reconcile, and that’s okay. Sometimes friends grow apart, and that’s okay too. Loneliness could be a phase or a daily reality, it’s all a matter of perspective and it’s totally normal for people who experienced the same thing to be at different stages.
c. What impact will this story have on others locally and/or globally?
I hope others who read this story will feel less alone. Yes Caris and Avery were fortunate enough to reconcile, but that is not the reality for most other friends. Sometimes friendships end in an explosive fiery fight. Sometimes it’s a quiet, slow death that you don’t realize because the other person doesn’t want to explicitly reject you.
