4 reasons I wrote Impassioned Intentions | Blog
Besides the main reason: #becauseiwritewhatfeelsgoodtome…
Penning Impassioned Intentions was essential to me for many reasons, four to be exact. (There’s a lot more, but who wants to read all that?) Now, let me jump into them while I have you here.
First things first, thank you for your continued support. I told myself that even if only two people could relate to the theme of ‘Impassioned Intentions,’ that would satisfy me. Following this, I received several beautiful messages expressing how you all related to Jana’s story. And that made my day, ok! Thank you so much!
So, finally, here they are…
Jana, the heroine, is me: Yes, she’s a little bratty and indecisive, but she’s also a hard worker. Boom, that’s me, and I bet it’s you, too. Can’t we all relate to that? She’s great at whatever she puts her mind to. Best of all, she’s an artist. Artists are the best group of people in the world, period. Despite working at Fandango’s call center (where I used to work a few years ago), Jana has a side hustle in baking and a beautiful savings account. She only wants to do what she loves at the end of the day. In the meantime, she’s working a job she hates to take care of the bills. Go figure.
Obsession with age: Jana is twenty-nine and won’t let you forget it. She feels she should be greater than what she is. Not to mention more successful and further in life regarding having a family and a happily ever after. Why do we pressure ourselves with how successful we should be or how much we should have according to our age, anyway? It’s unnecessary, and I wanted to touch on it. Toward the end of Jana’s story, her growth is inevitable and evident. She learns that progression is all that matters—that progression alone is enough.≈
Quinton was inspired by…: many people, especially a few of my amazing guy friends. He’s smart, laid back, and calm. He encourages others while motivated to be great on his own. Oh, and charming. So charming. He’s flawed, of course (aren’t we all?), but he’s a stand-up guy overall, and I was inspired to create someone great to love and uplift Jana in the midst of her figuring herself and her purpose out.
My professor told me to tell the truth: Back in February, I told my professor that one of my assignments would be late because I had writer’s block and didn’t know how to get over it. Straight up! I’d said what I said, and she couldn’t convince me otherwise or make me feel bad. I expected her to remind me of the deadline and also how many points would be taken away from my total score for turning it in late, but she didn’t. My Writing Workshop professor—the fabulous Carol Benanti—looked at me and said, “Just tell the truth.” She shrugged afterward like it was no big deal, and I should’ve known better. And perhaps I should’ve! I didn’t ask her to elaborate, nor did I debate her theory. I went home, pulled out a fresh notebook, and started a script outline that blew us away. I started my novel ‘Sweet Indiscretion’ that same month with the same theme. Just tell the truth.
It seems like such simple advice, but it resonated powerfully. Lo and behold, ‘Impassioned Intentions’ was created.
So, here’s to sticking to the theme of telling the truth. It’s a rocky process, but the outcome is always beautiful.
Xoxo, ShanicexLola
Have you indulged in Impassioned Intentions yet? Don’t miss out.
Up next is Molli x Grayson in Everlasting Love.
