luv/h8

Hey guys and gals!

I'm working on my latest book, Waking Up to Boys (the title's kind of a pun, since the main character, Chelsea, is a kick-ass wakeboarder), and I'm thinking a lot about, well, boys. You may notice that the word "boys" is in the titles of most of my books. So maybe I'm a little boy-crazy, no surprise there!

Anyway… In the book, Chelsea's big conflict is this love-hate situation she's got with a (ridiculously hot) wakeboarding instructor. She is head-over-heels for him, but thinks they could never be together because he's just as competitive as she is. And if she spends too much time staring at his biceps while he drives the boat, she's likely to fall heels-over-head into the lake.

And then I got to thinking about all the great romances based on the love-hate dynamic…Elizabeth and Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, Patrick and Katarina in 10 Things I Hate About You, oh it's great stuff. Seriously, if you're ever stuck in a story, try writing a love-hate relationship—it doesn't have to be romantic (it works on friends, family, you name it!), and it's got a built-in objective (what you love) and obstacle (what you hate) all in one. Sweet!!!

So then I thought about FanLit, and writing in general, and how the love-hate thing kind of applies here, too. I mean, you all love writing—that's why you're here! But at the same time, it's tons of work and you have to face things like rejection, or self-doubt, or editors who want to change everything you liked about your book in the first place.

But, like when you meet the right someone, no matter how wrong for you they may seem, you just know. And it's the same thing with writing. You have to deal with all the angst and with those "hatas" telling you that you should choose a more stable career (like becoming a lawyer) or better yet, that you should marry rich. And you have to go to crazy lengths to overcome your own fears and insecurities and toss your pride to the wind. But it's worth it, to be doing what you love. Right?

Ever had a love-hate relationship? Spill the beans!

Hailey Abbott
Author of The Secrets of Boys