Eunmin and Hayoung Raise a Pet Baby Dragon is coming your way shortly! 🥚

Are you ready to get more excited about the fantasy romance novella? 🐉

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Hi storycatchers! Eunmin and Hayoung Raise a Pet Baby Dragon has been giving me joy in this season, and I know that it will make your spring so much brighter! 🌸

Honestly, this novella has been with me through a lot of ups and downs, even in its short lifespan. I felt the joy of writing, and I also felt the crushing of “what am I even doing?” In the end, I am so proud of what I have made. I know that you will enjoy Eunmin and Hayoung!

I am bringing you an unconventional moodboard. Something to bring you more anticipation for meeting the boys and the little dragon!

This is what I was talking about with MapleStory. This is the character Evan, with his newly hatched partner, Mir! Even if you’ve never played the game before, I know that you’ll grasp the unlikelihood of coming across a mythological creature, and how it could totally change your life!

Yes, the boys are taking a bus to Hoengseong! If you didn’t know, South Korea has tons of these checkpoints. It was strange to go through one for the first time, coming from Hawaii, but it was something I’ve always seen in K-dramas. So, I enjoyed getting to try.

A few more pics for our Eunmin & Hayoung moodboard:

Are we getting some camping vibes? The guys will have cabins… but still.

More MapleStory content! Looks like baby Mir isn’t a baby anymore.

Yes, we’ll be getting some Weak Hero vibes with the novella!

Are you ready for Eunmin and Hayoung Raise a Pet Baby Dragon? Thank you for joining me in this moodboard! The official release date is coming your way—be sure to add it on Goodreads! (It helps me a ton.) 🐉 See you in my next newsletter in the CANON.

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Have you seen my announcement for Eunmin and Hayoung Raise a Pet Baby Dragon? 🐉

Here, I’m going to explore the idea for the story and give you some behind-the-scenes.

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Hi storycatchers! Eunmin and Hayoung Raise a Pet Baby Dragon is coming your way, but I realize that I have a lot to talk about with you about the story.

I mentioned the game MapleStory before with you. In the game, there’s a class called Evan, and he becomes a battle partner with a dragon named Mir. This storyline in the game enchanted me as a kid, and I wanted to re-create it in my own way! Mir’s personality is spiffy and sassy, and I took a lot of inspiration from him. You’ll see! 🥚

On the subject of the main characters, I was inspired by some of the dramas I’ve watched recently. I think you’ll definitely see some inspo from the iconic drama Weak Hero. But that’s not the only one! See if you can catch bits and pieces of my K-drama inspiration. 🫰

And the setting! I spent a lot of time in Seoul before. But Hoengseong was a place that interested me due to TXT visiting the area for their show, TO DO. The band’s time in Hoengseong made some of my favorite episodes of the show; I loved seeing the scenic and peaceful area, and I decided to couple that with a little competition—a sports camp.

I’ve been scared to write romance, and even more scared of writing a romance that feels completely true to me. This is different from Apple Hair in many ways, but the heart of hope and a strong base of friendship remain the same. This is a clean story, and I kept it that way intentionally. While I wrote, Eunmin and Hayoung leapt off the page as people who have pure souls.

I had the pleasure of writing and editing a lot of this story in Waikiki. 🌴 That was perfect, since I was able to infuse some vacation vibes into the story, even though a beach is vastly different from the setting of the novella. One thing I learned during editing is that line editing is hard, but it’s worth it to make everything shine.

The official release date should be coming your way very soon, but be sure to add it on Goodreads in the meantime! 🐉

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In this newsletter, I have a very special announcement. 🐉

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Hi storycatchers! Here is my big announcement: I am releasing a light fantasy romance novella titled Eunmin and Hayoung Raise a Pet Baby Dragon. Coming very soon in the spring of 2026! 🐉

This is the official cover! The illustrator Giulia (@julsiji on Instagram) did a fabulous job capturing the two main characters! I love the mystical feel and the colors, and of course, the vibe of stumbling upon something unknown and exciting together.

Here is the blurb for you:

Eunmin and Hayoung have been best friends since their first year of high school. But ever since Hayoung’s coma, Eunmin has been longing for a time when they can get back to normal. In hopes of this, he plans a getaway to Hoengseong, where they will engage in a sports camp.

Once they start the camp, they stumble upon a mysterious egg. After taking it home, it promptly hatches and imprints on both Eunmin and Hayoung.

Together, on their vacation, the two young men must discover how to raise a baby dragon, at the same time navigating the feelings that are budding between them. But raising a baby dragon is tough work, especially when you’re discovering new things about the guy of your heart.

How does it sound? 🥚

I was inspired by romantasy titles that I’ve read recently, but also by the magical feeling of exploring the so-called outskirts. While in Seoul, I loved city life, but I also liked traveling out of the capital. Although I’ve never been to Hoengseong, I’ve been to someplace like it in South Korea. The dragon element was inspired by my favorite game of all time, MapleStory. 🍁 I hope that Eunmin and Hayoung will become your newest OTP! 🫰

The pre-order link and official release date should be coming your way soon, but keep an eye out for the novella in the spring of 2026, and be sure to add it on Goodreads! 🌸

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Want to read Apple Hair, the boy band fantasy novel? You can find it here! Apple Hair is a fictional, Asian American boy band from Hawaiʻi.

Welcome to the newsletter, and I’m excited to talk about everything new regarding the boy band and their universe.

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Hi storycatchers! I’ve missed talking to you folks on the CANON. I want to thank you for the love you’re continuing to show Apple Hair, whether that be through sharing my posts, commenting on my Notes, or just liking my content on socials. It’s fun being an indie author. At the same time, it can be hard—I shared quite a bit about that. Knowing I have other authors beside me and that I have a supportive community has been so key for me this season.

What is new for you this season, in the first quarter of 2026?

Something I want to talk about is keeping the dream alive.

So many times, we let our initial passion fade away. It’s why so many people stop writing a book, even when they had big dreams for their world and characters. It’s why people leave the life of an author or creator.

Somewhere along the way, we lose motivation. Trust me, I know about this firsthand. When this happens, I flip through some of the pages of my novel and tell myself I really did that.

I know my generation gets a lot of heat for doing things like affirmations and positivity journals. At the same time, it is so important to remind ourselves that we really are worth it. We can make it as creators! We are capable, and we can do great things! We don’t have to listen to the statistics about just how likely it is to “make it.” When we focus and move forward, we build something that goes beyond percentages.

I am cheering you on. And I picture the boys of Apple Hair also giving you a prayer and a boost.

Make sure to follow Apple Hair and me on TikTok (@ahairen). I’m sharing a lot of behind-the-scenes info. Not only do I talk about my book, but I also showcase a bookish life around Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi!

In the meantime, I want you to be the first to know: I am releasing a light fantasy romance novella titled Eunmin and Hayoung Raise a Pet Baby Dragon. Keep your eyes peeled for the official cover reveal and the launch date! The title of it already explains quite a lot, but I know it will surprise you. I want this story to warm your heart. For some of you going through polar plunges, it will definitely do the trick.

I want to hear from you, too. Let me know if you’re working on a story or reading one!

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Want to read Apple Hair, the boy band fantasy novel? You can find it here! Apple Hair is a fictional, Asian American boy band from Hawaiʻi.

Welcome to the newsletter, and I’m excited to talk about everything new regarding the boy band and their universe.

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Apple Hair—Get the Book!

Hi storycatchers! I’ve been a bit absent from the inbox lately! I decided to take a break from the CANON to focus on the next story in the Apple Hair universe. At the same time, I really missed our chats about creating a story universe and all the story-related questions that we’ve solved together. It’s been such a blast to study different K-dramas and novels.

I wanted to give you a quick update on Apple Hair. Since we last talked, Apple Hair has been making its stand on the Amazon charts. Here are some of the most recent notable rankings!

#21 in Teen & Young Adult Music Fiction eBooks

#57 in Teen & Young Adult Music Fiction

#331 in Teen & Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy eBooks

I am particularly excited about the contemporary fantasy ranking! Thank you very much for supporting Apple Hair so far.

Also, Apple Hair is getting a following on TikTok, so be sure to follow me there (@ahairen) to catch the behind-the-scenes about the boy band. I’ve been making content with quotes from the book, and I even take snippets from places around Oʻahu while showcasing the life of an indie author.

In the meantime, I’ve been working on the next project in the Apple Hair universe. You’re going to want to stay tuned for the announcement! Till then, keep reading and keep being a fan of stories that have the special ability to whisk us away. I want to hear from you, too, so let me know if you’re working on a story or enjoying a story in any mode!

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Here, I’ll explore creating a fictional universe, and I’m hoping you’ll follow along with your own world. I’m by no means an expert, so let’s discuss how to create a believable, magical, and captivating world. Let’s be storycatchers together!

Want to read Apple Hair, the boy band fantasy novel, from the very beginning? You can start here! Apple Hair is a fictional, Asian American boy band from Hawaiʻi.

Welcome to the newsletter, and I’m excited to lay down the foundations of our storyworlds together, one word at a time.

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Apple Hair—Get the Book!

Hi, storycatchers! In the last edition of the CANON, I talked about ways to support our favorite authors. This time, I want to jump back into our discussions about storyworlds and story building. Today, we’re going to do a study of one of the most iconic K-dramas of recent years, Racket Boys. Racket Boys came out in 2021 and is available to watch on Netflix. So, I have to admit that I’m a bit late to the party. But I’m so glad I gave this show a shot! It’s described as a feel-good coming-of-age story with slice-of-life elements. And of course, there’s the sports elements with badminton getting a rare mainstream feature.

The first thing that needs to be talked about is the protagonists—all their flaws and complexities. The main character here is Haekang. With a kind disposition, I was fooled at first until he started to boast about his abilities in every other scene. I grew to love how he was overly confident and achingly honest—at the same time, he’s incredibly sacrificial when it comes to those he loves. His team members, who make up the Racket Boys (otherwise 라켓소년단 ‘Raketsonyeondan’—taking inspo from BTS’s full name), are all so different. We have the young and innocent Yongtae, who proves to be quite mature in mentality. Then we have the humble Woochan, who provides a quiet yet steady spirit to the team. Yoondam is the captain, who struggles with high expectations, along with the various rivalries among teams. Hyeonjong is the high-spirited coach, also Haekang’s dad, who often feels lacking yet does the best he can for the team.

The cast is much too big to describe everyone, but just know that there are many romantic interests going on! The point is that despite the large cast, the show highlights the flaws of each person, giving them enough space for the audience to truly empathize with what they’re going through. For example, Haekang’s arrogance might seem a bit much at times, but then we’re hit with the reality of betrayal from past teammates—and his wondering about whether he found a true team to trust.

The second thing ties back to a post I wrote before, all about remembering your story question. You would think that the question is whether the Racket Boys will bring home a gold medal, but I believe it to be more than that. It’s about whether the Racket Boys will trust each other, forgive each other, and learn to be a true team—a family, even—that loves badminton. Haekang and his team members are growing up as teenagers, and they’re experiencing a lot of things for the first time. Not just first love, but first friendships and first times to experience loss of friendship. It was beautiful to see the members of the badminton team comfort each other through each one’s personal struggles.

My third and final point is that Racket Boys makes sure to stick to genre conventions and audience expectations. This one is a tricky one for me, since I don’t exactly love to follow genres to the T. At the same time, there is a huge benefit in doing so. Watchers of K-dramas who like sports comedy knew exactly what to expect. And the show makers delivered! Lots of funny moments in competition, some friendly rivalry, and some sweet romance to top it off. Racket Boys didn’t aim to surprise but to show the audience what they’re dying to see. We get some intense badminton rally scenes, and the directors truly knew that people were aching for those dramatic shots in a close match. These days, people find huge success in mashing up genres and subverting expectations. Racket Boys still surprises the audience in ways, but it sticks to its strengths—heartwarming scenes and the complexities of teenage life.

Thank you very much for joining the CANON this week. What would you like me to discuss in the next post? Comment below. Or jump into my Chat or on one of my Notes, and I’ll be happy to hear your input. Let’s find a story to immerse ourselves in this week, whether that be a K-drama, novel, anime, or movie!

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Here, I’ll explore creating a fictional universe, and I’m hoping you’ll follow along with your own world. I’m by no means an expert, so let’s discuss how to create a believable, magical, and captivating world. Let’s be storycatchers together!

Want to read Apple Hair, the boy band fantasy novel, from the very beginning? You can start here! Apple Hair is a fictional, Asian American boy band from Hawaiʻi.

Welcome to the newsletter, and I’m excited to lay down the foundations of our storyworlds together, one word at a time.

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Apple Hair—Get the Book!

Hi, storycatchers! In the last edition of the CANON, I talked about hard lessons I learned while indie publishing. It wasn’t meant to be a post to dissuade anyone from publishing on their own, and I hope that there were some nuggets you could keep for your own creative endeavors! This week, we’re bringing more light to the conversation about authors—how to support and encourage those who are publishing. Don’t worry, I have more posts planned for storyworlds and story building for the CANON! But for now, let’s dive right in.

The first thing is to leave reviews. I know. I’ve been there—too exhausted to even think about opening Amazon or Goodreads. But if you leave a five-star review for someone, that has the potential to boost their visibility greatly, causing others to look at the book with interest. This one is such an impactful one for authors, so much so that many authors will spend months before launch trying to get those early reviews. Reviews after launch are vital as well.

The second way is to interact with their posts on social media. This one can be just a repost or an encouraging comment. Although it might seem like you’re just sending a virtual wave, this can make an author’s entire day to know that you liked their book. If you’re shy, you can try an email or a direct message with an honest word of support.

The third is to subscribe to their newsletter. I feel you—we are often bombarded with emails. But if you can, join your favorite author’s newsletter and show some support by opening their life updates, behind-the-scenes, and more. This one is special because I know that you guys are subscribed to me. Thank you so much! It feels like a fun way to connect. Don’t be shy to leave comments or even to reply to an author’s emails.

A way to support authors that I absolutely love is to enter their giveaways! This one is such a fun one, and there is honestly nothing to lose—if you win, you’ll probably get a signed copy and some other goodies. There are multiple giveaways going on—on Goodreads, for example—but there are also self-hosted giveaways on Instagram. These will have some simple instructions from the author. Usually, you just need to follow their account, retweet or repost, and then leave a comment. The rules are usually easy to follow, and a signed copy will give your collection so much more life.

And I’ll leave a last one for you—tell your friends, or at least one person who would enjoy the novel or story you read. This can be as simple as forwarding a post or telling your friend the title of the book that you read. Trust me, this is one of the most powerful ways an author will feel your support. The trickle-down effect is real, and the power of telling one person means that there’s an opportunity for dozens to learn about an author’s books.

Here is the part where I ask you to leave a review for Apple Hair! I appreciate you so much. If you want to follow my socials, I’ve been very active on my Apple Hair TikTok. You can find it here: @ahairen. I’ll be happy to see you there. But just that you’re subscribed to me already means the world. Thank you for being part of the AH universe!

Thank you very much for joining the CANON this week. What would you like me to discuss in the next post? Comment below. Or jump into my Chat or on one of my Notes, and I’ll be happy to hear your input. Let’s support our favorite authors this week, both indie and traditional!

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Usually, in the CANON, I explore creating a fictional universe with the hopes that you’ll follow along with your own world. Every fourth week, I’m releasing an AU story or an exclusive with one of the members of Apple Hair. This time, we have the sixth chapter of Onsen Boys! We’re following David and Seiya on their trip to Japan.

Want to read Onsen Boys from the very beginning? You can start here!

If you’re new here, Apple Hair is a fictional, Asian American boy band from Hawaiʻi. I’m Airen, and this particular short story draws on my experiences in Japan.

Welcome to the newsletter, and I’m excited to share this AU with you.

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“Did it live up to your expectations?” I ask.

David dries his hair, again, in the locker room. We’re dressed again, and we have the place to ourselves. It felt a little sad to finally leave the silver springs. Nah. It was tragic.

“Oh, it was breathtaking,” David says. A bit more air than usual goes through his voice. It makes him cuter. Easier to tease.

“No, I was talking about my muscles tho’.”

He splutters, almost tripping on nothing. “Seiya, we’re not talking about that.”

“Yeah, all about the water,” I say, grinning as his cheeks pinken.

After exiting the locker room, I put my hand on David’s. We hold hands for a little while. Until we have to get our shoes from the locker outside.

As David laces up his shoes, his damn wet hair speaks to me. Asking me to draw it back. I tuck a strand behind his ear, and he leans into my touch a bit. We stay in the warmth until the onsen employee tells us very politely that we need to leave. Closing up for the night.

“I definitely know now the experience people are talking about,” David says, speaking quickly, almost like Corrin. “The bathing, the dipping in, relaxing. Wow. I can’t say anything bad about it. It was like I was in this separate dimension where it’s so natural, just a part of your day.”

“Not the naked men part then,” I say.

“Seiya!” David tries to smack my arms. Misses. Then he begins to laugh, as if the fumes from the onsen affected him. He doubles over in the middle of the street. When he finally gets a hold of himself, he says, “This is the vacation I needed. Before our debut. Thanks for coming along.”

I pat his back. Despite my teasing, he’s right. Our trip to the silver springs was magical, and it felt like such an intimate thing. To do with David. I save my jokes for later. Before he bans our trip to the golden springs.

“Hungry?” I ask him.

“Starving,” he says. “I heard about a Lawson nearby. Let’s go?”

“Let’s go,” I say. I stop myself. Another dirty joke about the onsen was about to fly out like a rogue buggah.

We walk the deserted streets. The cold eventually does enter my yukata. But the warmth from the onsen overtakes it. It makes it a little bother, not a huge thing like before. David hums our lead single from our debut EP, and I follow along, trying to harmonize. Eventually, we take a detour down a road toward Lawson, following its light like a beacon. We pass a little river by the underpass with a Christmas tree of lights sitting like an afterthought.

“I wonder if soaking makes you hungry?” David says. “That’s definitely what I feel now, like I could eat everything in sight.”

“Don’t mind me either as I go ham,” I say.

We split up at Lawson. I throw pastries into my basket, along with some hojicha lattes and instant ramen that looks good enough to be gourmet. Damn. I really let my hunger control me.

David meets me with his own basket. In it, I spy some spaghetti, an egg sandwich, and a rice bowl. I reach out and nuzzle his head. “We’re eating well tonight, bro.”

“Yes, bro,” David echoes, copying my little lilt. He really must be in a killer mood.

As we walk back, we decide to have a speed walk race. I win thanks to my slightly longer legs. At the apartment, we heat up water in our kettle—first thing. Then we sip on our lattes.

“I hope you’re having fun,” David says suddenly.

I put my cup down, half finished. “Yeah, I am. Isn’t it obvious?”

He gives me a small smile. “I always dreamed of this. For a long time, because of my parents, I thought I’d never find someone. They made me feel like I could never be loved, or that no one would want a contradiction like me.”

“You’re not a contradiction,” I say. “And I… felt the same way. I know our parents are different. Mine were more on the absent side. But the only thing that kept me hoping for love was Ami. She told me I’d find my person.”

“Do you really think it’s me?” David asks, almost as a murmur.

I take a glance at the food we spilled on the living room table, everything ready to be devoured. “That’s mad that you’d even ask me that. Yes. And if you doubt yourself again, I’m throwing you into the onsen. No cap.”

He laughs, taking another sip of his latte as he settles. “I’m certain that it’s you, too, Seiya. Not just because I’ve seen everything now.”

“So it was impress—”

“Shut up,” he says. He wrinkles his nose, but I can tell he wants to burst into laughter. Like a madman.

We dig into our food. David compliments the ramen, which ends up tasting restaurant-quality. “It’s ’cause I made it,” I say. After spaghetti and rice balls and so many pastries that we could burst, David opens a pack of green apple Hi Chews. “Something sweet,” he says, as if the red bean and mochi and danishes weren’t.

I gladly accept it. The green apple flavor reminds me of the first time Ami gave me a piece. How old was I? Six?

We wind down, and I turn off the lights. Our first night in Arima Onsen? A smashing success. Thanks to David—all thanks to David.

David murmurs something in his sleep. I remind myself before nodding off—this is just the beginning of our trip. Main event? Still to come.

Hey, it’s Airen again! Did you enjoy Onsen Boys? Leave a comment or jump into the Chat to talk about it!

If you missed the last post, you should definitely check it out here! It’s about the hard lessons I learned while indie publishing.

I can’t believe that Apple Hair has been with us for over half a year now!

Hope you enjoy reading the novel!

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Here, I’ll explore creating a fictional universe, and I’m hoping you’ll follow along with your own world. I’m by no means an expert, so let’s discuss how to create a believable, magical, and captivating world. Let’s be storycatchers together!

Want to read Apple Hair, the boy band fantasy novel, from the very beginning? You can start here! Apple Hair is a fictional, Asian American boy band from Hawaiʻi.

Welcome to the newsletter, and I’m excited to lay down the foundations of our storyworlds together, one word at a time.

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Apple Hair—Get the Book!

Hi, storycatchers! In the last edition of the CANON, I talked about marketing—the most important mindset you should have, and what all good marketing boils down to. This time, I’m going to be exploring the cruel realities of indie publishing. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m super thankful for being able to publish independently! But these are some things I needed to learn and accept. This post is great for those of you interested in the indie book world! But even if you don’t want to publish a book, I believe you can learn a lot from my setbacks and mistakes.

The first lesson was: People aren’t going to flock to your book—at least, not without a lot of effort. Now, I was already preparing for this one. I’ve heard of many stories of indie authors publishing their book, waiting for sales, and being sorely disappointed afterward. However, I still held out some hope that many people would find my book. I took a month to speak about Apple Hair on social media and my newsletter, but a part of me knew that I wouldn’t be driving in a large crowd. I had to really remind myself that I’m in publishing for the long run. I shouldn’t worry about the beginning too much—especially when I can slowly build my back list and gain a following.

The second lesson: It’s a pretty big investment, of both time and money. I built out a budget for Apple Hair early on, but it still shocked me to see the costs add up—for ISBNs, editing, cover art, marketing, and more. Indie publishing definitely needs you to put the cost in upfront, rather than traditional publishers, who handle editing and cover art. Beyond money, the time that goes into making the manuscript shine—and up to standard—is a whole different beast. Fortunately, I found my excitement growing as I worked on polishing the book. I think that’s a good sign and shows an alignment with what I’m meant to do as an artist. I had to learn not just to set a budget early, but to set time in the week to work on indie publishing tasks.

Here’s my third lesson: Believing in your product, even when there are negative reviews. This ties back to my marketing post. How are we going to tell someone about our story when we secretly think that it’s not worth it? When I received lower star ratings for the first time, I thought my world was ending. I had to remind myself that as authors, we put our work out there. Readers have the right to rate things however they like. It’s our job to believe in our work and to keep going, never to let that discouragement stop us from being writers.

There are many more lessons that I learned and still need to learn! But maybe this post will call for part two. Anyway, I’ll leave you with a bonus lesson: There is no one magical path to success in indie publishing. Everywhere I look, I see authors blowing up with Meta ads, and others find success through TikTok. Sure, there are best practices to follow. But I truly believe that as creative people, we have to forge our own paths. Beyond telling our unique story in our book, we need to find the tactics that work for us. For me, that’s a focus on newsletter and social media, with learning one ad platform to leverage with promotions.

Now that I’ve talked about my lessons, I have a question for you. How are you going to share your story or product with someone this week?

Thank you very much for joining the CANON this week. What would you like me to discuss in the next post? Comment below. Or jump into my Chat or on one of my Notes, and I’ll be happy to hear your input. Let’s keep our heads up this week while we continue to dream!

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Here, I’ll explore creating a fictional universe, and I’m hoping you’ll follow along with your own world. I’m by no means an expert, so let’s discuss how to create a believable, magical, and captivating world. Let’s be storycatchers together!

Want to read Apple Hair, the boy band fantasy novel, from the very beginning? You can start here! Apple Hair is a fictional, Asian American boy band from Hawaiʻi.

Welcome to the newsletter, and I’m excited to lay down the foundations of our storyworlds together, one word at a time.

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Hi, storycatchers! In the last edition of the CANON, I talked about creating a Sunday reset that works for you. This time, I want to talk again about something different from the writing craft. I’m going to be talking about marketing—the M word that all indie authors fear. As creatives, we may have a bit of fear around this word. We think of big graphs, lots of money draining away, and handling a dozen social media accounts. But what if it doesn’t have to be like this?

Do you have some bad feelings about marketing? Or perhaps you enjoy it?

It wasn’t until I watched this video by StoryGrid that my view on marketing changed. Tim Grahl, an author and book marketer, talks about what book marketing boils down to. To put it simply, it’s this: getting your book in front of the person who wants to read your story, and asking them to read it. How many times have we complicated marketing into a thousand steps? I feel like the key is to just focus on this—one person at a time, and one book at a time.

In the video, Tim Grahl goes into how the book industry celebrates those who make a large amount of sales in one week—as seen in lists like The New York Times Best Sellers. But what about the books that are quietly succeeding? An interesting thing that’s happening is that there are thousands of books that are selling very well, but we hardly hear of those titles. So, chasing the big lists is not the goal here—but steady exposure. Tim Grahl says that we should think of a book’s launch window as two years.

With Apple Hair, I thought my launch window was very narrow. But this video gave me new insight. I’m realizing that marketing is a thing that I can get better at. I don’t have to knock it out of the park immediately. I just need to find the readers who love YA and K-pop, who also appreciate a touch of magic in their novels.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway I got from this video about marketing was a mindset shift. Tim Grahl says that there’s one thing successful authors have in common—those who go out to sell many copies. The one thing is this: they believe in their story, and they believe that the reader will be better off after reading it.

This changed so much for me! How many times did I doubt myself?

But I can say with confidence: I know that Apple Hair is a great book. I know it is worth reading, and that readers will leave entertained and with new insight into Hawaiʻi and the K-pop industry. With this, I can keep going in my marketing efforts. One book and one person at a time.

Do you also struggle with marketing? What is one thing you want to get better at in the marketing space? For me, it’s the practice of outreach—making the ask about grabbing a copy of Apple Hair.

I’ll share one more marketing resource. Or rather, a marketing gem. Marketing by Shelby on Instagram has been a huge help in changing my mindset about marketing. Making it more about sharing my unique story, and treating social media as a great opportunity and privilege to share my book.

Thank you very much for joining the CANON this week. What would you like me to discuss in the next post? Comment below. Or jump into my Chat or on one of my Notes, and I’ll be happy to hear your input. Let’s talk to one person this week and ask them to take a chance on our story!

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Here, I’ll explore creating a fictional universe, and I’m hoping you’ll follow along with your own world. I’m by no means an expert, so let’s discuss how to create a believable, magical, and captivating world. Let’s be storycatchers together!

Want to read Apple Hair, the boy band fantasy novel, from the very beginning? You can start here! Apple Hair is a fictional, Asian American boy band from Hawaiʻi.

Welcome to the newsletter, and I’m excited to lay down the foundations of our storyworlds together, one word at a time.

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Hi, storycatchers! In the last edition of the CANON, I talked about how to create a killer story concept. I’ve been having so much fun exploring craft with you all. But in this CANON, I wanted to do something a little different. I wanted to talk about Sunday resets, which can be an important part of anyone’s week. Now, I’m not the best planner in the world. I tend to go with the flow rather than think about the details. But ever since I started embracing a Sunday reset, I felt my creative life gradually improve.

What is a Sunday reset? Everyone has a different definition, but for me, it’s taking one day out of the week (usually Sunday) to assess how the week has gone, take time to rest, and then plan out the following week.

Have you ever implemented a Sunday reset? What did that look like for you?

Honestly, I’m no expert on planning or weekly rituals. However, I wanted to explore the idea of a Sunday reset with you and give just a little bit of insight on what works for me. I think this post goes hand in hand with my one about our creative wells. We cannot create if we’re running on empty.

Like I said before, I am not a planner. Every Sunday, I used to lie in bed and wonder about how I would ever manage getting through Monday, let alone through the whole week. My Sunday was filled with trying to numb the idea of an upcoming weekday. Not to say I did nothing—some Sundays were pure writing days, while other Sundays involved playing games till past midnight and reading until I was lost in another world.

But then, I discovered the idea of a Sunday reset. I started to set out my intention for the following week, noting things that I did well and what I want to improve. The thing that changed my habits was reading a book called The 12 Week Year for Writers, along with The Miracle Morning. These were books that introduced me to the nonfiction world. Suddenly, planning my day around my goals seemed possible for me. I started to make strides in the right direction.

With Deya’s Notion planner, things fell into place even more. I started to write down my weekly tasks. Seeing everything laid out before me from Monday through Friday was not intimidating, but strangely exciting. I began to tell myself, I can totally do this.

So, are you interested in starting a Sunday reset? What are some of your concerns surrounding a Sunday reset?

I know one of the major concerns might be the lack of time. Some of you creatives might not even have free time on Sunday to do any planning. There could be jobs and other obligations on Sunday. And that’s totally fine! The key is to pick a day of the week where there’s just an hour or so to reflect, create new tasks, and look over your goals again. The other key with a Sunday reset is rest, and like I said in my creative well post, the aim is to carve out just a little bit of time when we’re not constantly trying to complete a task.

What is something that you want to include in your Sunday reset?

Honestly, I believe every person’s Sunday reset should be different. Some people like to take a long time with goals and visualization. Others like to focus on the days of the upcoming week. I believe every reset should have a little bit of the big picture and a little bit of the immediate, but I think the customizations are endless. Maybe you can pair each reset with your favorite beverage, or maybe every reset can happen at your favorite cafe in the morning.

Something I’m trying every reset is to implement a longer block of reading. I try to read every day, but every Sunday I want to read more. Intaking a lot of great writing not only refills my creative well, but it’s a great change of pace from trying to get as many of my own words down on the page. I also attend church on Sunday, so I believe that is my key to a great start—being among other believers in the community.

Thank you very much for joining the CANON this week. What would you like me to discuss in the next post? Comment below. Or jump into my Chat or on one of my Notes, and I’ll be happy to hear your input. Let’s continue honing our storytelling abilities this week!

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Usually, in the CANON, I explore creating a fictional universe with the hopes that you’ll follow along with your own world. Every fourth week, I’m releasing an AU story or an exclusive with one of the members of Apple Hair. This time, we have Van, the leader of Apple Hair. He’s going to be talking about taking things slowly—or embracing a slow pace.

Want to read Apple Hair, the boy band fantasy novel, from the very beginning? You can start here! Apple Hair is a fictional, Asian American boy band from Hawaiʻi.

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Hey. It looks like the other members have cleaned up their act a little bit. I’m a little bit skeptical about Seiya’s upcoming entry, but I guess I can’t fix everything at once. Today, I’m talking about embracing a slower pace.

First of all, the thing that spurred this letter for you was thinking about construction in Hawaiʻi. A cafe that was meant to open up a year ago finally had its grand opening. It seemed like forever since they promised to welcome people in. And of course, there’s the mess of the rail system, which seems like it’ll never get done. I won’t get too much into that.

All my life, I’ve been a bit afraid of a slow pace. Maybe I didn’t want to fall into too much of an island lifestyle. Maybe it was seeing both of my parents work so hard. And my older brother, too. It got so bad that I became impatient while eating a bowl of pho. If you know, you know. Pho isn’t something that can be eaten in just a few minutes. There’s the slurping of the soup, waiting for the noodles to cool down, putting in your basil and bean sprouts, and even squeezing a lemon in the middle of it all.

It took almost choking on a bite of noodles that made me rethink things. What if a “slow” pace wasn’t so bad after all?

I realized that people had different definitions of “slow.” I was comparing myself to people going at a hundred miles an hour, but that wasn’t realistic for me. Girl, I told myself. You’re going to burn out if you don’t do something soon. And why are you always comparing? Comparing really is the enemy. It steals so much, and it just keeps taking.

Right now, fighting for debut in Apple Hair means totally adjusting my timeline. Let’s say you’re trying to release a digital product. It might take you a few months, depending on how much you work a day. But while training in AWE Entertainment, I have to look in the timeline of years. I’ve heard of trainees who train for five years plus and don’t make it to debut.

I had to really look inside, to be really okay with that. Because in the end, it’ll be worth it. Stepping out on stage during debut day will be like finally finishing a bowl of noodles I’ve been working on for ages. It will be like winning my goldfish at the carnival.

Honestly, I’m going to keep going. And I’m more than happy to have my four members with me. Even though they have no problem driving me insane on the daily.

Always yours,

Van Le

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Here, I’ll explore creating a fictional universe, and I’m hoping you’ll follow along with your own world. I’m by no means an expert, so let’s discuss how to create a believable, magical, and captivating world. Let’s be storycatchers together!

Want to read Apple Hair, the boy band fantasy novel, from the very beginning? You can start here! Apple Hair is a fictional, Asian American boy band from Hawaiʻi.

Welcome to the newsletter, and I’m excited to lay down the foundations of our storyworlds together, one word at a time.

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Hi, storycatchers! In the last edition of the CANON, I talked about stakes! It was so fun to talk about what characters have to lose. We can see stakes in every type of story. Something else that we can study is concept. What is a good concept? Is there ever such a thing as a truly original concept, and how do we elevate our story concept?

The term “concept” gets thrown around quite a bit! But what exactly is a concept? A concept is the core idea of your story, often compared to the bones of your story. I like to compare this to the Nexus in League of Legends—if it dies, then the whole story fizzles out.

A concept can be a question. What if ___ happened? What if this story were combined with another story? A lot of the time, the concept can be boiled down to one sentence. For example, with The Hunger Games, the concept might be: a teen reality television fight to the death in a dystopian America. It might take a while to boil down your concept like this. But trust me, it’s worth it—especially when you want to give a little pitch to anyone curious.

Do you prefer high concept stories? A high concept story is something that is simple, very interesting, and can appeal to a big audience. The Hunger Games counts as high concept. But I’d like to talk about one of my faves these days, the anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. I can’t find anything bad to say about this anime. Even if you’ve never watched anime before, I highly suggest it. The storytelling and detail are epic.

The concept of Frieren can be boiled down to a question: What if a retired elven mage goes on another quest? It may sound simple on the surface, but what if “retired” didn’t mean that she stopped adventuring because of exhaustion or age, but because she had already saved the world? Frieren starts off on the “second” part of Frieren’s journey, but we see everything through her eyes for the first time.

The concept of this anime is appealing. Who doesn’t want to see a retired mage show her awesome powers? But it is also simple enough to be said in one sentence. Anyone who loves fantasy or adventures or epic powers would naturally be drawn to Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.

The concept is where it starts. When that is well established, then we can add on our GMC and stakes, which should tie all together seamlessly.

Can you think of a story that had a killer concept? Let me know your top concept. Why did that appeal to you? Did you appreciate how the author combined certain tropes? Did they reverse a certain expectation that you had?

That brings me to answer our question we posed at the beginning: can a concept be truly unique? I think that this is a tough one. I know the common saying is that nothing is truly unique. But honestly, I think that every story can be unique. Because even though a concept sounds similar, the writer can put so much of their own personality and personal experience—and that is truly one-of-a-kind.

Thank you very much for joining the CANON this week. Next time, we’ll be diving into an exclusive from one of the members of Apple Hair! What would you like me to discuss in the next post? Comment below. Or jump into my Chat or on one of my Notes, and I’ll be happy to hear your input. Let’s continue studying the concepts all around us this week!

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I’m super excited to announce Apple Hair’s first sale! If you’ve been eyeing it, now’s the time to get it! The e-book version is now starting at $0.99 and will increase every few days until it’s back to its normal price in 7 days!

Click the link button right below! Or click here.

Apple Hair—On SALE Now!

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Hi, storycatchers! In the last edition of the CANON, I talked about KPop Demon Hunters! That was such a fun one. Thank you for giving the post a lot of love. This week, I’m giving you my promised post about stakes. Stakes go hand in hand with GMC (goal, motivation, and conflict). I’ll give you some behind-the-scenes about how I used stakes in Apple Hair, and I will give you some insight into how stakes are used in storytelling!

I like to define stakes simply: What does your character have to lose?

So, it might seem like a bit too much to juggle GMC and then add another element to it. But I can assure you, stakes are something that will keep your story interesting and moving. I encourage you to look at the stakes in your favorite shows or books!

Even though this is a book I talk about a lot, I have to bring in The Hunger Games again. You might have already picked out the GMC of The Hunger Games, in Katniss, particularly. However, have you ever thought about the stakes? Katniss has her own life to lose. That’s probably the biggest stake involved, but she also has her family in mind—if she loses the game, she’ll lose her ability to take care of them. Later on, you’ll find out that she also has Peeta to lose. I won’t dive into the other two books in the trilogy, but these are the stakes that Katniss starts with. Note that these stakes can evolve over the course of a series.

Quick question for you: What is your favorite kind of stake? First, we can think about the kinds of stakes we recognize. We have the survival kind where someone is fighting for their life, just like with Katniss. But we also have the romance stake, whether a character will lose their lover to someone else. And then we have stakes many times found in fantasy, such as the fate of the empire or even the world.

When a character has something to lose, that will make them act. It turns them into characters that want to make the first move, to exercise their agency.

I can’t imagine writing Apple Hair without the use of stakes. Of course, each of the five members has their own stakes, what they carry with them for fighting for their debut as singers. But I’ll dive into David Cho’s stakes. If he leaves AWE Entertainment or fails to debut, he will have to return to his old home and old life—a place where he felt stifled by his toxic parents. With these stakes in mind, David desperately wants to debut so that he can carve a new life for himself.

What are your thoughts about stakes? I know that some of you might not be writing novels, but I’m so overjoyed that you’re willing to explore storytelling with me. I think that everyone can use these storytelling tips and tricks in their daily life. Whether you’re writing a nonfiction post, watching a movie on your phone, or even wanting to think about why you love your favorite manga and shows so much.

Next week, I’m planning on diving into concept. What makes a good concept? What makes a good concept into a great one? Or even into a bestselling one?

Thank you very much for joining the CANON this week. My suggestion is to read up on stakes even more, or maybe watch a few YouTube videos on the topic. Maybe you can find the stakes in your favorite stories this week. Anyway, what would you like me to discuss in future posts? Comment below. Or jump into my Chat or on one of my Notes, and I’ll be happy to hear your input. Let’s continue learning about storytelling!

Again, a reminder that Apple Hair is now on sale! That’s the reason this CANON is coming to you on a Thursday. We’ll be back to our Sunday posts in just a little bit! Happy July! ❤️

Apple Hair—On SALE Now!

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Here, I’ll explore creating a fictional universe, and I’m hoping you’ll follow along with your own world. I’m by no means an expert, so let’s discuss how to create a believable, magical, and captivating world. Let’s be storycatchers together!

Want to read Apple Hair, the boy band fantasy novel, from the very beginning? You can start here! Apple Hair is a fictional, Asian American boy band from Hawaiʻi.

Welcome to the newsletter, and I’m excited to lay down the foundations of our storyworlds together, one word at a time.

Apple Hair—Get the Book!

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Hi, storycatchers! In the last edition of the CANON, I talked about the lovely GMC: goal, motivation, and conflict. I still have a post about stakes coming up for you! But first, we have to talk about a very important movie released on Netflix—KPop Demon Hunters! If you’re anything like me, you were probably super excited about the announcement of the show. If you’re just finding out about it now, I’m happy to say that it’s released. You should definitely watch the show. It’s filled with heart and excitement and K-pop, and the soundtrack is quite epic too.

KPop Demon Hunters is right up my alley! My book Apple Hair is also a fantasy K-pop novel, so I felt a strong need to watch the show as soon as I could. The story follows three demon hunters, who happen to be part of a K-pop girl group HUNTR/X. The main character is Rumi, and she’s joined by Mira and Zoey. To strengthen the Honmoon, which keeps the demons at bay from the human world, the members of HUNTR/X must perform their songs and connect with their fans.

The first thing we can learn about KPop Demon Hunters is how important it is to nail your premise. The idea of the HUNTR/X girl group fighting demons through their songs and performances is a strong premise. It grips you immediately! I know that when I first read the story snippet, I was hooked and needed to find out more about this group of idol hunters. Also, the idea that the antagonist is a K-pop boy group is brilliant. The Saja Boys steals the show for many viewers, especially when it features Jinu, the clumsy yet powerful and handsome main member. One of the first clips I saw of the show was the scene of “Soda Pop,” the Saja Boys’ first song. The concept of the villains singing a catchy bubblegum pop song is just everything. So, as storycatchers, we have to nail the premise!

The second thing we can learn is to never skimp on backstory and motives. Honestly, the show writers were under a time crunch since the movie is less than two hours. They could’ve focused purely on the action, music, and glimmering parts of K-pop. Instead, they chose to spend time developing Rumi. No spoilers here, but you’ll find out why she takes her job as a demon hunter so seriously, and why she’s so dedicated to making her two group mates proud. The viewer understands very well why Rumi wants to fight, why she wants to protect the Honmoon. Also, when Jinu and Rumi meet, sparks fly, but there is also a reflection of their backstories and motives. It makes the story that much stronger!

The third lesson I’m going to talk about is simple yet important: make the story fun! The K-pop element already offers a lot of material for the story. The opening scene is a banger already, jumping into HUNTR/X’s hit song “How It’s Done.” I read comments that this song makes K-pop fun again for many people! A great song coupled with plenty of action starts the film off strong. And the fun doesn’t stop there. We get quips from Zoey and Mira, and a lot of clashing with Rumi with their different personalities. We also get more songs, each one different than the last and offering a new mood.

With the Saja Boys, we get a stunning change in concept from their opening song “Soda Pop.” There is just so much to rejoice about in this story. And I think that’s what we might forget in our storytelling. Sometimes, the best choice is to write that fun scene. Don’t be too scared of being cheesy or over the top, and don’t care about trying to be really deep or to resonate in your message. Sometimes, we just need a “Soda Pop” in our story that’s going to make things come to life.

Even though KPop Demon Hunters and Apple Hair share a lot of similarities, they really are quite different! My story is quieter and doesn’t feature so many thrilling action scenes. My story also features a boy band as the protagonists rather than a girl band. Still, I made sure to follow the three lessons I talked about today: making the premise alive, fleshing out motives and backstories, and making it fun! I’m so happy to see K-pop shine in the world of storytelling.

Thank you very much for joining the CANON this week. Be sure to check out KPop Demon Hunters. And if you’ve watched it already, let me know all your thoughts about the movie! Who is your favorite character? And what is your favorite song from the soundtrack? I’m very curious to know. What would you like me to discuss in the next post? Comment below. Or jump into my Chat or on one of my Notes, and I’ll be happy to hear your input. Let’s continue exploring all kinds of stories this week!

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Usually, in the CANON, I explore creating a fictional universe with the hopes that you’ll follow along with your own world. Every fourth week, I’m releasing an AU story or an exclusive with one of the members of Apple Hair. This time, we have an entry from David Cho. He’s going to be talking about daydreaming, one of his favorite activities.

Want to read Apple Hair, the boy band fantasy novel, from the very beginning? You can start here! Apple Hair is a fictional, Asian American boy band from Hawaiʻi.

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Hey everyone. It’s David. Today, I’m giving you insight into one of my favorite places and probably my favorite activity.

Barnes & Noble is located at the Ala Moana mall, and sadly it’s the last huge bookstore on the island. I remember the days with multiple locations, and a chain called Borders, but sadly most of them closed down.

Thanks to the rise of BookTok, this Barnes & Noble location has been getting a lot of love. And in a return to the store, I decided to pair my browsing with my daydreaming, making a concoction that would probably do us a lot of good in this chaotic world.

Since training for debut takes up most of my energy, I found that my “dreaming sessions” are the best way I can refill, taking in all the quiet and peaceful moments that I can stumble upon while giving the time for my brain to imagine in the way it’s intended to.

I even wrote a poem on my latest visit, while browsing the special editions with sprayed edges and intricate patterns that ranged from flowers and vines to seashells and flames.

It’s been a while since I was able to

Fully relax

Not only to recharge

But to realize the beauty in the things around me

In the times of dreaming during sunlit hours

Reminders come to me,

Filling me up like God’s love

Telling me that these quiet moments aren’t gone to waste

It’s likely obvious that I wasn’t able to fulfill my dream of being a social media poet. But sometimes, when I’m in such a beautiful area, and when the mood’s just right, the words come to me.

I want to encourage you to create as well. Because your story is just waiting to be dreamed. Maybe you can join me in a dreaming session this week. Allow yourself to think about the possibilities. And if the future’s much too overwhelming, you can find a bit of beauty in something like a special edition book. Sure, it might cost fifty dollars these days, but allow yourself to memorize the weight of the novel in your hands. I promise you that these daydreaming sessions aren’t a waste.

Much love,

David Cho

Hey, it’s Airen again! Did you enjoy David’s entry? Comment below or jump into the Chat to talk about it! Do you also consider yourself a daydreamer?

I’m excited for what’s in Apple Hair’s future. Let me know what type of behind-the-scenes you’d like to see of the band!

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Here, I’ll explore creating a fictional universe, and I’m hoping you’ll follow along with your own world. I’m by no means an expert, so let’s discuss how to create a believable, magical, and captivating world. Let’s be storycatchers together!

Want to read Apple Hair, the boy band fantasy novel, from the very beginning? You can start here! Apple Hair is a fictional, Asian American boy band from Hawaiʻi.

Welcome to the newsletter, and I’m excited to lay down the foundations of our storyworlds together, one word at a time.

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Apple Hair—Get the Book!

Hi, storycatchers! In the last edition of the CANON, I talked about balancing front story and backstory. This time, we’re going to be exploring GMC together! GMC stands for goal, motivation, and conflict. And it’s essential in writing or creating any story! Without a goal, a character might be wandering lost in a story. Without motivation in each chapter, the reader might wonder why the character is doing what they’re doing. And without conflict, the character won’t be experiencing any struggle to get what they want.

Let’s break down each of these three necessary ingredients! But first, have you heard of GMC? Do you already see it in your favorite stories?

Goal

A goal can be as simple as finally getting the girl, winning the game at the end of a season, or becoming prom king. The goal can also be as intense as surviving a battle to the death, stealing a sacred guarded artifact, or taking down the alien villain of the galaxy.

Whatever the goal is, it has to make sense for the particular character(s). It also has to be achievable, even though it can be a big, almost impossible goal. If the character doesn’t believe that they can actually solve the problems to get the prize, then it wouldn’t make for an interesting story.

What is your favorite character goal that you’ve read or watched?

For an example with GMC, I’m going to be talking about the popular K-drama Squid Game! Feel free to skip the examples if you’re planning to watch the show. I’ll also be giving a little example from my novel Apple Hair.

In Squid Game, we have Seong Gihun—his goal is to win the deadly games and to come out of the competition with the prize money. Although it’s a very difficult goal to achieve, his belief in his luck and abilities, along with his optimistic personality, makes him a strong contender.

Note that each story will have multiple goals inside of it. But there should be one overarching goal. In Gihun’s case, his goals range from surviving the first game of Red Light, Green Light, to making friends with some unlikely allies and protecting them from harm. But his ultimate goal is to survive and come out of the games.

In my book Apple Hair, the five characters’ goal is to debut as singers in the entertainment industry. It’s a worthy goal for all five members, and it’s also something that feels impossible for all of them! The goal is relevant to each of their lives, which is what we’ll get into next with motivation.

Motivation

Motivation is what makes the character care about the goal, but it also makes the reader or watcher care. There is nothing worse than following a character who doesn’t really care if he wins or loses—doesn’t really mind if he ends up with the person of his dreams or not.

In fact, this won’t happen in the stories we watch today! Do you remember the motivation that Seong Gihun has in Squid Game?

For one, he is almost killed by loan sharks, and so he desperately needs the money. His mother is also sick, and he needs money to pay for the treatment. On top of all this, his daughter is moving to America and he thinks he will never see her again. All of this culminates in his decision to join the game—his last chance at redemption. When all seems hopeless for him, he decides to join a mysterious game and even rejoins when he has the chance to leave.

On a lighter note, the boys in Apple Hair have motivations that mirror each other. But as a collective, they would like to entertain people and offer them a safe space in a fan-centered universe. This dream to comfort people through music and an alternate universe empowers them to go through days and days of endless training.

Conflict

Can you imagine a story without any conflict?

It would be like watching Gihun win every game in Squid Game without having to sweat or move a muscle. If everything comes easy to him, he might win the money and walk away without any scars. But that’s far from the case.

Gihun has to fight against more than 400 others, and he even has to sacrifice his humanity in these ruthless games. Not only are the contestants sources of conflict, but also the game masters, of course including the Front Man. With the threat of death looming all around him, Gihun has to really struggle. In this struggle, we see ourselves in him. We see ourselves and our own emotions in the characters that we grow to love.

In Apple Hair, the entertainment company comes against the boys with their demands on what kind of band they should be. Besides the strain on their time, the boys also face other trainees who have a negative opinion of them. And that comes along with Leo Pak, the mysterious producer who is tied to the “ghost” of the company—who wants nothing more than to see the boys break up, making sure that they will never debut on the world stage.

All in all, GMC is the firestarter for any story. Without it, we just would not be interested in finding out what happens. In a later post, I really want to explore stakes with you, which is what the character has on the line.

Thank you very much for joining the CANON this week. What would you like me to discuss in the next post? Comment below. Or jump into my Chat or on one of my Notes, and I’ll be happy to hear your input. Let’s continue loving stories this week!

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Here, I’ll explore creating a fictional universe, and I’m hoping you’ll follow along with your own world. I’m by no means an expert, so let’s discuss how to create a believable, magical, and captivating world. Let’s be storycatchers together!

Want to read Apple Hair, the boy band fantasy novel, from the very beginning? You can start here! Apple Hair is a fictional, Asian American boy band from Hawaiʻi.

Welcome to the newsletter, and I’m excited to lay down the foundations of our storyworlds together, one word at a time.

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Hi, storycatchers! In the last edition of the CANON, I talked about how delicious food is included in storyworlds. This time, we’re going to be exploring balancing backstory and front story. First, we need to define the two! Backstory is everything that happened to the character(s) before the story officially begins. Front story is everything that we see happening—what’s unfolding on the page of a novel in real time, for example. In Apple Hair, I tried to strike a delicate balance between the two. What are your favorite books or shows that artfully balance the front story and backstory?

I call this a delicate balance because it’s actually a harder task than it seems! Authors who are just beginning might lean completely into the front story. The quest that they want to unfold for the reader. And it isn’t till more than halfway through the story that we find out some key info about the main character. Sometimes, things are withheld on purpose, but other times it’s clear that the backstory was not thought out.

Other times, authors lean into the backstory. There are scenes of dreams, flashbacks, and internal monologues about the character’s past. This creates a rich sense of who the character is, but it leaves out the front story—what we actually get to see unfold. This can create a huge stall in the reader’s experience!

I am not a complete wiz at front story and backstory, but I did my best in Apple Hair to give some depth to each of the five main characters. For instance, we find out that the leader, Van, was a shy kid in school who only had a few friends. Corrin had his own rescue operation going on for stray animals. Kaden spent a lot of time taking care of his little sister. Seiya was a popular kid, and David was a part-time poet on social media.

At the same time, there are things I left hidden. As I continue the Apple Hair series, there are many more things you’ll find out about the boy band members!

The front story plays out as the boy band members face the ghost of the entertainment company, going through the rigorous training system to debut as singers. But the backstory very much influences their decisions—and it’s the reason they decide to stick together, finding out that they’re pretty much the same in terms of what kind of artists they want to be. Artists who give hope and create a safe space for their fans.

A novel that I read recently that balances front story and backstory seamlessly has to be Assistant to the Villain.

This novel features two perspectives: Evie the assistant and The Villain, otherwise known as Trystan. Evie has her own reasons for being willing to become an assistant. Turns out, her being wronged in the past spurs her on to look at The Villain as someone she wouldn’t mind getting involved with. At the same time, The Villain was not born evil, but rather has a personal vendetta against the king.

As the scenes unfold for Assistant to the Villain, we can understand Evie and The Villain more. The backstory creates empathy for them. At the same time, the front story unfolds at a quick pace—so we get all the excitement of scheming and action. This book was such a treat to read! I hope you can also enjoy it if you haven’t already.

Although, that’s not to say that all stories need the same ratio of front story to backstory. Some books are naturally more quiet and introspective. These types of stories showcase more backstory to really get into the headspace of the character.

Other stories are naturally more action-focused. The front story unfolds at a rapid pace—think action movies and adventure novels. These are often more immediate, and the front story takes up a vast majority of scenes.

But that doesn’t mean the adventure hero popped out of nowhere! The hero has a story from before, no matter how young they are in the front story.

So, did you learn something new about front story and backstory? What kind of story do you prefer—a more introspective one, or a fast-paced one?

Thank you very much for joining the CANON this week. What would you like me to discuss in the next post? Comment below. Or jump into my Chat or on one of my Notes, and I’ll be happy to hear your input. Let’s look out for the balance of front story and backstory in the stories we read, watch, and listen to this week!

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Here, I’ll explore creating a fictional universe, and I’m hoping you’ll follow along with your own world. I’m by no means an expert, so let’s discuss how to create a believable, magical, and captivating world. Let’s be storycatchers together!

Want to read Apple Hair, the boy band fantasy novel, from the very beginning? You can start here! Apple Hair is a fictional, Asian American boy band from Hawaiʻi.

Welcome to the newsletter, and I’m excited to lay down the foundations of our storyworlds together, one word at a time.

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Hi, storycatchers! In the last edition of the CANON, I gave you a fun mini guide to Apple Hair! This time, we’re going to explore a pretty interesting topic! And that’s including food in your storyworld. We’ve maybe seen the clips of Studio Ghibli movies, where the simple yet delicious food looks better than it does in real life! Or maybe you have another book where you love every food scene?

Including food in the storyworld will do more than make the reader hungry. It will give a sense of connection—and remind us that the characters are human too, unique just like their food preferences.

I love the anime Delicious in Dungeon for that reason. Food is an integral part of the story here, as the main cast goes adventuring throughout various dungeons, having to survive by making interesting cuisines out of the monsters. It’s both humorous and just a little bit gruesome. At the same time, the anime takes inspiration from dishes around the world.

Another great story that includes food in its world is The House Witch. The main character, a cook named Finlay, is hired by a castle as the main cook. He is skilled and passionate about food, and he even introduces the castle to a variety of cuisines. My favorite part is when he whips out some bulgogi, or Korean beef. Also, he teaches the castle about various spices and encourages them to be adventurous with food.

Honestly, not every book is centered on food. And that’s okay. Some other books only include a few scenes of dining. And that’s enough! It’s enough to remind the reader that the characters have their own preferences and memories tied to certain dishes.

My favorite scenes to read are first-date scenes where the characters are trying food together. Maybe one is a bit less familiar with the cuisine, but they end up loving it. I love the description of digging into a meal and relaxing over a table.

But my pet peeve is when amazing food is set out in a drama or novel, and then no one ends up eating it. Did you ever experience something like that with your favorite show? What are some ways you’d like food to be included more in your favorite shows? Do you have a food that makes you squeal every time it’s shown on screen?

Whenever tteokbokki is shown in a novel or show, I can’t help but want it. The same goes for ramen or pho. Honestly, seeing the steam rise above the dish is a whole otherworldly experience.

And maybe you’ve noticed some of the food scenes in Apple Hair. One place that makes an appearance is the beloved L&L, a restaurant where many people in Hawaiʻi stop by to get plate lunches. L&L has a variety of choices, but you can bet that the members of Apple Hair like something hearty. Something like kalbi or fried rice.

There’s even a dedicated cafeteria in AWE Entertainment. The members of Apple Hair come here often to catch their lunch, or maybe even dinner when they’re in a time crunch.

Does this give you any ideas on dishes to include in a story?

Thank you very much for joining the CANON this week. What would you like me to discuss in the next post? Comment below. Or jump into my Chat or on one of my Notes, and I’ll be happy to hear your input. Let’s enjoy food and food-rich stories this week!

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Usually, in the CANON, I explore creating a fictional universe with the hopes that you’ll follow along with your own world. Every fourth week, I’m releasing an AU story or an exclusive with one of the members of Apple Hair. This time, we have an entry from Corrin Chang, the Chinese American member.

Want to read Apple Hair, the boy band fantasy novel, from the very beginning? You can start here! Apple Hair is a fictional, Asian American boy band from Hawaiʻi.

Welcome to the newsletter, and I’m excited to share this exclusive with you.

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Every so often, Seiya will drive us to the Coffee or Tea? at McCully Shopping Center.

He’ll order his typical Assam milk tea, and the guys and I will decide between the myriad of options.

Did you know it can get quite crowded here on Fridays and weekends? (We had to find out the hard way.)

One night, it was just me and Seiya. I think David was down with a cold. Kaden and Van were trying to figure out exchanging their parts for the upcoming vocal evaluation.

Here on Oʻahu, everyone has been talking about the recent Taemin concert. It was just our luck that Seiya and I chose the worst night to grab boba. A bunch of fans were at the shopping center preparing for the concert—which was in two days!

They were taking pictures and exchanging photocards. If I hadn’t been so shocked, maybe I would’ve enjoyed it.

Seiya and I ordered and had to wait more than half an hour to get our drinks. Because it was so crowded, we ended up drinking in the car. I ordered a taro milk tea with extra boba. It tasted sweeter after waiting so long, but all I can remember is the fans shouting about Taemin.

It made me think about how sweet it will be when the guys and I finally debut!

Oh. Seiya and I also talked about the rebuilding efforts for Maui. The rebuilding efforts are still happening for the wildfire back in August of 2023. News about it always affects Seiya the most, since he’s from an outer island (though he’s from the Big Island, not Maui).

While talking about the fires and Taemin at the same time, it made me wonder if it’s even right to celebrate with a concert here in Oʻahu.

Seiya reminded me that through Taemin and other artists, we can find a lot of healing. As I sipped my milk tea slowly, I couldn’t help but think about the many stories of Maui residents losing their animals…

It made me think about my pets at home. I miss them dearly. “It makes me sad that we can’t save them all,” I told Seiya.

Seiya looked at me without judgment. He always knows how I’m thinking about the stray animals—like the plentiful cats—all over the island.

“One cat at a time,” Seiya told me.

It was just what I needed to hear that night. I took another sip of my boba. One cat at a time. Just like one house rebuilt at a time. Just like one practice session at a time. Maybe debut is out of reach to the outsider. But to me, it just needs another step forward.

Lots of love!

Corrin xx.

Hey, it’s Airen again! Did you enjoy Corrin’s entry? Comment below or jump into the Chat to talk about it!

I would love to hear your thoughts about this current-events style exclusive.

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