Writing Update: Four WIP's

When I was in school, I told myself I was never going to become a teacher. I had several motivations, but the main one was that someone once said when they became a teacher, they didn’t have the energy to write. Ouch. Why would I want to do a job if it meant giving up writing?

Long story short, now I’m a teacher and a writer. Ha! Not today, discouragement.

Over the last couple of years, I’ve changed jobs, schedules, number of projects, you name it. Usually, I tend to write about two novels a year. Whether I stick with that project or not is another matter entirely. Lately, though, I have two projects in the editing phase, another I just finished writing, and a fourth one that I’m outlining.

Four whole works in progress. So many!

 

Novel 1: Edge of the Solar System

Genre: adult sci-fi, mystery
Stage: Draft 3

Cory Bailey is used to working alone. When the Interspecies Investigation, a cross-cultural agency, offers her a position as a linguist, she jumps at the chance to work in her field, even if it takes her halfway across the Solar System. Now she has to figure out how to work as a member of a team if she’s to survive. But meeting with the Tchotovoroc, an alien species resident to the colony outside Neptune, isn’t quite what she expects, and the greatest threat may just be the humans closer to home.

Oooooh! I’m so excited to share this one with you guys! I’ve gotten some feedback from my critique partners and soon I’ll be looking for beta readers and sensitivity readers. Then it’s off to querying literary agents.

 

Novel 2: Water Sprite

Genre: YA contemporary fantasy, poetry
Stage: Draft 3

Astor Foster doesn’t plan on making any new friends during her last year in Germany. Not since her best friend moved back to the States last December, and not when she is going to move soon. Nobody is more surprised than she is when a family outing leads her to hang out with a girl at the local pool. But there’s more to her new friend than her strange name—Sturm. There’s also her ability to breathe underwater, and Astor wants to know how.

I had a hard time settling on the plot for this story, but once I turned it into a novel in verse, it really took form. I just need to find some more critique partners… It’s a trickier to find people who are willing to read a novel in verse.

 

Novel 3: Not-So-Secret

Genre: YA sci-fi
Stage: Draft 1

I started using Campfire Writing to outline my books, and had a lot of fun developing the story even before the writing process. I just finished the rough draft. Like any first draft, it’s a mess, but that’s a good thing. I’ve got plenty to work with, and I get the feeling I’ll enjoy rewriting it come summer.

I’ve been experimenting with style a lot lately, and it’s been lots of fun!

 

Novel 4: Secret

It’s a little early for me to share much about this one because it’s so new. Even if I were to tell you about it, that info would likely change by the time I get around to writing it. I’ll just say it’s a fantasy.

 

Blogging

Because I’m working on so many books, I’ve decided to step back from my blog for a while, posting once a month instead of once a week. I haven’t yet decided whether I’m going to share poems or book-related posts. Maybe a bit of both. We shall see.

Until next time, happy reading!

 

Let’s chat! Fellow writers, what kind of projects are you working on? What’s your favorite genre to write? Do you have a preferred writing style?

 

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Similar posts: Campfire Writing, Writing Update: To Sequel or Not to Sequel?, and My Latest Writing Desk

6 Young Adult Novels that Changed my Perspective

Once upon a time, I read an adult book that featured publishers who didn’t believe many books actually changed people. What a depressing thought. Stories like that one are one of the reasons why I’ll like going back to Young Adult—such stories often empower our youth and even adults like myself. (YA often gets a lot of flack for being too self-centered, as if adult books are somehow not self-centered? Give me a break.) This post is about empowering YA stories.

Stories that made me want to learn more.

Stories that made me want to take action.

Stories that made me want to dream.

The following books are organized by authors’ last names.

 

 

A Conspiracy of Stars by Olivia A. Cole

Not only does this book have stellar world building, but it also has some great themes! I particularly like the way Cole builds upon the concept of several generations of humans living on an alien planet, and none of the people know what animals from earth look like, so there’s really nothing to compare the animals to. That and the perspective of the later generations is different from the older ones. They see the new planet, Faloiv, as their home.

One of the main differences between Faloiv and Earth is the way its animals interact with each other. Most of the predators there only attack other predators. And most of the humans are vegetarians and find the concept of eating an animal horrific, which is especially the case for those who have the ability to telekinetically communicate with them.

I already cared deeply about nature, but after reading the book, I gave up meat for lent, then later ate only a pescatarian (fish, not meat) diet as a social experiment. While I have a high respect for vegetarians, I do not despise those who eat meat. I’d have to write off my entire family if that was the case, and there are plenty of places where being a vegetarian is nearly impossible (e.g. eating out in Germany). But the book gave me a greater respect for animals and our own planet.

 

Audacity by Melanie Crowder

Sometimes, I forget how privileged I am to live in this day and age. I’ve never really had to deal with discrimination because of my gender. (I’m not referring to being hit on, though I could certainly do without that. The first time I was catcalled, I was 14.) This book in particular addresses the discrimination against women in the workplace in the early 1900s, and the strike the women embarked on thereafter. It’s heartbreaking yet empowering.

Sometimes I think this book is one of those that’s actually gotten me into arguments. But if somebody is being blatantly discriminatory, whether against gender, racial, or neurological differences, I have to say something.

 

Forward Me Back to You by Mitali Perkins

One of my good friends from college highly recommended Perkins’ books, and she actually gave me this one as a gift. (Or maybe she leant it to me, and I just kinda kept it? I don’t remember…) I particularly liked the way this book addressed multiple several themes without being overwhelming, from empowering women to protect themselves to the fight against human trafficking.

Though I have been incredibly blessed and never had to deal with a situation where I needed to use self-defense, not everybody is so fortunate. Now, I’m actively seeking ways to get involved in anti-human trafficking, such as Dressember, an organization that raises awareness through volunteers like myself dressing up and advocating for an end to modern-day slavery. You can learn more on my fundraising page. No donations required.

 

A List of Cages by Robin Roe

When I initially read this book, I honestly didn’t think much of it. I brushed it off as another 3-star book and moved on. Until I was encountered with a situation that reminded me of one of the major themes of the book—if you see somebody in trouble and they beg you not to say anything, speak up anyway. A person’s life is more important than what may seem like momentary betrayal.

In A List of Cages Adam, a high school senior, befriends Julian, a freshman. Though friendship isn’t always easy, and Adam quickly learns that being a friend sometimes means speaking up for the other person.

In my case, I had a friend who told me they sometimes wished they were dead. Immediate red flag. I told somebody, and my friend sought help. Today, we are still close, and I am happy they are alive.

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Do you ever read those kinds of books that are so heartbreaking that you just want to hold your family tight and tell them how much you love them because not everybody has that? I’ve read several books like that, but this one in particular was one of those that made me want to reexamine my preconceptions about history.

There are so many stories out there that aren’t covered by most history classes, and this one in particular talks about the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, a tragedy that dwarfs even the Titanic. Though the blurb on Goodreads is incredibly dry, the book itself is incredibly engaging.

 

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskin

Okay, I realize I may get flack for adding this one. There are many readers on the autism spectrum who have expressed their dislike for this book, and I highly respect their opinions. Though I may not be on the spectrum, I have a brother who is high functioning autistic, so I’m always eager to learn more. Hear me out for a moment.

I first read Mockingbird back in 2014 for my Young Adult Fiction class in university. Although this story may not be the best representation of what it means to be autistic, it started me on the journey to discover more novels and nonfiction accounts that represent the spectrum. Since then, I have volunteered at my church to work with kids who are not atypical. I sought out special education while working as a substitute teacher, and I’ve met plenty of other kids on the spectrum at my current job.

Other books that I’ve read since then include but are not limited to The Boy Who Steals Houses (fiction; #ownvoices), Kids Like Us (fiction), and Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s (nonfiction; #ownvoices; they don’t call it Asperger’s anymore). There are plenty more books on my list, and I’m always looking for more recommendations!

 

Let’s chat! What are some YA books that changed your perspective? Have you read any of these? How’s your TBR doing?

 

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Similar posts: 7 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book-to-Movie Adaptations I Enjoy, 4 Books I Initially Disliked but Came to Enjoy, and Recommended Reading: Disability Representation

Origami Swan: Novel Title Change and Cinnamon Rolls (aka Characters)

If you haven’t noticed already, I’m slightly obsessed with cinnamon rolls. They hold pleasant memories for me. When I was studying for my undergraduate degree, I would visit my Grandmama every Thanksgiving and Spring Break, and she made the world’s best cinnamon rolls, and then she’d let me add extra frosting and let me eat out of the frosting bowl because she’s just that kind of wonderful person! (We’re not actually related by blood, but I call her Grandmama anyway.)

And comparing fictional characters to cinnamon rolls is loads of fun. I like the trend with my favorite fandoms. (Maybe it’s old and stale now? Who cares!) So I thought, why not introduce the main characters of my novel, Origami Swan (previously called Just Breathe), by using the comparison. Here goes!

Title: Origami Swan

Story Type: novel

Current Writing Stage: querying literary agents

Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult Fantasy

Looks like a cinnamon roll but could actually kill you: Mary Lee Winters

Slightly obsessed with technology and prefers to go by her middle name, Lee. Carries around an e-guide to the Labyrinth, written by her dad, “The Professor.” Makes her initial appearance when a vendor at the Maze Market points her out to the main character, Agatha.

Looks like she could kill you and could actually kill you: Agatha Jordan

Recent high school graduate who likes collecting books, discovering the best hiking trails, and working at her dad’s garage. Prefers logic to emotion yet tends to be impulsive. Makes her appearance as the protagonist and narrator on the first page.

Looks like he could kill you and is actually a cinnamon roll: Guy Graves

Also known as the coffee addict or “Guy of Gisborne” and is not a fan of mornings. At all. Don’t bother talking to him until he’s had at least three cups of black coffee. Makes his initial appearance at the Maze Market when he mistakes Agatha for Lee.

Looks like a cinnamon roll and is a cinnamon roll: Genesis “Jen” Montgomery

A chemistry major and a college senior who likes quirky sci-fi novels. Tends to be socially awkward but enjoys deep, philosophical conversations. Makes her initial appearance wandering in the Labyrinth.

That’s just a few facts about the main quartet of characters in my latest novel. I could say more, but I don’t want to give too much away.

This list isn’t quite the comprehensive cast. I haven’t even mentioned the antagonists yet! And yes, I know some of the names are weird. #AuthorConfession: I took some names I originally didn’t like (e.g. Agatha) or random terms (e.g. Guy) and gave them to my characters, and they kinda stuck. Now I like them and they’re not changing.

Let’s chat! Who would you most be interested in meeting? Who are you most like? (Of all the cinnamon rolls, I’m probably “looks like she could kill you and is actually a cinnamon roll.”) When’s the last time you had an actual cinnamon roll?

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Similar posts: Just Breathe: Novel Announcement and Stories in Progress

Just Breathe: Novel Announcement and Beta Readers Wanted!

Good news, everybody! I’m almost always working on my next novel, and while some of them don’t make the cut to revisions, this next one did! Announcing: Just Breathe, a contemporary fantasy for young adults! (The title is likely to change, especially since Just Breathe is a common book name according to Goodreads. But for now, I don’t have anything better. Suggestions are welcome!)

Update: Just Breathe has been renamed to Origami Swan.

Agatha Jordan never expected a used car for her graduation any more than she expected to get stranded in the middle of a corn field during its first drive. She heads to the nearest town in the hopes of calling a tow truck and covering it all up. But the nearest town is abandoned, and there’s more to the Midwest than ghost towns—there’s the North American Labyrinth, the legendary home of the lost. And Agatha finds herself stuck within its never-ending walls where ordinary physics don’t seem to apply.

Determined to escape, Agatha takes paths that will take her to the Pool of Reflection and the Riddle Square to the Summer Inn and the Maze Market. Along the way, she meets with peers and con artists and struggles to separate myth and reality. Because ultimately, before she can leave the Labyrinth, she must confront her past before she can choose her future. 

1. Why am I writing this novel in particular?

One of the questions I always get tired of people asking is “What are you going to do next?” Sometimes, I don’t know. And that’s okay. I don’t have to have all the answers. Neither does my protagonist, even though she may want to. 

The Labyrinth in this story is known as the home of the lost. When people, specifically those in North America, don’t know what they’re going to do next in their lives, one way or another, they end up in the Labyrinth. Sure, such metaphors can only go so far, but they make for interesting stories. I’ve drawn from elements both real and imaginary, mashed them together, and experimented with how they might react. 

For example, what would a farmer’s market look like in the confines of three-foot wide passageways? How does technology respond within a parallel dimension? And how does a mythical place from Ancient Greece end up in the Midwest in the first place? 

2. Why is this novel important to me?

This novel has to be the hardest story I’ve ever done. Not because of the amount of the research that’s had to go into it, and not even because of the plot points. This novel has been the hardest because it’s so close to my heart. Like me, Agatha struggles with anxiety. And while I’ve put a fantastical twist on her panic attacks—this is fantasy, after all—they have been hard to write because they’re so personal. 

3. Why am I the one to write this novel?

In order to write this book, I’ve not only done research on anxiety, but I’ve had to draw from my own fears and insecurities. Although I’ve never had a panic attack that’s nearly as intense as Agatha’s, that doesn’t make them any less impactful. Every time I wrote such scenes, I had to take a step back and do something uplifting, like take a walk, read a book, or talk to a friend. 

I’ve touched on depression before in Last of the Memory Keepers, but Just Breathe deals with mental illness on a deeper level. 

Beta readers wanted! 

Update: I am currently in the querying stage of this novel, so I am not looking for beta readers at this time.

Do you enjoy reading contemporary fantasy? Does the book blurb interest you? Would you like to read a book before it gets published and have your name added to the acknowledgements? Then beta reading is for you! 

I’m currently looking for 3-5 more beta readers for my novel. If you’re interested in becoming a beta reader for Just Breathe, please get in touch. If you want to serve as a beta reader, please answer the following questions. They’re just a way for me to get to know you as a reader before I send you my latest draft. 

• Do you subscribe to the Word Storm Newsletter? (Recommended, not required.) 
• Are you a writer? If yes, what have you written/published? Do you have a blog? (Recommended, not required.)
• What are your favorite genres? List three of the best books you’ve read this year. 
• Are you willing to commit 6-10 hours of unpaid reading to an unpublished novel? 
• Why do you want to be a beta reader for Just Breathe? (e.g. I know somebody with/have experience with mental illness. OR I’m a book blogger. Etc…)

Once you’ve got all your responses, please send them to me on Facebook, Twitter, or at word.storm.blog@gmail.com

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Similar posts: Last of the Memory Keepers: Series Announcement and Anxiety, Depression, and Literature: Studying Abroad in England

Let’s chat! What did you think of the book blurb for Just Breathe? Is this the kind of novel you would like to read? Do you have any alternate title suggestions? What are some of your favorite contemporary fantasies?

How Editing Flash Fiction Helped me Edit a Novel

I really like words. A lot. In fact, I enjoy writing so much that I often have a hard time saying exactly what I mean in few words. Yes, it’s achievable, but I find it much easier to write ALL MY THOUGHTS when I should keep things short and simple. This has pros and cons. For one, writing essays is (sometimes) easier. As is coming up with a novel. Because once I have an idea, I already have 3 or more subplots and a character death or two already planned out.

But there can be beauty in simplicity too.

Although I wrote my first novel at twelve, I didn’t get my first story published until I was seventeen. And it was a piece of flash fiction—less than 1,000 words. While I haven’t stopped writing novels, I went on to publish two more flash fiction pieces before I decided to tackle editing a novel.

I knew such a project would be more ambitious than any I had attempted before. Sure, I had edited a novel before, back when I was fourteen, but nothing ever became of the project aside from my learning experience. So it was that I approached a 72,000-word story and decided to completely re-work it until I was pleased or close to satisfied or ready to give up with frustration because goodness, why can’t novels edit themselves?

During my multi-draft process, of rewriting and editing, and receiving feedback from my beta readers and my editor, I learned a valuable lesson. Editing what became a novel story really wasn’t that different from editing a 1,000-word one. But what, you may ask, could editing flash fiction and editing a novel possibly have in common?

1.     Flash fiction and novels both have word limits.

Wait a minute. Aren’t novels SIGNIFICANTLY longer than short stories? Yes, they are. But unless you’re writing War and Peace or The Lord of the Rings, you’re going to face some restrictions on how many words your novel can have. Too short, and you’re writing a novella. Too long, and your story probably won’t be taken seriously by a publisher/literary agent.

Different novels will have different restrictions depending on the genre. Young adult, for example, can be anywhere from 50,000-80,000 words. But since I like long books, I decided to add some things to my novel and ended up with 90,000 words in draft 2.

That’s where my previous experience editing flash fiction came in handy. I was already used to cutting words, paragraphs, and scenes trying to get a short story below 1,000 words, so I used the same basic principles with my novel. Basically, if it a sentence didn’t contribute to the plot, I cut it. If a paragraph bored me, I cut it. If I questioned a scene’s very necessity and worth, I cut it.

In the end, I managed to trim my bulky 90,000-word novel down to a neat 79,765 words, just within the recommended limits for a YA novel.

2.     Flash fiction and novels both have plot.

I should think this one is quite obvious. But just because flash fiction is short doesn’t mean it doesn’t have the basic structure of a novel. Although the inciting incident and the climax may not be nearly as drawn out as in a novel, short stories still have them.

Personally, writing flash fiction pieces helped me most with these two points. If I couldn’t figure out where to start the story right away, I would write WAY over 1,000 words and have to scrap the entire story. But once I figured out the perfect opening lines, the rest fell into place.

Except for the ending. Writing endings are easy. Writing GOOD endings are the bane of my existence. But trying out different endings over the course of multiple drafts was really helpful in writing flash fiction. It helped me realize how much I struggle with them and how helpful it can be to receive feedback on such plot points prior to submissions. I would not have been able to write ANY good endings without the help of my friends. 

3.     Writing and editing flash fiction and novels both taught me that being a writer is a TON of work.

And I mean a TON. Personally, I worked with a lot of drafts in my novel. So many, I lost count, but I’d estimate close to five. That’s a 1) rough draft, 2) a rewrite, 3) first round of feedback, 4) second round of feedback, and 5) professional and final edits.

Actually, this is pretty decent, considering most of my flash fiction stories underwent five to seven rounds of edits before they were ready for publication. So five drafts over the period of several months felt pretty good.

Of course, every writer is different, so the editing process and time is bound to vary from writer to writer. But if you can’t handle the process and effort of editing a 1,000-word story, editing a 50,000-or-more-word story is probably not for you.

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Basically, the main difference between editing a flash fiction piece and editing a novel is time. Flash fiction can take a couple of hours, maybe a day, but a novel can take weeks if not months. 

So if you usually write novel-length projects, don’t be afraid to try something different. Like a flash fiction piece. Or a couple blog posts. All writing is a learning experience. And if you’ve completed a novel-length story but haven’t edited it yet, what are you waiting for?

How many drafts does it usually take you to polish a story? Have you ever considered writing something aside from your usual length? If you have done so, what did you learn?

Enjoyed this piece? Check out my flash fiction: “Blue Ribbon,” “The List,” and “The Lamb’s Brook of Life.”

Scanning Draft 3

There’s a reason writers call plot bunnies, well, plot bunnies. Perhaps they should call them Tribbles. Once you have one, you suddenly have ten and they never go away. Especially when you’re trying to write an essay or trying to sleep. I recently found a black-and-white, dystopian plot bunny wandering about and decided to house it in my little bunny hatch. (Aka my folder of story ideas.) Can you guess what else I found there? A really old bunny that developed into a novel, which I know call Breaking a Thief. I looked back on the original idea and laughed. Wow, had my story taken completely different turns than I had originally planned!

Pfeffer: my writing/editing buddy this summer.
She's not cuddly unless she's hiding from the wind.
Photo credit: Lori Klein

What had started out as historical fiction changed to medieval fiction with my own countries and towns. Characters came and went and others developed. Major plot points changed. Earlier this year, I posted my experiences rewriting giant portions of my novel (You can read about it here: Wrestling with Draft 2.) But the work didn’t stop there. After I set the novel aside for another month so I could take part in Camp NaNoWriMo, I dove right back into editing.

After a whole month dedicated to Visionary, a story with no plot, I was excited to get back to some structure in Breaking a Thief. I enjoyed the characters, the setting, the plot, all of which is vital to working on a story. If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t have stuck with it so long. In my third round of edits, I decided to try two new techniques to help me catch as many mistakes as I could.

First, I enlisted the help of several beta readers. (Thanks again, you lovely people!) I did this in cycles. After Draft 2, I got feedback from my first beta reader, then got feedback from another reader after Draft 3. Though these readers didn’t edit for me, they told me what they thought of the story and if there were any inconsistencies.

 

Perhaps the three most valuable things I learned from them was that some of my characters needed rounding out, whether or not a plot twist was obvious/plausible, and that my ending needed some serious work. And by serious work, I mean I rewrote it four different times. Though the extra comments meant a bunch of extra work, it was worth it to receive honest, critical feedback from my peers.

Then I read through the whole story again by reading each chapter twice in a row. In no way would I ever recommend this as a way to read a novel for fun, but two readings helped. First, I reacquainted myself with the chapter, getting to know what the story was trying to say. Then I would reread the chapter to analyze each sentence and see what the story was actually saying. Because of this long process, I would get through two or three chapters on a good day (that’s about 20-35 pages a day).

By the time I got to the midway point of my novel, I was sick of reading it. It was tedious, but I managed to look beyond the story and at the grammar and wording. Once I finished this process, I set the book aside and didn’t touch it for three weeks (During that time I worked on another project until my classes started. More on that story later! J)

Then I sent the story off to my editor. I recently got it back, and have been working on more edits throughout the week. Once I’m done editing, I’ll be off to sending out query letters to agents! Until that happens, I’ll keep writing, reading, editing. You name it. Talking about stories and ideas is fun too.
 

In fact, whenever I tell people I’ve written a novel, I get the age old question: “What’s it about?”

After my initial annoyance at this difficult question, I’ve learned to enjoy telling people about my story, which is easier now that I know the story inside-out. So now I say, “It’s about a thief.”

 

“Cool,” People typically say. “What does he do?”

 

I smile. “She seeks to become the greatest of all thieves by challenging a superior.”

 

Then I sit back and watch the shock on their faces as I defy stereotypes one character at a time. Silly readers. Whoever said all thieves had to be guys?

 

Writers, what does your editing process look like? Have you ever employed the help of beta readers?  Readers, what’s your favorite genre? I’m torn between several new ideas for my next story.

Wrestling with Draft 2

I realize I’m late with my blog post this month (sorry about that), but I can honestly say I had a good excuse (other than visiting Ireland). Yesterday, I sat down at my computer and finished editing the last chapter of my latest novel, Breaking a Thief. This accomplishment marked my first time ever completing a second draft of a novel-length story.


It was like assembling a puzzle without knowing what the picture was or where any of the pieces went. It was exhausting. Frustrating. Dangerous. It wasn’t just red ink that ended up on my manuscript (silly paper cuts!). But it is finally complete, and I shall temporary set aside the story (again) so I can write my next novel, Visionary, for Camp NaNoWriMo next month.



All 272 pages of draft 1.



So, you might ask, what was my process for editing my novel? Well, it was very similar to editing a short story, except 100x longer. After finishing my rough draft, I set the story aside for three whole months. It was painful not to touch the story, and I felt lost as to what to do next. But by the time I came back to the story, I was eager to pick it up again. I printed out the first draft, read it over, and made notes in the margarines and on the back. I also used a ton of sticky notes to indicate the types of editing needed (cut/add scenes or research).

Then I started the second draft, focusing mainly on major plot issues, so there will be many more drafts yet come! I scrapped and rewrote the beginning and the end and reworked plot twists and character involvement. I can honestly say I am (currently) proud of my progress, though I still have many doubts and will probably look back on draft 2 with horror in August.



I went through a whole red pen marking up this draft.

Then the process will begin all over again. Except there will probably be less rewriting chapters and more cutting words and personalizing actions. So there you have it! Draft 2 is finally complete, and I honestly could not have made it without prayer, coffee, and encouragement from friends (You know who you are. Thank you!). 

 

Now my mind is exhausted. It’s time for a break before I start hectically pounding away at my keyboard trying to write a novel in only 31 days. 

 

Before you go, here’s the premise to the novel I edited, Breaking a Thief:

One lie can change much, but the truth can change everything. Lorne has learned the fine skills of thievery since childhood, but when she steals an item forbidden to the thieves, she is torn between living a double life: one of thievery and another of knowledge. With the help of a young pickpocket, Thane, Lorne crosses boundaries where even her influential father cannot protect her. 

 What are some milestones that you’ve accomplished lately? Want to read more about Lorne? Stay tuned for updates on later drafts or comment below!