KC North, Author

Reminder: Every famous author was once an awkward young person with a Scrivener and a dream. So basically we're all on the same journey, just at different pit stops.

I love writing YA because teens get it. They know that awkward isn't a phase, it's a lifestyle. And honestly? Adults are just as awkward, we're just better at hiding it.

Currently editing and I just realized I've written the phrase "awkward silence" 34 times. Is this a problem? Should I be concerned? (Don't answer that.)

My brain at 3am: "Remember that time you—" Me: "Yes, and it's already in Chapter 7. Go to sleep."

Young writer problems: Your friends asking if they're in your book. The answer is yes but also no but also maybe and please don't ask follow-up questions.

Writing milestone: My character did something so relatable that I, the author, felt called out by my own work. Growth.

Broke: Having a character arc. Woke: Having your character experience the same awkward situation 5 times and handle it slightly better each time.

Every time I think "this character moment might be too cringe" I remember that real life is SO MUCH WORSE and I forge ahead confidently.

Writing Tip Tuesday: Your awkward moments are gold. That time you waved back at someone who wasn't waving at you? That's Chapter 3. You're welcome.

My book's target audience: People who have ever waved at someone who wasn't waving at them and then had to commit to the wave fully to save face. So... everyone.

Writing awkward romance is great because you can just remember every failed flirtation attempt you've ever made and make it LITERARY.

Here's a secret: Every "confident" writer is just an awkward person who learned to channel their chaos into compelling fiction. We're all frauds. It's great.

The best thing about being a writer is that nothing is ever wasted. That mortifying thing you did? That's content now. You're welcome, future self.

I think I've finally figured out my genre: Contemporary YA Cringe Fiction. It's like contemporary fiction but everyone's mortified 90% of the time.

Writing confession: I keep a note on my phone titled "Awkward Things I Witnessed Today" and it's currently 47 pages long. This is normal.

Sneak peek Saturday: Here's the opening line of my book. Yes, it involves someone tripping in public. Yes, it gets worse. Yes, you'll want to read more.

Things that make me a better writer: 1) Reading constantly 2) Observing people 3) Never getting over that time I walked into a glass door in front of my entire school

Book status: Written. Edited. Re-edited. Read aloud to my cat who judged me silently. Ready to share with the world. Please be kind. Also please buy it.

Fun fact: 87% of being a YA writer is remembering your own awkward phase and making it WORSE for your characters. The other 13% is crying about it.

My writing process: 1) Think of awkward scenario 2) Make it worse 3) Add feelings 4) Make it EVEN worse 5) Publish

The duality of being a writer: "I'm so proud of this character growth" and "Why did I make them do that, I can't even read this scene without covering my eyes"

Let's talk about why awkward characters are the BEST characters. Thread: 1) They're relatable 2) They're hilarious 3) We're all rooting for them 4) They're us

Real talk: I spent 3 hours researching the exact shade of embarrassment-red a face turns when you call your teacher "Mom." This is my life now.

Just described someone's laugh as "a mix between a hiccup and a cry for help" and honestly I think I'm getting too good at this.

Book recommendation engine: You like cringe? You like humor? You like feeling seen? Let me introduce you to contemporary YA fiction, specifically MINE.

My superpower is turning personal trauma into commercial fiction. My therapist is concerned. My readers are entertained. Balance.

Middle school: *agonizing over whether passing a folded note to your crush is too forward*
Me now: *spending 45 minutes crafting and recrafting a two-word comment on their post, only to go with "haha same"*

All social media feelers like middle school to me but then again I’m anxious by nature so that doesn’t help. But yes, it feels better over here. And I learned how to customize my feeds so it’s even better than what Threads was feeding me.

The internet really said "What if we took all the social anxiety of middle school and made it available 24/7 from the comfort of your own home?" and we all said "Yes, perfect, sign me up!"

Yes! I did some writing so that was fun. And you?