Today we’d like to introduce you to Paige Lavoie.
Paige, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve been writing stories ever since I can remember. As a teenager, I had notebooks filled with dramas, comedies, and some pretty bad Lord of the Rings fanfiction (because who didn’t have a crush on the Prince of Mirkwood am I right?). The thing is, I never showed anyone these stories. The notebooks stayed hidden under my bed. The thought of letting someone read my work was mortifying. That changed when early in high school when I started drawing comics.
I would pass my notebook filled with my dark Tim Burton inspired comic stripes to friends, I loved making them laugh at the silly drawings, or nod in agreement at the more serious body-issue stuff I was drawing a lot at the time. Comics in a way was really freeing for me. The reactions to the work I was creating was instant. Whereas if I had shared a short story, I’d have to sit and wait for them to flip through it and read every little detail. Looking back I think that really helped me start to open up.
Even when my focus shifted towards art, I still kept writing. It’s always been something I needed to do, I’ve always been jotting down fragments of ideas, names for characters, never fully knowing what they’d become, just knowing that they’re important somehow, and then given the chance they could become something wonderful. But those stories and ideas remained unfinished.
I didn’t complete a manuscript until 2013 when I participated in NaNoWriMo (national novel writing month). It was a whirlwind of writing experience. I almost gave up. And after a pep-talk with my husband, who’s always cheering me on. I wrote 10k words in a day and had my first finished manuscript. It felt good and terrifying all at the same time. and two years later after a lot of revisions and editing “Confidence: The Diary of An Invisible Girl” was released into the world. A geeky diary-style novel filled with comics, conventions, and crushes! After completing a few more manuscripts and publishing my second novel “A Girl Called Monster” a modern-day Frankenstein retelling I realized while comics will always have a place in my heart my true love is writing.
I love how in depth I can get into the character’s emotions and scenery. I learn something new about crafting stories every day. And I am now a team member of Writer’s Atelier, a FL based writing studio that has the most wonderful writing community. Writing is something I always thought you had to do alone and for the most part that’s true. We do so much of the bulk work on our stories sitting in front of our computers. But the biggest thing I’ve learned since becoming an author is that community is key! The Writer’s Atelier group is always there to listen to each other bounce off ideas, have group writing days, share the successes and sorrows. I’ve become a better writer since joining them!
I’m currently working on my first YA Romance novel, I’ve published a few romance short stories before but doing an entire manuscript has been really different! It’s a roadtrip story set in 1950s outer space and it’s been really neat watching these character’s I created to fall in love!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’ve struggled with anxiety most of my life. I worry about everything. Talking to new people? Showing them my work? There have been moments when all these things have felt paralyzing. I’m in therapy now, and I can’t recommend it enough. It feels good to have a safe space for my mental health. I signed up for my first session after having the worst public panic attack I’ve ever had- while I was giving a presentation at Writer’s Atelier. I got through the talk, and as soon as I was able, politely excused myself and just sobbed in the car. At that moment, I didn’t think I’d ever been able to speak in public again.
Thank goodness for my writing community, husband, and for my therapist. They not only encouraged me to speak again (when I felt ready) but I got practical advice and support, that really helped. I still get anxious when I speak. But since then, I’ve presented at local workshops and even did a reading at Bookcon from “A Girl Called Monster” during “The Spark” event. Shoutout to my friend and fellow author Taylor Simonds who was there to encourage me before we went on stage together!
I was nervous. But I got through it without panicking. And that, for me is incredible progress.
For someone like me who has anxiety, the thought of putting myself out there a few years ago was terrifying. So, I just avoided it. But, It’s important to find your community.
Storytime!
Years ago, I’d been wanting to check out Writer’s Atelier (my local writing group) for probably a year before I met the founder Racquel Henry at an event. She personally took the time to invite me to come to their next workshop. I was free most of the day, and I knew I really wanted to go.
The thing was, I had a Bastille Day event to go to afterwards. An event I really wanted to dress up for. (If you follow me on Instagram, this is not a surprise).
The only way to wear my costume to the event was to go to the writing workshop… totally dressed up. And I thought. ‘Here’s a chance to see if this group accepts me- and all the ‘weirdness’ I bring to the table.’ If they can’t take me at my most french rococo- then, let them eat cake.’
Long story short. That day, I found my tribe. (And because of my costume 100% look like a creepy french ghost in our first group photo altogether.)
It’s been a few years and joining Writer’s Atelier has been life-changing. They’re the writing family I wished everyone had!
Am I telling everyone to go to a writing group in a giant pink formal gown? No. Am I telling you to always be true to yourself, and seek out people who will always accept you for who you are? 100%
Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I love to write stories about strong female friendships, falling in love and character’s finding themselves.
My first novel “Confidence: The Diary of an Invisible Girl” is a great example of that.
Originally, I wanted to write a very serious fantasy novel for NaNoWriMo- but then out of nowhere came Barbara Jenkins, barreling down the hallway of my brain just trying to find the gosh darn line for the bathroom!
I had the idea for one particular scene towards the end of the novel and everything else just started falling into place! Sometimes you just have to go with the project that gives you the most joy. (no matter how silly it may seem!)
A Girl Called Monster is much darker. At its core “A Girl Called Monster” is a coming of age story, about self-discovery and stepping away from unhealthy relationships. I was inspired by old movies like My Fair Lady. I always hated the way Henry Higgins treated Eliza and the way ended up together at the end. I remember being a kid and going on rants about it in front of the t.v. “This isn’t okay! He’s mean!” I think when you break it down they have a very Doctor/Experiment dynamic that easily transforms into a Frankenstein story. And while I think some of those feelings helped fuel my writing, the story took turns that even I as the writer didn’t expect.
At first, I thought maybe I’d write it as a romance, and realized getting towards the end that was wrong. Sometimes, a “Happy Ending” means walking away from someone instead of towards them. Soon after, she gets out of the lab she’d surrounded by new friends, and slowly finds people that she can depend on. I wanted to make sure she had a chance to live life outside of the Doctor’s control. And I think the friendships and ways the supporting cast help her discover herself is one of the things that sets it apart. No spoilers, but I love the gang of hair stylists so much!
I think most of my stories tend to be apart girls who feel like outsiders. The geeks, the nerds, and the monsters, finding comfort in their own skin, and becoming who they’re meant to be.
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
When I was 17 and vending at my first convention, I found a lot of inspiration through my conversations with Artist/Author/Doll Maker Christy Kane. I can’t remember a particular phrase or word of advice, but I do remember the kindness she illuminated, and her willingness to share her process.
Be kind to each other, willing to learn, and community over competition always!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.paigelavoie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrspaigelavoie/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrspaigelavoie
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