Juggling Middle Grade Spaceships and YA Dark Spells

Fellow dreamers and magic enthusiasts,

I'm back with another update from the trenches of my writing escapades. Today, I'm here to spill the intergalactic tea on my Middle Grade Sci-Fi project and a spellbinding YA Dark Fantasy that's been keeping me up past my bedtime.

First things first, let's talk about my Middle Grade Sci-Fi. It's been a wild ride navigating the cosmos with these pint-sized explorers, and I've got to say that the research on space travel has taken me down a delightful black hole via YouTube and questionable conspiracy theories. Add in some quantum mechanics and now my brain hurts. But this story has been eleven years in the making, and I don't want to slow down. The plot may have changed, I may have cursed the cosmos, and I may have slammed my own noggin against the wall trying to think of any cool idea or formidable problem for these kids to solve, but I don't want to stop.

In my corner of YA Dark Fantasy, I'm having fun using this as a way to "escape" from space. Crafting this realm of enchantment and danger has been both thrilling and slightly unsettling. I've found myself pondering things like "how to create your own language" and "ancient curses that won't backfire." I've learned that a sprinkle of imagination and a dash of creativity can overcome even the most ominous Google searches.

The real challenge, though, was thinking that switching gears between these two vastly different worlds would be a problem at all. So far, it hasn't been.

Flip flopping between them feels very natural, and I suspect it's because I enjoy the character immensely, adore their arcs, and can't wait to see what they throw at me next. One moment I'm calculating the gravitational pull of a distant planet for the middle graders, and the next, I'm conjuring up a YA villain who's scarier than my inbox after a long weekend. I wouldn't have it any other way.

There's a certain joy in bouncing between these projects. It's like having a double life where I get to be both the mad scientist tinkering with spaceship engines and the sorcerer weaving spells in a hidden sword. Each story, whether it's about exploring the cosmos or navigating the shadows, brings its own set of challenges and victories.

So, to my fellow dreamers and readers, thank you for joining me on this writer's odyssey. Your support and enthusiasm fuel my late-night writing sessions and keep the creativity sparks alive. Whether you're a fan of spaceships or dark spells (or both!), I hope my stories bring a sprinkle of magic to your day.

Stay tuned for more updates from the writing trenches, where Middle Grade Sci-Fi and YA Dark Fantasy collide in the most unexpected ways. Feel free to head over to my main site at www.orioleolson.com to keep up with my current projects or any major announcements. Until then, keep dreaming, keep reading, and may your imagination soar to galaxies far, far away – or to realms where shadows whisper secrets only the bravest dare to hear.