Publishing and selling books online in just one month is an unrealistic timeframe. Despite this, I am determined to make it work. I am willing to go to great lengths, even if it means performing some sort of magic, in order to help Hanni avoid foreclosure on her home. I understand how much this means to her.
I've been thinking about this all night while doing the timetable. I only need two weeks to finish and polish the book - not just any book, but one that will hook plenty of readers. It should go viral, with everyone talking about it on social media so it sells fast. The remaining two weeks will be spent promoting it online, including selling it. That's tough, really tough. In addition to that, I need to crack the IP address I am using so no one can track where I am. Thanks to Haerin for teaching me how to crack an IP address. She's really good, not just at hacking IT stuff, but also at hacking into a woman's heart, except of course for Danielle.
As I stood in Hanni's work area, surrounded by the comforting scent of books, She shared with excitement. "Here are all the books we have published and printed," She said, gesturing to the neatly arranged rows of bound volumes. "And here are the copies of unpublished and unfinished books." I suggested we kickstart our brainstorming session by organizing the published and ongoing books on the shelves of her mini library in the building.
After reviewing the books they had published, I noticed that most of them were children's books. I didn't want to discourage her, so I asked if she had written any romance novels, which tend to be more lucrative.
She proudly replied, "Yes, of course. It's just a draft, but I poured all my efforts into this story." With enthusiasm, she handed me her iPad to read the draft. As I skimmed through the story, I couldn't help but blurt out, "This is also a children's book." She immediately grabbed her iPad and said, "Of course not. Have you read the new ending chapters? The prince falls in love with the princess, who is the only one able to cure his father's illness."
"But the princess that you are talking about is a bird - a bird that became a human in the end. This is like a fairy tale story, and we can't sell that," I explained to her, but it sounded more like I was arguing with her.
She didn't say a word and seemed hurt by my comments rather than feeling defeated.
I sighed and told her, "Okay, I'm not saying that your story is not good or unappealing. I'm just thinking about our target market - people who have crushes, fall in love with someone else, or fall out of love but still have hope and are trying to find out what love is. The age group would be teens and older."
She looked defeated and said, "Fine, teach me how to become a great author like you," then gave me a smile - a smile that felt like it completed my day.
"This is my style of writing, but definitely, all writers have their different style. It depends on where we feel comfortable," I told her.
"You have to know how the story started and how the story will end, and then lay out all the chapters in the way you want the story to flow. You need to consider what happens to the characters, how their story will develop, and so on. All the main characters you include in the story must have a defined and specific role. You can't just abandon them or leave them out without explaining how they fit into the story. Most importantly, your readers must feel all the emotions the characters are experiencing, whether it's happiness, sadness, anger, or love," I continued.
She was leaning in with eager anticipation, much like a diligent student. Her fingers danced across her iPad screen, capturing every detail. "Cute," I mumbled, contemplating whether I could affectionately dub her an "iPham."
"Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands with infectious excitement. Her exuberance broke through my reverie, jolting me back to the present moment.
"I can think of the happy memories with my family for the happy feeling I want to portray. For sad and mad, maybe thinking about the bank foreclosing this place. And for in love..."
I tilted my head and looked at her. "And?" I was waiting for her to continue, but she suddenly stopped.
"I haven't been in love or in any romantic relationship," she said shyly, with a hint of redness in her cheeks.
I found myself taken aback by her words. How could it be that such a stunning woman standing before me had never experienced love or been in a romantic relationship? If our paths had crossed at the time I met Karina, I might have found myself drawn to her instead. Her inner and outer beauty truly captivated me.
"Have you got a boyfriend yet?" I asked her, confirming my curiosity.
She gave me a small chuckle and said, "Like you, Minji, I am not into boys, and in all honesty, your first book was my awakening to my sexuality. If you asked me if I have dated girls or been involved in any romantic relationship with any gender, well, my answer is no. I haven't been."
Her radiant beauty left me breathless. "Wow, I mean you're absolutely stunning. You're every girl's dream," I finally managed to blurt out. It's hard not to admire her beauty. Everyone around her must be blind not to see it.
A shy blush crept up on her cheeks as she gracefully tucked a few loose strands of hair behind her ear. "Thank you," she said with a smile that lit up the room.
She looked into my eyes with a sense of wonder and vulnerability and softly spoke, "Now, teach me how to feel in love or how to be in love."
I slowly approached her, stepping closer until there was only a small gap between us. As I took her hand, I gazed into her deep, enchanting brown eyes. "Think about your crush or anyone who makes you feel butterflies fluttering around your stomach. Close your eyes slowly as you think of her," she obediently followed my instructions.
The stillness of our surroundings envelops us, and all I can perceive is the rhythmic cadence of our heartbeats. Our heartbeats intertwine, thumping in unison, amplifying the sensation that makes it difficult to draw breath, as if I could burst with exhilaration at any moment. This unfamiliar feeling has never consumed me before, as my pulse races at an unprecedented pace.
I inhaled deeply, feeling my heart pounding in my chest, unable to contain the rush of emotions. I then asked her, "When was the last time you felt butterflies in your stomach? When was the last time your heart raced for someone?"
With her eyes still closed, she replied, "Just now, as you stood mere inches away from me, holding my hands, your voice resonating in my ears and the intoxicating scent of your perfume I'm feeling it right now..."
YOU ARE READING
another world
Fanfiction"Will you marry me?" I asked my girlfriend, feeling so much love for her. "Minji, I love you, but I'm sorry, I can't marry you. I can't compromise my future with you. I want to have a normal family, and that wouldn't happen with you."
