Hello, Dream Team!
Thank you to those who responded to my last newsletter. Hearing your excitement over the themes of THREAD OF DREAMS was so touching!
So, let’s keep this party going, shall we?
From very early on I knew I wanted my artist friend, Ellie Tran, to be involved with this book. Her whimsical illustrations capture the nature of my story and writing perfectly. So when the time came to comission her, we were both ecstatic. We bounced ideas back and forth as I explained my glowing, sunless planet with floating jellyfish (yes, you heard that correctly) and she took it all in stride. What she created is everything I hoped it would be!
I am dying to show you the full piece, but that reveal is coming later! For now, you get a glimpse through this lovely character art of one of my main characters, Arlo:
Here’s a little about him:
Arlo’s dream-girl always told him about a wonderous world beyond his imaginings, but he never thought that world could be a true escape from his traumatic realities. Until the night Nova becomes more than just a dream. Now Arlo must decide if leaving the weight of his responsibilities is worth the cost of following her into a new reality.
And here’s an excerpt from one of Arlo’s chapters:
“What lies on the other side
Of our beating hearts?
Our paper lungs?
Of failing bodies and
Broken homes?
My dreams whisper of other worlds—
A planet aglow, with power in its roots,
and magic in its people.
But what of a deeper magic?
Are there places untouched by suffering?
By death?”
Did you notice something? Yes, it’s in verse!
Arlo’s interspersed chapters are pure poetry. I wanted a creative way to instantly get into Arlo’s head, and this was it. Now, not only can Nova pick up on his moods within his dreams, but you—the reader—can hear his most intimate thoughts when it’s his turn to share.
I went through so many variations of Arlo, but he may have ended up being my favorite character (shhh, don’t tell the others!) He’s sweet and a broken, emotive poet—what’s not to like? (My husband *did* win me over with poetry, so obviously it’s a weak spot of mine!)
I can’t wait for you to connect to Arlo’s struggles, hopes, fears, and how he sees the world.
If you made it to the end, thanks for reading! If you missed the reveal and book blurb, you can visit this post. You can respond to this newsletter if you have a question, or wanted to comment on the artwork, poetry, or anything else!
Keep seeking wonder,
Emily Barnett
Verse as alternate POV is brilliant! I love it!
Such a lovely poem! Excited to meet Arlo.