that twist ending is so relatable though. It reminded me of when I was young and trying to make my even younger cousin say "photography". He kept getting it wrong and I eventually gave up. Before he left the room he called me, gave me the most michievous smile, said the damn word perfectly and ran away laughing like a maniac.
I'm so glad I found your substack. SO informative but told with such humour that it sticks in my foggy brain! And YAY to napping! My workaholic partner refuses to believe me when I tell him they are actually productive! AND I've only seen TLOU tv series and wondered how close it was to the game - now I know and so I thank you for that too :D
Lian, I'm so glad your editor encouraged you to embrace your humorous side, aka your inner child. I mean think about it: "Olive prefers to ... even LICK!" her paintings. What adult would think to LICK their painting. Yet, a child would!
Adults wouldn't do it because they're always "thinking", and thinking means they wonder what's in the paint that might not be good, not to mention, it's paint, so it probably doesn't taste good. And on and on.
Children, especially younger children, are still explorers. And, early elementary children totally appreciate the humor in the crazy and nonsensical outer reaches of such exploration -- such as licking a painting.
And, your finding your twist ending in an incredibly dark video game is further validation of how amazing your humor/comedy is. I always find it so interesting that sometimes the funniest moments begin in super serious dark places.
Thanks again for another great look into your creative process!
I think it's up to the editor! But I would say it's pretty flexible since when you submit a book, they'll buying the idea for the book. Traditionally you'll have meetings with the editors who are interested in buying your book and they'll discuss their ideas for your book and how they envision it coming together. Most of the meetings I had all the editors had mentioned that the ending needed work but they still loved the story! Since it's a collaborative process I don't think any editor wants to force you as an author to work on a story you don't believe in. They're there to help shape your words and story into something greater!
I love getting the "behind the scenes" thought processes and the exchanges with your editor. I had to go back and reread the book, because I don't think I "got" the subversive ending--at least not with the resonance it now has. But now, I'm wondering if the title is also a sneaky foreshadowing ("O" Olive)?
Hah! I actually did not even think of that for the title! My editor actually came up with the title after a lot of deliberation but I don't think either of us made that conection... What a great connection! Now I'll start telling kids that that's entirely why it's named "Oh, Olive!" haha!
Ah, so good! It’s so difficult being in that frustrating place of knowing it’s not working, but not knowing the exact right way to fix it. I love that the inspiration came from an unexpected place!
Thank you for sharing this. This is such a great admission and really lays bare how non-linear the creative process is. I think looking outside of one’s art is one of the best ways to keep things fresh and this is a perfect example of that.
that twist ending is so relatable though. It reminded me of when I was young and trying to make my even younger cousin say "photography". He kept getting it wrong and I eventually gave up. Before he left the room he called me, gave me the most michievous smile, said the damn word perfectly and ran away laughing like a maniac.
those damn kids!! they love to toy with us don't they?
Iconic, enthralling, and inspiring. Now you can put the "Last Of Us" as your muse in your wiki
LOL watch me get sued by Naughty Dog. They win the case and then they get all the rights to Olive and make a videogame out of her...
That would be nuts. But she could solve the next apocalypse, soooo........
I'm so glad I found your substack. SO informative but told with such humour that it sticks in my foggy brain! And YAY to napping! My workaholic partner refuses to believe me when I tell him they are actually productive! AND I've only seen TLOU tv series and wondered how close it was to the game - now I know and so I thank you for that too :D
It's amazing to get such insight into your process of creating this book!
I'll be honest when I read the first ending it felt flat and like you said, cliche. The final ending had more of an emotional impact on me.
I watched playthroughs of TLOU when it first came out. It's a great story 😊
LOVED this! Many congratulations on your beautiful book, Lian!!! 🥳🎉🤩👏🍾
thank you!!
Lian, I'm so glad your editor encouraged you to embrace your humorous side, aka your inner child. I mean think about it: "Olive prefers to ... even LICK!" her paintings. What adult would think to LICK their painting. Yet, a child would!
Adults wouldn't do it because they're always "thinking", and thinking means they wonder what's in the paint that might not be good, not to mention, it's paint, so it probably doesn't taste good. And on and on.
Children, especially younger children, are still explorers. And, early elementary children totally appreciate the humor in the crazy and nonsensical outer reaches of such exploration -- such as licking a painting.
And, your finding your twist ending in an incredibly dark video game is further validation of how amazing your humor/comedy is. I always find it so interesting that sometimes the funniest moments begin in super serious dark places.
Thanks again for another great look into your creative process!
Yay thanks Joan!!! Totally agree with you!
omfg this was an incredible ride and origin story. Also TLOU x Olive was the crossover I never knew I needed :')
YEA IT"S OUR BONDING GAME!!!
Brilliant as always, Lian! 🧠
How much flexibility do you have in changing a storyline after you've already submitted a different version to editors?
I think it's up to the editor! But I would say it's pretty flexible since when you submit a book, they'll buying the idea for the book. Traditionally you'll have meetings with the editors who are interested in buying your book and they'll discuss their ideas for your book and how they envision it coming together. Most of the meetings I had all the editors had mentioned that the ending needed work but they still loved the story! Since it's a collaborative process I don't think any editor wants to force you as an author to work on a story you don't believe in. They're there to help shape your words and story into something greater!
That’s definitely not what I expected 😂😂 love your book and the last of us! 🙌
Hah! The Last of Us IS really great!!
What an adorable book!
Thank you!!
I love getting the "behind the scenes" thought processes and the exchanges with your editor. I had to go back and reread the book, because I don't think I "got" the subversive ending--at least not with the resonance it now has. But now, I'm wondering if the title is also a sneaky foreshadowing ("O" Olive)?
Now I'm wondering the same! 👀
Hah! I actually did not even think of that for the title! My editor actually came up with the title after a lot of deliberation but I don't think either of us made that conection... What a great connection! Now I'll start telling kids that that's entirely why it's named "Oh, Olive!" haha!
Ah, so good! It’s so difficult being in that frustrating place of knowing it’s not working, but not knowing the exact right way to fix it. I love that the inspiration came from an unexpected place!
Thanks Jen!!!
Totally in love the twist ending!
So Lian’s personality! You have better watched out, you let
the dog out. Hehehehe
Thank you for sharing this. This is such a great admission and really lays bare how non-linear the creative process is. I think looking outside of one’s art is one of the best ways to keep things fresh and this is a perfect example of that.