My name is Kayla Olson, and I’m an aspiring author who writes YA and MG novels. I’m 30 years old, happily married to a wonderful man, and I’m a mama to two cats and a human. I also love parentheses. And footnotes. And lattes.
Most of my posts are about writing, revision, and things I’m learning as I work on the novels. I also post the occasional book review.
Follow me on Twitter at @olsonkayla, and please feel free to say hi. Twitter and the blog are invaluable resources for connecting with other writers, and I am grateful for the community of writers I’ve met (and am still meeting) through both. I’m more active on Twitter these days, since I’m focusing so much time on writing/revising/critiquing, but I hope to blog regularly again some day.
If there’s anything you want to say that’s too long for a tweet, you can also reach me at kayla (at) kaylaolson (dot) com.
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Hello – I found your site through, of all things, a cat link. I, too, am an aspiring writer, in children’s books. I’ve been published a bit in magazines and such, but am returning to my passion of many years ago – writing and illustrating both, actually.
Nice to meet you – will come back and read more as I find the time!
Hey, nice to meet you, too. Thanks for stopping by! I don’t think too many people have found me (yet) from the cat link, so I’m pleased to have found you that way. How great to have another writer friend! Are you working on a new book now? I plan to check out your site soon, too, so perhaps you’ve already answered this question on there. Best of luck on your projects!
What town in Texas? I’m in Houston, but have been all over!
Fellow Texan here (though I’ve transplanted to the Midwest now). And, I also love reading about others’ writing process. Looking forward to reading more of yours.
I blog, about writing mostly, at Writing Under Pressure.
Awesome! Thanks for stopping by! What is the address of your blog? I’ll be sure to check out your site, and hope to see you around again soon!
For some reason, I didn’t see your reply until today. My blog address: writingunderpressure.wordpress.com.
Thanks!
Thanks for stopping by my blog today! Sweet kitties–we’ve got five cats (but only two of them hang around indoors). You sound like you are in about the same place I am with my novel.
Thanks for stopping by my blog… Glad you led me to yours. My most recent home was Texas! Houston. So we’ve got that in common… In addition to writing, of course.
You’re welcome! I’m enjoying reading about your project – good luck with revisions this month!
hello! here via alexis grant. also working on a draft … and also found wedding planning to be way easier than novel-ing! em
Hey, Emily! I’m glad you stopped by, and I really like your blog – from what I’ve read so far, your writing is thought-provoking and relevant to a lot of what’s going on with me these days. Thanks!
Hey from Toronto!
I like your stuff. And the white on black look is really cool and reminds me of writing on my ancient word processor when I was young.
Do you mind if I add you to my blogroll?
Hey, new friend! Thank you! Sure, feel free to add me to my blogroll – I’d like to add you, too, if you don’t mind?
I am another writer and I have been grateful to have stumbled across your blog. It inspires me, relieves of guilt at being a human, and has found its home at the top of my writer’s notebook. Though I haven’t figured out yet how to get this in my reader. :sighs: Thanks for writing out there where we can enjoy and encourage each other.
Thanks so much for stopping by. I actually discovered your post a few days ago (the one with a link to my post) and was planning to comment once I got back from my weekend trip. However, your words there, and here, were so kind, I decided to go ahead and write back. I think every writer hopes her words will mean something to someone other than herself; I know I certainly do. I’m thankful and excited that you found even a little bit of inspiration and relief by reading my stuff, and I look forward to reading more of yours, too.
Yay for new blog friends!
By the way – I added a “subscribe by e-mail” button below my calendar (in the sidebar). That might help until you figure out your reader, if you’re interested in that!
You’re the bestest! I am signed up. I promise to do more commenting too. My main computer hours are breaks at work and they totally filter out most of my commenting power. :sighs: Thanks for the blog comment. You’re the second person to do so. :grins:
Sweet, thanks for signing up – sorry I haven’t been around much the past week or so, things have been crazy busy with Christmas and finishing my second draft. I can’t wait to check out your site and see what I’ve missed these last several days! Hope you had a Merry Christmas!
Hello! Thank you for your lovely comment! I try to write sometimes too, and I hope to join you in your challenges, or just be a supportive commenter (I am master procrastinator with writing, *smiles sheepishly*).
Glad that you like (parentheses) too
Sure! Thanks for stopping by, come back any time!
I love supportive commenters (and being a supportive commenter), so that will work well, haha.
Is this miss Amy?? I tried to comment on your posts, but there is no place to do that. Perhaps I am looking in the wrong place or going about it in the wrong manner. Please help me repair this if it can be!
On another note, I just wanted to say how I would like to relay a triumphant “Hoorah!” to you. Writing? Diligence? Taking active steps (plural) toward doing that which you feel compelled to do? I am thrilled for you. Beyond. Let us please, reconnect soon? How does that sound?
LEIGH!!!! Hiiii.
(It’s Kayla.) Thanks for checking out my blog (even though you weren’t sure whose it was, haha)! I will, nonetheless, say thank you for your sweet encouragement and the triumphant “Hoorah!”
I’m thrilled for you, too – I saw your recent Facebook status about applying for a position at an independent publishing company. I soooo hope that works out for you!
As for not being able to comment on my posts…hmmm. Not sure what that’s about. Perhaps it’s because you are not a WordPress blogger?
Okay, so I just checked out my blog while not logged in – it’s kind of weird. After all the comments listed, there’s an orange “Leave a reply” heading followed by a lot of empty black space. If you click in the black space, it lets you type your comment in a text box. (I tried clicking on the orange “leave a reply” first, and failed, then noticed there was a suspicious amount of blankness right below.) After that, there should be a spot to put in your various information (name, website, etc.). Sorry about the confusion, and thanks for wanting to leave comments in the first place!
PS: I’ve been meaning to write back to your Facebook message for so long. I’m sorry, my friend! I will write more there soon – I stink at Facebook messages, haha. I get them, read them, then think I’ve responded when I have not. I miss you.
Thanks for saying hey. Good luck finding Amy’s elusive blog, though!
YAY Kayla!!! Please forgive my forgetfulness. I had been following this blog, and came back to it that week, unsure of who’s it was.
I certainly mean the hoorah because you are doing a fabulous job!! I will try to comment on your most recent post and we’ll hope it works so I can continue to do so in the future. It is a joy to “hear” your voice in your words
Howdy, Kayla. I”m a writer from Melbourne, Australia, who stumbled unto your blog via Merrilee’s writing workshop. I wasn’t going to comment, but on seeing your request, I thought I’d say hi. Hello!
Hey, Nathaniel! Nice to ‘meet’ you – it’s cool to be getting to know so many new friends through Merrilee’s workshop. Thanks for leaving a comment!
Hope all is well in Australia!
Hi Kayla. Another Aussie, and a Merrilee’s Creative Workshop chick, and a Lost fan to boot. I’ve been doing the merry-go-round of the easter egg hunt as per Merrilee’s Ice Breaker post, so right now I have little by way of intelligent conversation to offer, other than, Your hair is teh awesome. Ahem.
Hello! I’m so glad you visited my blog, because it allowed me discover yours! Yay!
Hi Kayla! I am a recent reader, I know I haven’t commented (yet) but I wanted to let you know I think your blog is sweet! And because of this, I wanted to give you a little award…details can be found here: http://hannahfergesen.com/2011/06/02/yay-for-blog-awards-of-the-irresistably-sweet-variety/
Hope you like!