Writing a coming-of-age novel was a deeply satisfying endeavor, yet it came with its own set of challenges. I wanted to write a story around Ben, a 16-year-old math prodigy who resists the daunting pressure to join the family shoe business. I wanted to strike a balance a delicate balance between the intricacies of adolescence, Ben’s struggle to deal with his dysfunctional family, the allure of mathematics, and the distaste for a predetermined path: selling elevator shoes. Looking back, I’d say there were three big challenges: simplicity, visual appeal, and the art of ‘show, don’t tell.’

1. Simplifying Complexity: Given my personal preference for simple language, the challenge lay in conveying the complexity of Ben’s inner world without overwhelming the reader. Balancing the intricacies of mathematical genius and the emotional turmoil of adolescence demanded that I select my words carefully and commit myself to clarity. Simplifying the technical aspects of advanced mathematics while keeping Ben’s emotional landscape vivid was crucial for engaging a broad audience.
2. Visual Storytelling: As a highly visual person, my challenge went beyond mere description into the realm of visual storytelling. Bringing to life Ben’s journey, his struggles, and the contrasting worlds of mathematics and the much-hated shoe business required me to find evocative imagery. Whether it was the sterile allure of mathematical equations, the delight of a first kiss, the fear of his mother dying, or the cold atmosphere of the shoe store, I had to weave vivid visuals into the narrative. I wanted the reader to “see” the story, like a cinematic experience.
3. The ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ Dilemma: The ‘show, don’t tell’ method, often favored in fables, presented an unique challenge when I applied it to Ben’s internal struggles. Instead of explicitly stating Ben’s feelings and conflicts, I struggled to paint a picture through actions, dialogues, and subtle cues. This required me to develop a nuanced understanding of the characters and a keen eye for detail to convey emotions and conflicts indirectly, allowing readers to infer and connect with the story on a deeper level. For me, this was like an actor getting into Ben’s shoes.

Writing a coming-of-age novel about a 16-year-old math genius grappling with familial expectations demands a delicate interplay of language simplicity, visual richness, and the mastery of ‘show, don’t tell.’ By navigating these challenges with some finesse, I would like to believe that the novel, Here. I. Am., resonates with at least a few readers’ preference for simplicity and visual storytelling but also captivates with a poignant exploration of Ben’s journey: from mathematical brilliance to the unexpected world of the family shoe business, from an overbearing father, a prodigal uncle, a sick mother to the ravages of the 1938 hurricane.