72°
EASTON, Conn. Kyla LoPresti, the 13-year-old eighth-grader from West Haven who wrote and published her first novel in May, met with readers and prospective writers at the Easton Public Library on Wednesday afternoon.
LoPresti called Flashback, which she self-published at Create Space and debuted on Kindle, a supernatural thriller. The book tells the story of Isabelle Holloway, who was murdered in the 1800s and is reincarnated in the present day, where she must avoid her vampire murderer.
She said she was influenced by "Vampire Diaries," but came up with the story idea herself after she had a dream about a girl on a small farm in Connecticut who was reincarnated.
Her biggest challenge, Kyla said, was that It was hard to make the characters different from each other.
She said it took her about six months to write the draft, and she had editing help from her Bailey Middle School seventh-grade teacher, Barbara Doherty.
Kyla said she is hard at work on the second in a five-book series. She plans to publish the new book next May. Ill publish one book a year on my birthday, she said.
She encouraged prospective writers to Write about what you like and what you know. She also suggests avid reading, which helps with your writing.
Kyla said she reads five books a week and stays up until 1 a.m. to write.
Kyla also participates in the drama club at her middle school and plans to join the volleyball team.
She sold and signed copies of Flasback at the Easton Library event.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Westport and receive free news updates.
