My Favorite Character Looks For Summer From Waiting at Hayden's

As soon as I finished writing Waiting at Hayden’s I couldn’t wait to see the story come to life visually! I had such a clear idea in my head of what the characters looked like and also what their homes looked like and even the restaurant where the book primarily takes place.

On a creative impulse I hired a videographer to help me create a video trailer for promotion and found actors, styled everything the way I’d imagined it while I was writing, and filmed a short video clip. It was during this process that I came up with the idea for shopfiction. Seeing the actors playing my characters wearing the looks I’d described in the book and standing in the settings I’d written added such a fun dimension to the story. I wanted my readers to get to experience that excitement the entire time they were reading.

For those of you who haven’t experienced shopfiction yet there are links in the digital version of the book anytime an outfit is mentioned in the text. Photos (like the ones below) appear right off your Kindle or Ereader and you can shop the looks if you’d like or simply return to where you left off reading! Come June, a new print version of the book with be released with QR codes on pages where there is enhanced content (currently there are web addresses) so you can easily have the same exact experience. I’m so looking forward to sharing it with you!

Charli’s looks throughout Waiting at Hayden’s are more budget-friendly, as she is studying to get her PhD and I knew it wouldn’t be authentic if I had her in high-end brands. I found many of her pieces from affordable stores like Target and also from independent female designers I wanted to feature in the story (such as Ash & Ky for jewelry).

Gianna is a very successful restaurant owner who loves fashion so her pieces are a bit more speedy. I liked the idea of having two price points throughout the book and it’s been so fun introducing readers to companies that I personally love.

Below are a few of my favorite looks from the book that are perfect for spring and summer and links to where you can shop them! I’d love to hear your favorites in the comments below!