Natasha Ali | Contributor
Featured image: Landen Wakil’s first novel took the Internet by storm before being officially published in paperback. | Courtesy of Pexels
When a book dedication reads: “This story is dedicated to those who had lived it,” readers already expect to be swept away by the beauty and intricacy of the story’s words, to experience a more intimate connection with the characters’ living, breathing experiences and emotions. It’s not only about the words on page—but rather, how stories allow readers to live more than one life. Landen Wakil’s novel Someplace Better Than Here does exactly that by taking its readership on a journey of self-discovery and a re-experiencing of their youth.
Someplace Better Than Here is a coming-of-age novel that follows Danny, a frustrated small-town teenager whose life is turned upside down when he meets Mary, the girl of his dreams. The novel is uniquely inspired by classic rock anthems and American teenage myths of love and teenage angst. Danny’s gripping tale celebrates love and romance, but also grapples with loss, abandonment, and finding the courage to take risks.
This is Wakil’s first novel, which originally began as as a series of chapters uploaded onto Wattpad. Following a massive amount of positive feedback from eager online readers, it soon became available in paperback, which was published on October 28. The first four chapters of the novel are still available for free on Wattpad.
Wakil’s writing techniques hint to a degree of realism and relatability that respects the characters’ feelings and frustrations, which are one of the foundations for its success. Every problem and conversation between the characters will make readers nod in agreement, because they, too, have surely felt Danny’s desire to break free from his town’s restrictions and teenage fears. Wakil uses alternating points of view among characters to mirror different perspectives of narration. He believes that this story is greatly dependent upon the characters and how they relate to the reader’s own experiences.
“The plot of a story is fascinating and crucial, but it means nothing if you don’t have the right characters. In order to leave the most impactful impression on a reader, you must leave them emotionally either rewarded or wounded,” Wakil says. “So if they don’t feel that connection, they won’t experience the plot properly.”
Danny and Mary’s personalities change the way the readers experience the plot. Readers can easily connect to their need for self-growth, and the emotions brought upon by young love. The tone and diction demonstrates a rather complicated—yet moving—love story. Between Danny and Mary, an aura of sophistication and adventure is woven. We are reminded of when we were once young and in love, how we only thought of our significant other every waking moment of the day, and how they have changed our perspective on life and empathy towards others. Someplace Better Than Here creates the perfect formula of adventure and love, despite it being the biggest challenge that Wakil has ever experienced himself.
“Finding the perfect formula was the biggest challenge while writing the novel to create the best atmosphere,” Wakil explains. “I believe that creativity is quite energetic and has a lot to do with astrology and the changing seasons. Thus, my writing techniques and creative sparks would vary.
“I write from the heart and with passion—thus, music exists as a significant inspiration for me. It’s really all about just finding the right connection at the right time of day—is it at five in the morning, or is it when it’s the right song and the right music? It’s about assembling all the right ingredients to get into a meditative-like trance, where the world unfolds into my art.”
To add gravity to the novel’s creation, Wakil notes that authors such as John Steinbeck and John Green have shaped his writing experience. He mentions that his novel is influenced musically by lyricists such as Cat Stevens, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, as well as several other classic rock musicians. He says: “I see my novel as being one of those epic records, where each song speaks to one another.”
Wakil is currently focusing on advertising Someplace Better Than Here, and so no new projects claim to be in the works as of yet. You can follow him on Instagram, @landenwakil, for more updates on the novel, as well as for any news on upcoming projects.
