8 October 2025 · by Asten
I’ve started working on Pop Song again — the story that grew out of Rainbow Balloons and that little part of me that used to want to be a decorator. It’s funny how old dreams resurface in new shapes, isn’t it?
At its heart, Pop Song is about fear and fascination — how something can scare you and mesmerise you all at once. It follows Anna, a girl who’s both drawn to and terrified of balloons, and how that strange mix of feelings leads her somewhere she never expected.
It’s not a simple story. There are uncomfortable moments, confusion, and questions of control — but also growth, creativity, and colour. Writing it feels like holding up a mirror to my younger self and saying, I see you. I get it. You made it through.
So yes, Pop Song is messy and emotional and probably one of the most personal things I’ve ever written. But it’s also full of light. The kind that shines through after the bang.
Where I’m at: outlining chapters, polishing the opening, and playing with colour motifs (pink, gold, silver).
If you want to cheer me on: tell me your favourite “happy-sad” pop songs — the ones that sound bright but hit deep.
Actually Asten 
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