WHS Senior Self-Publishes Book

Last May, Wylie High School senior Elizabeth “Lizzie” South set out to write her first-ever novel. Just seven months later, her hard work has paid off, and the book is now available for readers to enjoy.

South is a self-published author with Class and Compassion, a captivating fictional novel about two unlikely young adults forming a bond that grows into something romantic.

“The story’s major theme is that you shouldn’t let others control your life,” South said. “It’s about family expectations and coming into your own, helping others figure out what makes them happy instead of what they're told should make them happy.”

Her journey to becoming a self-published author began when she and her mom were trying to find a movie to watch. As her mom suggested various options, Lizzie found herself criticizing each one.

“[My mom] asked, ‘Why don’t you write your own movie then?’ and I said -- ‘I’m going to write a book instead,’” South explained.

South’s mom, Tabitha South, was there to support her every step of the way.

“My mom helped me with editing, typos and grammar,” Lizzie said.

She said that her biggest obstacle in writing the book was a case of writer’s block.

“I wanted to write, but once I got my computer open, I was thinking ‘What do I write?’” Lizzie said. “Then, once I get an idea in my head, I write like crazy.”

Becoming a published writer is one of South's most significant accomplishments.

“Publishing it as a whole is a great achievement that I am very proud of. I thought it would be about 200 pages, but I nearly doubled that,” she said. “Writing it was all for fun. It’s a comfort when life is hard, I can sit down with the characters and it makes me really happy.”

Lizzie is already onto her next literary journey. She is in the process of writing two books simultaneously.

“One is a sequel about Anastasia, the antagonist in Class and Compassion, and the other is its own story, not connected to my first book,” she said.

Lizzie’s English IV teacher, Barbara Radford, says she is proud of her accomplishment as a published author.

“Lizzie is the type of student that a teacher wishes she had one hundred of just like her!” Radford said. “She is a conscientious and pleasant young lady who deserves to be celebrated for her hard work and successes. I look forward to not only reading her book, but I also look forward to her future achievements.”

Class and Compassion is available in paperback or on Kindle on Amazon.