Diving In

I am not the type of author who can go to a coffee shop and write as I am easily distracted. Usually, I need silence or white noise because even my dog’s snoring can pull me away from my story. Other times I will blast my music because music makes me feel things and helps me get into the right mindset, but I have to be careful it doesn’t take me somewhere the story isn’t supposed to go. Maybe I’m a high maintenance writer, but I think every author has their quirks.

Most days I love to write, but some days it’s like piecing together a jigsaw puzzle while blindfolded. Starting my author career by writing a fantasy series was probably one of the most challenging paths I could’ve chosen. I would’ve felt a lot saner had I dipped my toe in the water to get a feel for writing. But not me. I dove into the deep end having no idea how to swim. Eventually, I learned how to doggy paddle, but l think I would’ve drowned or gotten the hell out of the water had I not had my friends and family throwing me life preservers along the way. 

This picture shows me with my friend, Melissa, the person who threw me one of my first life preservers. Years ago, she convinced me to send her my book. I don’t remember how she talked me into it, but I do know without her encouragement, I would not be where I am today. She was the first person outside of my family to believe in me. I’m still amazed that she cheered me on because the first draft of my book was . . . let’s just call it a work in progress. Over the years, I have gutted my novel, editing out over one-hundred pages of repetitious garbage since my first draft! But Melissa somehow saw through the junk, to the exciting story beneath. She gave me her feedback which felt like pure gold and then she introduced me to my editor.

And here we are—years later having dinner and talking about my first book again. She never gave up on me, and tonight she gave me her final feedback before Unraveling Emily goes to print. It’s exciting to see how far it’s come.