Origin Story: I am the sum of so many things and it is at once easy and difficult to place labels on myself. I’ll begin in the most obvious ways: I’m a daughter to an academic; my dad is a mathematician and was immersed in the world of biostatistics and multi-variant statistical analysis for more than a half-century before retiring this year. I saw how much he loves math —…
Awhile back, I did an interview in which I mentioned how much I loved the book Bridget Jones by Helen Fielding. A short time later I received a package in the mail containing a copy of a historical fiction title called Dear Mrs. Bird, written by a debut British author named AJ Pearce. The publisher mentioned that despite this book being WWII-era historical fiction, the protagonist and the voice of…
This week we are talking about the differences between expectations and reality when it comes to traditionally publishing. I’ve compiled a run-down of my top three surprises regarding the process but if I had to sum up my debut publishing experience in one word it would be this: intense. The doctor in me feels compelled to point out that my limbic system took a beating this year, whirling around in…
I held a story in my chest and this story breathed when I breathed, and it flowed through my veins and pulsed with my heartbeat. I couldn’t shut it off. Everything else I tried to write was colored by it. My story needed to be told, so I put it down on pages and it became a book, and then I didn’t have to carry it any longer. As I…
Two friends. Ten clues. One breathtaking secret. I am so honored to be able to introduce the incredible book The Summer List—releasing June 26— to our readers! I was lucky enough to score an early copy and tore through it this winter, but whoever wins this week’s drawing is golden: this is the perfect book to enjoy lakeside or poolside or seaside with a cool drink in your hand and…
Welp. This is it. I have waited for this day to get here for the last five years. At first it was with a fatalistic acceptance that I was never going to achieve what I wanted, then timid hope, then cautious excitement, and now exhilaration. This may sound a bit overblown because I didn’t cure anyone, or ease anyone’s pain, or invent anything brilliant, or any of the things…
As of this post, I’ve written four complete novels, six detailed synopses, and roughly one million poems and short stories. And I’m here to tell you that while first drafts do get easier, they never stop being messy, fickle beasts. In fact, I was just talking a friend about this very subject. My first (trunked) novel was an exercise in meandering. I had no deadlines, no critique partners, and I…
I really don’t like talking about fear. Oh, little fears, sure. I detest rollercoasters because I’m sure they’re going to break and kill me, I’ve been known to dive under picnic tables to get away from wasps which are clearly dark minions sent forth from the bowels of hell, and my horror of open water has been reinforced for decades by nightmares and augmented by that time my baby sister almost…
I just got around to checking this week’s topic and nearly fell off my chair when I realized what it is: Debuting As a Writer When You’re An Ancient, Shriveled Fossil. So many things wrong here. First, I am not old. I mean, I don’t feel old, but possibly that is because I am immature for my age.* Second, I was thinking of passing myself off as a twenty-something author—possibly…
This week the 2017 Debs say goodbye and welcome in the 2018 class! The other gals have also said it, but I want to parrot how it’s hard to believe this is my last post as part of the Deb Ball Class of 2017. It’s been a wonderful year and I’m not sure it’s possible to list all the ways in which I’m grateful for this experience. But, I simply…
