Welcome, Nelsa!
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just yesterday. This past year I also started my blog, Out of the Woodwork, joined Twitter (@nelsaroberto), and attended my first writers panel last week (as an author! For reals!). So, when I think about all these firsts and try and figure out how the heck I ended up doing all this 'being out there' kind of stuff which does not come naturally to me, I keep coming back to one main thing:
I wrote a book I loved.
Everything that has happened to me this past year happened because finally, after five years of writing a few 'not quite there' books, I finally wrote about something I loved. Illegally Blonde
That's the basic plot, but the story is so much more to me. I wrote a story about a Portuguese-Canadian girl (ya, that's my heritage too :) ) - a heroine I'd never seen in a YA book and had certainly never read about growing up. I set the story in Toronto and the rural countryside of Portugal - places I adore but don't see much of in books. I wrote a story that I hope had drama and humour with a dash of mystery and romance thrown in too - all things I love seeing in books. Discovering your cultural heritage, love and resentment of family, searching for independence and self-realization are themes threaded throughout the book - themes I care about and will probably explore in one way or another for the rest of my writing life. All these things made the writing of Illegally Blonde
I've heard many writers compare getting a book published to being on a roller coaster ride. Well, I absolutely freaking hate roller coasters so why would I even attempt this? Because I love writing more than fear the plunging nausea of the book publishing world. I took that plunge with this book.
I sent out Illegally Blonde
It has not been the easiest path. There were twists and turns I had not expected. But, throughout it all, I never stopped loving my story. With the number of times I've had to read and edit it and with the length of time and effort it took to get here I had to love it. I couldn't have managed this roller coaster ride if I didn't. Loving that book has been my safety belt. So, to my fellow drunk writers I say I hope your own safety belt is nice and secure - because it may be the only thing that prevents you from falling off this crazy ride.
Thanks again, DWT, for inviting me! Whew. My first guest blog post has been written. I think a drink is in order…
Nelsa, a drink is definitely in order! Thanks for stopping by!
11 comments:
Hi Nelsa!
Thanks for giving me a good reason to go to Chapter's. I've been waiting to read your book. (I love the cover.)
Years ago we met at a writers thingie and you had me laughing at a description of one of your openings -- it was so funny -- and I was struck by your passion for writing. I knew then that I'd be reading something you wrote.
So, best wishes for continued success. Enjoy this special time.
Susanne
Nelsa, so great to have you blogging here.
The book sounds amazing, cannot wait to read it. And you deserve this so much.
Huge congrats!
Congratulations on your book release! I've added it to my to read pile-if it's not a my Indigo, I'll order it in!
Nelsa! Congrats and what a great cover - I love it! I read the first part of this book at some point and I can totally attest to it having lots of drama and plenty of laughs. Glad to have you here and thanks for sharing your story! Molly
Mazel tov! Let's definitely raise a glass. The books sounds WONDERFUL.
Try to remember to celebrate all those firsts, especially the ones that are hard for you. Those take the most courage.
Oh, and welcome to the roller coaster. I hate 'em, too, and yet I can't seem to get off either. :-)
I love reading success stories of writers who stuck with it, even when at times there seemed to be way more downs than ups. Congratulations on the book release -- may it be the first of many to come!
Yay, Nelsa! Huge congrats on your release! Are you having a launch?
Thanks, everyone! I really appreciate your kind words!
Can I just say how enormously helpful and supportive the Toronto Romance Writers have been in this long, long journey? Honestly, I've met so many fabulous writers and terrific people in general there. I tell everyone I know that if they want to learn and grow in their writing TRW is the place to go.
And as for DWT, I think you ladies should go through all your blogs and put together a resource book for writers. The collective words of wisdom I've gained here have been invaluable to me.
Y'all are the best!
Hi Bev! Yes, indeedy, I am having a launch. It's going to be at the Bloor-Gladstone Library on Sunday April 25, from 2:30-4 pm with Another Story Bookshop selling IB there. I hope lots of my writer friends can attend and say hi!
I love the Bloor-Gladstone - beautifully renovated place but, more significantly, it is a library that serves the newly arrived immigrants to Toronto and has been the hub for many newcomers including the Portuguese community. It's my way of paying homage to the public library system and Toronto's library system in general - one of the best in the world.
What a great idea! I'm always having book events at book stores or restaurants. I like the library idea.
Nelsa - congrats. I'm going to go home and have some wine in your honor!
Okay let's face it... I was having wine anyway. But tonight it will be in your honor!
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