I recently finished preparing my next release, The Amicable Divorce, for publication. The Amicable Divorce is the first novel I wrote, back in 2004, and rereading it was like visiting with old friends. Although I remembered the basics, I had forgotten some of the scenes. I had great fun reading it again for the first time in seven years.
I spent two years writing The Amicable Divorce. I had a traditional job back then, but at times I devoted over forty hours per week to working on this novel too. Books are kind of like children to the people who create them. Like any new parent, sometimes you can't get enough of your own child, and this story was my baby . . . only one that I could leave in the closet for several years without Child Protective Services hunting me down. Now, with self-publishing, my firstborn has finally found a home.
The Amicable Divorce is more chick-lit than mystery, although there is a significant mystery aspect. I know that won't appeal to some people. As always, you can read the opening chapters on Smashwords before deciding whether to purchase the entire book. But whether I sell any copies or not, I've already realized the greatest joy of its publication: a professionally bound copy of my baby sitting on my bookshelf.
I love that you reread your 1st book, Maria! It's inspiring me to reread mine. Its funny how we work so long and hard on it, think we know it backward & forward, but let a couple of years go by and it can be fresh & new! Great post!
ReplyDeleteIf a couple years have passed since you've looked at your book, I recommend giving it another read. By the time I actually finished writing this book I was so sick of the story that the thought of reading it again made me want to scream (hopefully admitting this doesn't discourage potential readers!). It's much easier to find joy in your own work once you have some distance from it and you're not looking at it from the point of view of making changes.
DeleteHaving recently revisited a novel I wrote several years ago, I shared your same pleasure. Was worried it would be awful, but it wasn't that bad. Nothing a little bit of revision and a beta reader couldn't solve:)
ReplyDeleteHmm, I think I know what book you're talking about! Thanks for ordering my book. I hope you enjoy it.
DeleteAnd I just order the Amicable Divorce. Looking forward to reading it:)
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