Six months, 102,000 words, countless hours of Disney channel later and it turns out I can add one more thing to my resume: I'VE WRITTEN A BOOK!
In hindsight, the only reason I can even think of why I wrote the damn thing in the first place is this: I just couldn't stop. 33 years later, I finally know what I want to be when I grow up - a Romance Novelist - and writing those two words at the top of my list feels every bit as good as you'd imagine. Now I just have to revise the crap out of it and figure out a way to sell it and I get to die happy.
The book is called: GRAVY. I called it that because I wrote it and that means my protagonist likes to cook, DUH, and GRAVY is the word Italian Americans use for Ragu (red sauce). But mainly I decided to call it GRAVY because that's what it's about: once you find your people - the family you were meant to have - the rest is just gravy.
Congrats! That is a HUGE accomplishment. I wish you the best of luck selling it....especially since I really want to buy and read it :)
Posted by: JMH | June 09, 2009 at 03:22 AM
Congratulations! Break out the bubbly! This is a big deal, and you deserve to bask in it for a while! I keep wanting to blab about all the crap that comes next... but NO! It's basking time! Shut up and bask, rachel!
Posted by: rachel | June 09, 2009 at 06:00 AM
Wow, that's great! Congratulations! Good luck with the editing & selling process. And FWIW, I don't usually read romance novels, but I will TOTALLY buy your book when it's published.
Posted by: cindy w | June 09, 2009 at 06:11 AM
Is this the part where you tell one lucky person that she gets a copy of it? Or do we have to sit around and wait for things like "editors" and "publishers" ?
Posted by: Carrisa | June 09, 2009 at 06:26 AM
CONGRATS! I can't wait to read it!
I too have a dream of being a romance novelist, you are my inspiration!
Posted by: Jamie | June 09, 2009 at 07:18 AM
congrats!
Posted by: taylor k. | June 09, 2009 at 07:39 AM
Congratulations!!! Can't wait to read it. :-)
Posted by: bethany actually | June 09, 2009 at 07:39 AM
Love the title. Seriously.
Posted by: Alison | June 09, 2009 at 07:50 AM
That was fast! Congrats!
Posted by: Beth | June 09, 2009 at 08:18 AM
Congratulations!!
Posted by: Grechen | June 09, 2009 at 09:03 AM
I can't believe that you finished it ALREADY. You truly must be a woman possessed. Congratulations!
And good on Dave for taking ya out to celebrate... he's a keeper!
Posted by: Laura | June 09, 2009 at 09:29 AM
That is an AWESOME title! And could I read it if I promised to offer constructive criticism? Or...whatever it is that you need? (Basically I'm just trying to finagle my way into getting to read it, but if it helps you/me, I have read hundreds of romance novels in my lifetime.)
Posted by: hydrogeek | June 09, 2009 at 09:40 AM
Wow! Congratulations! I like the title too.
Posted by: jen | June 09, 2009 at 10:12 AM
I'm with Rachel. Bask! This is the time for basking!
Posted by: Alias Mother | June 09, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Well, you could just let us read it first! I know I'd PayPal you $10 to get a PDF copy now, rather than wait til you shop it around, it gets edited, published, shows up in France etc!
Posted by: Kelly from Almost Frugal | June 09, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Love the title. Congrats on reaching such an exciting milestone. I am envious. I have always wanted to write. What are you going to do to celebrate?
Posted by: Kim | June 09, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Oh, I should add, I love the title and the sentiment behind it, as well.
Posted by: Kim | June 09, 2009 at 12:09 PM
I know I already twittered this, but congratulations!
Posted by: Amy H | June 09, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Congratulations! I'm so happy for you!
I like the title.
I still stand by my offer of reading it if you are interested. :)
Posted by: Erin | June 09, 2009 at 12:46 PM
I don't even know what to say other than "You Rock Baby!" I MUST have a signed copy! Good Job!
Posted by: Lori Harrison | June 09, 2009 at 04:31 PM
How exciting Amanda! I'm proud of you! And the title is perfect.
Posted by: Michele | June 11, 2009 at 05:47 AM
Such fabulous news! I'm tickled for you. Writing a book is a major accomplishment, for sure. Also, your new banner is OH SO pretty. SAJ is the best!
Posted by: Sam | June 12, 2009 at 05:53 AM
Woo! Congrats!
Posted by: Nancy R | June 12, 2009 at 09:29 AM
SOOOOO fabulous. I saw you tweet this but forgot you CONGRATULATE YOU! Can't wait to read it.
Posted by: Jen Zug | June 24, 2009 at 09:16 PM