Birthdays are exciting things and this one is no different! As a mother, you go through nine months of pregnancy and hours of labor to bring a baby into the world. A book isn’t much different (though the physical pain is usually a bit less ;)).
Today is the Birth Day of my debut novel, Finding Mr. Write. For the last three years, I’ve written, rewritten, submitted to editors and agents, rewrote, edit, rewrote some more, edited some more. In there were also critiques from friends, contest entries, one major semi-final, no finals, but enough encouragement that this really is a good book.
Then you show the baby off – to visitors at the hospital, pictures on Facebook, and so on. You just know your baby is the sweetest, cutest thing ever and no one better say otherwise!
For very many reasons, my husband and I decided it was time to “go indie” or publish this sucker myself. So it went out to proofreaders – and in this case, I asked several avid reader friends to proofread it for me. I wouldn’t call any of them good friends, but two friends and one acquaintance. They came back with some great comments, but they were still friends. In the last week, I sent this baby out into the world. Early reviews have started to come in and, whew! So far, they’re pretty good!
You remember the last minute stuff you forgot before going to the hospital (there’s that crib thing that’s still not assembled and a pacifier might be a good idea).
But Goodreads. Oops. Forgot to put it there (it is now). And – ah! Forgot to put the cover picture up so it’s generic! Better get that author account set up! (Cover is there now ;).)
The paperback showed up Saturday. On my birthday. That was pretty cool. I knew there were a few minor changes I needed to make but it should be ready by mid-week at the latest.
And then one of you decides it’s time for another baby and the whole process starts all over.
Here’s where the analogy breaks down a bit. Authors can work on multiple books at once much easier than a woman can work on multiple babies – especially ones that have no intention of having the same birthday.
The more kids you have, the more people look at you like you’re a little nuts.
And I only have four kids! But I have six books coming out in the next two months. That’s a little nutso. Or maybe it’s a lot nutso. I’m sure my InspyRomance gals would say I’m crazy!!! (My now-teenager would say I’m “cray cray” – um, not sure what to do with that… ;).) Good Enough for a Princess releases 11/17/2014 and Finally Mr. Write is set for 11/24/2014 with three more coming in December.
Eventually, you have to set them free.
For writers, this point comes much faster than for parents. In fact, “birth” and “college graduation” happens at about the same time :). Today is both “birth day” and the day Finding Mr. Write heads out into the big, wide world. It’s grown wings and will wing its way around the world – at least I hope so. I can only hope I’ve done my job and readers will enjoy the story and love the characters as much as I do.
There’s no baby shower this time, but there IS a big giveaway going on over on my website! Weekly drawings of new releases and big prizes after the last book releases!
And today, I’m giving away TWO Kindle copies of both Finding Mr. Write and Good Enough for a Princess. Leave a comment below and tell me what your favorite birthday memory is.
Finding Mr. Write – AVAILABLE ON KINDLE NOW! Paperback: coming soon!
Jeremiah Jacobs moved to the Ozarks for a fresh start. He knows no one and has no plans to get romantically involved with anyone. Ever. He’s already had his heart ripped out once and once is enough. Besides he has contractual obligations that prevent him from talking about work – and what woman would want to be involved with a man who has to keep his job a secret? When he attends his first local writers’ group meeting, he finds the leader so intriguing, his instant attraction to her threatens to complicate his currently uncomplicated life.
Dorrie Miller has never been good enough. Not for her father or any of the guys she’s dated in the past. She’s pushed beyond her father’s disapproval to have a good career while pursuing her dream of becoming a published novelist. The Christian Authors Network – Dedicated to Inspirational Distinction, or CANDID, is hosting their annual conference in Indianapolis and who’s rumored to be in attendance? The super reclusive, super-star author, Mya Elizabeth Linscott.
The hunky new member of her local CANDID group, Jeremiah, wants to carpool to Indy. Dorrie can handle not making a fool of herself for eight hours each way. Right? But she never imagined doing a favor for someone during the conference would leave her accidentally married to the gorgeous guy she barely knows. How will she get out of this mess, married to a near stranger? Does she want to? Will her insecurities and Jeremiah’s secrets tear them apart? Or can she trust that, all along, God’s been helping her with Finding Mr. Write?
When she's not writing about her imaginary friends, Carol Moncado is hanging out with her husband and four kids in the big yard of their southwest Missouri home, teaching American Government at a community college, reading, or watching NCIS. She's a member of ACFW and RWA, President and founding member for the MozArks ACFW group, and a category coordinator for ACFW's First Impressions.
My Birthday just passed No 3 and as I turned 75, I was so grateful to the Lord for letting me live to see it as I have sarcoma cancer and at this time is untreatable as I’ve already had surgery and rad/chemo treatments. So all the visits, cards, calls, gifts, food, flowers, etc were so appreciated. Thanks for the opportunity to enter your giveaway and congratulations to you on your new book. Anxious to read it. Thanks and God’s Blessings to you.
It’s always a good day when I get to have off on my birthday :)
My dad brought me a bakery cake. Soo pretty :)
Congrats, Carol. So happy for your babies being released, though I do think you are CRAZY for doing it in such quick succession. :)
Congratulations on your new children. I’m not sure I have a favorite memory of my birthday. I was just glad it was separated from Christmas. It’s very close and I’ve had people say “OH here, it’s your Christmas and birthday present or card.” My present gentleman friend doesn’t care for doing birthdays and he never gets mine right so, I’m just looking forward to seeing what happens. My mother always made a big deal about it and a cake or pie if I wanted.
Did I read correctly that your birthday was Saturday? That’s the day after mine! ;) Hope you had a great one! Looking forward to reading your books! :)
My favorite birthday memory was when I was in Brazil and my friend and I were going to go shop at the beach market. On the way, she suggested we stop for dinner at Pizza Hut. When we got there, a big group of people was waiting to share my birthday with me.
My favorite birthday memory has to be during my first week of college. My birthday is August 30th—and always the first week of school! On this particular birthday, I was away from home for the first time and missing my family greatly. My parents surprised me with a bouquet of wildflowers (my favorite!) and a special birthday call. I answered the phone to my parents, brother, and sisters singing loudly. That night also started a special tradition that lasted throughout my college years: my dad prayed for me each night over the phone before I went to bed since he couldn’t be there to pray with me himself.
Carol, happy birthday to you and your “baby”!
Favorite birthday memory? Whoa, that’s a tough one. There’s so many great things that have happened through the years. A few years ago, my family got to go to Montana (among ten different states on that trip!), and I’d wanted to go there for so long… It happened in the month I also celebrated my birthday, though that came a few days later, so I guess that whole trip would be one of my favorite birthday memories. The weather during August is amazing in Montana!
Blessings,
Andrea
andrearenee2004@yahoo.com
Ruth! Thank you for your comments! I can’t even imagine – but I’m glad you have those who love you nearby!
Praying for you in this time.
Oh always!!!! Any days off are good!
Oooo yum! I didn’t get cake this year… I did get candy at the movie… ;)
Thanks, Ginger! Yes. I think I am ;).
OOo! Christmas birthdays are hard! I’m glad you got it a bit separate! Cake! Pie! Yum!
Yes! And my two best friends in elementary [twins!] share your day! Thanks! I hope you enjoy them!
How fun! My now-husband did that for me the first year I was at college. We met right after I got here and my birthday was about 2mos later. He arranged for several friends from college to meet us at an ice cream place :D.
How fun! And how sweet! I love that! Go Dad!!!!
Oh wow! That would be awesome! I totally want to get an RV and travel some day [even if we stay at nice hotels when we get where we’re going ;)]. My husband? Notsomuch!
Thanks for stopping in everyone! I’ll keep the drawing open until the end of the week :).
My favorite birthday would have to be when I was 10. My mom had been diagnosed with the stomach cancer that would kill her a few months later. I didn’t expect much as we weren’t well off to start with [not poor by any means, but solidly low-to-middle middle class] and she hadn’t been working for a couple of months by that point – and I knew there were problems with the health insurance [long story but it went belly up during this time].
Anyway, my parents gave me ten envelopes, each one with ten something in it – ten pennies, ten chocolate chips, etc. The last one was a shopping spree with Mom. While we did go shopping not too long after that, I don’t remember ever actually having a shopping trip with her.
I still have the envelopes somewhere…
thanks so much Carole, for your encouraging words and prayer. I sure appreciate them!!
Congratulations!
My favorite birthday was my 50th. My husband had a surprise party for me in our home and I was completely surprised. Everyone I cared about was there, my house was so full of people! Enjoy your book birthday!