It started with a desire to read another paranormal romance
that sucked me into its world. I had just devoured the entire “Twilight” series
in the span of one week and was craving more. I searched online and through
some bookstores, but nothing appealed to me. Then a light bulb went off.
If I couldn’t find a book, why not write one?
It could be whatever I wanted. I could blend genres and
themes that I had always found fascinating. I wasn’t writing for critical
acclaim, so I could bend publishing rules and make this a story that sparked my
imagination and combined elements that I could explore in one story instead of
ten different types of books. The rusty wheels of creativity started to turn.
My story had to have romance, history, philosophy, mythology, religion, occult,
travel, and of course a paranormal twist. Better yet, it needed to be a story
that transcended time both in theme and relationships.
I sat down at my laptop over the last weekend in September
2008 and started to write, not really ever having a plan or hope of finishing a
novel, even though that had been a lifelong aspiration. Writing this story was just
a cathartic outlet to deal with some personal stresses. My fingers started to
type and the words flowed seamlessly. The characters, locations, and plot seemed to write themselves. After typing without interruption for
three hours, I remember thinking, “Wow, that was easy!” Muses and inspiration collided
and in seven days I finished writing the first seven chapters. I reread them
and thought—wouldn’t it be a great accomplishment if I could actually finish
writing a novel? Three months later, the story was complete at over 800 pages. With
some editing, this monster turned into books #1 and #2.
Like the pride and joy one feels when holding their newborn in their arms for the first time, words cannot express the countless emotions pulsing through me as I held my dream come true this past February when the first novel, "Eternity," was finally published.
“Eternity” might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s mine
and from the great feedback I’ve received from its fans to-date, the story
transports you into its world of normal life—pains of death, falling in love,
making friends, testing convictions, and learning to trust, which clash with the
extraordinary—the unseen yet very much alive, magic, fantasy, nature’s power, and
the world of gods, goddesses, vampires, werewolves, and an ancient favorite,
witches.
It’s hard to believe that my adventure with “Eternity” began
four years ago, but as I am currently working on the fourth novel, the story
continues to evolve with new twists and turns that are sure to keep you on the
edge of your seat.
Thank you to everyone who supported “Eternity” along the way—my Muses, Jeff,
Joey, Maria, Amy, Sue, Kathleen, Deb, and Wendy.
Many thanks to all of my readers for joining me on this
adventure—as a writer, your feedback and encouragement is appreciated more than
you could ever know.
To those who are getting ready to enter the world of “Eternity”—welcome
to Angel’s world!
Purchase “Eternity” on Amazon:
Well, they’re in the process of coming true. Three years ago this week, I started writing a novel. Considering I lack in the patience department, I
never seriously thought I would finish writing the story. At the time I needed a cathartic outlet and I had always dreamt of writing a full-length novel. Seeing my name in print on a book cover was literally a childhood dream of mine.
Wanting to read a story that blended my favorite themes of romance, history, mythology, travel, and the supernatural, I figured I’d give it a shot and write one myself. Three months later, my baby was complete. Of course, things are never easy and editing it took two years and nine months. Today, the story is in the publisher’s hands and will hopefully be in readers’ hands in the next couple of months!
Dream number two goes hand-in-hand with the story, only it is a much more personal accomplishment. In October 2008, I was struggling with personal issues, not the least of which was my weight. I was not blessed with miracle genes like other moms and after my second pregnancy, the seven pounds I lost post-birth, I regained. I had no energy. I couldn’t keep up with my kids. I couldn’t breathe. My spark was gone. After I began writing, I felt some life come back to me. The old, go-getter “Andrea” started to work her way into my conscience. I figured if writing was making me feel better, getting back into shape would help too. Not that I expected to be able to remold myself into the pre-pregnancy form I once had, but I missed the ballerina / cheerleader body of my youth. I set three weight milestones for myself and set out to lose weight my way.
Diets and impossible exercise routines never worked for me. I would inevitably stick with it for a month or so but gradually stopped denying myself the foods I craved and working out. This time was different. I was determined that I wasn’t going to diet. I was going to eat right and that meant making better choices every day and allowing myself a glass of wine, pizza, cheesesteaks, and desserts on the weekends. Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t go overboard, but knowing that I was able to enjoy the not-so-good-for-you foods motivated me to work out more. It was a matter of creating balance.
Two years, eleven months, and three weeks after I started to reclaim my health, I’m proud to say 
that I reached my third tier weight goal! Twelve dress sizes smaller and defined muscles from head-to-toe—yeah, I can confidently say that I’m happy, healthy, and proud. It’s such a sense of triumph, because there was more than one occasion on which I wanted to throw in the towel. However, along the way, I learned something about myself. Weight is just a number. I needed to be healthy. Today, I can outrun my kids and keep up with them throughout the day. I’m no longer parenting from the couch, feeling depressed about the extra weight dragging me down. I’m racing with them, playing catch with them, and still have enough energy to feel like I can take on the world after they’ve gone to bed.
The most important lesson I learned over the past three years was that all I had to do to make my dreams come true was to believe in myself. I couldn’t depend on or expect someone else to motivate me or pick up my broken pieces of shattered dreams. The opportunities were always right in front of me; I just needed to want it enough to make them happen.
What do you want to achieve? It’s never too late to go for it and even if obstacles get in your way, step around them. You can make your dreams come true!Images:
1) A teaser look at the logo for my novel, "Eternity." Logo designed by Debra Early.
2) The "me" of today
I sat down at my laptop over the last weekend in September
2008 and started to write, not really ever having a plan or hope of finishing a
novel, even though that had been a lifelong aspiration. Writing this story was just
a cathartic outlet to deal with some personal stresses. My fingers started to
type and the words flowed seamlessly. The characters, locations, and plot seemed to write themselves. After typing without interruption for
three hours, I remember thinking, “Wow, that was easy!” Muses and inspiration collided
and in seven days I finished writing the first seven chapters. I reread them
and thought—wouldn’t it be a great accomplishment if I could actually finish
writing a novel? Three months later, the story was complete at over 800 pages. With
some editing, this monster turned into books #1 and #2. 
