Now that my debut novel is “out there,” wherever there is, I’m starting to get people asking me questions about how I got published or my writing routine. I’m flabbergasted that anyone would ask me such questions—I’m still so new to all of this!—but I’m happy to share a few of their questions and my answers here. If YOU have a question, feel free to email me at Mimi@AuthorMimi.com.
Q. How did “Forks & Knives” come to be?
A. If you’ve read the Author Notes at the back of the book, you’ll know that the novel started as a cathartic journal more than 20 years ago! It was a stream-of-consciousness Word doc on my computer, written in the middle of the night when I couldn’t sleep. When I retired early in 2021, I knew I wanted to try writing a book, so I revisited what I’d purged all those years ago, just to see if it was worth working on. With loving support from my husband Stephen, a former journalist and retired American Literature teacher, I spent the following two years turning that online therapy session into a novel. A long time in the making.
Q. What is your writing routine?
A. Since Stephen is also writing—his first book is a crime mystery—we try to write together more often than not. Our goal is to write for a few hours every morning, but honestly, we probably get to it 3-4 times a week. It’s been wonderful, though, because many writers are isolated, and we have each other to bounce ideas off. Sitting across the kitchen table from each other, we each tap-tap-tap away on our laptops, and once in a while one of us will say, “I need another way to say_____,” or “How does this dialog sound?” It’s not only supportive, but it’s very helpful to have a live-in editor!
Q. What other projects are you working on?
A. My second novel, “DARE,” is complete, and although my publisher has it in review, they are very backed up in production and unable to guarantee a 2025 release date. Therefore, I’m actively working on finding another publisher—a time-consuming process that is fraught with frustration. I’d rather stay with Black Rose Writing, but since I’m already working on Book #3, I don’t want to wait to publish “DARE” until 2026, only to have to wait *another* year to publish “Whatever Comes Next.” So, wish me luck…
Q. What’s the greatest challenge you’ve experienced as an author?
A. Honestly, although my previous career positions all involved marketing, I find marketing my book a challenge. You can’t build a career on the fifty people you know, and even after gathering 400+ followers on Facebook, I still need to break out beyond those folks. Trying to decide where to invest advertising dollars and nudging people to write reviews is a chore. I’d rather be writing, but if I don’t promote the book, no one else will, so…If you’ve read “Forks & Knives,” and enjoyed it, please tell your friends to purchase a copy for themselves (available as an e-book or paperback, as well as on Kindle Unlimited at Amazon. An audiobook is in the works right now!) THEN, after reading, ask them to consider writing a simple review. It can be as short as “This was a good read,” or “I was drawn to the character’s journey.” Thank you!
I greatly appreciate that you have taken the time to read this blog, and I’m grateful for those who have signed up to receive my quarterly newsletters. I consider you partners in my quest to build a steady following of readers. By the way, the first chapter of “DARE” is available to you by signing up to join my newsletter list. Even if you’re already signed up, you can do so again and receive that sample. Enjoy!
Made with love by structure & heart studios
"Forks & Knives" was born as part of a long journal entry, a cathartic release. In 2003, despite being happily married to my second husband, insomnia visited me regularly. My brain pushed and pulled, working through hurtful and confusing memories that defined the rocky journey of my first marriage and its ultimate demise. The finished document sat inside my computer, unread, for seventeen years.
When I retired in 2021, I revisited the document, hesitantly. “Is this worth reworking into a novel? Would anyone care about this?” I asked my best friend, my husband Stephen, to read it. Bonus for me: He taught American literature for more than twenty-five years (!), so I knew I could trust his opinion. Happily, he confirmed, “Yes, it’s good. You should work on it.” Then he introduced me to Brian Kaufman (www.authorbriankaufman.com) and Penpointers, the Northern Colorado writer’s group that Stephen had belonged to years before I met him. Over the next year and a half, my self-focused monologue transformed into a work of fiction that would appeal to people outside my immediate circle of friends and family. At least that’s my hope.
Whenever I mention what this book is about, I'm invariably met with, "Yeah, my mom was a drinker," or "My son was sober for a while, but . . ." There are millions of stories like mine out there -- people who have loved/lived with alcoholics/addicts and struggled to hold on through the pain. But there are ways we can help and support those we love without losing ourselves. This novel alone can't help those still working through those dark days, but maybe some of the resources here can play a role.
