What’s Going on with Your Books?
Hello family and new and old friends!
This past weekend I attended a family wedding and it was absolutely stunning—a breathtaking location, giddy bride and groom and their pups (yes, their labradoodle pups were in their wedding and it was adorable!), table design and decor straight from Bridgerton, delicious food, dancing, and more. The conversation flowed around the wedding, family, and then books. I was incredibly flattered about all the questions from family and friends about my book journey such as, “How’s everything going with your book getting publishing?” or “What’s the latest on your upcoming book?"
One of the continuing themes in this blog is my journey from author to published author. And that dream is coming true in less than six months! I recently approved the book blurb (plot summary blurb for Amazon, etc.) and tag line for my sweet Christmas Novella with The Wild Rose Press. Unfortunately, I can’t release those yet, but I recently stumbled upon Canva and started making mood boards for my books, including one for this upcoming romcom.
Before I share the mood board, here’s a little bit about my novella. This novella was inspired by my grumpy, recluse father-in-law who lives across the street from me (literally 50 feet away, but we love him) and an incident while I was picking lemons from his tree in the front yard.
I got stuck.
Literally.
Picture this: determined me and my messy mom bun collecting lemons for a Lemon Meringue Pie 🥧. When I spotted the perfect lemon near the center of the tree, I squeezed between tiny, thorned branches and groupings of green leaves, while lemon verbena filled my senses, but as I encircled my hand around the bright fruit and lifted my head, I felt a tug to my scalp. That’s right. My hair was tangled in the tiny branches, and I was pinned in the center of a forty-year old lemon tree.
I yelled for help. Dogs barked. The wind blew. And there I was—a lemon tree ornament.
My father-in-law AKA ‘Pops’ opened his garage a few minutes later and cracked a smile at my debacle.
After I detangled myself with a little help from Pops, I thought how I could turn this funny, albeit painful incident into a meet-cute for a Romcom. I started jotting down notes and then my friend and Critique Partner, Annie, shared the call for Christmas stories from The Wild Rose Press. They asked for romantic stories where Christmas Cookies played a role. I took my initial notes, chose a cookie, brainstormed plot, mapped out characters, and began my draft. And ta da! My story was born! I love how inspiration can come from anywhere.
So without further ado, here’s a teeny overview about my novella and what’s on the mood board:
A standoffish, mysterious and possible FBI-agent neighbor
A marketing executive / midnight baker
A tangle in a lemon tree
One slobbery dog
A Christmas Festival Cookie Contest
And Lemon Snowballs.
I’ll update more as the publication date draws near! Remember to check my socials @EricaMaeBooks as well. :)
P.S. I’ll add mood boards to my Books page for my other series (Scottish Stars Romance Series and Wedding Women Series) I’m querying as well.
With Love,