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Blaire Edens | From Mayonnaise Labels to Fantastic Fiction
September 24, 2014
My name is Blaire and I’m a bookaholic. I will read anything. Romance, science
fiction, magazines. Anything. Everything. As a child, the only time I didn’t
have a book in my hand was at meal time. I had a mother who believed in three
squares and meaningful conversation so I was prohibited from bringing my book to
the table. With no story to escape into, I resorted to reading food labels. If
you ever need the potato salad recipe printed on the back of 1980s Hellman’s
mayo, tweet me. I’m totally your girl. The labels were never my favorite thing
to read, but in a pinch, they were mildly interesting. Who knew A1 sauce is
mostly raisin paste? I began writing WILD ABOUT
RACHEL as a lark. It was a pet project, a window I could flip to when I was
discouraged with other books in progress. Before WILD ABOUT RACHEL sold to
Entangled Publishing, I wrote dozens, yes, dozens, of more traditional romances
with very safe storylines, most of which never went anywhere. They didn’t go
anywhere because they were missing one important ingredient: heart. They were as
flat as a Heinz Ketchup label. Frustrated and discouraged, a dear friend sent me a quote by Toni Morrison. “If
there’s a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you
must write it.” Light bulb moment. I’d accidentally been writing the wrong books. I’d been
creating books about as interesting as the French’s mustard label, stories that
would do in a pinch, but would never be my favorite thing to read. Energized, I
pulled out a notebook and pen and started making lists of what I wanted to read
in a book. I longed for a heroine who was totally out of her comfort zone, a
woman who could balance her femininity with a job that demanded fearlessness. I
needed a hero who was real, the undiscovered guy next door, who could be both
tough and protective but still retained a softness for the women in his life. I
wanted to write about real love, complete with all the bumps and roadblocks
along the way. I wanted characters who could overcome and learn to live a more
fulfilling life. And funny. I wanted funny. After all, when you’re forced to
read horseradish labels, you crave funny. Trust me. Enter Mark and Rachel. My whole writing life changed overnight. Instead of bargaining with myself to
write, the way I had when I was slaving away on those books I thought I was
supposed to be writing, I spent every spare moment with Mark and Rachel. I was
always excited to enter their world and sad to leave it. Before I knew it, I had
a book filled with wicked one-liners, wild animals and two leading characters
who felt more like friends, a book I loved reading. Toni Morrison’s quote gave me permission, a ticket to write the kind of
characters who interested me, and I ran with it. It’s not all about writing,
though. The quote is applicable to any dream, any ambition you might have. Make
your work your own. That’s what it’s really all about: the glorious
individuality that makes each person on earth totally unique. Put your stamp on
whatever it is you do. Never apologize for being yourself. Give yourself
permission to be just who you are. Amazing results will follow. WILD ABOUT RACHEL has
all the things I craved in a romance. It’s my book, the one I was supposed to
write. I hope you enjoy it. P.S. --- You have my permission to take it to the table with you.
Comments
9 comments posted.
Re: Blaire Edens | From Mayonnaise Labels to Fantastic Fiction
I was the exact same way. I am always reading something.
People comment that I am never not reading. What else is there
in life, short of being a billionaire, that takes you to
exotic places, let's you visit things you'd never get to?
There is nothing in the world like it. Oh and I also read
dictionaries. When my Grandma passed she left me all.of her
books, including her dictionaries that I used to read while at
her house while my siblings and cousins all played.yes, major
nerd alert!
(Vicki Hancock 4:46pm September 24, 2014)
Vicki,
I am so glad to hear I am not alone! Growing up in a rural area, reading
was a way to travel the world for free. I used to check out the
thickest volumes I could find on the bi-weekly library visit. The more
pahes, the longer the trip into a new world. Thanks for checking in!
(Blaire Edens 10:00pm September 24, 2014)
Once upon a time, I could tell you the stats on every kid
ever listed on milk cartons. If we went out to eat, I was
overjoyed when we went to any restaurant with advert-
covered placemats. I eagerly devoured all I ever needed
to know about Century 21 realtors, Roto Rooter services,
and no fault divorce offerings from local lawyers. I took
it to crazier levels though. Did you know if you try to
read while skateboarding that you will probably fall
facefirst and eat pavement? I know that now.
(J.M. Kelley 12:59pm September 25, 2014)
I've been reading since the age of 3, when my Sister taught
me. Back then, I was reading physics books, and that got me
started on any subject under the sun. When I went to the
library, I would take out books from astronomy to
autobiographies, and everything in between, and carry the
entire armload home, for that 1 1/2 miles!! To this day, my
tastes are still all over the map, depending on my mood, and
fortunately we were allowed to read at the table, but it had
to be our homework assignments only!! I'm looking forward
to reading your book, since we seem to be of the same
mindset. Congratulations on your book, and I hope it's the
start of a long career!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:54am September 25, 2014)
LOL. I love to read but I admit my love of reading started in
7th grade and it was pretty much romance novels all the way.
Unfortunately my taste in books still runs towards romance but
I have started reading more YA with some sci-fi. If its
romance i want to read it.
(Suzy F. 2:01pm September 25, 2014)
J.M,
We are totally on the same page. Sometimes Mom would leave the
ValPak on the table. Compared with mayo, the coupons were teriffic
reading.
(Blaire Edens 2:45pm September 25, 2014)
Peggy,
My tastes are all over the map. This week, I've read two romances--
one historical and one paranormal, a cozy, and a literary novel. I love a
good book. Any book. Thank you for checking in and I hope you love the
book!
(Blaire Edens 2:49pm September 25, 2014)
Suzette,
I used to hide Shannon Drake historical in my US History book. History
is history, right? I did pass the class and probably know more about Thr
Old West than any of the people who stuck to the text. Romance, when
well-written, is very educational. In more ways than one. ;-)
(Blaire Edens 2:52pm September 25, 2014)
I have always loved to read. I have a granddaughter that does
not like to read but likes to cook so sometimes we read
cookbooks.
Nice post.
(Leona Olson 8:47am September 29, 2014)
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