Melissa Foster | Ten Surprises About Being An Author
January 21, 2015
Writing is an interesting career. We authors spend many hours with our computer,
often times with little to no adult interaction (thank goodness for social
media!). During the last few years of writing, I discovered a few things that
were unexpected, and I thought I’d share them with you. 1. I was surprised to find that people actually like to read my work. 2. I used to think that 50,000 was a big number. Now I realize that when
followed by “words”, it’s not enough. 3. Coffee and M&Ms really do make the perfect diet—you just have to buy a
larger chair. 4. I never expected to find that three thesauruses were not enough. 5. Who knew that characters wouldn’t leave after you finished writing the book? 6. I’m surprised to see people looking at me cross-eyed…until I realize I’m
chatting with my characters…out loud. 7. Words are like snowflakes, no matter how many different ones there are, there
are never quite enough. 8. Telling your children that they’ve had enough “screen” time doesn’t go over
well when you spend 6 hours each day in front of your own screen. 9. Conundrum is a fun word. 10. Books really are more fun to write when you get to chat with the readers who
enjoy them—Okay, this really didn’t come as a surprise, but writing is a scary
prospect. When someone says they’ve read my book, I want to hide until I hear
that they’d liked it, then I want to hug them! There you have it, ten fun things that came as a surprise to me. I still
maintain that publishing a book is like standing on a street corner naked.
You’re never quite sure if readers will throw tomatoes or whistle. Thanks for
the whistles (I ducked the tomatoes!). I love to chat with readers—tell me about your top ten surprises in life.
Readers, leave a comment with your top ten surprises in life, and make sure
to pick up your copy of DREAMING OF LOVE, which just released this week!
About DREAMING OF LOVEEmily Braden is a leader in architectural preservation, a pillar in her small
hometown, and successful in everything she does-- with the exception of finding
true love. She's watched several of her brothers fall in love, and she needs
this trip to Tuscany to get away from it all and to stop focusing on what she
doesn't have. Dae Bray doesn't do flings, and he never stays in one place for very long. As a
demolitionist, he goes where jobs take him, and the more often he travels, the
better. His trip to Tuscany is all work--until he meets smart and sexy Emily,
who makes him reconsider his fear of settling down, his no-fling rule-- and just
about everything else he's ever believed about himself. Passion sizzles as Dae and Emily explore the history and beauty of Tuscany.
Their romance moves beyond tourist attractions to the bedroom, blossoming into a
deep connection neither can deny. But their worlds collide when Emily wants to
preserve the property that Dae is there to demolish. Can a woman who sees the
beauty in preservation and a man whose life is spent tearing things down find a
solid foundation for their love?
About Melissa FosterMelissa Foster is a New York Times & USA
Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes contemporary
romance, new adult, contemporary women’s fiction, suspense, and historical
fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you
turn the last page. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book
blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other
print venues. She is the founder of the World Literary Café and Fostering
Success. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing
industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa has
been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington
Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.
Melissa hosts an Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and
donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC.
Melissa lives in Maryland with her family. Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails
from her readers. Visit Melissa at The World Literary Cafe or her personal website.
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Comments
9 comments posted.
Re: Melissa Foster | Ten Surprises About Being An Author
I noticed that nobody has made a list so far, and really don't want to be the only one. The first number on my list, however, would be that reading and knitting are great stress relievers!! As for the other nine, I'd feel silly to put a list down, since noone else has put a list. I do enjoy reading and knitting, however, and sometimes do both at the same time!! Congratulations on your latest book, and I'm looking forward to putting it on my TBR list for my Spring reading list. Great cover as well, and I'm so glad that you have the people's heads on the cover. When the Authors leave them off, it takes something away from the book itself. Your book is going to make for a great read, as always!! Congratulations again!! (Peggy Roberson 10:39am January 22, 2015)
hmmm - to add to Peggy's list - 1) that some characters in books don't stay between the covers and make it into dreams; 2) that some books refuse to be put down; 3)that bringing little loaves of banana bread to one's doctors and nurses elicits smiles; 4)chemo and radiation are not the worst things one can experience; 5)losing one's hair means losing it all over your body too, including in your nose!; 6)being hairless is actually rather comfortable in summer; 7)it's nice to have hair in winter, tho; 8)it's fun to win contests!; 9)everyone has stories inside them; 10)surprises in books are just delicious. (Beth Fuller 6:09pm January 22, 2015)
Oh, my gosh, what a fun list! I can certainly relate, being a writer myself. (Margay Roberge 10:13am January 23, 2015)
What a great list, Melissa! I love the cover & title of your book! I wish I had 10 surprises in life. Finding love again after my divorce would be one of them, if I were to start a list. My husband, Rich, is a truly wonderful man & I'm very blessed that he's in my life. Another one would be my nephew & Godson, PJ, with whom I share a very special bond, & love like no one else! (Maria Proctor 10:54am January 23, 2015)
love, children, friends, faith, books, home, car, mountains, beach, the South--the surprise is that I value these more than others value their ties to their cell phones and social media (Denise Holcomb 12:10pm January 24, 2015)
Your book sounds captivating. A wonderful list which resonated with me. (Sharon Berger 11:58am January 24, 2015)
Thank you for list. I love hearing authors point of view on different topics. (Denise Austin 7:23pm January 24, 2015)
"When someone says they’ve read my book, I want to hide until I hear that they’d liked it, then I want to hug them!" This reminds me of when people say they have gone to Texas and I wait until I hear that they loved it and the people. I no longer live there but it is still home. Love yout list and also your accomplishments. (Leona Olson 9:27am January 25, 2015)
I like this a lot! (Andrzej Kalach 10:23am February 3, 2017)
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