After spending the past 7 years writing 350 pages, there’s only one word left to say: FINALLY!
What started as an idea on my first year anniversary with my now-husband, is now a first draft of my first novel called The Stargazer Lily. This is also the first time that I’ve participated in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and won by writing 50,000 words during the month of November! Whew, that’s a lot of firsts!
It’s been a long journey to get to this point, and on my 30th birthday, I have to say that this is the most incredible gift I could ever have given myself. I know that there is still a long road ahead before this novel is published, but at least I’m one step closer to achieving my dream!
So, what comes next?
Now it’s time for the even longer journey of editing the story. I will be spending countless hours writing and re-writing sentences, scenes and characters until I have a story that is worth shopping around to agents and editors. I’m planning to attend the SCBWI Summer Conference in LA, with the goal of participating in the pre-conference writer intensives, which will give me an opportunity to share my story with possible agents and editors. Here is a brief synopsis of the story:

Thank you to all who have always supported and encouraged me: I could not have done it without your help! A huge thank you to my parents and brothers, who have always urged me to continue to pursue writing, and of course, the hugest thank you of all to my amazing husband, Matt Wooddall. He shared the moment of this story’s genesis, and I know he will be there with me until it’s bound and available in bookstores and libraries throughout the world!