Some of you know that since I retired two and a half years ago, I’ve been working on a novel inspired by my grandparents’ lives and the discoveries I’ve made about them and their extended families through my genealogy research. Well, I finally put my “pen” down and decided to call it done.
It’s been an exciting process for me because ever since I learned to read, I’ve wanted to write a novel. All through my career when I was writing long, boring articles for law journals, I wished that instead I was writing a novel. Novels have been my refuge all my life. I love being transported to different times and places and seeing into the hearts and minds of all kinds of characters. I just wanted a chance to try to create some characters of my own. When I retired, I promised myself that I would give it a try.
One friend reprimanded me when I said I was trying to write a novel. She said, “Don’t say that. Say you are writing a novel.” I was and am insecure about the whole thing. I never took a fiction writing course, participated in a writing workshop, or wrote any fiction at all, not since I wrote stories as a young child. What did I know?
My only sources of information about writing a novel were all the novels I’d read starting when I read Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White when I was eight years old. That book transported me in ways that changed the way I felt about reading. I cried so hard (spoiler alert) when Charlotte died. And she was just a spider! A fictional spider! How had the author made her so real and moved me to care so much?
Now that I’ve written my own novel, I am even more in awe of the many great authors whose books have moved me so deeply. I am humbled by what those authors were able to do with words, and thus I feel presumptuous trying to promote my own book, despite my friend’s reprimand.
But it was a labor of love—love for family and love for the magic of the written word. I wrote this book for my children and grandchildren so that they would have a taste of what their ancestors’ lives were like. I had lots of help and inspiration from my family and friends, as I acknowledge at the end of the book. And so despite this aching feeling of insecurity, I do want to share and promote my book so that others will also know the story I’ve created about my grandparents—grounded in fact, but expanded upon by my imagination.
I hope that you will be tempted to read it. You can find it on Amazon both as a paperback ($6.99) and as a Kindle ebook ($2.99) at https://www.amazon.com/dp/1541170369
If you do read it, I’d love your feedback. Thank you!
Congratulations on your first novel Amy. I will be getting it sometimes in February! Yay!
LikeLike
Thank you, Andy! I hope you like it. Maybe next I will start some life writing!
LikeLike
I hope you will start your life writing too. It’s a lot of recalling your own memories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Amy, I’m surprised you’re done as I know how dedicated you are to family history. Good luck with your future projects and a hearty thanks for all your help and expertise during the last year or more with my Selinger’s. I am looking forward to reading your book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you misunderstood. I am NOT done with family history OR my blog. Far from it! I have finished a novel—totally separate project. Don’t worry—you’re not done with me yet!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, Amy. It’s on my Kindle and will be the next read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Cathy! I hope you enjoy it. I probably should have had you proofread it first since you are the best proofreader I know—but it’s too late now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome. I’ll give you feedback when I finish it. Just started another book this morning so it will have to wait a few days. Thanks for the compliment. It’s easy proofreading others work. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks–I always appreciate your proofreading—but this time, maybe I won’t want to know if there are typos since I can’t fix them! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amy, am so relieved you’re not done on the BLOG. Phew! My bird-brain rushing in there. Well done. Am expecting the book this Saturday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! Glad we straightened that out! 🙂
LikeLike
Love your blog and can’t wait to read the novel!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you—I hope you enjoy it!
LikeLike
Downloading on kindle!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Hope you like it.
LikeLike
Congratulations!!! This is a wonderful achievement. I am in awe of anyone who can write fiction; can’t wait to read it.
LikeLike
Thanks, Su. I hope you like it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, Amy, I had no idea!!! Congratulations! I am excited to read it. I’ll buy it now, but have to put it after a couple of others I’ve already committed to.
Coincidentally, I just had my poetry chapbook (based on my genealogical research and enhanced by imagination, like your book) accepted by a small press that I’ve long admired. I’ll be following behind you!
Have a wonderful time with your book! xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Be sure to post when your book comes out—I look forward to it. (And I am envious that you have a “real” publisher!!) And thank you!!
LikeLike
Congratulations! I have placed the book on my wish list and will get it soon. I look forward to reading it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Charles. I hope you like it!
LikeLike
Congratulations! That is fantastic, Amy. I love that you stayed the course–despite reprimands–because YOU knew you had it in you all the while. You knew. I was given some very sound advice from a former patient when I told her I started a family history blog. She said get it in hardback. Publish it, even if in sections. Do it now. Her advice is something I’ve kept close, since, in our digital age, who knows what may change. I am so happy for you. 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Karen. I have done just what you are talking about with my blog—I already have ten volumes in hard copy printed by Lulu. If you want to know how I did it, let me know. It was really easy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will probably take you up on that, Amy. It’s a great idea. Thanks. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure—just email me when you’re interested.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on finishing the novel. I look forward to reading it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Ruth—I hope you like it!
LikeLike
Amy Dear,
As you know, we are terribly proud of all your accomplishments. {What does terror have to do with pride?} And now this novel. My initial reading of your first draft was interrupted by events now gone. I look forward to reading your insight of how these two people began and evolved into these two elders whom i knew so well. Love, Daddy
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really do want to hear what you think! And I will be starting to write about Brendina soon and may have more questions. xoxox
LikeLike
How wonderfully exciting. It’s been ordered Amy and I am anxious to read it! Congrats!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sharon—I hope you like it!
LikeLike
I’m very late to the party but big congratulations on your book. I’m heading to Amazon now to buy it.
And, I might also pick your brain about lulu. I “published” my blog annually for the first few years with blurb.com but I think I’m ready to try something new.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Debi! And I am happy to help. Just email me!
LikeLike
Amy, I’m just thrilled for you! And proud as punch to say I “knew you when” (at least a little). You’ve inspired me to start my own book (not to try, but to start). I love reading your blog and can only imagine how enjoyable the book “version” will be!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Laura! Writing the book was wonderful, but very different from writing my blog. With the blog my goals is to be as accurate as possible, relying on the records, newspapers, and to a small extent, family lore. The book is a novel—I used basic skeletal facts, but the rest is from my imagination.
LikeLike
Fantastic! Congratulations on your novel, Amy. What an accomplishment. I look forward to reading it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Michael! I hope you enjoy it!
LikeLike
Pingback: Book, Book, & Book – Plus a Wee Glimpse of a Tale of Using Indirect Evidence | thegenealogygirl
Re: Golden Wedding – Mr & Mrs Rosenzweig – Jan. 31, 1925
I recently hung a picture in my home, that was in the basement of my folks home. As i studied the picture, certain key items came up that prompted me to look them up on google.The reason I’m contacting you is based on information i discovered on google. It seems my grandparents and my grandmother’s sister, attended what looks like a large celebration at Savigny Hall in Manhattan in 1925. Before i continue my story, if you are interested, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Steven S.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am not sure what this refers to as it is not something that I wrote about on this page. I will email you.
LikeLike
Pingback: Florence Goldschlager Cohen: A Life Filled with Love | Brotmanblog: A Family Journey