Shhhhh. . .Mommy's Got a Secret!

Well, not a secret, really, but I do have some exciting news that until recently, I've mostly kept to myself.  

I'm publishing a book!  How exciting is that?!?  

Now, if you are like most people, you are probably wondering when in the world I had time to even think about writing a book, much less publish one.  I would be lying if I said I didn't question my sanity on a daily basis as well.  This is actually my second pass at writing a book.  Before the boys were born, I played around with a story that I stopped writing not long after I found out I was expecting twins.  Interestingly enough, two of the main characters were named Jack and Rowan.  After the boys arrived, and took my characters' names along with them (funny how it all works out), I came up with another idea for a new story. . .a story that I absolutely loved.  However, between family and work, I really didn't have the time to write.  Then one day, my husband, who has always encouraged me throughout this whole process, finally sat me down and said, "Let's find a way to make this work."  

So we did.  

It has taken about a year and a half and a lot of weekend nap times, but my first novel is finally complete.  My only rule was that writing would never take away from my mommy time, and to this day, we have always found a nice balance that doesn't interfere with the boys I love.  It turns out that you can accomplish a lot of writing on the weekends between the hours of 2-4 PM, and so every weekend that we were home, I would write while the boys slept.  If the boys didn't rest, then I simply didn't write.  Now, I have to admit, this was a bit hard for me at first.  Like most moms, if your children are resting, you have the uncanny desire to face-plant into your couch as soon as they're out.  But with a lot of determination, a hard bar stool, and a fun story just waiting to be written, I finally turned my dream into a reality.     

And boy was it worth it!

Right now, I'm currently working on my first round of edits that I got back from my fabulous editor, Cynthia Shepp.  It took a lot of persuading on Jody's part for me to actually submit my book to her, but I'm so glad that I did.  The publishing world can be a very scary place, and quite honestly, one that's mainly filled with rejection and bad reviews.  If I didn't have my family and friends to encourage me every step of the way--and read those horrid first drafts--I would be nowhere near accomplishing my goal today.  

So, even though I know I'll never be able to thank them enough. . .I just want to say it one more time so they know that I mean it.  Thank you to my parents, Jody, Shona, Myra, Salena, Stephanie, and Kim for reading book one and asking for more.  You are the Vivi to my Brave, and I couldn't have done it without you.  :)

The book is called Look to the Stars, and it will be releasing this winter.  My website is also up and running at www.catherinewilsonauthor.com, and I'm going to launch a Facebook page soon.  Look to the Stars is the first of three books in the series, and I'm so excited to get this story out of my head and into yours.  

I'll keep you updated on how this all goes.  Wish me luck! 

"Can I help you write your book, Mommy?"