Monday, September 13, 2010

Writing Romance in the Closet

TUESDAY MORNING EDIT: THE WINNER OF THE ARC GIVEAWAY IS: SARAH PEKKANEN. Sarah, please email at mariageraci1@gmail.com with your address so I can put the book in the mail. Thanks to everyone who commented!


Hi there. I'm Maria Geraci, writer of fun, romantic women's fiction. I'm also a wife, mother to three kids, and a part-time labor and delivery nurse.

When I began writing my own blog a few years back, one of the first things I did was think of a name. Blogs are supposed to have catchy titles and I wanted mine to stand out. Writing Romance in the Closet was perfect because I really did write in a closet (it's a small walk-in that my hubby gave up so I could have a room of my own).

But the title was more than just a description for the place I wrote. It was also a metaphor for my life.

At the time, only a handful of people knew that I was writing fiction. I had a full life already. Wife, mother, nurse. Plus, I was in my early forties, not an age when most people set out to do something that they've never done before. There was a little voice whispering in my head telling me I was crazy. I had a house to clean! Scrapbooks to put together. Kids to take to soccer practice. What was I doing holed up in my tiny, windowless room plugging away at my laptop? Unlike most writers, I never grew up with a burning desire to write. I never wrote poetry or short stories. I was happy and fulfilled. Until one day, I wasn't. And it came to me like the lightning rod epiphany you hear so much about in movies and books. I simply sat down to start writing. And found that I couldn't stop.

Of course, I couldn't stop being a wife, mother, or nurse either because as much as I loved the writing, the rest of my life went on. And then something miraculous happened. I found an agent. And she sold my book! So I had to start telling people what I was doing, although it was still hard to think of myself as a "real" writer. I think when you spend so many years being other things, it's hard to change directions. But what I've found in the past year and half since my first book came out is that you don't have to be just one, or even two things. We can be a lot of things. We just have to find a way to make it all mesh somehow. Some days it's harder than others, but in the end it's worth it. I couldn't imagine going back to where I was just a few years ago. And that makes me really excited to think where I might be a few years from now.

So remember that third book I have coming out later this year? I have ARCs! And I'd love to give one away. Just leave a comment by midnight Monday and I'll have the random generator select one winner. I'll edit my post the next morning to tell you who won.


Here's a little bit about the book.

THE BOYFRIEND OF THE MONTH CLUB
coming December, 2010
Berkley, Penguin USA


At thirty, Grace O'Bryan has dated every loser in Daytona Beach. After the ultimate date-from-hell, Grace decides to turn her dwindling book club into a Boyfriend of the Month Club, where women can discuss the eligible men in their community. Where are the real life twenty-first century versions of literary heroes such as Heathcliff and Mr. Darcy?

Could it be successful and handsome Brandon Farrell, who is willing to overlook his disastrous first date with Grace and offers financial help for her parents' failing Florida gift shop? Or maybe sexy dentist Joe Rosenblum, who's great with a smile but not so great at commitment? Unfortunately, like books, men cannot always be judged by their covers...


To learn more about my books please visit me at www.mariageraci.com or join my Facebook page.







30 comments:

  1. Hey, Maria! You are SUCH an excellent writer! I loved, loved, loved your Bunco Babes books and am looking forward to The Boyfriend of the Month Club.

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  2. The book sounds wonderful! I like what you have to say about keeping all your hats on. After motherhood and my debut novel, I decided to keep on teaching yoga and working in my capacity as a minister (moonlighting really). It's amazing how it can all come together!

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  3. Love the idea of a Boyfriend of the Month! Brilliant. Will look for the book, Maria, and best of luck with it.

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  4. Loved your line, "We can be a lot of things." I'm thinking we should put this on a t-shirt. And I'm with you in being excited about where I might be in a few years if the past few are any indication. There is definitely life after 40 (and, I must say, after 50!).

    The book sounds wonderful, too!

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  5. What an inspirational post! I have aspirations to become an author myself, but feel that I am so locked into my other roles! It's a scary stept to take, but I'm getting closer. I'd love a chance to read your newest.

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  6. I loved the Bunco books and I can't wait for Boyfriend of the Month. Keep'em comming Maria!

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  7. This sounds like so much fun Maria!

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  8. This sounds awesome! I can't wait to read it.

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  9. Thanks for all the lovely words, everyone!

    Jonita, the hardest step is getting started. And believing that you can do it. Positive thinking is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself!

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  10. Maria, So excited to read "The Boyfriend of The Month Club". The Bunco books were excellent!

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  11. Can't wait to read your new book - I loved the Bunco Babes. Are you taking over your Gator son's bedroom for a new office?:)

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  12. Maria
    I really enjoyed your post. It is a big transition to become and actually call yourself a writer! I still often think of all the *other* things that I was and that I am before I think 'writer'. But in truth a writer is what I've always been and always will be.

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  13. Ooh, what a fantastic premise! I want to win this!
    I hear you about trying on new roles at an unexpected time in life....it makes me excited for what lies ahead. Great post!

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  14. Maria!!! You know what a fan I am of your Bunco Babe books, and I can't wait for the Boyfriend of the Month Club -- such a great premise and title! And you're so right on the juggling thing -- we play many roles during the day (and, I'm finding, as I stay up until 2am writing, at night, too...) -- it takes work to balance it all. I think you've done a wonderful job of it ;).

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  15. As usual I'm the only dude. Oh well. I went to see Alexander McCall Smith speak once and there were 500 women and 3 guys. I realized then if I wanted to sell books, I'd better write with women in mind. Your work sounds great.
    Best,
    Greg

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  16. Anonymous, My Gator son's bedroom is staying as is. Otherwise I might have to change the name of my blog to Writing Romance in the Bedroom and I'm not sure I want to go there:)

    Armywife, I'm so glad you enjoyed my Bunco books. I loved writing them!

    Maggie ad Sarah, thanks for stopping by to comment. I'm really loving this blog and getting to know all the great writers on board.

    Marilyn, some of my best writing gets done at 2am. The house is quiet, the phone isn't ringing and my brain is actually in concentration mode!

    Greg, you sound like an extremely smart guy;)

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  17. Argh, I'm having trouble posting a comment! So this will probably end up appearing three times or something (yeah, it's Monday!). Anyway, Maria, I love the sound of your forthcoming book! What fun! And yay for you, starting your writing life after 40. I think life truly begins after 40!

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  18. Yep, I'll be picking this one up since I've loved your others! Glad you came out of the closet, so to speak! :)

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  19. It's good to hear that there's life after forty - I have a college age daughter and a son in high school, a job I really don't like and not much other than reading for a hobby. I feel like once the kids are out of the house then why bother? Maybe my place is out there somewhere but in the meantime I love to read this blog!

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  20. Hi Susan and Judi, thanks for stopping by to comment;)

    Robin, I'm so glad you're enjoying the blog. I love it too! Believe me, there's a LOT of life after forty. The only limitations we have are those we put on ourselves.

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  21. I've already pre-ordered your book but I'd be okay if I won an arc too. :-)

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  22. Maria, I love how you talk about how life goes on even though you are trying to fit writing into an incredibly full life. Since getting married and having a baby, I've realized that my time is no longer my own and it's more of a challenge to find the time to write (and not feel guilty about it!). But I think that it's actually made me more productive, since I don't have the time to sit around and feel "blocked" and then talk to my writer friends about how blocked I am. When I set aside the time to write (and pay the sitter so that I can write....), I have to write! No more excuses!!

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  23. Lucy, you're the best;)

    Brenda, Congrats on the marriage and new baby! Having a full life, I think, makes a person interesting, and consequently, a better writer. And I agree that writing under pressure can make a person more productive. You just have to remember to schedule in sleep time!

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  24. Right on Maria...I am never more productive than when writing under pressure!

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  25. ...and I love the premise of The Boyfriend of the Month Club!

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  26. The book sounds great, Maria! I love the title and will be sure and seek it out.

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  27. Probably one must need to regard about the vital and essential piece of ideas which are even said to be of most importance and will hopefully proven to be much better.

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