Several years ago, I ran into an old
“friend” at a local fair. I hadn’t seen her since high school, and we weren’t
very close then. She was part of the “preppy” group of kids – you know the
type, designer clothes, too much money, sports cars, cheerleaders and jocks.
Back in those days, I considered myself Switzerland. I wasn’t a part of any
particular click and I tried to get along with everyone. In other words, she
didn’t give me the time of day and I couldn’t have cared less.
We made small talk and she asked, “So, what
do you do now?” I smiled on the outside, but groaned inwardly and searched for
an excuse to leave so I wouldn’t have to answer. I hated that question back
then. When you tell someone you’re a
stay-at-home-mom, they automatically picture you lying on the couch in a pair
of ratty pajamas, hair a cyclone-mess, stuffing your face with something
unhealthy while watching soap operas on the Boob Tube. Most reactions are
typical. First, you get “The Look.” It’s hard to explain unless you’ve been on
the receiving end. Picture someone trying to maintain a smile while realizing
they just stepped in a pile of doggy-doo. After that comes the standard reply
of, “Oh, that’s great!” which is said in either a condescending tone or one
used for those who just revealed that someone close to them died. She did not
disappoint. It was at that very moment, while her cheeks flamed in
embarrassment for me and (I’m sure) she immediately began a check list in her
mind of all our mutual friends she could inform that I did nothing with my
life, that I decided I needed a change. I loved being able to stay at home with
my kids and I still do. I have my reasons for this choice I made and I don’t
have to explain them to anyone. However, I needed something of my own – something that wasn’t connected to my husband
or kids. The next day, I began to write.
When I started Grimsley Hollow: The Chosen One, I never had any intentions of
publishing it. It was a story, a way to pass the time, a little something for
my children. My son had just started middle school and we quickly came to
realize that autism and a school full of pre-adolescent kids who are confused,
unsure of themselves, and either uneducated where special-needs kids are
concerned or just down-right mean, did not mix. Bullying was as natural as
breathing for some, and my son was a favorite target. I wanted to write a book
where he was the hero, where differences such as autism or how a person looked
were brushed aside and the word friendship
meant what it should. I wanted to educate, empower, and entertain. The book
would contain two very important messages: Not all heroes wear capes and
special-needs kids want the same things as other kids – to be accepted and have
friends.
It took years to finish my book. Life tends
to get in the way and I wasn’t on a time schedule. When I finished, my son and
mother-in-law read the printed pages slipped into plastic covers and preserved
with love in a cheap binder from Wal-Mart. They loved it. I wasn’t surprised.
After all, my son was the hero in a magical realm and my mother-in-law is
family. They were supposed to say they loved it. Soon after, my mother-in-law
asked me if I thought about having it published. I laughed at the time, but the
idea had been planted in my mind (her intention for bringing it up in the first
place) and I began to research online.
I discovered author Amanda Hocking. I read
about how she self-published her books and made a name for herself in the world
of writing. After that, I stumbled upon book and writing groups on Facebook and
found out that many authors were
self-publishing and they called themselves Indies. I was amazed! With the help
of others, I got my book formatted and bought a pre-made book cover from the
same artist who designed some of the covers for Hocking’s books. With a wish
and a prayer, I sent my baby out into the digital world. I was a published
author.
I’ve made many mistakes on this exciting
(and sometimes bumpy) path. However, I’ve also done a few things that turned
out okay. Since that fateful day in 2011 when I submitted my book with a click
of my mouse to Amazon, I have been signed with a publisher, Inknbeans Press.
The Grimsley Hollow series has grown
to three books and I started a new series in the genre of YA paranormal with the
first book slated for release on July 18th of this year. And there
you have it – the story of an author born from the desperation and frustration
of a stay-at-home mom. I no longer mind it when old “friends” asked me what I
do now.
Author
Bio and Contact Links
Nicole Storey lives in Georgia with her
wonderful husband, two prodigious kids, and a plethora of pets. When she isn’t
traveling to magical realms with potty-mouthed pixies or fighting demons, she
enjoys reading and reviewing books, gardening, cooking, and planning for her
favorite holiday – Halloween! She is an author of juvenile fantasy and YA
paranormal books and is published with Inknbeans Press. Her books can be found
on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Sony, and Smashwords in e-book and
paperback.
Contact Nicole:
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/vdebQE
Blog: http://bit.ly/Muj3Me
Publisher: http://bit.ly/LIQnPV
Amazon
Author Page: http://amzn.to/KThYif
Official
Website: http://bit.ly/15oJb2y
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1593otp
Twitter: http://bit.ly/1593v8d
LinkedIn: http://linkd.in/136P45X
Thanks so much for hosting me on your blog, David!
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasure Nickie! You're always welcome.
DeleteThere is nothing better than being there with your kids when they are young. I managed to be at home until my youngest was four. It was the best time of my life until I discovered writing - and then recently became a grandparent. Raising your own kids is the best job anyone could ever have. Good for you. NEVER apologize.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with this sentiment more. Being a parent is the most important role anyone could have.
Delete