Monday, March 19, 2007

One For the Books

After many months of secrecy, I can finally release the story of my just-printed book. This past Saturday, I attended the launch party for a new publishing company. Its first line, titled One True Romance, is a series of real life romances about engaged couples. It fits into the wedding planning market alongside photography as videography as a permanent marriage memento. Picture you and your other half on a Harlequin for all your friends and family to read.

I wrote the inaugural tome. Yup, I said it. I wrote a book. It is 120 pages of Boston-based reality, outfitted with all the trappings of a traditional romance novel. My name's right on the cover. My words lay prettily throughout. It is the centerpiece for the publishing venture's marketing campaign.

How 'bout them apples?

The best thing about writing a book is that it proves I can, well...write a book. What was once daunting to the degree of paralysis is now attainable. This particular effort was creative non-fiction, but it shows that my lifetime dream of weaving an imagined series of events into the pages of a novel doesn't have to remain subconscious.
As I try to come up with a plot, a bunch of characters, and a setting for the formless novel I've known I wanted to write since I was five years old, I can hold this little book in my hands and leaf through proof that I know how to tell a story. I know how to make a reader care that I'm telling it. I know how to put experience on a page so that it sticks.

As long as I keep writing fiction and don't hide behind the easy truth of these commissioned stories, this whole experience might be my biggest step yet toward becoming the author I've always wanted to be.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

HOLY F!!!!! I'm so happy for you! When can I pick up my copy at Barnes & N?!!!!

Binky said...

Lauren--Nope, you won't find it at B&N or anywhere like that. It's not a mass market thing. Basically, a couple signs on with One True Romance company to get a book written about them. Once it's written and produced, they get as many copies as they need. They may decide to send it out with their wedding invitations or give it as a wedding favor.

But since you are lucky enough to know the author, you just may be able to read it if you play your cards right ;)

Wendy said...

Congrats! I kinda like that idea as a wedding favor. I mean I cant do anything with half the stuff we get at wedddings. It would be nice to know how the couple met.

I am interested in how all this works. Did you talk to the couple? Was it a questionaire? Was it difficult to produce a story about people you have never met?

Anonymous said...

But since you are lucky enough to know the author, you just may be able to read it if you play your cards right ;)

What does that mean? :p

Congratulations, now I'll have to work harder to complete my book. Ugh.

I think it's time for a Boston visit.

Maria said...

Congrats...And I am officially jealous. I wrote a book and it got a sniff last Christmas. I nearly swooned with excitement only to have it rejected a few months later..

So...I KNOW how hard you had to work to get where you are....

Jordan said...

Congrats!!!! This is a very interesting idea. I LOVE it. How does the process work?

Amy said...

BINKY! Holy crap! You have to keep doing these. What a fantastic exercise! What a gig! Totally jealous!!!

AND - I know you can write your own story. It is clear from this here little ole blog that you have the gift. I can only imagine what a lovely place it is inside your own imagination.

Is it stupid to say I am proud of you? Because I so totally am. You are amazing.

toyfoto said...

Congratulations!

Jene said...

whoo hoo! i'm so excited that it finally came out and now you can talk about it! great job.

Whirlwind said...

It must be nice to finally be able to talk about it. I heard you had it with you today, to bad we were sick and couldn't come, I would have loved to take a look at it. Next time we see each other, I would love to see it!

Girlplustwo said...

SHUT UP! I mean, WOW.

Dude. you rock. Truly, hats off.

Lawyer Mama said...

How cool! And what a nifty wedding favor that would be!

S said...

How cool is that?

Congratulations!

GIRL'S GONE CHILD said...

Amazing. Congrats to you and let this be the first of many...

Miguelita said...

Really, really cool. Congratulations!!

Chicky Chicky Baby said...

Congratulations!! When you're a well known author we'll be able to say we knew you when. And we, your readers, will also be able to tell all your bandwagon jumpers (of which there will be many) to screw off because we were reading you even before you were published.

Redneck Mommy said...

Cheering you on girl.

*Cheers.*

Unknown said...

Well, throw my hurrahs in there with the rest. It is an accomplishment to be proud of and I'm sure the lucky couple who's story you wrote was thrilled with their author. I know it!

Anonymous said...

I never had you pegged as the romantic type but I sure was WRONG! Congratulations! That's amazing. This is just the tip of the iceburg!

Debbie said...

proud, proud in a way that I can't describe. other than to squeak, lamely, that I'm proud of you. :)

*beams*

Ruth Dynamite said...

I am not surprised. Congratulations! I can't wait to take a peek!