I have the pleasure of sharing this guest post by author Claire Marti (and kudos to her)
Cancer Made Me Do It:
How I finished my first novel
By Claire Marti
Like many authors, I’m one of those people who always said
they’d write a novel. Who dreamed of creating a romantic story that would
transport readers from the challenges of their daily lives into another world
where hope exists, love wins, and dreams are fulfilled.
Like many authors, this straightforward plan took a long
winding path to fruition. Establishing a writing schedule around a full-time
job, family responsibilities, and a busy life isn’t for the faint of heart. Oh,
I procrastinated. If I could just retreat to a cabin in the mountains for a few
weeks, I’m sure I could whip out a romance novel, how hard could it be?
I’ve had several careers, but psychiatrist wasn’t one of
them. But, I know the answer. Fear. Fear of failure. So, I procrastinated. I
never made the time or space. Writing was part of my career as an attorney and
I free-lanced magazine articles about my other passions like health and
wellness and animal welfare. In 2009, I made the move from the corporate world
to teach yoga and Pilates and write. I had more time, but I didn’t take the
leap.
Then, on January 2, 2010, I found a lump in my breast.
Unleash the most unwelcome rollercoaster ride I’d ever experienced. Denial: how
could this happen to me? I’m healthy. I’m too young. Anger: how could this
happen to me? Why me? Acceptance: This disease is happening to me. How do I
navigate two surgeries, six rounds of aggressive chemotherapy, and daily
radiation for almost two months?
I began blogging. Stuck inside the house for more time than
I care to recall, I wrote. I shared the good, the bad, and the ugly—cue the
music from one of Clint Eastwood’s best westerns. I experimented and benefitted
from many alternative therapies like yoga, acupuncture, meditation, juicing,
and Reiki.
I found my voice. People connected to my brand of truth
around the disease and the battle that is often pink-washed. Once, someone
actually told me I was lucky to “just have breast cancer.” Mind you, this was
on a day when I’d just lost a friend from the disease. She was thirty-three
years old. I was compelled to speak up.
Sharing my journey helped me cope and I’m told from people
who followed my journey, helped them cope and also helped them understand what
a loved one was experiencing a little bit better. Encouraged to learn I could
help others in this manner, I compiled and refined the blog entries into a
memoir, Come Ride with Me Along the Big
C.
It took me facing my own mortality to finally find my voice.
I determined that one thing I would do, especially if my remaining time on the
planet were cut short, was to write the damn romance novel. The Finding Forever
in Laguna series was born. I began.
Resistance erupted from unlikely places. During my time with
cancer, I began teaching yoga for cancer patients, created a DVD, and also
co-created the largest yoga fundraiser in Southern California called Yoga for
Hope, to raise awareness and funds for City of Hope, a national cancer center.
I spoke at conferences and cancer events. How could I be so frivolous to scale
back my volunteering and time to write a romance? Didn’t I have more serious
work to do?
Well, as I explained to a dear friend, I consider writing
romance novels serious work. Important work. When I traverse tough times, reading
is my solace. My escape. Heck, reading is one of my greatest pleasures, period.
If I can live within the pages of a beautiful story that transports me to a
place where love wins despite great odds, my heart is strengthened.
My intention and greatest wish is that my stories will
provide the same comfort and escape for readers. Currently, I love writing
stories that are fun, sexy, light-hearted with underlying important themes like
releasing the past. Come visit Laguna with me.
**********************
by Claire Marti
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Alyssa
Morgan has secretly been in love with her older brother Nick’s best friend,
Brandt Dempsey, since she was an awkward, lonely teenager. When she catches the
bouquet at Nick’s wedding, she throws caution to the wind and propositions
Brandt to a two-week fling. He’s tried to ignore how Alyssa has blossomed into
a strong, talented, gorgeous woman because as his best friend’s baby sister,
she’s off limits.
After they share a mind-blowing kiss, Brandt struggles to fight their undeniable chemistry. His tragic childhood scarred him, but he pushes it deep inside, only allowing the world to see a wealthy, carefree entrepreneur. Forced to work together on Brandt’s latest charitable venture, Brandt and Alyssa’s passion cannot be denied. Alyssa knows he’s the one. Can she convince him they belong together?
After they share a mind-blowing kiss, Brandt struggles to fight their undeniable chemistry. His tragic childhood scarred him, but he pushes it deep inside, only allowing the world to see a wealthy, carefree entrepreneur. Forced to work together on Brandt’s latest charitable venture, Brandt and Alyssa’s passion cannot be denied. Alyssa knows he’s the one. Can she convince him they belong together?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT
She'd
give him the cold shoulder if it killed her.
And
it just might.
He’d
rejected her, so why was he opening doors, hovering, and acting like a pest?
Practically breathing down her neck. She could swear he’d sniffed her. Sniffed
her. He couldn’t conceal his awareness. If he were so attracted to her, he
would’ve agreed to her proposition, right? Since he’d shot her down in flames,
he could at least have the decency to ignore her today. Rude, infuriating man.
Inhaling
a deep cleansing breath, she forced herself to concentrate on the center.
Sunlight streamed through the abundance of windows and along with the high
ceilings imparted a feeling of freedom and space, perfect for the planned
occupants. Because they’d decided to wait to obtain her input for the more specific
room layout, the building’s interior remained a shell. She’d add to her
brother’s amazing design and ensure Tearmann House’s beauty and serenity.
Serenity.
What a concept. Ha.
Buy links:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR
Bio and Links:
Claire
Marti started writing stories as soon as she was old enough to pick up pencil
and paper. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a BA in
English Literature, Claire was sidetracked by other careers, including
practicing law, selling software for legal publishers, and managing a
non-profit animal rescue for a Hollywood actress.
Finally,
Claire followed her heart and now focuses on two of her true passions: writing
romance and teaching yoga. At Last in Laguna is the second book in her Finding
Forever in Laguna series from The Wild Rose Press.
Twitter: @clairepmarti
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