Today, I showed up to work and was humbled by all of the interest that I received about my book. For some reason, I forget that I broadcast pieces of my life on the internet, so it always throws me off when my real and cyber worlds collide.
The question that I received repeatedly, “What is your book about?”
Seems easy enough. I just get so self-conscious about sharing my writing soul to real live people, (somehow internet people, even if they’re actually the same people, are less intimidating!).
My one sentence answer: A couple that is frustrated with their jobs and life and decides to sell everything to travel separately.
Not the most poetic response, but truthful.
Even trickier, however, is putting my 59,089 words into a couple of meaningful and engaging paragraphs. If you’ve already read my previous attempts, save yourself the time now, stop reading. Tonight’s attempt is likely no better than before, and more likely than not, will drive me crazy with revisions.
However, if you’re new to my explanation of my book, read on! As always, thoughtful input is welcomed:
oliviaobryon 
I am having such fun watching your book develop! Let me know if you every need a test reader. 😉
Thanks Chloe! I'm trying to space out readers so that I'm not overwhelmed with changes all at once– but I'm definitely interested, thanks for the kind offer!
So, it’s interesting … the second novel I’ll be e-publishing soon is about a man in his 40’s, unsatisfied with his marriage, family, and work, who “runs away” to a small village in Mexico, where he spends a few days with an old priest, who teaches him about life. It’s called Weed Therapy, because the first lesson is that a marriage is like a garden — it takes both people to do the weeding to keep the weeds at bay and the garden beautiful. So, it’s a little bit different than Expecting Happiness, but …
If you are ever interested in having an impartial reader take a look at your novel, let me know.
What a coincidence, it sounds like we share some common threads. I look forward to reading when it becomes available. And, thanks for the generous offer! After this round, I will need a break from this book, but maybe if I come back to it again. I’m very eager to get going on my next idea! 🙂
Olivia, I found your website from a comment that you left on Rachelle Gardner’s blog. I relate so much with what you said in this post about feeling self-conscious about talking about your writing life with people out in the world face-to-face. I thought that I was the only one that struggled with that and it has made me consider giving up writing a few times. My biggest problem is when someone leaves a very kind comment about my blog writing on Facebook or something like that and then I run into them face to face. I feel so awkward then and don’t know what to say to them. I am definitely an introvert though, and that may be a common thread in this as well.
Thanks again for your post. I am going to subscribe to your blog.
Aaron @www.brokenanewbeginning.blogspot.com
It’s nice to know I’m not alone! I think many writers are a bit more on the introverted side of the spectrum. I know I am. It’s just funny how we can put ourselves out there in words but sometimes not in person. Thanks for the comment and look forward to checking out your blog too!