oliviaobryon

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:

Expecting Happiness

Holy smokes.  I just finished editing my book after my second read and the momentary sense of completion is exhilarating.

59,089 words…  Six months of work after work… 144 pdf’ed pages… Approximately 240 actual book pages…

Phew.  Now it’s time to wait for my kind readers to give me their input so that I can make my final changes and submit to agents this summer!  I already have one request for my manuscript, which is a pretty cool feeling, (and a lot of pressure to make it perfect!).

I feel like it’s also time to manage my own expectations.  I was reading the blog of a published author this morning, where he shared that he has written four books, the first of which is still unpublished.  I know that this is pretty common for authors to write multiple books before they get published.

Still, I’m hopeful.

If nothing else, I’ve learned how to do it, so I can do it again, and again, and again, until it works.

Happy productive Sunday!

Done!  (For now…)

Expecting Happiness (Yes, trying out different titles this week!)

Kristen and Jake were told that they could be anything they wanted when they grew up.  The problem is, beside each other, they can’t figure out what they want.  Like many couples in their late twenties, they’ve found themselves stuck in windowless cubes, trudging to meaningless jobs, grasping for purpose.  Most nights, they forget to even look at each other.  

Desperate for change, they’re willing to try anything.  They’ve already attempted multiple failed side businesses, ranging from operating a photography studio out of their extra bedroom to selling video game avatars online.  Well, that second part was just Jake.  Running out of ideas, they set their sights on parenthood as the missing key to their happiness.  

However, after a miscarriage jolts them back to reality, they instead decide to reclaim their childhood dreams of adventure.  They quit their jobs, sell their house, and set off on separate journeys.  While Jake heads across country by car, Kristen secretly chases an old flame to Europe.  Finding themselves on often parallel adventures, they are torn between the allure of seductive foreigners and their unrelenting longing for one another– until an ironic twist of fate ultimately forces them to decide whether they are better off together or apart.
——
Wish List:

1.  I want to make the last sentence about the twist of fate less clumsy/more exciting (not sure about the use of — either…)
2.  Looking for a spot to seamlessly integrate a brief physical description of each to paint a better picture
3.  It still feels book-reporty, I know…  I need to spice it up!

DISCLAIMER:  Some friends have already expressed concern that maybe my book is a reflection of my own life/relationship/desires/etc.  This is NOT the case!  While there are definitely tiny pieces of my life in this book, I chose to create conflict because the book is both fictional and more interesting this way! 😀