I actually started writing the new book yesterday. It’s Shey’s story–Marta’s friend, the Texas model, in Odd Mom Out–and she’s back in Texas, although for how long remains to be seen.
It’s wonderful that after four days or research and constant thinking about the book, that I opened up a new word doc and started with page one, chapter one. This is always the hardest part for me. I love researching and brainstorming, mulling and musing. Love creating my visual board and organizing the binder of research materials. Love it all until the first words hit the page and I realize how far I have to go.
But this time, I’m allowing myself lots of time and I’m going to write every day, even on weekends, even if its just a paragraph.
I’m excited about this book. A little scared, too, because there are things in this story that make my heart ache. It reminds me a bit of Mrs. Perfect and how every now and then I felt so sad while writing Taylor’s story. Her life, her choices, her pain weighed on me. Shey’s story is a bit like that. There are things in her life–hurts and heartaches–that I can relate to more than maybe I’d like.But there are fun things in this book that make me itch to write. The Texas setting–Palo Pinto County, Texas–and her family ranch and her relationship with her older brothers and the candle she once held for one of her brother’s good friends, retired bullriding champ, Dane Kelly.
I like to write stories about going home, or at least trying to go home, and the discoveries we make about ourselves, as well as the memory of who we once were and who we’ve become. And in these stories of going home, there are stories of first love and that first wrenching broken heart. I love these stories because the emotion is real and honest, maybe even raw, but these are the stories we all have inside ourselves, buried deep where we think no one will know or see.
Do you remember your first real love? Did it end happy, or in heartbreak?
Jane,
Yes…I remember my first real love. I wrote about my first real love in my book, “Diabetes Can Be Sweet…Once You Bury It.” I better not say how the story ends or I will spoil it for the others. You already know the ending! 🙂
Aloha ~ Julie
It ended in heartbreak: He died. Tough life lesson to learn at 18 years of age… but still a lesson to cherish what you have while you have it. It can be gone in an instant.
Excited for a new book, new character. Yay Jane!
My first love ended well. We were young, but learned to love together – what a wonderful time in my life. We were young and many didn’t think we could possibly be in love, but now that I look back I know absolutely that I loved him. I will always love him and there is always a place in my heart for him. I see him around once every few years and I am sure after 14 years of marriage to a wonderful man that my first love wasn’t meant to last, however it was meant to be. Thanks for asking. 🙂
woot- woot! yeah more books!
first love didnt last but i do wish him happiness!
Absolute heartbreak. Worse, he convinced me the break was just temporary and I believed it (I was so young and naive)until I heard he was with another girl. Twenty years later, he’s still married to that girl and I’ve found my own prince charming (for real this time) so it all turned out well. It was brutal at the time, though.
I can’t wait to read Shey’s story!
Kelli
first true love – totally unrequited – sob. I think he was gay lol (truth.) He passed away about 7 years ago.
On a happy note – yay for Shey. I missed any mention of her in Mrs. Perfect. And am stoked for Tiana’s story – but Jane summer is so far away!!!
Jane,
I can’t wait to read the new book and hear about all that you do with it!! I love when you write in your blog and let us into your book writing world. It is such a privilege to witness the art:) Good luck with the writing!
Hi, Jane
Do I remember my first real love – yes I do. He’s sitting in the other room right now watching shows that he Tivo’d earlier this week. This is how we usually spend our Sunday mornings after 32 years of marriage. We met in the Fall of 1972 when he was 17 and I was 16. Has it been wonderful – absolutely. We have a wonderful family and lots of warm memories. Has it been hard – absolutely. There are times I want to kiss him and other times I want to kick him. Would I change anything about him – lots of things, but that’s what keeps it interesting.
Complete heartbreak. I was the other girl, don’t hold it against me…I was young and he was my first….
He was the kind of guy you knew was trouble but he had that grin….I am a sucker for that certain smile. Ask my husband. 🙂
My first love ended in absolute heartbreak. I am still left wondering what life would have been like some times! Not that I’m not totally in love with my husband, but you just wonder some times!
I do remember my first love…He used to come in for lunch at a pizza place I worked at. We were both 18. It lasted for almost 1 year. It ended when I moved to California with my family and left him in New Jersey. I don’t think we ever really got over each other, but now I have a great husband,on most days, and 2 beautiful children.
I can’t wait to read your new book.
My first real love was when my daughter was born 19 years ago, and my second real love was when my son was born 9 years ago. They both are still the love of my life that no man will ever be able to fill, even my husband of 24+ years of marriage. A mothers love is the real true love.
How could I possibly forget him. We met in college, lost each other (this was before cell and email). Found each other again years later (we were both engaged). He called his off, I came close. He found out his “would’ve been wife” was pregnant. Stepped up and married her. We lost touch for years again, and ran into each other two years ago. Still the same fire. We’re both still married with children, but what are you gonna do. Life goes on …
This is soooooo funny… the other I was talking with a girl firend about up coming birthdays and realized this year will be the 30-year anniversary that I met my first love… it ended happy-ish… we were always friends… haven’t seen him in years and years… still have fond memories!
Hi Jane– I just googled you today & am sooo happy to hear that you’re writing another book. Odd Mom Out was the first book I read but I’ve got to say that I absolutely loved Mrs Perfect and in fact have been reading it for a second time this weekend. I identify so closely with Taylor and her conservative & naive ways. And you did such a beautiful job of describe her feelings of free-fall.
Anyway– my first non-imaginary *requited* love just fizzled out. He was still in college and spent his summers fighting fires for the BLM…when he came back we didn’t bother contacting each other. He was a brilliant, neurotic English major. Enough said.
Married my first love and after 22 years of being together and almost 17 years of marriage-he is still the love of my life! He helped me give 3 beautiful children life and I can’t imagine my world with out him.
I married my first real love and we’ve been together almost 8 years now. There’s been some crazy times, but we’re happy! I don’t know what I would do without him!!
I’m glad to see at least a few of us have first love happy endings here! Mine is also in the next room…my first love, first kiss…first everything! LOL
We’ve been married almost 23 years and have two great kids. Wouldn’t trade him for the world. 🙂
I can’t wait for the new book!
My first love…I had loved him since I was 16 and used to visit him at the camera store where he was the manager. He was older and a bad boy. He always made me feel like I was the most beautiful, sexiest woman in the world. It wasn’t until I was 18 and in college that we dated on and off. Of course we never truly wanted the other unless we couldn’t have them! LOL He was a transient in jobs and living arrangements. But such a gifted photographer. We were in and out of each other’s lives and as lovers but always remained friends. He actually pushed me toward my husband saying that I needed the stability of what he could give me and what he knew I wanted — a home, family, kids. I don’t know what he’s doing but I still dream about him once in awhile. My husband and I have made a wonderful life and I still love him very much. I love my husband and my daughter more than anything but The true love of my life is my son who is almost 12. 🙂
Jane, I just got back from vacation and I was so excited to see you are working on the new book! Can’t wait to read it and hear about it as you “create” it!
My first love ended in much heartbreak, as my boyfriend was killed in a car accident. I don’t think I’ll be over it, but I have definatley moved on with my life and learned from it. I’ll never forget as he was a part if my life for many years.
Happy writing to you!
Jane~Glad to see you fired up about a new book. Happy writing. Can’t wait to read Yiana and Shey’s stories.
I remember my first true love and will never forget him. It did end in heartbreak but I moved on with my life and I still wonder what would have happened it things had went different.
My first love is now in jail. Thank God it didnt work out!
Oh, yes. I remember my first true love. It didn’t end well at the time, but when we reconnected a decade later, we became friends.