Big things or the little ones?
Big things or the little ones?
Okay, {$name}—I know what you're probably thinking this email is going to be about. 😏 But it's not.
Okay, {$name}—I know what you're probably thinking this is going to be about. 😏 But it's not.
I'm working on a story about a couple that are taking a good, long, hard look in the mirror. They're at an impasse, trying to decide how they got to the place that they have found themselves. Both of them are realizing how these small moments in their lives have impacted who they are. And they've realized that those small moments are the big ones.
It's made me think. (Which is one of the things that I love about writing. It makes you see yourself in new ways sometimes.)
One of my "small but big" moments took place in high school. And it starts with a pair of shoes.
Everyone was wearing the Doc Marten sandals from the 90's - the big, clunky, heavy-as-heck shoes that cost a lot of money. My family? We didn’t have that kind of money to spend on one pair of shoes. I found a pair that were really cute and resembled the expensive pair at one of the discount stores. Probably Payless. (Man, how I loved Payless!)
Anyway, I remember being in one of my classes and this boy looked at my shoes and laughed.
“Are those your Doc Martens?” he asked me.
I remember being embarrassed for about two seconds. And then, as I took in his cocky smirk, I felt embarrassed FOR HIM. That was a defining moment for me for so many reasons.
I realized how hurtful an off-handed comment can be. I realized the ugliness of a bad attitude. And I realized that I would never and could never intentionally hurt someone’s feelings like he tried to hurt mine.
I’m sure teenage-Adriana would’ve loved that to never to have happened to her. But grown-up Adriana realizes just how much that moment changed who she is as a person. (It's really weird to talk about yourself in third person. Moving on ...) It was one of many small moments that came to define my life.
I can't wait to see what other moments my hero and heroine unravel from their past. What moments can you remember that have shaped who you are? Have you ever thought about it?
Next week, I'll have some freebies for you—so make sure you open my email. :)
Have a great week!
Addy
In case you missed it—the cover and narration of my reader-favorite novel, Sacrifice, was updated last week.
I've often talked about how this book is special to me and that Crew Gentry will forever be one of my favorite heroes. To see a new generation of readers meet this broken, determined, fiercely loyal man and the strong single mom he falls for (again), along with her daughter, has been the best!
This graphic was made by Booked Up Blog on Instagram. I just love how she portrayed her emotions in the picture.
It's exactly what I hope readers feel when reading Sacrifice!
And the new narration love has been astounding. I thought that Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell were the absolute perfect Crew and Julia ... and my listeners seem to agree. The messages and emails have been incredible!
Thank you to everyone that has read and/or listened! Yay!