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So You Wrote a Book!

June 25, 2016 By Melissa Rea 3 Comments

Signing books at Left Bank Books launch party.
Signing books at Left Bank Books launch party.

As people say this to me they seem very impressed. I will agree that writing a book is certainly an accomplishment. To set out on the road with an idea and some sketchy characters in your head and end up someplace holding an entire book in your hand, is a wonder. I think the most wonderful thing is that no matter what you plan, the final result is a surprise. Somehow, in your head, the characters take on a life of their own and do their own bidding. Your friends, family, and early readers weigh in and things change. But once the writing is finished, which may be well after you expect it to be, a totally new and arduous journey begins. You have to get it published take it to market.

Finding a publisher, deciding to go it alone, or something in between is much harder than the creating. The publishing industry is in transition and seems to chase the next new thing only from known writers. They are not willing or financially able to take a chance on a newbie with a story that maybe doesn’t quite fit any genre label and is written by a name no one knows. If you do succeed in getting published you can hardly stand at the pinnacle with pride yet.

Your precious words are now a product and must be sold to have any value. The artistic temperament is often not very compatible with sales. It feels a little like selling a child. Yes, you think it is beautiful because it is part of you, but will anyone else like it? Even if you have written the best of all possible books, you have to post, tweet, and blog your ass off. Not to mention read, and sign, and beg. I happen to be depraved enough to think this part is fun. It is not at all easy, though. A book that no one reads can be the saddest story of all. Thankfully, A little magic may happen when you get a good review. Someone with impeccable good taste may rave about your creation and for a moment your spirit soars. Just for a minute and then you trek on. The truth is the good reviews are not why you do it. They are just gravy on the  stale and crusty biscuit of hard work. You write because you have to write. You publish and sell because, once you write it, you have to share it. You share it so someone can look you in the eye and say,”So you wrote a book.”

The perfect beach read...frothy yet satisfying like a good ice cream soda
The perfect beach read…frothy yet satisfying like a good ice cream soda

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: literary fiction, writer's inspiration

It All Begins Today, My Writer’s Journey.

June 7, 2016 By Melissa Rea Leave a Comment

profile_picture_4Today I am a published author! Conjuring Casanova is officially published, June 7th, 2016. It has been out in the world in a limited way for a while. I have done one reading and signing in Washington DC and many of my wonderful friends and family have pre-ordered and already have their books.  Today, is the day it is real to me.

People ask me all the time, “Have you always wanted to write?” The answer is, “Of course.” You are born a writer even if you never have the courage to write a word for anyone to read. You may be born with a certain amount of talent. Stephen King thinks so and says in his book, On Writing, “Great writers are born.” He goes on to say that is rare and most writers must work very hard to become a good writer. I certainly hope he is right. That’s my plan.

The joy of writing is not just in the weaving of words but in the sharing of the stories. It is in the fact that when you share your words, you can touch others in ways you can’t imagine.  Holding the book in my hands was a little teensy bit thrilling, but when I opened it and my eyes fell on the printed words, I felt it. Those are my words and now they can be shared.

There are so many people to thank I could fill ten blogs. There’s an idea. I do have to thank Giacomo Casanova who died in 1798. That funny, sad genius of a man came into my life unexpectedly through his words. He shared his history and his deepest feelings with me in his memoir, Histroire de Ma Vie.

His Casanovawords inspired me in so many ways. His reputation was certainly not something to emulate and was never really my interest at all. I was struck by the opportunity to share the inner thoughts of a singular man from another century.  Casanova never blamed others for his misfortune. One of his greatest was that he never found a single lasting love. He sure looked hard enough. While his sadness touched my heart, it the undeniable passion in his words that inspired me. It was in the intimate sharing of his story that I found value. I loved the vivid details of his daily life so passionately related. Thank you Giacomo Giracamo Casanova and thank you to my readers past, present, and future for allowing me to share with you. This is a journey we can take together.

 

Filed Under: Blog, News Tagged With: Conjuring Casanova, Giacomo Casanova, historical fiction, literary fiction, romance, Venice, writer's inspiration, Writers, writing

The Inspiration of Undies

May 11, 2016 By Melissa Rea Leave a Comment

Le-Lever-deFanchonNicolasBernardLépicié-1773I know readers are curious souls and I thought you might want to share the thoughts that went through my head and led me to write Conjuring Casanova.  I was writing a three-book romance series which someday may see the light of publishing. It takes place in  1760 and if one is going to have romance in the eighteenth century, some understanding of the women’s underwear of that time is a must.

Giacomo Casanova

I worked the internet and found, “No better recordings of the ins an outs of daily life in the eighteenth century can be found than in the pages of Giacomo Casanova’s memoir, Histoire de Ma Vie.” I ordered one volume; there are twelve. In the pages I discovered this crazy-for-life,  hilariously honest and gifted writer sharing forty-nine years of his everyday life. The other eleven volumes quickly filled my shelves.

I knew nothing about the man. His rep was certainly not attractive. He knew plenty about ladies undies back in the day. He was the quintessential womanizer. How could I like him so much through his words? Yet every time I read his words I felt like “my friend” was talking to me. A friend who just happened to be an eighteenth-century libertine.

bee and flowerOne day as I held my friend’s book on my lap, devouring his words, I asked myself a simple question: What would I think of him if he was here today? Et voilà, Conjuring Casanova was born. The picture, a not-so-subtle reference to a man who spent his life in the unending pursuit of the flower of womanhood. As it happens, “Melissa” means honey bee, so how could I resist this pretty picture?

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: 18th century underwear, art of love, Casanova, Conjuring Casanova, Giacomo Casanova, historical fiction, literary fiction, romance, seduction, Venice, writer's inspiration

Would You Play Cards With Casanova?

April 20, 2016 By Melissa Rea Leave a Comment

the card game paintingGiacomo Casanova had a taste for games of chance and often tried to make a living from gambling. Faro was his favorite. It was a card game much like modern Mini Baccarat. As a man, your chance in a game with Casanova would be equal, as he never cheated and often lost. As a lady, however, you would always win. He couldn’t bear to take your money. But how would he play “the poker of the stripping” in 2016?

In Conjuring Casanova ER doc and modern woman, Elizabeth Hillman learns how far the game can go when she leaves her friends with the great seducer and returns to find…a 21st century party going on. Imagine that?! Get the details, pre-order now!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: art of love, Casanova, Conjuring Casanova, historical fiction, literary fiction, romance, seduction, strip poker

What if Giacomo Casanova Gave You A Tour Of Venice?

March 29, 2016 By Melissa Rea Leave a Comment

St MarksWould he show you the lovely St. Marks and tell you how he walked out the front door of the Doge’s Palace after being imprisoned for eighteen months? Would he take you to a restaurant that was there when he was a young man and still serves wonderful food? When darkness fell across the dark stones, might he show you a tiny quiet corner where you and he could be alone to…. All of these pleasures happen to ER doc Lizzy Hillman in Conjuring Casanova. Wouldn’t you love to share her adventure?

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Casanova, historical fiction, literary fiction, romance, Venice

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Rabbithole - Wins The Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award (Gold)

Maestro - Wins The Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award (Silver)


Conjuring Casanova - Wins 2016 Beverly Hills International Book Award for Romantic Comedy


About Melissa Rea

Melissa Rea - Rabbithole Nights of Alice Book | Author

As a little girl, Melissa Rea fell asleep whispering stories to herself in the dark.  In elementary school, she got in trouble for embellishing when the truth … Read More

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