The Good Days

I had the idea to write Love and Mardi Gras for 10 years. I can speak for most English majors when I say we all secretly have publishing a book on our bucket lists. When I was bored, I would find times to write my ideas for Love and Mardi Gras down, in case one day I would be able to publish it. But it wasn’t until 2018 that I was able to really nail down the storyline. A good friend of mine was hosting a writers retreat at the bar she owned in Altea, Spain. She had known for years that I had the idea for Love and Mardi Gras. She encouraged me to plan my yearly trip to Altea around her retreat. I thought, why not? I paid my portion, bought my plane tickets, and flew to Spain. There I met the best-selling author R.J. Ellory. He gave me plenty of tips and tricks for crafting my story. All writers have heard the phrase, show- don’t tell, but I never really understood what that meant until I met him. He was able to help the writers at the retreat nail that aspect down with our own characters. Another extremely important concept I learned was how to make your readers bond with your characters using the show- don’t tell methodology. Since Love and Mardi Gras is character driven, character development was very important. Learning the tips from a pro really helped me nail down the characters and achieve my goal. Most of the feedback I have received from readers of Love and Mardi Gras is how much they enjoyed the characters and who their favorite one was. If it wasn’t for that retreat, I would’ve never been able to write Love and Mardi Gras. Which is why having a book signing at the place that helped make it possible so perfect.

In April 2022 I was able to meet readers and celebrate Love and Mardi Gras with others who were attended the retreat with me. Altea is also mentioned in the book which allowed for locals to see themselves in the story. But my favorite part of discussing Love and Mardi Gras with readers is that although the character, Lisa, seems like such a sap, I’m sure that we can find a little bit of her in all of us. One reader who I met at the signing said that she moved to Altea last minute for the man that she dated. She loved the city so much that she stayed there after they broke up. In fact, a few of the people I met at my book signing, who weren’t Spanish, moved to Altea for love or to heal after a heartbreak.

Altea means “healing”. I had originally lived in Altea after I graduated college in 2010. I go back every year as my second home. But this trip was important, not only to debut Love and Mardi Gras at the place that made it possible, but for healing. After the major losses I endured in 2021. My dear friend who passed away in May 2021, 5 days after my mother, lived in Altea for her teenage years. It was her family’s home that I stayed it when I lived there in 2010. Every step I took on the cobblestones made me think of her, but not in a sad way. I felt her presence with me as I frequented the bars we went to and saw our friends. The shining city on the sea was a great source of healing for me. It felt like I was bringing a little piece of her home. It was such an honor to share Love and Mardi Gras with the readers of AlteaArte. A place that has healed myself and others the way New Orleans did for Lisa in the book. It was a good day.

Writing Tips

• Show- Don’t Tell- annoying I know. My key take away was to only give tips on how your characters look. If your character is blonde with blue eyes don’t give details, allow your reader to imagine how the rest of their features look. Same goes for scenery. The sea isn’t blue, write that it sparkles like a sapphire. Blue is telling. Sparkling like a sapphire allows for the readers to imagine the deepness of the blue and the radiance of the sun shining on the water.

• Character development – allow your characters to change throughout the story. Show their struggles and tempers. Show their quirks and what triggers them. This allows for your readers to bond with the characters and want more from your story.