Willow Aster's Blog, page 28
September 3, 2013
August 30, 2013
August 17, 2013
Giddy
I got giddy this morning when I realized that my new book, In the Fields will be coming out in just three and a half weeks! September 10th!
This project has been a labor of love for me. I started it long before True Love Story. YEARS before. It was before I ever read The Secret Life of Bees and before The Help came out. Until finding those gems, I wasn’t sure where the right fit for this book would be. I’ve still been a little befuddled on how I should label it because it’s different from those too. Is it Southern Literature? Southern Gothic? Southern Romance? A friend suggested Southern Drama and I think that sounds about right.
I hope you’ll go with me on this different writing adventure. I’ll get back to some hot and steamy movie star or something, don’t worry. But this book is where my heart is and what comes naturally for me. A little jog back in time when everything seemed simpler and sweeter…but was it really?
August 14, 2013
Cover Reveal: In the Fields
In the Fields
Expected release date: 9/10/2013
July 15, 2013
Shy
So it’s like this…
I’m really a shy person who functions better behind a computer screen or a pad of paper any day of the week…but put me in a room full of authors and readers, like at Book Bash a couple weeks ago, and I will try to force myself out of my shell.
The good news: I love nice people. And there were loads of nice people at Book Bash.
The bad news: I get splotchy and anxious. And want to hide. No matter what.
The splotchy, anxious, want to hide part came as I was going down the elevator Friday night…headed down for the author meet and greet. I felt like I needed an inhaler all of a sudden. I needed about ten more layers of deodorant. I needed to step in a freezer for at least 4.2 minutes.
Fortunately, everyone was so kind and perhaps dealing with their own splotchy/anxious/want to hide syndromes that I got over myself real quick. And I was able to completely enjoy the next day. There were so many people I’d hoped to meet from online messages and to see them in person was just as exciting to me as it seemed to be for them. It’s just weird to think that people would be so excited to meet a shy girl who functions better behind a computer screen or a pad of paper any day of the week…but believe me, I’m not gonna question it! I was just so grateful to be part of the whole thing.
Maryse is as beautiful as I expected, inside and out. The authors were kind and the readers, oh my word, the readers…I could not love any of you any more than I already do. You have completely rocked my world and changed my life!!!
I will probably be laying low the rest of the year. I will be going to NOLA next February, but I better stay close to home so I can finish these books!!! But, I look forward to the day that I can meet each and every one of you who have made such a difference in my life.
June 9, 2013
Picture Party
To celebrate 2,500 likes on my Facebook page, I’d like to share some of the inspiring pictures that have come from three fabulous people: Jennifer, Jodie & Belen! I’ve never had the honor of meeting these lovelies, but we have a bond now for sure. Thanks, ladies, for loving my story enough to take the time to do this!
May 31, 2013
Spring Fever Writing
So it seems that every time I start a book, three other ideas pile on top of that one. I have one at 52,460 words, one at 4,376, one at 3,900, and one at 1,567. And wouldn’t you know it, the one I feel the most passionately about is the one at 1,567 words. Well, that could change on any given day, but today, that’s the one I can’t stop thinking about.
My writing has spring fever. It’s been cooped up far too long, while I’ve been doing the fun things: blog interviews, a book signing here and there, talking with nice people all over the world, shipping books, etc. It’s been truly wonderful. But when I finally settle down long enough to do the actual thing I’m supposed to be doing—writing—it’s like playing catch-up after being out sick from school for two weeks. Thoughts are ping-boom-popping all over the place and I’m rushing to catch it all.
And I love every minute of it.
I’ve written for years and years, done the query thing, been rejected, blah-de-blah, and I had finally settled in with being just fine if no one ever read a word. I can honestly say I was content to just keep writing for the joy it brings me. But, WOW, this world of people reading my book and actually liking it, I can’t even tell you…it’s been 3 1/2 months now and I still just can’t even get over it. I’m beyond grateful, I’m humbled, I’m ecstatic, I’m in shock…well, you get the idea. I’m a basket case.
So thank you. Thank you for taking it over the top for me.
Okay, gotta go write. And I’ll behave and work on the 52,460 words one…
May 16, 2013
It’s finally here!
The long awaited signing is finally here! I can’t even believe it. SO excited. It’s my first time out and I’ve been just a LEETLE bit spastic today. I’m shy, y’all. My nerves are giving me fits, but the excitement is outweighing it all. I can’t wait.
And look at all those other fabulous authors!
I’m gonna be doing some major book shopping…
If you’re anywhere near the 1,000 mile radius of Minneapolis, MN, you BETTER BE THERE! 
April 30, 2013
If you’ve been waiting to buy True Love Story, now is the...
If you’ve been waiting to buy True Love Story, now is the time! For a very limited time, it is 99 CENTS!!!
Click here to purchase:
April 29, 2013
Settled Love
Ian and Sparrow are doing well, thank you for asking. In fact, they are living high on the love right now. Nothing is better than finally being with your true love.
Having been married for a while, sometimes I wish for those first days of early love—when everything felt new and exciting. The unknown played into the whole mystery of the romance. Would he stay? Did he like me as much as I liked him? Would we really make it?
But there’s something about a settled love. A love that has endured time and circumstances and come out all the stronger for it. There are new joys, new excitements that are much richer than the flip-flop belly roller coaster ride that started the whole thing.
It’s fun to remember those early days, but today I’m feeling content with the love I have. Enduring. Constant. Faithful. True. Even when we’re old and grey kind of love…
