Maria E. Andreu's Blog: Maria E. Andreu on Goodreads, page 124

How to be a real writer

I am a Real Writer. All caps like that. Not too long ago, I realized I’d been one since I wrote in my diary, at twelve years old, “Most of all, I want to be a writer.” My book deal wouldn’t come until decades later, but that’s not what made me a Real Writer. It […]

5 things teenagers don’t know that may surprise you

The other day, my daughter wanted to eat something in one of those rare cans that didn’t have a pop-top. She came into the living room, can in left hand, can opener sideways on the top of the can, as if she was trying to cut the sides of the top off. “This thing is […]

Chill already with the wind chill

Where I am, today it is 18 degrees. Nothing more, nothing less. Cold enough without any further explanation. Or, god forbid, wind chill. Anyone who knows me knows I have a low tolerance for nonsense. I can’t take hype and I can’t take things that become “true” just because they’re said over and over again […]

Happiness is…

…watching blankets of gorgeous, powdery snow from a warm and toasty house. …having kids old enough to help shovel. …having said kids not grumble once about helping. …having enough money to pay a guy to shovel the walk, but being healthy enough to go out and do it myself. …seeing the bluejays feast on the […]

Meet the Characters in The Secret Side of Empty – Chelsea

Chelsea is golden-haired, rich, drives a BMW and attracts guys without trying. Also, she’s a great best friend to M.T., the main character. Chelsea first caught M.T.’s attention in kindergarten, when one small gesture helped her see that Chelsea was the kind of friend you want to keep around for life. And she hasn’t disappointed […]

Meet the Characters in The Secret Side of Empty – M.T.

M.T. has a lot of things going for her. She gets great grades without trying too hard. She has an awesome best friend, Chelsea, who has stuck with her since kindergarten. She’s just met a cute guy who is about to become her boyfriend. All in all, senior year should be looking up. But it’s […]

Meet the Characters in The Secret Side of Empty – Nate

Nate is the kind of first boyfriend M.T. has always dreamed of having: sweet and cute, with a great sense of humor and a terrible jump shot. A little bit shy, he first tells M.T. that he loves her via post-it note. But at least he tells her. And that adds a magic to M.T.’s […]

A solid wood table

My first significant act of the new year was to get rid of my dining room table. I used to have a fancy, stodgy mahogany table, part of a set. My ex and I bought it as one of our first acts as a couple when we first moved into this house fourteen years ago. […]

Write it on your heart

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year.” Ralph Waldo Emerson. Thinking about it further, I think this is my New Year’s Resolution. Loving everything about this magical, irreplaceable moment that will never come again.

2014: The year in awesomeness!

I have looked forward to few years as much as I have to 2014. First, as a fan of the number seven, there’s a certain mathematical sweetness to the number itself: 2014. And, second, of course, it is The Year of the Book. When you look forward to something for most of your life, having […]