The Plotmonkeys are THRILLED that former editor turned superstar author, Melissa Senate, is with us in the jungle today to answer our soon-to-be “age-old” question: What is the ONE THING you know now that you wish you’d known when you were first starting out?
I wish I’d known that I was in charge of my own writing. Sounds silly to think a writer wouldn’t be, but back then I was so focused on what “the market” wanted, what readers supposedly expected, what the “rules” were, what I thought editors were looking for, that I didn’t focus enough on what I wanted to say–why I was writing in the first place. In the essential writing/craft book Writing Down The Bones, the brilliant Natalie Goldberg describes how her meditation Zen Master said to her, “Why do you come to sit meditation? Why don’t you make writing your practice? If you go deep enough in writing, it will take you everyplace.” This is the one thing I know now is the truest about writing. You are in charge of your own writing–your own story (both the fiction and your personal history that often informs it–and honesty of what’s inside you, from deep down in your bones, heart, mind and soul, will give you what you really need to write.
Melissa has a new book coming out next week…and it’s right up my alley. Check it out!
Camilla’s Cucinotta:
Italian Cooking Classes
Fresh take-home pastas and sauces daily
Benvenuti (Welcome!)
Holly Maguire’s grandmother was the Love Goddess of Blue Crab Island, Maine–a Milanese fortune teller who could predict the right man for you, and whose Italian cooking was rumored to save marriages. Holly has been waiting years for her unlikely fortune: her true love will like sa cordula, an unappetizing old-world delicacy. But Holly can’t make a decent marinara sauce, let alone sa cordula. Maybe that’s why the man she hopes to marry breaks her heart. So when Holly inherits Camilla’s Cucinotta, she’s determined to forget about fortunes and love and become an Italian cooking teacher worthy of her grandmother’s legacy.
But Holly’s four students are seeking much more than how to make Camilla’s chicken alla Milanese. Simon, a single father, hopes to cook his way back into his daughter’s heart. Juliet, Holly’s childhood friend, hides a painful secret. Tamara, a serial dater, can’t find the love she longs for. And twelve-year-old Mia thinks learning to cook will stop her dad from marrying his phony lasagna-queen girlfriend.
As the class gathers each week, adding Camilla’s essential ingredients of wishes and memories into every pot and pan, unexpected friendships and romances are formed–and tested. Especially when Holly falls hard for Liam . . . and learns a thing or two about finding her own recipe for happiness.
One lucky commenter with a US shipping address will receive a backlist title from Melissa…so comment away!
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Blazing Midsummer Nights
Dirty Little Secrets
Karma
Through The Night
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“honesty of what’s inside you, from deep down in your bones…” Wow. Thanks so very, very much. I really needed to hear that today. And your book looks wonderful. Happy Saturday, everyone! :fallleaves:
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Count me in.
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my grandmother was from Milan and passed on some of her recipes and they’re still favorites of mine. Nothing beats Italian cooking!!!
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:mummy2: I really enjoyed your book excerpt, it sounds like a wonderful book. I enjoy stories that tie in with cooking. :witchy:
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That cooking book looks good. Welcome to the jungle!
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Sounds like a great book!
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I’d love to read one of her books. Thanks for the chance.
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Hi everyone!
Thanks so much for these wonderful comments!
:) Melissa
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Congratulations on the new book and thanks for the advice.
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Congrats on your new release!
I think I prefer sitting meditation over writing. Still, being true to oneself is great advice no matter the situation.
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Good advice. I enjoyed your column, even though reading it made me hungry!
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I enjoy stories with cooking featured in them.
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Welcome to the jungle! I can’t wait to read the new book.
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Sounds great. Anything related to food…
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Your new book looks great. I’ll have to put a hold on it at my library.
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Hey Melissa! Your book sounds so good…hope I win!! Good luck on your book hope you sell loads of books!!
Donna
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This looks like another great book I need to put on my tbr list!
Margay
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This book is now going on my wish list! Sounds great!
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Can’t wait to read this book!
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Hi Melissa! What a treat to find you in the Jungle
Thank you for the great advice. You’re amazing. I hope you’re doing well.
Cher :fallleaves:
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Sounds like a great read! Happy beautiful Sunday everyone! :fallleaves: :boo: :batangel: :bat:
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What story. It’s always a good book when it involves food and romance. Love the setting. I’m part Italian on my grandfather’s side and wish I had received some of this mother’s recipes, but alas, I have no idea who she was. What an adventure that would have been.
Good luck with your book. It sound delightful and funny.
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This sounds like the perfect book to put in the Christmas basket I’m putting together. Thank you for bringing it to my attention!
Laurel N