Publishing Your First Novel

Summary

Leeanne Beasley Berry published her first fiction novel, "The Marriage Wars," on Amazon, which served as a therapeutic outlet for personal issues and long-held grudges, leading to a sense of closure and peace.

Abstract

Leeanne Beasley Berry recently achieved a personal milestone by publishing her first fiction book on Amazon, despite it being unedited and unread by others prior to release. The book, titled "The Marriage Wars," was a product of Berry's introspective journey during the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought to light repressed emotions and a lifelong tendency to hold grudges. The narrative of the book is inspired by real-life experiences, including a childhood snub and junior high bullying, which fueled the story's central antagonist. The process of writing and researching for the novel provided Berry with a cathartic release, allowing her to confront and ultimately relinquish her grudges. The support from friends, ranging from purchasing the book to offering critiques, underscores the importance of personal connections in the publishing journey.

Opinions

Berry views writing as a form of therapy, particularly during the isolating period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She acknowledges a personal flaw of holding grudges, specifically referencing a 52-year-old grievance over not being included in her sister's wedding.
The author harbors negative feelings towards a junior high bully, who became the muse for the novel's antagonist, and found satisfaction in plotting the character's downfall.
A conversation with a friend provided a new perspective on her bully, leading to a release from the long-held grudge and a sense of peace.
Berry appreciates the support of her friends, even those who waited for a free copy of the book or pointed out errors, recognizing that their engagement was a form of encouragement.
The act of writing the book and the subsequent discussions with friends brought about closure and a newfound ability to laugh about past grievances.

Getting your story out with a little help from your friends

I recently published my first fiction book on Amazon. It wasn’t the first book that I have written, but it was the first that I dared to publish. My goal was to hit that live button by December 31st, 2020. And so I did. Unread and unedited by anyone, my book was live and available for purchase.

Writing has become my therapy during this long, long year of semi COVID inspired isolation. I’ve been amazed at how issues that I’ve repressed throughout my life are now coming out through my writing. The biggest issue of all is that nasty habit that I have of holding grudges.

I’ve been a grudge holder all of my life. When my oldest sister didn’t invite my seven-year-old self to participate in her wedding, I spent the next 52 years reminding her of this oversight. It didn’t help that our other sister was included, which made the insult worse for me. If I cared to, I could check out that sister’s vintage wedding picture, and quite by accident, there is a pouty little girl with her arms folded seated behind the reception line. I didn’t get included in that either! It was a horrible day for me. My sister got married and moved out. I didn’t get to be at the wedding, and my aunt tried to get me to show her my underwear to prove that they were clean. Talk about adding insult to injury.

I digress, though, and I’m getting back to another long-standing grudge. This one started in junior high. I entered the 7th grade with great anticipation. Who knew that there was such a thing as popularity? Until then, I thought we were all just people getting along in the world. Boy, was I wrong! I didn’t know that there were “mean girls” in the world who would make fun of you for being tall and would steal your best friend to boot. But there you go. You learn something new every day.

The grudge that I held against one particular mean girl would become the basis of my book. I pictured her evil, beautiful face for every mean prank I featured in my ever-evolving story. I giggled as I researched the perfect revenge. I smiled as I pictured her ultimate humiliation first in my mind and then on paper. I plotted her downfall with glee. By the time I finished, I had reached a new feeling of calm. This body of work calmed me and I was almost ready to forgive.

It was a conversation with a friend who brought the ultimate closure to my grudge. She asked me where I got the idea for my book, and for the first time, I admitted the truth and admitted to my long-held grudge. My friend asked me if I knew what happened to this girl, my junior high bully. “Oh, yes,” I replied. “She and her family are quite well known in our area, and worst of all, she’s still beautiful.”

My friend is not from this area. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have had to look my nemesis up on the internet. “Well,” my friend comforts me. “She’s probably a day drinker. She’s probably got deep mouth wrinkles that she has to fill up with botox.”

By now, I was laughing and crying at the same time. How funny my friend’s perspective was. Maybe my nemesis’ life wasn’t as great as it appears. I don’t want to seem glad at the thought, but hmm… For the first time, I am at peace with this girl, and the grudge is gone. The bonus was I got a book out of the situation that doubled as therapy. Oh, I never want to see her again, but now after forty years, I can laugh.

As for my friends? My generous ones purchased the book. My thriftier ones waited until I made it free. On the same day, two different friends, both named Ann reached out. One very sweetly offered to proofread my book for me. The other simply left me a message with a list of my errors! Well, at least they read it.

Friends and family.

Gotta love em!

My book, The Marriage Wars, by Leeanne Beasley Berry, is available on Amazon.