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No More Secrets
by Joanne Guidoccio
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GENRE: Women's Fiction
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BLURB:
Angelica Delfino takes a special interest in the lives of her three nieces, whom she affectionately calls the daughters of her heart. Sensing that each woman is harboring a troubling, possibly even toxic secret, Angelica decides to share her secrets—secrets she had planned to take to the grave. Spellbound, the nieces listen as Angelica travels back six decades to reveal an incredulous tale of forbidden love, tragic loss, and reinvention. It is the classic immigrant story upended: an Italian widow’s transformative journey amid the most unlikely of circumstances.
Inspired by Angelica’s example, the younger women share their “First World” problems and, in the process, set themselves free.
But one heartbreaking secret remains untold...
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EXCERPT TWO:
“Go,” Kelly said. “Your aunt is dying, and this could be your last opportunity to spend some quality time together.”
“Her oncologist shared good news last week,” Nora said. “Her blood counts have improved, and the cancer hadn’t spread since her last visit. He mumbled something about a miracle.”
“A miracle?” Kelly’s eyes widened. “Has your aunt been seeing a healer?”
“You could say that,” Nora said as her eyes twinkled. “Right after Christmas, she hired a companion who’s been able to transform her life. I don’t know her real name. My mother calls her Bellastrega—beautiful witch.” All recent conversations with Ma had focused on Bellastrega. Relieved not to have to share her own problems, Nora had encouraged her mother to talk about the beautiful witch who had turned all their lives upside down. Nora enjoyed the weekly updates that sounded like soap operas.
“Is she a beautiful witch?”
Nora shrugged. “My mother mentioned her dyed-blonde hair, too-skinny body, and watery eyes. She’s put Zia on a vegan diet and an exercise regimen. At Christmas, Zia needed a walker to get around, but now she’s walking freely. My mother and aunt are convinced that Bellastrega is a witch who’ll end up robbing Angelica and leaving.” Nora had tried to point out that if Bellastrega’s intention was to steal, it would make more sense to let Angelica get weaker.
“She sounds intriguing,” Kelly said. “I’d go just to meet this woman.”
“Hmm. I guess.” Nora was curious and wouldn’t mind sitting and chatting with the woman about wellness. But from Zia Angelica’s email, it sounded like Bellastrega would leave soon after everyone arrived.
“Think of it as an adventure. How many beautiful witches have you met in this lifetime?”
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GUEST POST:
On Dealing with Rejection:
While 31 years of teaching adolescents thickened my skin, I faced different challenges when I embarked on a writing career. I had to learn how to deal with rejection letters from agents and publishers, critiques from editors, and less-than-favorable reader reviews. Most important of all, I had to acquire that coveted rhino skin.
Here are seven strategies in my writer’s toolbox:
1.) Identify and acknowledge the disappointment, anger, doubt, and/or frustration you may be feeling. It is perfectly normal to feel down when you receive the first, second, or nth rejection letter for that manuscript you spent months (perhaps even years) crafting. But do not dwell on those negative feelings for more than a day or two.
2.) Replace the negative self-talk with positive and affirming statements. Susan Sarandon, one of Hollywood’s most talented leading ladies, celebrates each rejection by going out to dinner with family and friends. In leaner days, she treated herself to an avocado. Susan’s favorite affirmation: “This means I’m now available for something else.”
3.) Destroy the evidence. I’m amazed by authors who brag about having enough rejection letters to paper the walls of their homes. While it is essential to keep accurate records, it’s not necessary to keep those negative reminders for future reference. After reading a rejection letter, I update the information on a spreadsheet and delete the file.
4.) Keep the positive rejections. I didn’t think this was possible until I received the following e-mail from a literary agent in Boston: “Thank you so much for sending this to me. It sounded so wonderful that I put my afternoon aside to look at it right away. There’s a lot to like in here; you have a fresh, quirky voice that I enjoyed. However, I think that this may be a bit light for my personal taste. And so, I am going to step aside. You will very easily find representation for this work. Best of luck! And again, thank you so much for sharing your work with me!” I celebrated over dinner with friends.
5.) Collect comeback stories. Whenever I attend readings, I pay special attention to the author’s back story. I like hearing about the challenges encountered along the way. Two of my favorites: When New York Times bestselling author, Louise Penny, couldn’t find a Canadian or American agent, she crossed the pond and approached a British agent. After Lisa Genova received “tons of rejections” for Still Alice, she decided to self-publish and sell her book out of the trunk of her car. A glowing review in the Boston Sunday Globe caught the attention of Simon and Schuster Publishing. Still Alice eventually sold more than 2 million copies and was translated into 37 languages.
6.) Read bad reviews. If I have enjoyed reading a book, I look up the one-star reviews on Amazon. While shaking my head at the nitpicking and negative comments, I realize that no author is immune from criticism. Not even authors of best-selling novels can please everyone.
7.) Take action…any kind of action. After writing 60K (or more) words and editing multiple drafts of a manuscript, the thought of starting over can be daunting. And what if there is no spark of inspiration for another novel? In that case, I work on shorter pieces like articles, essays, book reviews, and blog posts. Entering contests and taking online writing courses keep my skills sharp.
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AUTHOR BIO:
In 2008, Joanne Guidoccio took advantage of early retirement and launched a second act as a writer. Her articles and book reviews have been published in newspapers, magazines, and online. When she tried her hand at fiction, she made reinvention a recurring theme in her novels and short stories. A member of Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime, and Women’s Fiction Writers Association, Joanne writes paranormal romances, cozy mysteries, and inspirational literature from her home base of Guelph, Ontario.
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