I get nostalgic this time of year every year. About this time 8 years ago I was inspired to do things I never dreamed and inspired to write a book I never thought possible. I've been on a an educational research hiatus because I don't make a living on my writing yet and I do have a passionate love of education. However considering its Road to Wrestlemania season and being a Dallas TX native, I'm thrilled my city is finally getting the big one with Wreslemania 32. That being said I see no better time than now to get myself back into the game.
So 8 years ago I met a very interesting person who inspired me to want and achieve more. Writing was always something that I admired and couldn't quite figure out how to get started. I had a couple of failed attempts during that time but nothing I felt I could really shop. Then I went to a Wrestlemania. . Wrestlemania 24 to be exact. I went to see the retirement of Ric Flair a seasoned great that I have always admired. My childhood was filled with this man's work. It only seemed right to see him off into that gorgeous sunset. (I'm quite a fan of wrestling check out my other blog from years ago: http://suenammirichards.blogspot.com/)
Now this wasn't my first WM, My first was Wrestlemania 17 in Houston about 15 years ago. See how these dates are adding up. I found my ticket stub for it not too long ago and smiled fondly at the memory and laughed at myself for not being able to actually watch but mostly listen to the infamous TLC 2 match that people still talk about to this day. Nonetheless I was indeed there.
But back to WM 24. So I was there and by chance met someone else. Totally by chance it was one of those divine fate moments because there was no way to know or even suspect who I would meet. (Long story I can't make short lol) To wrestling fans he's known as the 'Rated R" superstar and to others as Adam Copeland. . actor. Which if you know anything about professional wrestling you know that was not that far of a reach. Not to discount his work. He is a very talented man in many regards. I've watched him move on with his career outside of the ring with great pride and admiration for his courage.
The thing is meeting him gave me inspiration. It struck me that in all this time I've never read a romance novel with a professional wrestler as the male lead. It struck me as an odd and egregious oversight because clearly this man should be someone's romantic fantasy. As well as many, many other performers. So I left inspired and about 2 years later around this time I found myself with a full blown romance novel 96,000 words and one of the best things I think I've written.
I told a couple of stories in this book, Mostly it was about my heartache of my ending marriage. I was supposed to go to WM 24 with what is now my ex husband. But best laid plans. Instead I found a fleeting hope in my soul and a need to tell one of the many love stories I wish I had as my own. So therein is the muse the inspiration and even a beginning chapter shout out to the man that without doing a single thing made me think about love again when my life needed it the most.
But I also talked about women and men in very basic terms. It is a story about perception and how that affects life. What we see isn't always what we think it is. And sometimes its exactly what we need regardless of what we think is happening. I always hoped that this book would help women to see love in the many many ways it can present itself and how time and distance can never make true love wane.
I usually put the book on sale for .99 right before Wrestlemanias as a tribute and as a reminder that no matter what you cannot ever give up on love.
And sincerely, thank you Adam Copeland. And in more traditional wrestling venacular,
Thank you Edge, Thank you Edge Thank you Edge.
Always w/love,
Sue
www.maryandbess.com/suenammirichards
Make Mine a Heel is available only in ebook form from most ebook vendors including Amazon and Barnes & Noble
