What You Think You Know

A few years ago, I started NANOWRIMO. As many of your readers may know, this is NAtional NOvel WRIting MOnth, when writers, like myself, strive to write a 50,000-word novel in one month. I started writing about my childhood, trying to fictionalize it, but, yet, using a lot of my own experiences. When I realized the book wasn’t working, I quit and set it aside for almost a year. I had only achieved about 20,000 words.

Last year, again around November, I picked it up again. I realized that what I had started was too much like a memoir and I wanted it to be fiction. As an editor, I wanted to go through the novel writing process and learn the details of self-publishing a book so that I could better relate to my clients. I began consulting with friends about how to keep moving forward with the book—should I plot the outline, should I change this character, should I change the entire opening scene, should I just call it quits and start something else? A few friends encouraged me to outline. It was the “only” way to get it done they said. But I couldn’t do an outline—I’m more of a “fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants” kind of writer. However, thinking about the outline did spark new interest in me for the story and helped me pick up the proverbial pen and start writing again.

As I wrote, I realized my characters had this deep connection—a friendship more like sisters—like I had with my best friend. I began to explore that and soon the book morphed and changed into this beautiful story about two close friends who must deal with loss, betrayal and figuring out forgiveness. Although their friendship seems solid and fun, when real life starts to intrude on their lives, they see their childhood vanishing behind them.

What You Think You Know is both a young adult novel, but also a coming of age, a buddy story and women’s fiction. It’s the story of young women coming together in times of struggle and heartache. At its core, I hope my novel speaks to women (and men) about the values of friendship, loyalty, forgiveness and respect. I hope your readers pick it up and love it as much as I do. Thank you for this opportunity to share it.

What You Think You Know

Fifteen-year-old Emily Forester is sure of one thing: Beth Myers will be her friend forever. Friends almost since birth, they even share the same nervous habit—biting their cuticles. They’re like sisters and nothing can ever change that, or so Emily thought.

Now, Emily discovers Beth displaying disturbing new habits, and begins to doubt how well she knows her best friend after all. When Beth betrays their sister-like bond, Emily is crushed and considers what life would be like without Beth. She’s already lost her mom; will she lose Beth, too?

The one concrete thing in her life, her friendship with Beth, starts to crumble. Longing to talk with her mother, Emily confides in her dad instead and he reveals more shocking secrets. Will these new revelations bolster her relationship with Beth, or tear them apart forever?

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTKKEKR

Sue A. Fairchild is a writer, blogger and editor. Sue’s devotionals have appeared in numerous Christian devotionals and websites. In addition, she has been a contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series twice. Sue edits professionally for an online publisher as well as Christian Editor Connection and is a member of ACFW. For more information on her professional services, please visit her website Sue’s Simple Snippets: Life, Love and the Pursuit of Happiness.

You can also connect with her on Facebook, or on Twitter.