Teria Robens

Hey Y’all. Thanks to all my new followers who joined the folks who have always been in my corner.

Livin’ my kife kije its golden and devided to delay pitching The Sounds of Cajun Spice to an agent. I’m a full time student in a licensed massage therapy program, and I hostef my 9-year-old grandson for the summer.

After another professional edit and finding major revisions myself, I sent it to 2 beta resders who found the beginning chapters confusing.

The climax happens up front and the stunned characters tell the story in retrospect until they resolve the climax. I love playing with time but might have to reconsider and tell the story chronologically. What fun is that!?

This fall, there’s school, voice lessons, and a cruise, so although I’ll work on Cajun Spice, I won’t push it. I graduate in May. Winter break is Jan and Feb, so I’ll have time to polish and get it ready for a spring pitch.

Thanks for all the love and encouragement❤️

My cool grandson wore me out at Universal in FL, and I loved every minute of it. 😀❤️

Took a train trip to St. Louis. Cried at the Blues Museum over how easily that legacy could have been lost. Ate some ribs. Heard some live jazz. The best thing was reconnecting with the novel I’m polishing, The Sounds of Cajun Spice.

Will a 48-yr-old professional Black woman risk her career and family to claim the love of her life with a younger man from a different race, class, and culture?

I got it back from the editor months ago! Although they were encouraging and gave few recommendations, I freaked out as WORD read it to me. My ear stumbled, A LOT. We writers are never happy with our work; though it was good, I knew it wasn’t the best ME.

“That part would be more powerful and engaging if I was more subtle. Would my main character say that? Would she say it then?” It would flow better if this happened before that.”

I went on and on , ratcheting up the crazy as I realized I sent the manuscript too early. I hadn’t done what I intended to do. 🤦🏽‍♀️

I’d been working on Cajun Spice for so long; I was tired of it and rushed it off. I also went back to school full-time for a new career that gives me great joy!. My seventieth birthday present will be my graduation!😀🙏🏽💪🏽 It wasn’t Cajun Spice’s time.

I apologized to the editor and walked away for a bit. The peaceful train ride to STL helped me relax, pick up the threads of my story and character development, and start weaving better. I also calmed down enough to listen to the voice of my friend and mentor, Tim Storm. He is always in my head. Thanks, Tim.❤️

I went back to “handlin’ mah bidnezz.”

I’m getting another read-through in June and plan to pitch right after Labor Day. Prayers are welcome🙏🏽😀