My Debut Novel - Left to Conjecture

I started compiling ideas for my character-driven novel in the fall of 2024.

I always kept an idea book with me; I jotted down scenes, themes, and quirky stuff.

I started the business of writing my novel in the summer of 2025.

By June 28th, I had 37 pages written.

By August 31, 2025, I had 381 pages completed.

In October, I moved to Scotland. My writing was a bit disrupted.

Left to Conjecture is set in a fictional town in the Baltimore, Maryland area.

In the fabulous style of Anne Tyler, I mention local restaurants, parks, places to meet up with friends.

I call my genre edi-fi: edifying fiction. My book is contemporary women's fiction, perfect for book clubs.

Some of my characters have been named after people...one of the antagonists is named after a teacher that was mean to my sister when she was in high school. It's a New-Agey cathartic concept. I just made it up.

My novel is a heartwarming, emotionally layered story about the complexities of modern family, the messiness of belonging, and the healing power of female friendships. It reminds readers that having a healthy helping of books, relationships, humor, and favorite snacks help handle life's daily setbacks.

 

2025.06 In my novel, Julie, the main character competes in a triathlon. Julie recommended I do the same.
2025.06 I noticed my bib number 303 looks even better when I had the word "step" precede it. I laughed all morning that my stepmom character was bodymarked as "step mom" by the race officials.
2025.0814 Spent a couple hours writing near the beautiful croquet lawn of Ladew Gardens
2025.0814 I was able to get a couple hours of editing done near the Ladew croquet lawn
2025.0812 Writing al fresco while chaperoning my Cashew character. She insisted on stalking about outside.
2025.08 A typical morning; coffee and my idea book, generating scenes and quirking-up my characters
Main character Julie pauses during her run to read a historical marker. She thinks the 18th century Baltimoreans would appreciate knowing that in 312 years the City That Reads will do better in spelling b's.
2025.0813 My main character Julie was out for a run through the country village of Conjecture. She noticed the standoff between the corn and the stormy sky.
2025.0812 The Ginger Cat insisted that I write outside today. Good idea.
2025.0813 My novel includes a sprinkling of magic realism...I was delighted to see that Ginger Kitty, AKA Cashew put together a logo for the ladies in our WFWA pitch program.
Here's Ginger Kitty, preparing to star in her role as Cashew in my debut novel
2025.06 Julie plans everything; her bike, #303 which she named The Edge is prepared with a roll of TP on the aerobars
In the town of Conjecture, an old mill has been converted into a literary salon. This is a welcoming poster to the warm community.