I’ll use patterns now and then, but I get the most satisfaction from creating my own. When I’m not on a reading binge, I love to watch TV while whipping up a blanket, scarf, or some other such item. I tend to oscillate between reading and crocheting. My aunt, Sara Grant (author of 10 books) began writing novels when I was born and she helped me funnel that creative energy into writing. My mom, aunt, and Papaw were avid readers and bestowed that love on me. My uncle has the only copy of the first book I ever wrote-written and illustrated in crayon at the ripe old age of six. Would you like to have adventures of your own? Or would you like the tools you need to create a story of your own? Click /free-resources/ to access my two incredible resource libraries for writers and adventurers! Our adventures in Europe sparked new stories, which in the coming years will join Sketchy Tacos to form the International Adventures series. Writing is unquestionably a labor of love.Īnd speaking of love… My husband and I moved back to the States, bought our first house, and continued to fuel our love of travel. I produced countless drafts, thought I was done, and started all over again. I read books on the craft of writing, attended conferences, and hired editors. Thus began the long years of lovingly, painstakingly editing the manuscript. I loved Mila, my main character, and the other people she meets along her journey so much that I knew I had to do whatever I could to share her story. What came out is a far cry from what you’ll read today-and that’s for the best. I knew nothing of this hocus-pocus called outlining (I’m now a huge fan). So in June 2013, one month after I had married Alan and moved to Mexico, I sat down to write the first draft of Sketchy Tacos. All I had was: “Teenage girl goes to Mexico. I knew something had to be written… I just didn’t know what.

Its rich culture and varied landscapes captured my imagination, and I just knew I had to share.įor a year, an idea sat at the back of my mind. The Mexican heartlands opened up a whole new aspect of the country. It was a country I’d only seen depicted in the news or in cartoons or beach ads. Though I’d traveled before, I’d never been to Mexico. Six months into our whirl-wind romance, Alan took me home to meet his friends and family. When I accepted Alan Gonzalez’s offer of a dance, I began a journey that pulled me out of my sheltered life and into a big and beautiful world. Who knew that one night of salsa dancing could change the course of a life? Today I’m excited to welcome author Meg Gonzalez as she shares how a real-life story inspired her latest novel.

Sketchy Tacos by Meg D. Gonzalez