One day, June 7th 2020 to be exact, I was driving around and a song came on titled I Hope You’re Happy Now. The lyrics that stood out to me were, “I don’t know why it’s called a goodbye.” I thought that maybe I could write a book about why it IS a GOODbye.
Then I wrote this down: I loved them both, but not at the same time. Sometimes you have to say goodbye to one love to find the one you’re supposed to be with. Even if it breaks your heart.
I was writing Thirty, Flirty & Dumb at the time, so after I wrote the idea down it went in the back of mind. I took months off after finishing Thirty, Flirty & Dumb. I didn’t begin writing Why It’s Called a Goodbye until October.
I didn’t write at all, aside from notes from the end of July 2020 to October 2020. I published two books in that time frame though.
It took me from October 7th 2020 – January 16th 2021 to write the first draft.
I knew it was going to be about single parents. I originally thought I would write the book from different points in the main characters life, but I ended up scrapping that idea.
It took a while to develop the characters. I didn’t begin writing the story until October 7th, but I had begun developing the characters at the end of July. I took a lot of notes during that time frame, their likes, dislikes, and things they might say. Some of the things made it into the book and some didn’t. After a time, the characters take on a mind of their own and I just sit back and watch it all unfold.
Adaline’s name came from my love for the movie, The Age of Adaline. I went to school in Ripley and I thought it would be a cool last name. Malcom’s name came from that fact that I really like that someone with that name can go by Mac. His last name Murray was in a pool of last names I sent out to my friends and eventually I chose it.
You can PREORDER the eBook now here — https://www.amazon.com/Why-Called-Goodbye-T-M-Shivener-ebook/dp/B08T8H7WJZ/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=tm+shivener&qid=1613055253&sr=8-4
COVER reveal will be in early March! It will be available in hardcover, paperback, and eBook on MARCH 23rd!!
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