Sarah Bridgeton's Blog Tour

Sarah Bridgeton never thought she would become a novelist. She has always loved books, but in college she majored in Economics. After college, she held a variety of jobs in the insurance and health care industries. She left the workforce to be a stay-at-home mom when her daughter was born. When her daughter started preschool, she decided to write a novel. She currently resides in Tampa with her husband, daughter, and two cats. When she’s not reading, writing, or taking care of her family, she likes to exercise.

Q. What inspired the plot for your novel, "The Undiscovered Novelist"?

My own search for a publisher. I wanted to write about a naive writer who dreams of becoming a bestselling author. As my heroine pursues her ambitions, difficult questions arise: What happens when you have a big dream that seems impossible to achieve? How long do you keep chasing it? When do you let go? These were the same questions I faced as I pursued publishing my work.   

Q. Who would you cast as Jordyn and Debra if your novel ever became a movie?

Jessica Biel as Jordyn and Susan Sarandon as Debra.

Q. Would you say that you're exactly like Jordyn or the exact opposite?

Opposite. Jordyn’s more competitive than I am. She also holds grudges. I’m always the first to apologize. And she’s more coordinated than I am. I can’t walk in high heeled boots.

Q. Do you have a writing ritual? If so, what does it consist of?

This is going to sound weird, but I have to exercise. I’m a grump if I don’t go to the gym or take a walk before I start writing for the day. I am totally relaxed about my environment. I’ll write anywhere and it doesn’t have to be a quiet room. The TV can be blaring and the phone ringing. Nothing bothers me. My other ritual is to write in linear order.              

Q. What is your process for creating a character for your novel?

I think of internal conflicts first. Once I have them identified, I summarize and assign them to characters. Sometimes I do character outlines for physical appearance and personality traits.     

Q. How hard is it for you to come up with the title for your novel?

It was hard. It was originally titled, “The Slush Pile,” but my editor suggested changing it. She thought it didn’t correspond to the plot points. I wanted to use Novelist in the new title and thought it over for several days. I had about five titles until I settled on “The Undiscovered Novelist.”  

Q. What are you currently reading?

“Fifty Shades Darker.” I was pleasantly surprised by “Fifty Shades of Grey.” After hearing so much about it, I had to see for myself what everybody was talking about. The book is an excellent study in character development.   

Q. Were you more confident about the release of "The Undiscovered Novelist" than you were for "Next Year in Israel"?

Absolutely. “The Undiscovered Novelist” is a much lighter story. “Next Year in Israel” is my young adult novel. It is about a sixteen-year-old girl who goes on a trip to Israel to get over her been-bullied issues after a suicide attempt. It is the manuscript in "The Undiscovered Novelist" that Jordyn is trying to get published. “Next Year in Israel” is not an easy book to read, and I think that leaves more room for the characters to be criticized.     

Q. What are you currently working on?

I am writing another novella with David and Leandra from “The Undiscovered Novelist.” I am also working on a short story.

Q. What is your advice to aspiring authors?

Don’t give up and be flexible. There are so many ways to showcase your work. Publishing is evolving as books go digital. I truly think this is the best time to be a writer.  

Title:  The Undiscovered Novelist
Author:  Sarah Bridgeton
Genre:  Chick Lit
Publisher:  Unknown
Release Date:  May 29, 2012
File Size/Pages:  237 KB/115 pgs
Source:  CLP Blog Tour  

My Rating:  4/5

Summary:  Twenty-seven-year-old Jordyn Simmons has almost everything she’s ever wanted—a sexy live-in boyfriend, an adorable son, and a finished novel she plans to publish. The only two things missing from her life are a publisher for her book and a relationship with her estranged mother, Debra. As Jordyn pursues her novelist ambitions, her world collides with Debra’s, and both women are forced to make decisions that will change their lives forever.

Review:  This novel is a novella about a 27-year-old, Jordyn Simmons, who is on a natural high; she has a wonderful boyfriend that women can only dream about, a little boy, and her very own novel! The story begins with Jordyn getting into an argument with her mother, Debra, and things are pretty much different from then on out in the Simmons' family. Jordyn moves with her boyfriend and son, and she couldn't be any happier, but there's still that void that's missing, her mother! There were so many things I enjoyed about this novella, I really liked the fact that the story was told from Jordyn and Debra's point-of-view! I also liked that I was able to relate to Jordyn so easily; I was sad when things weren't looking up for her, I was happy when Tyler (her boyfriend) would put a smile on her face. I felt as if I evolved with Jordyn. Although I couldn't relate to Jordyn's estrangement with her mother, because of the fact that I'm so close with my mother, I really enjoyed this novella! I can't wait to read "Next Year In Israel", which happens to be Sarah's first novel, which also happens to be Jordyn's manuscript in "The Undiscovered Novelist".