I’ve been gone for a long time and my writing has definitely suffered for it.
Seven days ago, Carrie and I got back from what had to be the longest vacation of my life.
Twelve days. Four days in Vancouver followed by eight days on a cruise ship to Alaska.
I wish I can say that I ‘fought the good fight’ by getting up at the crack of dawn and writing for two hours each day.
But that would be a lie.
For two weeks I did absolutely ZERO in regards to my writing.
And I used every excuse under the sun to justify it:
You’re on vacation! You deserve a break. You don’t have the time. Hey, you just got engaged, you got a lot of things on your mind. . .
And just so you know, this was all on me, Carrie had nothing to do with my procrastination and lack of effort.
She’s always been nothing but 100% supportive of my writing and for that I’m truly grateful.
I couldn’t ask for more in a fiancee and future wife.
So, I’ve been back a week, and it seems like it’s taken that long just to get back into the swing of things.
Several years ago, I began to implement a simple technique before each writing session. I’m not sure where I picked it up, (highly unlikely that I came up with it) but what I did at the time was I took an hour or two and created book reviews for the novel AKITS, before I was actually done writing it.
I’ve always been a big believer in the setting of goals and the visualization in the achieving of them so I figured, maybe I could apply that to my writing.
What I have below are a dozen and a half ‘future reviews’, of what I hope critics and book reviewers will have to say about my debut novel.
And who knows?
Maybe after some of you read the novel, whenever I get it done, you’ll feel just as enthusiastic about it as my ‘critics’.
So here goes.
What critics everywhere are saying about “A Kiss in Times Square”:
“As good a first novel as you will ever read…”
– Publisher’s Weekly
“Ouano’s debut novel shines…It will haunt the reader days after they’re through reading it.”
– Booklist
“Part historical novel, part contemporary love story…With lyrical prose and rich characters…It left me in tears.”
– Romance Reviews Today
“Ouano has spun a timeless love story that at times reads like a mystery…Bravo. Don’t let us wait too long for the next one.”
– Arizona Republic
“A truly original love story…Like a long love letter to NYC.”
– Los Angeles Times
“A uniquely bittersweet American tale…You’ll want to read it again and again.”
– Sunday New York Post
“A complex story simply told… Ouano has done his homework.”
– Chicago Sun Times
“By far the best night of insomnia I’ve ever had…Stay up all night if that’s what it takes to finish this book. You’ll be glad you did.”
– Variety
“If you love love stories then this is one book you simply can’t afford to miss.”
– Boca Raton Daily News
“Nicholas Sparks look out…”
– New York Daily News
“A masterful job of storytelling.”
– New York Times
“I dare you not to cry before reaching the final pages…
It simply cannot be done.”
– Wall Street Journal
“In some ways a uniquely patriotic tale…Makes you proud to be an American…There’s something here for everyone.”
– CNN Interactive Book Reviews
“A tale that especially baby boomers and all of our ‘Greatest Generation’ should treasure for many years to come…”
– USA Today
“Be warned: your tears may fall like rain.”
– People Magazine
“A thoroughly satisfying tale…Makes anyone who can survive an American marriage truly proud…”
– Associated Press
“A love story unlike any other…Poignant and deeply moving.”
– San Diego Union
“A true page turner…Ouano’s tale sure to become a classic in the annals of love.”
– Good Morning Arizona