April Update from Delise Torres

Hi,

Thank you to everyone who responded to my survey. It was lovely to hear from some of you! I got great insight about the type of content to include in my newsletter, what I should keep and what I should change.

Here are the highlights:

Monthly was the preferred frequency, so I will resume sending this newsletter every month.
On the type of content preferred, updates on new releases was the most popular, followed by book recommendations, a behind the scenes look at the writing process, and a look at the personal life of the author. Because of this, I've included a new section below with what's going on with me that I hope you'll find interesting.
One of the respondents mentioned they liked the headlines the least, which I assumed meant the email subject line. This is why the subject for this email is simply "April Update." Because of this, I'm considering giving my newsletter a name like I've seen other authors do. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please reply to this email and share them with me. I'd love to continue hearing from you!

Scroll down for recent news, writing & life updates, and recommendations. Until next month!

Take care,

Delise Torres

Puerto Rican Author and Book Coach

https://delisetorres.com/

Writing Update

I've spent the last three months revising my manuscript. I'm currently 75% done and hope to finish this month.

If you recall from my update last year, I'd decided to add scientific outlines to help position the book as a STEM romance. So far, I'm happy with the results but they have been very tedious to create. In my quest to keep things accurate and realistic, I've had to look for actual scientific papers to create a literature review. It has been challenging to be thorough (as my MC would be) while also trying to keep them concise to not bore readers to tears. We'll see what the final verdict will be.

Because of these additions, I've decided to change the title from Waiting for Perfection to Project Husband. I think it gives the novel that science edge, and it fits much better with the story. Amy starts Project Husband once she hits 35, wanting to be more proactive in her dating life. She researches the best dating strategies and sets a deadline of one year to find a husband. But she never accounted for not finding love, and when she meets Gerry by chance, she takes a calculated risk.

Life Update

This week I took the German naturalization test. Though I've lived in Germany since 2012, dual citizenship wasn't possible until last year. I want to be more involved in local politics and possibly protect myself in case the far-right party here takes power someday. The test is only a small part of the process; I still have to submit a lot of documents for approval. Once I apply for citizenship, it may take up to 18 months to find out if I'll get it.

Recommendations

Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield - This author's debut, The Thirteenth Tale, is one of my all-time favorites, and her latest one is even more ambitious. It's historical fiction set along the river Thames at the turn of the century. It is told almost like a fairy tale and focuses on the mystery of a girl who drowns and lives again. A magical book about about the power of storytelling and how science and technology (in this case, photography) can change our perceptions of the world.
Euphoria by Lily King - I loved Writers and Lovers, and though I enjoyed that one a bit more, this book is so rich in detail and historical accuracy that it left me in awe (and envy) of this author's craft. Euphoria is historical fiction set in the 1930s inspired by the life of anthropologist Margaret Mead. It's mostly a love story, but also about human nature and what we are capable of.
Plan Coeur (The Hook-Up Plan) on Netflix - This show is reminiscent of Sex and the City, following three friends in Paris. It's originally French, with only three seasons. Hoping to get one of the girls out of a rut, her friends set her up with an escort, unbeknownst to her. The show is funny and heartwarming. If you watch it, don't miss their long episode set during the Covid lockdown! Otherwise, the third season won't make any sense.
My Old Ass - This movie was such a delightful surprise! Eighteen-year-old Elliot is on the cusp of starting her life when she meets her older self while on a mushroom high. What follows is a journey about not taking the life you have for granted and making the most out of the present so you don't have any regrets in the future.

“A simply riveting, fun and funny read from first page to last, ONE TOUGH COOKIE is all the more impressive when considering that it is author Delise Torres’ debut as a novelist.”