Or, specifically, it’s taught me five things.

1.  It’s important to embrace who I am as a writer. 

I write women’s fiction and tackle real issues in my novels—relationships, divorce, death, drug addiction, hoarding—but I do so in a light, humorous style.  I’m proud of my novels, but sometimes there’s that tiny voice inside me that says, Shouldn’t you write something more serious?

So when one group emailed me asking for a call-in, adding, “Our recent selections have included Steinbeck, Dickens and Hemingway,” I seriously considered faking a scheduling conflict so I wouldn’t have to face them.  I mean, my cover has dandelions on it! 

I said yes anyway and, you know what?  They were a delight—asking insightful questions, showing interest in the writing process, and reminding me that there’s room in the world for all kinds of books.  (Besides, as a friend once said to me: “You may not be Solzhenitsyn, but your books are right next to his on the store shelf.)

2.  Although I write from my life experiences, people read from theirs. 

As much as I try to be clear and thorough, all I can do is write as honestly as I’m able and hope people get it.  Even if sometimes they don’t.

It was originally published in the anthology American Girls About Town, proceeds from which benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation.  

Even though the events in the story are entirely fictional (really!  I swear!) it is based on an experiment I tried prior to my fortieth birthday in which I did something new, fun or challenging each day for 40 days.  (Check out the Life List section here for more about that.)

To download "40 Days" in a pdf format, click here.  If you enjoy it (and I hope you do), you might want to buy American Girls About Town, where my story is nestled among those of some of my favorite authors, including Jennifer Weiner, Adriana Trigiani, Melissa Senate and Claire LaZebnik.