Hey all!
I’m excited to let you know that I’ve got a new book out: The Art of Going the Distance.
Click banner above for my books on Amazon (spoiler: there’s a sale)
This is the last book in my YA series, Chasing Normal and while it’s kinda sad to close the book on Grace and Zac, I think they probably need a break from me. According to my word documents we’ve been hanging out since 2007.
That’s a lot of time and change. My kids are so much older!
It’s possible that the original idea may have been born in 2005. But I’m not exactly sure, because all of the stories I wrote around that time (most of them middle grade) have a main character named Jessica. Back then I believed that the process of deciding on a name before I finished the first draft would yank me out of that early creative writing rush. And so, yeah, I’ve got worlds of Jessicas.
Anyway, The Art of Chasing Normal was never really about being Jessica in a World of Jessicas normal. It’s about Grace dealing with change in her family and friendships, and navigating the idea of what she thinks she SHOULD be doing vs. being herself (turns out I didn’t need to do any research on this concept).
But at its heart this series is about love, family, and friendship. And a big crazy road trip. (My favorite things!) I may have teased Grace with a road trip in The Art of Second Chances, but it really happens in The Art of Going the Distance.
So if you or someone you know loves books about first love and friendship and road trips, I hope you check out my Chasing Normal series.
It’s a perfect time, because the first two books are only 99 cents on Amazon this week!
Oh and the ART part of all these titles? Grace’s passion is art, and I had so much fun researching this that doodling and art has become something I love and do every day too.
I know I’m a day late for Valentine’s, so consider this a happy wish for President’s Day or if you’re not feeling very political, National Gumdrop Day.
So, what were you doing in 2007? I’d love to know!
Thanks so much for stopping by, hope you have a happy one!!
xo
Coleen Patrick 
Fantastic! Congratulations on your last book in the series. What’s next for you?
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Thanks, Susie! This year I’m hoping to kinda explore more with my writing, and be a little less in deadline mode. I’m working on a YA, MG, and picture book manuscripts. Also, doing a lot more exploring and learning with illustrating too. 🙂
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Woohoo, Congratulations, Coleen!
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Thanks, Joanna!!
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Congrats on the new book release!
Hmm, let’s see… in 2007, I started my current job. And was writing a historical sci-fi romance. Yeah, I know, can I write something less marketable? LOL. But it did very well in contests, and I will eventually publish it. So by then it will have sat on my hard drive a loooooong time!
Here’s wishing you tons of sales on all three books!
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Thanks, Jennette! And I don’t know, historical sci fi sounds pretty cool to me!
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Congratulations Coleen on the new book release and the completion of your YA trilogy.
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Thanks so much, Patricia!
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Best wishes for your continued success.
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Thanks, Carl!
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Yay on the new book and series wrap-up! Jessica needs to move on.
And the doodle art? Fam, bam, tastic!
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
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Aw, thanks, Patricia! 🙂
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What a milestone! Congratulations. I see you’re going to be exploring less-pressure writing and illustration? Looking forward to whatever’s next. Cheers –
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Thanks, Julia! Yes, less pressure, the self-imposed kind. 😉
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Coleen you are an inspiration, with all this work behind you, such an achievement. I also adore your art. Its amazing what we learn along the journey. I know since attacking this picture book thing I am collecting skills I never imagined learning at the beginning. Keep doodling and creating wonderful books and art.
Kath.
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Thanks, Kath! Happy to share creative journeys with you!
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Wow, Coleen, YAY for you! What an accomplishment! As for me, if I’m remembering correctly, I was working on a picture book dummy. Can’t remember anything else specifically, but there’s always tons of stuff going on. That’s just my “kidlit” activity 😀
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There are some years that I think, What Happened then? Haha. Maybe it’s not something monumental but it’s lots of steps in our creative journeys that add up! Thanks, Donna. 🙂
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Congratulations! I know it can be a bittersweet ending, but definitely more sweet because of your successes!
2007, hmm, my kids were much eenier back then, so I have no doubt I was doing a lot more running around and carrying kids up and down stairs and I know my writing was getting interrupted more often!
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It’s funny, I really enjoyed these characters, but writing a series really twisted up my gray matter! 🙂 Sure I had my story bible, but I was definitely nervous I’d forget something over the years. So that’s a relief. 🙂 Thank you, Kate!
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Congratulations, Coleen. We’re so excited to read the final installment!! 🙂
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Thank you ladies!!!! 🙂
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Congratulations Coleen! I love first love and friendship and road trips so this is the perfect time to dive into your books since I don’t like to stop in the middle of a series. Lol. Um, I’m so not patient. lol. It must feel great to see this project to the end. And I can totally see you writing picture books girl. You have an amazing talent. I love your artwork. I’m so excited for you. I’m off to tweet! ((Hugs))
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Thanks so much, Karen! And i know what you mean about wanting to read the whole series at once!
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Wow, that’s awesome, congratulations Coleen! Best of luck on your new ventures. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Dagmara!
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Congratulations on your new book, Coleen! You’re an amazing artist. Brilliant, actually!
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Aw thanks so much, Lynn! Appreciate your support–as well as the inspiration I get watching your toastmaster videos. #courage 😉
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