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First-time author hosts signing at Wilbraham book shop

By Jennifer Sawyer

Staff Intern



Many authors struggle for years to get works published and earn recognition, but for local author, Terry La-Shon Riley, things happened a bit faster.

Riley is the author of "How I've Grown to Know True Love," a novel that is based on her own life. Riley began to write the novel in May 2005, and submitted it to a self-publishing company in early December. By the beginning of April of this year, she was notified that her novel had been published by AuthorHouse, a company based out of Bloomington, Indiana. Her book is currently in stores and online at websites such as barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com. Locally, the book is available at Pam's Paperbacks in Wilbraham.

Riley describes "How I've Grown to Know True Love" as a story about a young girl named Anita who marries her high school sweetheart. Anita begins to regret the marriage as her husband tries to change her and their relationship. She divorces him, moves on with her life, and marries a new man. Family interferences cause the marriage to go sour, and the main character is set on a quest to find out what true love really is and if it exists for her.

Influenced by many difficult events that had recently taken place in her life, Riley explained that she was ultimately motivated by her mother to sit down and write the story, an event that proved to be a source of strength for her.

"I was hurt and had conflicting feelings. Writing helped me to vent and take a load off," she said. "I didn't know where else to place my anger, and after I was happy that this was no longer all inside."

A native of Newark, New Jersey, Riley moved to Massachusetts in 1993, where she raised her children. In the past year, she began a daycare service called "Terry Tots Family Daycare," located on 55 Parker Street in Sixteen Acres. Riley wrote the book at her home mainly in the evenings, and said that it was difficult to balance both work and writing.

"Sometimes I would be up until one, two in the morning," she said.

Though sometimes arduous to find ample time for writing, Riley explained that her biggest challenge was transposing events from her life into writing.

"I had to be honest," she added. "It was difficult to put my feelings into words. I'm an amateur, but I wrote sincerely and from the heart, and hopefully people will be able to see that." And according to Riley, people have responded. She has received several positive messages from readers of the 80- page book.

"People have definitely responded to it. A lot of people have been through the same thing and been able to relate to the concept. They see that it's heart-felt."

Riley admires writer Terry McMillion, author of such books as "Waiting to Exhale," "The Interruption of Everything," and "How Stella Got Her Groove Back."

The first-time author said writing is something that she would like to experiment more with in the future. She joked that she didn't become interested in writing until she actually wrote her book.

"I took a chance because I want people to see where I'm coming from," Riley added. "I surprised myself. It was one of the greatest things I've ever done, and I never knew that I had it in me."

Riley advised those interested in writing to not procrastinate and get the job done.

"Potential is there for you. Don't let anything get in your way and you will be amazed at what you can do," she said.

Riley looks forward to signing copies of her newly-released novel at Pam's Paperbacks, on July 8th from1-3p.m.

"We're looking forward to a good turnout," said Pam Aronson, owner of the store.

Riley explained that the moral of her story is what holds the most importance for potential readers and those who will attend her booksigning.

"My book may sound like a lot of things," Riley said, "But the end message is to believe in yourself and not settle for less. You know what you deserve and you need to go for that."

Pam's Paperbacks is located at 85 Post Office Park in Wilbraham. Anyone looking for more information may call the store at 596-3612.