Westwood Author Discusses Her Journey

In the publishing world, every author walks down a different path. For some it only takes months, some years. For novelist Debra Thomsen of Westwood, it was the latter–not that she's complaining, of course.

"Getting your foot in the door [and becoming a published author] is a very hard thing," Thomsen explained. "[But it was] a very, very exciting moment [when it happened]."

"I am very proud of her," Debra's mother, Joan Bates, said when asked how she felt about her daughter becoming a published author. "She totally deserves this," she added. "It was her dream."

Thomsen, a Westwood native who has since returned to her roots after spending some time in Pennsylvania, spent nearly two hours at the  Sunday afternoon. She spoke to a small crowd of family, friends and assorted library patrons about her debut novel, Highland Mystique and discussed the highs–and lows–0f the publication process.

"It took many years to get where I am," Thomsen said.

She said it took her about 12 years to break into the business. "I'd put my three kids to bed at night, then put on the CD 'Piano Rain' and sit down and just write," Thomsen said.

After a long editing process and a few rejections, Thomsen submitted her manuscript to Tate Publishing in December 2006–and got a phone call from the company president that same day. The company was impressed and by February 2007, Thomsen received her contract in the mail.

"It was a bittersweet moment for me," she explained, "because my [late] father wasn't there to share this joy with me."

Thomsen discovered the joys of writing at age 13 and took creative writing classes in high school. As an adult, she enjoys reading both love stories and murder mysteries, which is how the idea for Highland Mystique began.

"I love to read either a [good] love story or a murder mystery, so I threw the two of them together," she said.

The novel takes place in the Highlands of Scotland and chronicles the story of Missy Crawford, who leaves the comfort of her small hometown for the Highlands when she receives a vision of a mysterious stranger.

"I can't even explain the title," said Thomsen jokingly, "because if I told you any more, it would spoil the plot!"

For Thomsen, the dream of being a published author is far from complete. While still working to promote Highland Mystique, she is also plugging away on the manuscript for her second novel, which takes place at the real-life Renaissance Faire which is held every year in Tuxedo, N.Y.

Highland Mystique is available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and through Family Christian Bookstores.