Ridgewood graduate publishes first novel
Heidi Mason
WEST LAFAYETTE – Heidi Mason, a 1994 graduate of Ridgewood High School, has been writing all of her life. She has written short stories, poetry, children’s stories, and had some articles published in magazines, but recently, she has fulfilled one of her life-long dreams.
Mason used to work as staff writer at The Advertiser, but took a break from her writing when she had a family. She then started doing family genealogy research and began writing about the interesting stories she found in her family tree.
In February of this year, Mason decided she wanted to write a novel. Only four months later in June, the rough draft of her novel was completed. She submitted her novel to five publishers, expecting to be rejected by all of them. She submitted her novel on Friday and by Tuesday, she received a contract in the mail. After three rounds of edits, her novel, “Investigating the Heart” was published by Solstice Publishing.
“I was excited,” she said. “I was in a hurry to get it done and see it and feel it. The challenge of writing a novel is, can I do this and take these characters and do a full-on plot and make everything connect.”
The storyline focuses on Emma McCoy, a single mother who owns a coffee shop. She’s had a bad experience with her first marriage and wants nothing to do with falling in love again. That’s when she meets Liam O’Reilly, an FBI agent who has a secret connection to her past that puts her in danger.
“I was a reader from the time I was very young,” said Mason. “As I got older, that turned into a love of writing. I can express my feelings much more on paper than I can verbally.”
She said that although her novel is a work of fiction, little bits and pieces of her life are reflected through the characters.
“There are parts of it that are very much me,” she said. “If you write, it’s your story, it’s your take on life, and it’s your thoughts.”
Mason will be at the Canal House in Tuscarawas on Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. for a book release party. She will also be at the Coshocton Public Library on Monday, Sept. 21 from 6 – 8 p.m. Her novel is available on Amazon.
Right now, Mason is working on two other novels. She is also planning to make a series from her debut novel.
“I want to thank my parents,” said Mason. “My mom was really fond of reading and writing and really encouraged that in me. All of my family is very supportive. My husband and girls have been very supportive, so I have a huge support system.”
beth@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: People & Places
