Hey everyone! I’m thrilled to take you behind the scenes of my debut novel, Obsessing Over Coffee and Us. This is the first book in the All Because of Spilled Coffee series! While the book isn’t published yet, I want to share what’s been happening in the background. It’s been a crazy ride, from the first spark of inspiration to where I am now in the writing process. So grab a cup of your favorite brew, and let’s dive in!
How Obsessing Over Coffee and Us Started
I’ve wanted to be an author since I was a little kid — like, literally since I first learned how to write. I’ve spent years daydreaming about seeing my own book on a shelf. Romcoms hold a very special place in my heart. The quirky meet-cutes, the slow-burn tension, and the heartwarming happily-ever-afters — I can’t get enough!
So when the idea for Obsessing Over Coffee and Us popped into my head, it felt like a natural fit. The whole concept stemmed from one of my favorite romcom tropes: an awkward first encounter. And what’s more awkward than spilling coffee on a stranger — especially when that stranger happens to be someone you really shouldn’t be getting involved with? From that little spark, the entire story began to grow.
Crafting the Characters
Mare Rockfeld, my protagonist, quickly became someone I knew inside and out. She’s ambitious, organized, and a bit of a perfectionist. Just like me, she is always striving to have everything figured out. But, unlike me, she realizes that adulthood is much messier than she expected. That’s what makes her relatable, though. She’s a bit too focused on work and still figuring out how to “adult” properly.
One of the things I love most about Mare is that she’s never been one to care much about boys. For her, it’s always been about the career, goals, and accomplishments. So, when she suddenly finds herself in situations where romance is involved, she’s completely out of her element. She has no idea how to handle it, and watching her stumble through those moments is both hilarious and heartwarming.
And then there’s Ethan, the CEO, who shakes things up in ways she never expected… He’s the CEO of the company Mare wants to live and die working for. He’s confident, smart, and slightly intimidating, with the kind of presence that commands attention in any room. But beneath that polished exterior, there’s more to Ethan than meets the eye. While their initial interactions are filled with tension (thanks to a certain spilled coffee incident), Ethan becomes someone Mare has to deal with — whether she likes it or not. And, of course, sparks fly between them as they’re forced to work together. Come to find out, maybe there’s more to both of them than they originally thought.
The dynamic between Mare and Ethan has been so fun to write because they start off on completely different pages. The banter, tension, and chemistry between them builds naturally as the story unfolds. Getting to know them has been one of my favorite parts of writing this novel!
The Writing Process So Far
I’m currently deep in the process of revising and refining, but getting to this point has been such an adventure. The story has grown and evolved in ways I didn’t expect at all. When I first started writing, I had a basic outline in mind — a roadmap of where I thought the story would go. But, as anyone who’s written a book knows, the characters tend to take over and lead you down paths you hadn’t planned.
And let me tell you, this has happened several times with Obsessing Over Coffee and Us. I’ve changed this story more times than I can count. Just when I think I have it all figured out, a new twist or dynamic presents itself, and suddenly I’m rewriting whole sections. But honestly? That’s been part of the fun. Each version of the story has brought me closer to the heart of Mare and Ethan’s journey, and I love where it’s landed. It’s definitely not the story I initially set out to write — it’s better.
Revising has been tough, but every change has brought me one step closer to the version of the book I’m excited to share with all of you!
Where I’m Headed
With Obsessing Over Coffee and Us nearing completion, I’m in the thick of polishing the manuscript. The next step will be getting it into the hands of beta readers, book bloggers, and anyone else who can help make it better and get it out there for you amazing readers.
The series itself, All Because of Spilled Coffee, will dive even deeper into this world, following different characters in each book who all share one thing in common: coffee plays a role in their love stories. There’s so much more to explore, and I’m excited to continue building this series of stand-alone novels.
Stay Tuned for more updates on Obsessing Over Coffee and Us!
I can’t wait for you all to read Obsessing Over Coffee and Us once it’s ready! For now, thank you so much for following along with my writing journey. Knowing there are readers out there keeps me motivated (along with a good cup of coffee), and I’m excited to share more updates as the story unfolds.
Until next time, keep sipping and reading!