The Process

THE WRITING OF THE BOOK 

Where did we write?  We wrote in Judy’s office, in Meloni’s art room and even at Meloni’s house.  We wrote on our lunch breaks, on our prep periods and after school. 

Deana told her story, Judy wrote it down.  Judy encouraged Deana to get silly, funny, and serious, use more adjectives, etc.  Somewhere along the way, the idea of a sun came up.  Then the sun was on another page and another page.  Before they knew it, the sun was the focus of every page and that is how they decided to have the sun go from happy to sad as Deana’s illness got worse.  However, then a title was needed and the title HAD to have the word “sun” in it.  Special thanks go out to Debbie Zimmerman, Judy’s friend, who came up with our title:  “How My Sun Got Its Smile” 

The book was actually finished at a Boston Market near Deana’s house on a hot August day.  Deana sat in the restaurant and read the entire book aloud.  Halfway through, she stopped and said: “I’m good, aren’t I?”  You know what – she was better than good!  She read her own words with the most beautiful expression and enthusiasm!  We can’t wait to have her read a page from the actual book and put it on this website.  

THE DECISION TO SELF PUBLISH

Once the book became a reality, Judy and Meloni decided this book NEEDED to be read and seen by anyone affected by cancer, going through a difficult period in their life or simply someone needing inspiration.

They decided to self – publish, which was a very expensive way to go, but the only way.  Author House was the self-publishing company decided upon and payments were made.  They were on their way!