Introducing Andrea . . .

Andrea Frazer is the author of our upcoming release, Happily Ticked Off. She’s pretty awesome, and we thought you might like to get to know her a little better. She’ll be stopping by once a week, so feel free to ask her any questions in the comments below. Not just about Tourette’s, either. Andrea has superpowers and knows the answers to all sorts of stuff. And if she doesn’t, she’ll make something up. 🙂

With no further ado, here’s Andrea:

I’m so excited to have my first book published by Armonia. It’s a Mom-moir about my journey from despair to hope to healing with my son’s Tourette Syndrome, called Happily Ticked Off.

Two Authors Walked into a Bar

In a perfect world, if two of my favorite current authors had to be used to describe my book, I’d describe it as a cross between Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat Pray Love) and Kelly Corrigan (The Middle Place). I loved those books, because one didn’t have to travel the world or have cancer to relate to them, but by the end of them, readers felt connected to the story of these two women who were doing their best to survive life with love, humor, truth and patience. I’d be honored if readers felt the same about my dance with tics.

My Background from NBC Tour Guide to TV Writer to Blogger

Right after college, I was a tour guide for NBC and sat people for the Jay Leno Show and the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. I broke into TV as a writers’ secretary for Saved by the Bell: The New Class, my main job being to pass out scripts and order that perfect bagel. I thought my life was really beginning when I was finally promoted to writers’ assistant for a another teenage morning show. And then I thought it was over when I was fired after two weeks. But then I got a new job as a writers’ assistant on Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper. From there I went to work on such shows as Veronica’s Closet, Roseanne and Grace Under Fire. In 2000 I got my first big break as a writer on the Showtime Series Rude Awakening starring Lynn Redgrave and Sherilyn Fenn. From there I landed another writing gig for a Carsey Werner show that, shockingly, didn’t make it. (Original title? My Roommate is a Big Fat Slut.)

Then a writers strike happened. Then I got married. Then I had two babies. Then I found blogging – so I wrote from home! In addition to writing my own personal blogs, I wrote 5 articles/week for 3 years for BabyCenter and 3 articles/week for 3 years for Good Housekeeping. After that I went on to write for local newspapers, social media houses, magazines and more.

With all the blessings writing has afforded me, the best production I’ve ever worked on has been my family. It’s also been the most consistent with the best residuals. I wouldn’t cancel this show for all the dark roast Starbucks in my pantry. And believe me, there’s a lot. I have a sickness.

I hope you’ll check in from time to time. With this book coming out in the Fall, I’ll be blogging here once a week, as well as at my own site, Happily Ticked Off. I love nothing more than to connect with people and write. Some of my best friends have been made through blogging. I hope to meet many of you as we share our experiences together. What are you writing or working on these days? How did you find Armonia?