We were lucky to catch up with Toni Bellon recently and have shared our conversation below.

Toni, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

When my father died, I tried to help my mother function without him by moving her closer to me and my siblings. Unfortunately, alcohol was now the only thing my mother wanted in her life. My family began fielding calls from Mom’s neighbors to report on her drunken behavior.

I decided to leave my job as Assistant Dean of Education at the University of North Georgia before I wrecked my car on the way home. My work was overshadowed by the negative phone calls I took from and about my mother. I wasn’t sleeping well and needed coffee each evening to drive home safely.

While I was caring for her, I started to write a textbook using my father’s leadership information. I thought I’d be successful because I was smart. I had degrees to prove my intelligence. But, no matter how brainy, I found that my heart wasn’t hooked on the textbook idea.

Instead, I wanted to write about the damage I knew ran through me due to my mother’s alcoholism and my father’s denial of her issues. More and more I felt the need to acknowledge my biggest regret—allowing others to stop me from seeking help for my much younger brother and myself in dealing with our mother’s alcoholism. When my mother died, the book became a reality.

My brother was born when I was thirteen going on fourteen. Before his birth, I was looking forward to becoming old enough to leave home. Then HE came along and I decided to stay. When I finished college and was about to take a job away from home, I told my older sister that I was going to contact Al-Anon and get help before I left. I was told that doing so would cause my mother to commit suicide. So, like the chicken I was, I did nothing and left my then-eight-year-old brother in the clutches of a maniac. I hoped my father would step up and take responsibility.

I embarked on a career in elementary and middle-level education guided by my desire to help children navigate the uneven power dynamics that exist in homes everywhere. After all the years I spent in denial, I needed to tell my truth. So, I wrote the book, L.E.A.P. (Linn’s Emerging Adult Plan). I don’t care if the book is an economic success. I’m hoping for a personal success. While avoiding the cost of therapy, I want to apologize to my brother, tell others they are not alone, and encourage parents to use this book as a mirror to ask themselves – “How’re you doing?” “Are you doing right by your children?”

Let’s stop the lies that cover the adult’s feelings and help the children!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

After I retired from my first career in education, I was looking to get involved with a group. While trolling the Internet, I saw the name of a previous next-door neighbor. I contacted her and asked about writing. She invited me to check out the Atlanta Writer’s Club (AWC). I started attending their meetings, conferences, and critique groups. These activities provided me with tons of knowledge and even more motivation.

Writing moved from a pipe dream to a reality. I wish I could say that I’m writing the great American Novel, but my works end up being snarky humor mixed with heartbreak. My first book is about a teen attempting to grow up without the emotional support of her alcoholic mother. L.E.A.P. (Linn’s Emerging Adult Plan) was published in early August of 2024. I held my book launch later that same month. L.E.A.P. can be ordered from your local bookstore or online. Feedback is always encouraged via Goodreads or Amazon.

My next project has been picked up by a publisher but hasn’t been given a title yet. This book (working title – The Cost of Sin) is more of an adult story. However, I always seem to have a character (or two) who suffers from addiction. Possibly because I don’t know any stories without people struggling with these problems. It is a part of my reality… my life experience. You all know that writers focus on what they have seen, heard, or survived.

If you decide to write, don’t quit your day job. It’s expensive, even if you find something like AWC. Their meetings, twice-yearly conferences, and access to critique groups have been invaluable. You know we can’t all count on ex-neighbors. I was lucky!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When you submit any writing, you will be faced with lots of rejection. Luckily, I was listening when someone said you should create a chart to track your submissions and responses. I made the mistake of believing I would be given good news immediately. Instead, I’ve racked up around 100 negative answers with only two positives.

Early on, one agent told me “Oh, I’m your person. Once this book is complete, send it to me because I’m ready to run with it.”
So, I did. I sent the completed manuscript.
Her response was, “Sorry, this story doesn’t interest me.”
Really? What happened to being my person?

I’ve been told, “I’m the person you want but I’m too busy right now.” And “You want to talk to my co-worker, not me.” Despite being given a name and e-mail, I never heard back from that last one.

One speaker at an Atlanta Writer’s Conference said not to discount the small publishers. He was right! I began ignoring the mainstream agents and looked at the smaller presses instead. My first book was picked up by Kinkajou an imprint of Artemesia (a traditional press). They are a small independent publisher that produces a dozen books each year. I feel honored that my book was considered unique and interesting enough to be chosen by Artemesia.

Now I know I will never be an overnight success. It has taken years but I believe I am now on the right track. I have one book published, a second under contract, and I’m writing the third book in my free time. I might be old, but I haven’t given up yet and I don’t plan to.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I write because it’s like breathing – I need it to survive. Another author was recently asked when he wrote. He answered, “I’m always writing.”
My husband may claim I’m distracted or disengaged but I’m writing, and editing in my head. Sometimes I forget to write it down while other times I e-mail the ideas to myself. I have started many ideas that haven’t gone anywhere but I believe someday I’ll find a story for those thoughts and ideas.

Throughout life, I’ve been a “storyteller” or liar if you asked my mother. It was my grandmother, on my mother’s side, who told me stories are more interesting if you stretch the truth. I listened and practiced her advice. Of course, there was always a kernel of truth in my stories.

What is my goal or mission? I hope to bring a smile to the faces of anyone reading. Besides, writing is cheaper than therapy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tonibellon.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tlbellon/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toni.bellon/
• Twitter: https://x.com/grandrusset

Image Credits

Atlanta Writer’s Club
Justin Vilonna
Artemesia Publishing