The Journey of Writing My First Novel: Magic Pretend
This is an opinion column.
Some stories begin with a plan. Others begin with a simple idea that takes root in your imagination. For me, writing my first novel, “Magic Pretend,” was a little bit of both.
The story started in my head with two characters, Emma and Lucas, and the extraordinary connection they would share throughout their lives. I knew how their story would begin, and I knew how it would end. What I didn’t know was everything that would happen in between.
That became the real journey of writing this book.
“Magic Pretend” begins on the first day of kindergarten, when two young children meet and form a friendship that grows into something far more meaningful than either could understand at that age. As Emma and Lucas grow up, their lives become intertwined through childhood memories, first love, and the challenges that shape who they become, but there is always something deeper connecting them.
I wanted to explore the idea that love can be more than romance. Emma and Lucas share a bond that goes beyond friendship and traditional love. It is a spiritual connection, a feeling of being understood by another person in a way words cannot always describe.
As I wrote, the middle of the story became an adventure of its own. Sometimes, I knew exactly where a scene needed to go. Other times, I had to let the characters guide me. One of the most rewarding parts of the process was watching an idea grow into a complete story with its own heart and message.
Writing “Magic Pretend” also let me reflect on the lasting power of childhood connections, the innocence of young love, and the possibility that certain people enter our lives for reasons we may not fully understand. It is a story about growing up, finding your person, and discovering that some bonds remain strong through every stage of life.
I hope readers will find a little of their own lives and beliefs reflected in Emma and Lucas. It is a story that will make you dream, make you laugh, and bring you to tears of joy.
I’m excited to announce that “Magic Pretend” makes its debut on Amazon on November 1, 2026.
When readers turn the final page, I hope they carry away one simple thought: sometimes, the most extraordinary connections begin in the most ordinary places, and last a lifetime.
Truly Local news. Truly Polk County.
Your community. Your news. Your right to know. Follow The Citrus Tea News for real local news across Polk County, and subscribe to our free e-Weekly newsletter at the links below. We welcome your comments and questions. Send us a message to reach our team.
Facebook post:
Two kindergarteners. One lifelong bond. In his second column, Winter Haven author and Citrus Tea News Columnist Todd McGrady shares how Emma and Lucas came to life in his debut novel, “Magic Pretend,” debuting on Amazon Nov. 1. Read the story behind the story on The Citrus Tea News. 
#MagicPretend #ToddMcGrady #PolkCounty #WinterHaven #LocalAuthor #NewBook #TheCitrusTeaNews #TrulyPolkCounty
X post:
Winter Haven author and Citrus Tea News Columnist Todd McGrady on writing his debut novel, Magic Pretend, out Nov. 1 on Amazon. #MagicPretend #PolkCounty #LocalAuthor
