Susan Finch

started writing her novel, "The Intimacy Of Indiana," at the

age of 15 while attending McIntosh High School.

It began as

a collection of essays and short stories and eventually evolved into a

novel, where they all meshed together. She graduated from McIntosh in

1995, attended Georgia State University and was graduated in 1999, and

is now seeing her first novel published. This Friday, she also will have

her very first book signing at Omega Books in Peachtree City.

The story focuses

on Olivia, Adam and Neil, three seniors in high school. Olivia lives with

her aunt and uncle, while her parents perform missionary work in Africa.

Adam is a handsome, athletic hedonist, and Neil is an introverted genius.

The three characters

have their personal demons and the time that should be filled with excited

anticipation becomes a living nightmare. It is only through their devotion

to each other that they are able to endure it. As the book progresses

and senior year ends, the three must say good-bye to their youth.

"It's

a coming-of-age story," explains Finch. "The three main characters

think that they'll end up together, that they'll always have the same

dreams and that life will play out like they think it will. But it never

does."

The book is

not autobiographical but certain events did influence parts of the story.

"I wanted to write something universal with no neat ending,"

Finch explained. "For me, that was growing up emotionally into adulthood."

She has always

been interested in writing and it was when she read S.E. Hinton's novel

"The Outsiders" that her dream to become an author sprung to

life. Hinton wrote the book when she was 17 and it dawned on Finch that

it was never to early to start pursuing your goals. Other authors that

have influenced her are John Irving and J.D. Salinger, who wrote one of

her favorite books, "Franny and Zooey."

Finch first

submitted her novel for publishing at the age of 20 and it has taken close

to three years to get the book out on the market.

"It is

a long process," she said, "but I have learned a lot."

Her advice to other aspiring authors out there is to stay focused and

be persistent. "Talent and skill are important but persistence is

important as well. I also think that an author must trust their instincts

and honor the integrity of his or her voice."

The book is

appropriate for readers in junior high and up. Finch will be signing copies

of the book Friday, Dec. 29 at Omega Books in Peachtree City from 1-3

p.m.

Finch currently

lives in New York City and works in the film editing business. She also

is working on several other works and hopes to one day combine her writing

with some aspect of film.

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