Blog Archives
Disastrous Dates
Kissing Toads follows a woman living in the 80s and 90s who is navigating the highs and lows of love and heartbreak on her path to self-discovery. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
The book concept was initially inspired by one of my middle-aged girlfriends who, fresh off a divorce, dove headfirst into the online dating scene. As she regaled me with stories of her disastrous dates, I found myself laughing out loud and wanting to tell a similar story.
However, I actually wrote chapter 4, “Nash,” first. I wrote it during the height of the Me Too movement in 2017 or 2018. I never intended to publish it or even share it; I was just reacting to the many stories I was hearing from women all over the country and decided to write a fictional story that represented the ways in which women were treated at that time (late 80s/early 90s) by law enforcement and the society in general. Then, when COVID hit and we were quarantined at home, I found that creative writing became a good way for me to channel my anxiety. I took the Nash story and I built around it.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
I would say that having children has had the biggest impact on my life, and that translates into my writing.
What was your inspiration for Annie’s traits and dialogue?
I wanted this book to be an authentic look at the coming of age experience of a woman from Generation X. This is why I wrote it as a fictional memoir. I wanted to capture the real and raw emotions of that time period. Annie is an amalgamation of every young girl I knew growing up in the 1980s and 90s. Although the main events and characters are fictional, I will admit that there was one part that was 100% accurate. The dogs. My family did have four Golden Retrievers when I was a kid: Toby, Liberty’s Lady Annabelle, Starbelle, and Cooper. There was indeed an oil-on-canvas portrait of Toby (the mutt) hanging in my childhood home, and Annabelle and her pups were allegedly the spawn of President Ford’s dog (albeit, I can offer no proof of it—just my mom’s testimony). On my website, there is a picture of Toby’s portrait as well as a picture of Toby and me in my childhood backyard for anyone who would like to see them. https://www.kissingtoadsnovel.com/
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am about 75% done with my next book called The Station. It is very different from Kissing Toads, however. The Station could be categorized as magical realism or even paranormal literature. It is essentially a story that explores the questions about what happens to us when we die. Like Kissing Toads, it does include moments of humor as well as moments of heartbreak. And yes, there may be a love story embedded in there as well. I hope to have it published by the end of 2025.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Instagram | Website | Amazon
A feminist tale at heart, Kissing Toads is a fictitious memoir that tells the story of a now 50-something-year-old woman named Annie who takes the reader on her decades-long quest to find her “Prince Charming.” Believing that if she kisses enough toads, she will eventually find her prince, Annie has one goal as a budding young woman: fetch herself a man. Set in the late 1970s through the mid-1990s, the reader follows Annie throughout young adulthood as she searches for her soulmate amid the backdrop of misogyny, a loving but overbearing mother, and gender and societal expectations. Sometimes cheeky, sometimes heartbreaking, Kissing Toads explores Annie’s messy yet authentic misadventures in dating. But just when you think you’ve reached the happily-ever-after, brace yourself for an exhilarating plot twist. Kissing Toads is not just another coming-of-age tale; it’s a celebration of self-discovery, liberation, and the courage to write your own fairy tale.
Kissing Toads
Danissa Wilson’s Kissing Toads is a nostalgic, heartfelt, and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny journey through the highs and lows of finding love in the 80s and 90s. At its core, it’s a coming-of-age story wrapped in a romantic memoir, following Annie as she navigates the minefield of romance, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Raised with the belief that a woman’s worth is tied to the man she lands, Annie embarks on a decades-long quest to find her “Prince Charming” by kissing an array of metaphorical (and sometimes literal) toads. Through first loves, bad boyfriends, and the chaos of early online dating, her story unfolds with a mix of humor, nostalgia, and a healthy dose of reality. But just when you think you’ve figured out where it’s headed, Wilson throws in an unexpected twist that flips the script entirely.
Wilson’s writing shines in its ability to be both sharp and self-deprecating. The humor is biting but never forced, and Annie’s voice is refreshingly honest. The opening chapter, where Annie details the absurdity of being named after her mother’s beloved golden retriever, immediately sets the tone. Lines like, “Being the namesake of the family pooch? Does it get more humiliating than that?” make it clear that this book isn’t just about romance; it’s about identity, self-worth, and breaking free from expectations. The book doesn’t shy away from the awkwardness of young love either. Annie’s high school relationship with the Ozzy Osbourne-worshipping, eyeliner-wearing “Oz” is painfully relatable, showing how teenage romance can be both intoxicating and utterly misguided.
One of the most compelling aspects of Kissing Toads is its exploration of societal expectations placed on women, particularly in past decades. Annie’s mother, a woman who abandoned her own dreams for the role of perfect wife and mother, serves as both a loving figure and a cautionary tale. She constantly reinforces the idea that Annie’s happiness hinges on finding a man. This generational pressure is woven throughout the book, making Annie’s journey all the more meaningful. When she starts to question whether she’s searching for love or simply fulfilling a script handed down to her, the book reaches its most thought-provoking moments. Scenes like her internal struggle over a sexist “No Fat Chicks” sticker she bought as a teen highlight the subtle ways misogyny is ingrained in everyday life. Wilson brilliantly captures how these influences shape Annie’s choices, often without her even realizing it.
The book’s pacing is another strong point. Wilson moves seamlessly from high school heartbreaks to the cringe-worthy infancy of online dating, never lingering too long on any one phase of Annie’s journey. Each relationship teaches her something new, sometimes through devastation, other times through sheer absurdity. The dialogue is snappy, the 80s and 90s references are spot-on, and there’s an authenticity to Annie’s experiences that makes her deeply relatable. However, what sets Kissing Toads apart from a typical rom-com or coming-of-age novel is its refusal to tie everything up in a neat bow. Without giving too much away, Annie’s “happily ever after” isn’t what you’d expect but it’s so much more satisfying because of it.
This book is for anyone who has ever looked back on their past relationships and cringed, laughed, or wondered what the hell they were thinking. It’s for Gen Xers who lived through the rise of online dating, for women who’ve been told that their worth is measured by their romantic success, and for anyone who loves a story that balances humor with heartfelt moments. Wilson has crafted a novel that’s both wildly entertaining and deeply resonant, proving that sometimes, kissing toads isn’t about finding a prince, it’s about finding yourself. Highly recommended.
Pages: 180 | ASIN : B0DGVT1XVC
The Complexities of Dating
Kissing Toads follows a woman now in her 50s who shares her journey of looking for her Prince Charming and the journey of self-discovery she wound up on in her quest for true love amid societal expectations. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The book concept was initially inspired by one of my middle-aged girlfriends who, fresh off a divorce, dove headfirst into the online dating scene. As she regaled me with stories of her disastrous dates, I found myself laughing out loud and wanting to tell a similar story.
However, I actually wrote chapter 4, “Nash,” first. I wrote it during the height of the Me Too movement in 2017 or 2018. I never intended to publish it or even share it; I was just reacting to the many stories I was hearing from women all over the country and decided to write a fictional story that represented the ways in which women were treated at that time (late 80s/early 90s) by law enforcement and the society in general. Then, when COVID hit and we were quarantined at home, I found that creative writing became a good way for me to channel my anxiety. I took the Nash story and I built around it.
In a lot of contemporary coming-of-age fiction novels, authors often add their own life experiences to the story. Are there any bits of you in this story?
Haha. Well, sure. There are definitely trace elements of the real me in this story. However, the main events and characters are fictional. Although, I will admit that here was one part that was 100% accurate. The dogs. My family did have four Golden Retrievers when I was a kid: Toby, Liberty’s Lady Annabelle, Starbelle, and Cooper. There was indeed an oil-on-canvas portrait of Toby (the mutt) hanging in my childhood home, and Annabelle and her pups were allegedly the spawn of President Ford’s dog (albeit, I can offer no proof of it—just my mom’s testimony). On my website, there is a picture of Toby’s portrait as well as a picture of Toby and me in my childhood backyard for anyone who would like to see them. https://www.kissingtoadsnovel.com/
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I really wanted to explore the complexities of dating and finding one’s sexual identity in the late 20th century from a feminist perspective. I wanted my generation, Generation X, to be highlighted and celebrated in a way that I don’t see too often. I also wanted it to be an honest reflection of what it was like to come of age during this time period. So many of these rom-com or coming-of-age novels that I read don’t feel raw or real. I wanted mine to have that sort of authenticity. That’s why I decided to craft it as a fictional memoir.
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it?
I am about 75% done with my next book called The Station. It is very different than Kissing Toads, however. The Station could be categorized as magical realism or even paranormal literature. It is essentially a story that explores the questions about what happens to us when we die. Like Kissing Toads, it does include moments of humor as well as moments of heartbreak. And yes, there may be a love story embedded in there as well.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram | Website | Amazon
A feminist tale at heart, Kissing Toads is a fictitious memoir that tells the story of a now 50-something-year-old woman named Annie who takes the reader on her decades-long quest to find her “Prince Charming.” Believing that if she kisses enough toads, she will eventually find her prince, Annie has one goal as a budding young woman: fetch herself a man. Set in the late 1970s through the mid-1990s, the reader follows Annie throughout young adulthood as she searches for her soulmate amid the backdrop of misogyny, a loving but overbearing mother, and gender and societal expectations. Sometimes cheeky, sometimes heartbreaking, Kissing Toadsexplores Annie’s messy yet authentic misadventures in dating. But just when you think you’ve reached the happily-ever-after, brace yourself for an exhilarating plot twist. Kissing Toads is not just another coming-of-age tale; it’s a celebration of self-discovery, liberation, and the courage to write your own fairy tale.
Kissing Toads
Danissa Wilson’s Kissing Toads is the kind of book that sneaks up on you. It starts out like your typical coming-of-age tale of a young woman, Annie, wading through the chaotic waters of romance in the ’80s and ’90s, hoping to find her Prince Charming. But as you turn the pages, you realize this is more than just a love story. It’s a messy, hilarious, and sometimes gut-wrenching journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the realization that sometimes, the fairy tale we’ve been chasing isn’t the one we actually need.
One thing I absolutely loved about Wilson’s writing is her ability to balance humor with heartbreak. Annie’s experiences range from laugh-out-loud ridiculous to moments that truly sting. These are the moments that make Kissing Toads feel so raw and real. Wilson doesn’t just give us a woman searching for love; she gives us a woman navigating a world that constantly tells her what love should look like, only for her to realize that maybe she’s had it all wrong.
Annie’s mother is relentless in her belief that her daughter’s ultimate goal in life should be to “fetch herself a man.” That pressure is both maddening and relatable. The contrast between Annie’s youthful determination to fulfill that expectation and her later, painful questioning of whether she wasted her best years chasing a dream someone else planted in her head is beautifully done. One of the most poignant moments comes when she wonders if she failed in getting her “MRS” degree while earning her BA. That single line encapsulates so much about the way young women are conditioned to prioritize romance over self-fulfillment.
And then, there’s the love story at the heart of it all, just not the one Annie expects. The book’s final act brings both a twist and a moment of clarity. After years of chasing after one “toad” after another, Annie doesn’t find a prince, but someone even more unexpected. That’s what makes Kissing Toads so satisfying it’s not about Annie magically finding love, but about her finally seeing herself clearly enough to recognize it.
I’d recommend Kissing Toads to anyone who’s ever been on the wrong side of a bad relationship, struggled under the weight of expectations, or just enjoys a damn good story with characters who feel like old friends. It’s funny, it’s sharp, and it’s got a heart big enough to make you laugh and cry in the same chapter. Danissa Wilson has crafted a book that doesn’t just explore what it means to find love but it questions everything we’ve been told about it.
Pages: 180 | ASIN : B0DGVT1XVC
LITERARY TITAN 