Baby boomer 鈥淏uba鈥� Pauline Daniel knew that she was on to something when friends and family were up in arms that she hadn鈥檛 written her weekly 鈥楾uesdays with Jack鈥� Facebook post.

And, when they asked if everything was all right after missing several consecutive posts, she knew that she had struck gold.

Daniel, a Nelson-based certified life coach, used those posts and community feedback to fuel her debut novel, Tuesdays with Jack, for which readings and book signings are slated for Oct. 20 at Bookland Vernon from 12-3 p.m. and the Vernon Branch of the Okanagan Regional Library from 3-5 p.m.

鈥淚鈥檓 still wrapping my head around 鈥榓uthor,鈥欌�� Daniel said. 鈥淚t feels amazing. It feels surreal.鈥�

Since Jack鈥檚 birth in 2011, Daniel has spent every Tuesday with him. Whether it鈥檚 taking him to gymnastics class or making whipped cream, the grandmother 鈥� or buba 鈥� grandson relationship thrives on Daniel鈥檚 Tuesdays with Jack. The pair鈥檚 adventures later became the subject of Daniel鈥檚 obligatory Tuesday Facebook post.

鈥淏efore you knew it, it had a following. It was just the power of love and Facebook,鈥� Daniel said.

After approaching a publisher with the idea, her debut novel was born. On Jack鈥檚 first day of kindergarten 鈥� Sept. 6, 2016 鈥� Daniel began writing. And, six months later, she was ready to submit her work the week before her 65th birthday.

鈥淚t was really anticlimactic. It was kind of lonely. I don鈥檛 really have the language for it. It was an empty sort of feeling,鈥� Daniel said of penning the final line. 鈥淚 was surprised how depleted I felt. It was intense. It was really intense.鈥�

In addition to being her debut novel, Tuesdays with Jack also denotes an embarkation into a different flavour of writing for Daniel.

鈥淭his was my first attempt at anything like this,鈥� Daniel said.

Prior to the novel, Daniel鈥檚 previous writing largely consisted of a regular coaching column in the Nelson Star.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 think I could have done it without the editor I chose,鈥� she said. 鈥淓veryone who helped me with this book brought love to it. It just adds to the layers.鈥�

After the launch of the book earlier this year, Jack has revelled in the spotlight.

鈥淛ack signed books (at the book launch). His mom said he liked being famous for a while. I adore this kid,鈥� Daniel laughed. 鈥淗e thinks that every 10 years I should write about him.鈥�

鈥淚f you鈥檙e a grandma or want to be one, this book will amuse you.鈥�

However, while Daniel has nought but fond memories woven through the pages of her debut novel, she said that Jack鈥檚 book is now finished.

鈥淲e decided that I鈥檓 no longer going to actually put verbatim what he says (in my work),鈥� Daniel said.

Inspired by the success of her debut, Daniel said she has ideas brewing but nothing is currently in the works beyond a potential title.

鈥淩ight now, I鈥檓 still in love with this book,鈥� Daniel said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a book just about love. It was a desire in my heart that was planted there and supported by people. When it wouldn鈥檛 go away, that was my cue to listen.鈥�

Tuesdays with Jack is available for purchase online through and at the two Oct. 20 book signing events.