MU alumna Andrea Robbins’ first novel, “Face the Music,” is a classic, emotion-filled read that portrays the difficulties of life and love.

“Face the Music” follows 24-year-old Allison Banks, according to a news release. After her mother is killed in an accident, Allison must look after her 21-year-old sister, her 4-year-old niece and her senile grandmother. She takes on even more responsibility with the start of a new part-time teaching job for “Superstardom,” a new reality TV show. Allison dismisses her attraction to Chris Knots, one of the show’s top contestants, as a simple crush, but after he reveals he has similar feelings toward her, she must determine whether she wants another commitment.

Robbins, a high school teacher in Idaho, graduated from MU in 2000 with a degree in food science and nutrition. Robbins furthered her education at Idaho State University, graduating with degrees in biological sciences and secondary education. She has taught high school science since graduation.

Robbins said she never thought of herself as a writer except in one of her English classes at MU. Robbins’ instructor, Lucy, pushed her and always told her to dig deeper and add more depth and detail. Robbins said she never thought about writing fiction after she completed her English class, though, so she continued to pursue her love of science.

Seven years after graduating from MU, Robbins dreamt up the premise for a book while watching Chris Daughtry on “American Idol.” She began writing her novel, “Face the Music,” in December 2007 and finished about a year later.

After completing the novel, Robbins hunted for an agent to get her novel published. Robbins said because she had difficulty finding one, she decided to hire her own independent editor who assisted her with an intense revision in which she made the plot and characters stronger.

Robbins said even after the intense revision, the novel sat on her laptop for some time, but she recently found Smashwords.com, a website that is now publishing her book. “Face the Music” will not be published as a paper copy, but as an e-book.

Robbins said though the book is being published, she still faces a couple of obstacles.

“After all of the difficulties, the problem now is simply getting the word out,” she said.

Robbins said after all of the hardships the novel has brought, she enjoys her newfound freedom.

“I can choose when to publish, how much to charge (and) who to make it available to,” Robbins said.

Robbins said she has mixed emotions about her work being available to the public.

“I’m excited,” she said. “I’m nervous. But I’m happy about my decision to forego tradition. And I really, really hope people enjoy the story and characters of ‘Face the Music’ as much as I have.”

The novel will be released June 17 as an e-book.