MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A FAMOUS AUTHOR

Most of my time is spent tapping away at my computer. But recently I had the opportunity to come out of my cave—I mean office--and play the role of FAMOUS AUTHOR. No, I wasn’t on TV or radio or signing books for crowds of adoring fans. But at our family reunion I had the fun of talking about writing to several relatives. (This topic comes up a lot more now that I’m a FAMOUS AUTHOR.) It started when Cousin Angelia introduced me as THE AUTHOR. Two friends there actually sighed. (I turned red.)

Then Sally told me she’s writing a fictionalized version of a Texas shootout involving one of our infamous ancestors. We discussed the benefits of writing groups, feedback buddies, and the amazing power of brainstorming. Uncle Les, too, aspires to write historical fiction someday, if he can get someone to transcribe his work on one of those new-fangled computers. I had no idea he was so interested in the adventures of Lewis and Clark. He says he can’t wait to read my second book Honor at Stake which features a bit of that history, and he started reading Time and Again as soon as he got back to his motel room that night. (I always just happen to have books with me wherever I go.)

My 20-something cousin Austin and I found we have a common love of words. He wants to be a script writer, and I passed on some suggestions about learning to write good dialogue, plot, and characters. I emphasized the importance of revision and of keeping your day job (until you become a FAMOUS AUTHOR). Cousin Kathy invited me to come for a FAMOUS AUTHOR visit to her elementary school in Florida in December. That will be a lot of fun.

But my favorite incident during the weekend event was when my young cousin Sidney told me that she had given a book review of Time and Again in her sixth grade English class. To date, this is my all-time favorite thing about being a FAMOUS AUTHOR.