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Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Have You Ever Wondered?

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to walk in someone else’s shoes? You know the gorgeous chocolate brown knee-high boots with skinny jeans shoes that you would scratch someone’s eyes out for at a shoe sale? Yes, you know the ones. Everyone has them…that elusive pair of shoes that they must someday walk in.

Well yesterday, as I made a mad dash into the mall after school, I had this very thought. I speed walked my way through Dillards without even taking a glance at the shoe department. (That’s like asking me to stop breathing!) But I digress…I entered the main area of the mall and made my way to the bookstore. One of the workers greeted me without looking and was about to ask if I needed any help then smiled when she saw that it was me. I never need any help. I threw her a smile and a wave, went straight to the YA section and breathed a collective sigh of relief when I saw that they had two copies of Paranormalcy left. I snatched up the second to the last copy and handed over my rewards card, coupon and debit card and was on my way. Four minutes...fastest shopping trip ever!

This leads me to my little shoe epiphany…as I made my way back through Dillards, still studiously ignoring the shoes, I had to fight the tiniest of smiles that threatened to spread across my face. I was so excited to get home and crack open my new book that I could hardly stand it. Halfway out of the store I thought...this is what I want. That feeling. If the day ever comes that one of my books makes its way into bookstores, I hope that at least one person is as excited to read it as I was to read my new book.

That’s what this whole crazy ride is about for me. Writing has been such a wonderful outlet and if I could invoke that kind of excitement in just one person, then every rejection…the attachment to my inbox…the checking my phone for missed calls, would have all been worth it. So I guess when all is said and done, I strive to walk in my own shoes…just better ones!
Now what about you guys? What drives you to stick with the madness of writing? What do you strive to achieve at the end of this never-ending roller coaster of emotions? Hope everyone has a fabulous day!

14 comments:

Jessica Bell said...

Yep. ME too. I think that's what most of us writers strive for. Appreciation! :o)

Candyland said...

Yeah I agree. I would *love* that!

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Striving to walk in your own shoes is valiant. I wrote about it last month when I titled one of my posts 'My Yellow Brick Road'. Same idea. Keeping true to yourself in this business is not always easy, but I think it's what makes the writing real for me...and in turn, makes me more real.

Laura Pauling said...

Yes! I think we all write so we can see someone else excited about our books and affected by them. It's not really about the money.

Unknown said...

It's one thing that drives me, the hope that something I say will affect someone else with the desire to read.

Anonymous said...

I hope, one day, people are as excited for Death's Island's release as I am. That they would rush to the bookstore to pick up a copy. And hope that they love it as much as I do.
I read an article once that said your manuscript is your child. I think it's more then that, it's a mirror into the writer's soul.
Oh, and Renae! Once I hear your book is out - I'm rushing to the bookstore, bypassing starbucks and my morning coffee, and heading to the YA section! Maybe I'll get a tent and camp out the night before :) !

Lindsay said...

Oh yes, one day I want the same thing. Just to have someone so exicted to read something I'd written would be amazing.

You know I'll be the excited one when your book comes out.:)

vic caswell said...

that would be totally awesome! but for now, i'm just trying to write something i can be excited about. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Well said! That would be amazing! :)

Jaydee Morgan said...

I think you said it perfectly - and I want that more than the gorgeous chocolate brown knee-high boots - although, those would be nice too ;)

Jess said...

Awww, great post!

Elana Johnson said...

Ah, there are many things that make me stick with this. I think it's just such a great outlet for me, that I would be hardpressed to quit.

Glad you got Paranormalcy! It's great.

Janet Johnson said...

YES! Exactly! I so want to make someone feel that way. I'll take those shoes any day. :)

BK Mattingly said...

*Sigh* I'd never thought about that kind of reaction before in reference that one of my future readers could actually have one about MY book! What a wonderful idea. Great post! I hope you enjoy your book!!!