Not a bad day. I had a rotten day today.
It began as one of those days when I only wanted to stay home and play with my eight-month-old daughter. My wife and I used to work together, our classrooms just two doors apart, but she is taking the year off to be with Clara, which leaves me lamenting the loss of my wife at work and my daughter from my entire day on some mornings. As much as I enjoy teaching, I could probably stay home with my daughter, playing with her, cleaning the house, walking the dog, visiting friends, and squeezing in a bit of writing, and I would be perfectly content.
Today, this desire was especially strong.
Then, through a confluence of annoying and unavoidable events, the day worsened, and my mood sullied like it rarely does. I had more on my plate than I could manage. I never found time for lunch and was forced to skip the gym in the afternoon. And I’m just feeling rotten about a bunch of things that I must do.
As if my sour mood emanated into the ether, I was greeted by three emails today from three different readers from around the country who recently read my book. One was from an eighteen-year-old who went into the bookstore to find the novel of a first-time author in hopes of discovering someone new. He compared this desire to being the one who discovers the next great indie band, and he seems to think that he had found the indie equivalent in me and the book.
Another pleaded for a sequel to Something Missing, finding Martin remarkably likable and real.
A third asked if I would be appearing in New Jersey anytime soon, anxious to meet the author of her “new, all-time favorite book.”
That’s been one of the amazing and most surprising parts of publishing the book. People around the United States routinely contact me about the book through email, Facebook, Twitter, and even snail mail. Last week, I received a handwritten card from a woman who wanted to compliment me on the book and (no surprise) ask about a sequel. I receive about two of these communications daily from readers, and though it takes time to respond to everyone, each is an unexpected blessing.
The day ended with another reader forwarding me this review from a book blogger. It’s one that my Google Alert had picked up a few days ago, but it was nice of an anonymous reader to forward me the link so enthusiastically.
My mood was still not great when I went to bed, and until I cleared my plate a bit, I expected it wouldn’t improve by much. But those readers did manage to lift my spirits a bit and send me back to my manuscript, enthusiastic in knowing that there are people in the world who enjoy my work and want to read more.
It doesn’t make up for having to leave my little one each day, but it’s not bad.
