This is Not a Title

by Cheri Chesley

That's probably the extent of my joke-pulling for the day: announcing my title as not being one. Seriously, I'm not a huge fan of April Fools. I'd prefer to treat it like any other day. That, unfortunately, makes me a prime target. :)

Late last night, as I'd finished watching my movies and was ready to go to bed, I checked my emails one last time. I'd been contacted on Goodreads by a young woman who wants to interview me for an English assignment. Her message bubbled with enthusiasm, and she said I was "one of" her favorite authors and that she can't wait for the sequel to my first book. Thrilled, and humbled, I texted my hubby, announced it on my FB author page, and went to bed.

Then I started thinking. Is this a prank? Some people would love to "get" a poor, unsuspecting first-published author with something like this. After cutting my panic attack off at the pass, I decided the absolute worst case scenario is still livable: If this is someone's idea of a joke, my only fault is in being too trusting; too ready to believe that a young person would enjoy my book that much. This is not a bad thing. It shows I have confidence in my work. More confidence than I feel most times. :) I can live with that.

Prank or not, I'm good. I'd love for it to be true, and it likely is, but if it's not--that's okay, too.

I had an epiphany last Saturday. After a week of either WAY GOOD or WAY BAD reviews of my book, I decided to reaffirm I'm not writing for the masses. I am writing for myself. This journey is between me and God, although it is a public journey, the purposes and meaning are deeply personal. I spent the rest of that day completing my second book for submission, and mailed it off Monday morning, right on schedule.

I can only be the best ME I can be. That's true for all of us. I plan to grow as a writer with each book, not start out perfect and work my way down. And, when I believe I've put out the best work I can, I am sending the book to the publisher to say yes or no. With my ebooks, I will offer them to the most trusted of my beta readers to love or shred before putting them up for sale.

That doesn't mean I haven't spent the week (figuratively) biting my nails, certain my publisher will say no thanks to The Tyrant King. I'm still human. :)