Encounters of the Fan Kind

As a newbie to the world of "being recognized," I don't always respond perfectly.

Just before Christmas, I ran into a young fan at the mall in my original hometown. He shyly did the slide-closer-to-Mommy's-leg move as I chatted with his mother. I hesitated to engage him, although I'm perfectly capable of kneeling down and asking a few questions. In the moment, I felt fear. Specifically, an unreasonable fear that if I asked him how he liked the ending, I wouldn't get the answer I wanted to hear – even though he had written me this lovely note after reading volume 2:
 

In retrospect, I realize that I need to get over myself.

Lesson learned: Have a few open-ended questions ready to go and ASK THEM. It was definitely a lost opportunity.

This past weekend, I ran into a home-schooling mother who is reading the series to her kids. They've just finished volume 2 and are eagerly anticipating a dive into the final book. She was effusive in her praise. She loved the ending of the first book, which felt concluded (to her) despite being only the end of part 1. She appreciated how the characters are learning to see from others' perspectives. And she said that her kids were pretty into the story, asking her daily, "What do you think the SPOTD will be today?" And instead of letting her ramble on (basking in the praise), I jumped in and talked over her. I explained my favorite parts and told her why I thought she'd like the last book. In retrospect, I would have enjoyed hearing more from her and less from myself.

Lesson learned: When I meet ultimate fans, I need to step back and shut my trap.

Thankfully, I don't always respond imperfectly when surprised by a reader's attention. Several times in recent weeks I've run into fans who requested volume 3... and voila! Turns out I had copies ready to sell or give away within walking distance. I also graciously accepted my book club's wish to put The Final Face-Off on our reading list for 2014.

Resolution for 2014

It's only January, which means I'm doing well on my 2014 resolution for writing. That's the thing about January. No stamina required (yet).

The big commitment: To do something each month in 2014 to market the SPOTD series.

January:
I contacted my dream agency with a request for representation. They asked for an upload of the text, which meant selecting a book from the series to send. My favorite book is #2, probably because it has the most classic superpowers (flying, invisibility, strength) and because Chase's inner journey ramps up as the veil of youthful self-centeredness starts to fall from his eyes. The story becomes less about a kid playing with superpowers and more about the superpowers playing with him.

But I think #3 is the strongest of the three books, so that's the one I sent. I loved putting together the puzzle of the whole series, and in the third volume, everything that happened in #1 and #2 has extra purpose and weight. Plot points and details that may have seemed extraneous earlier are suddenly indispensable. And I'm especially proud of both my temporal manipulations: the events foretold in precognitive flashes and the events affected by time travel to the past. Trust me, a lot of thought went into avoiding temporal paradoxes. I'm proud of the results.

I have one confession regarding the submission. Before I sent it, I clicked the "exclusive" button -- less to show my commitment to this particular agency (although, as I said, it is my dream agency) and more to let myself off the hook for further agency contacts in January.

Resolution =  check

Happy New Year!

First things first: I am so pleased to have reached my goal of publishing Volume 3 of the SPOTD series this year. Thanks to everyone who supported this fun project! One of my 2014 resolutions is to market the books better so more people (especially kids) have the chance to meet Chase Cooper and his friends.

As I reflect on 2013, I realize that it was one of my favorite years ever. Here are other highlights that I shared with friends and loved ones in my Christmas cards:

* Organizing my sewing closet with help from my niece G. It looks spectacular.

* Best birthday present: My nephew E visiting for the weekend.

* Traveling to Sanibel Island in June with my college housemates. Paddling, reading, eating, shelling, shopping, and sharing time with great friends. 

* Traveling with my sister to Washington DC in July to see a good friend and the sights. Good food.

* Worst night of sleep: Camping in the rolling oven (AKA the Shasta) at Prairie Island Campground in Winona. Seeing performances of Henry V and Twelfth Night at the Great River Shakespeare Festival made the hot night worth it.

* Best. School photo. Ever.

* Directing Peter Pan and Wendy at MHS. Cast and crew of 46, an enormous pirate ship, actual swordplay, and all.

* Taking a voice class at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.

* Enjoying lots of family get-togethers at my parents' cabin.

And here is my list of favorites from the year:

Theater: As You Like It (Guthrie)

Music: Maroon 5’s Overexposed and One Republic’s Native

Cinema: No movie astonished me this year… It’s my goal to see more (better) films in 2014.

Movie on DVD: The Decoy Bride

Television: English teacher jokes on the new Michael J Fox sitcom and 80’s jokes on The Goldbergs

Young Adult fiction: Roth’s Divergent series

Adult fiction: The End of Your Life Book Club (Schwalbe), Cinnamon and Gunpowder (Brown)

Geek fiction: The Circle (Eggers)

Digital fiction: Half Way Home (Howey)

Web Series: Emma Approved

Graphic Novel: Stardust (Gaiman and Vess)

Prologue: Death Comes To Pemberley (James)

Binge fests: Orange is the New Black, early seasons of Supernatural and Breaking Bad

I neglected to share my favorite Marvel character of the year, Ming-Na Wen's Melinda May from Agents of Shield. The smartest, strongest, most well respected, least immature character on the series. And she's not only female, but in her 40's and still winning the affections of the requisite hottie. Without drama. 

Here's to a 2014 full of inspiring and entertaining books, movies, and poetry. In the words of the best new year blesser of all time, Neil Gaiman:

"May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself."