I googled myself yesterday, wondering if having a contract and publication date gave me more hits than just my blog, facebook, and my one published poem. I found two very surprising things in this search. First:
I'm dead.
Yes, Karen Elizabeth Hoover passed away on August 6, 2009 in Missouri. The eerie thing about it is not just that someone by my exact name passed away, but that she did so exactly one year after my mother passed. It felt very strange seeing my name attached to a memorium. Not liking that one much at all.
Second: Somehow I've been added to a list of LDS authors with books coming out in the near future. My name sits directly below Tracy Hickman's! I'm on the list with people like Shannon Hale, James Dashner, Stephenie Meyer, Brandon Mull, and Orson Scott Card. My head sort of exploded when I found myself on that list.
It made it all real. It's no longer just a dream that I will become an author. Word is already spreading about my book and I find myself both thrilled and terrified to have leapt into this league.
It's funny how we put people on a pedestal, make heroes out of ordinary people who write extraordinary things. I don't know how to be part of that group. I'm awkward, and quiet, and like to do silly things like talk in a silly high pitched "bobby" voice, and play video games. I'm a book worm and movie buff who likes to tell stories. And I'm on the same list with these guys?
And yet, if I am completely honest, there's nowhere else I'd rather be.
Hi. My name is Karen Hoover, and I am an author.
. . . But, I'm not dead yet!
Quote of the Day: "Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish."
John Jakes
16 comments:
Awesome post. I completely relate to the "league" thing. I told my wife about a year ago, "Dang! Authors are cool! Book signings are cool! I have GOT to get in that club!" But now I am both excited and nervous... What if they (the other authors) don't like me? What if I make a fool of myself? What if my book totally flops?
We'll have to keep each other positive!
Thanks for the link! I am listed too!
You already have a loyal following, I can't wait to put your name out there too! And your sillyness is just perfect, makes you completely LOVEABLE!! Mwah! :)
Karen, I didn't know that your mom had passed away. She was such an inspiration to me. I loved her dearly. I am glad to know she is reunited with your father. Now they can be "undead" together for you. Maybe that's why your book is breaking through.
Love ya
Chantelle
Congratulations on becoming a known author! Maybe someday soon you'll find yourself on the New York Times bestselling list. ;)
Best of luck!
Let me be the first to say I'm glad you're not dead. AND I'm glad your success is already shining through. I've read Sapphire Flute and you are a brilliant writer. You deserve to be on that list. You go girl.
Karen! Blog award time! Come on down!
Yep, I second Christine's sentiments. I'm glad you're not dead yet, too. And you deserve to be on that list. We all have our quirks, so just remember that all authors are created equal--even if we don't all get equal payment and contracts. =)
Nichole
You're so freaking awesome. I'm just sayin'...
That's way cool...that you're on the list! Oh, and that you're not dead, too.
I am so glad you aren't dead. Congrats on finally admitting you're a real author. But you've been a real author for a very long time.
That is so cool, Karen!
(Would you be able to get together Monday for a kids-back-to-school-day?? I'll email you.)
Just let me add that I'm on the list of people who are glad you're not dead!!
:O
Glad to hear you're still in the land of the living. How disconcerting that must have been!
And you, my friend, deserve to be among that list. Believe me!
How totally cool! To be included on a list like that... That's my dream. Congrats Karen!
wow :) seems you're starting to wake up to the idea. i hope every moment is full of excitement and fulfillment for you. i hope it's everything you've ever dreamt of it to be. Sorry i've been missing-in-action around here lately. i'm back into the blogging world now though (pendragon-inman, blogspot) C-ya round.
Oh, Karen! I am so happy for you! I can't wait to read your book! What an amazing adventure you've just begun. Well, it probably began a long time ago, but I bet the best is yet to come.
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