There’s nothing that boosts an author’s confidence and
morale than hearing something positive about his work.
I have two friends.
One has been a friend since 1980 or so (she was along for the ride with
me in my early radio career) – Sharon.
Now, the way Sharon and I met was hilarious…at least, I thought so. We were both working overnight shifts at
competing radio stations. Of course, I
had a way of tuning in “the competition” on my cue speaker, and I would check
periodically to see what Shay was playing.
Finally, I got bored one night, and dialed the Shay’s request line
number. When she answered, I said, “I
have a request.”
“Sure,” replied Shay.
“What can I play?”
Cocky and smart-alecky as I was, I said, “Could you play
something good, please?”
Shay hung up on me.
Laughing, I called her back and told her who I was. Our conversations have always run the gamut
of gentle picking, deep thoughts, and intense lunacy.
Shay is just now getting around to reading the Justice
Security stories. In the print editions.
“I just ordered Mama
Told Me Not To Come from Barnes & Noble,” she said, almost a month ago.
Just a few days later, she posted on Facebook, “I’m standing
in my kitchen, blubbering like a baby, and hugging your book to my chest.”
Today (Sunday), Shay said simply, “Michael,
you're very good.” And she
ordered four more of my print editions.
My other friend is Mary Lynne. She and Shay are also quite close.
Now, Mary Lynne is a reader. Voracious. Insatiable.
Mary Lynne ordered eight of my print stories, all at the same time! Last night, she posted on my personal
Facebook wall, and here’s what she said, “I have
read all my books but 1. Love Justice Security.”
Mary Lynne said that she would be
ordering the rest of my stuff.
I received those two compliments
just at the time I needed them the most.
I was stuck on a plot point and mumbling to myself about my lack of sales, when, out of the blue,
here comes two of my friends with amazing news and good compliments.
Have any of you other authors ever had
that experience? Have you ever received
a compliment, or encouragement, or a morale boost just when you needed it
most? Please feel free to express your
experience in the comments. I would love
to hear them!
In the meantime, let me encourage you
to do three things: 1) Click on the ‘Change.org’
petition below my signature, and sign the petition, if you haven’t already; 2) Click on my Smashwords Author Page link
below my signature, and you’ll find a sale through July 31st on
eBook copies of some of my short stories and novels; and, 3) I’d like you to…
Keep reading!
Michael (T. M. Bilderback)
I love you, too. Over thirty years......our friendship. I'm very proud of you, my friend. Sharon
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