An Extraordinary Author

In the whirlwind of packing and family stress and drama, I had totally forgotten that I had won a contest on Paperback Writer's blog. The package came today. It had a neat tote bag that Mom thought was extremely cute (and so did I) various and sundry little surprises, more books that you can shake a stick at (Wabi Sabi for Writers, Tied to the Tracks, The Spooky Art, Soul Song, and several others) and these.






They were signed.

I did a little dance around the living room and squealed like a teenage girl at a boy band concert. My husband thinks I'm weird now.

What I don't think I could ever express to the author is how much this thrills me. I've never owned a book signed just for me. She troubled herself sending this to me (USPS instead of UPS because of the moving issue) and she didn't have to. I've never thought that I could win anything like this. I didn't think I was worth the trouble. Granted, this was sheer luck of the draw - but still...

I needed to hear/receive something positive. And I did.

And for the first time in more months than I want to think about, I want to write.

That is inspiration.

Thanks, PBW.