It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This

The phone's been ringing off the hook and I've had all kinds of delivery men dropping off boxes for my husband (the gadget man) and just now, UPS pulls up and I'm like What else has he ordered? but when I pick up the package I see it's for me. But I already got my Brian Regan DVD the other day and I'm tired, so I don't remember what I ordered, and I can't make out the return address and why am I standing here, I'll just open it and see.

I rip it open.

I gasp.

My little boy yells "Are you okay?"

I cannot answer.

It's my book. It's my book! I feel like crying just looking at it. I can't wait for my mom to see it and all my family and friends.

I am so moved receiving this copy Violet Raines. Feeling the heft of it--a HARDBACK!

My neighbor is home. I imagine her opening the door and me pushing my book at her. I know she'll be happy for me. But my vision does not stop there--why not go door-to-door and show all of them? They like me! They smile and wave when we check our mailboxes. But it's thundering and lightning! If I go door-to-door right now, I'll almost get struck by lightning. Of course, a slight graze might be good for sales, you know, the lightning and all.

I decide against this sort of publicity and instead repeatedly dial my mom who does not answer. BMZ are all excited for me. One of them wants to know if we're famous now. No, no, I say, as I secretly envision the movie. I wonder if I can appear as an extra in the crowd scenes.

No matter, when Hollywood calls, I will be ready. For now my book is here--MY BOOK IS HERE!

26 comments:

Susan Sandmore said...

Congratulations!!! I think the lightning strike would've made a great news story. But I guess I'm glad you didn't go for it. Have fun hugging your book!

Brenda said...

Oh Danette...How wonderful for you...I can only imagine how exciting it must be to hold your dream in your hands...Enjoy the feeling and go ahead and knock on all your neighbors doors and show them your book...you deserve it...Hugs...

cindy said...

CONGRATULATIONS! and altho i know i'll hold my book in my hands one day...i still can't fathom it.

so i can imagine how excited you must be! how wonderful!!

H. Pinski said...

Yeah for you and Violet! I am thrilled for you, Danette!

Hilary

Stella said...

WOO HOO! How thrilling! That's a day I dream about -- maybe one day. Bask in that feeling of accomplishment.

Jacqui said...

Congratulations! That is so exciting!

And, it might get better. Wait until you see it in a bookstore, in a child's hands...

Jacqui (SproutQ from blueboards)

Anonymous said...

Ohhhh! How very exciting! Tell the truth, did you kiss it?

Congratulations!!!!

Danette V.

BTW, we are both married to gadget men. Weird!

Charles Gramlich said...

Hey, that is absolutely wonderful news! I'm thrilled second hand just imagining. Wonderful. Wonderful. Show everyone.

Anonymous said...

What a great story! I totally relate (only I *did* cry, and left a hysterical message on my husband's voice mail).

Thanks for sharing that!

~ecb

Travis Erwin said...

I can't imagine how great that must feel. Congrats!

Danette Haworth said...

Thank you, everyone, for your comments. It's definitely an awesome moment when you hold in your hands the tangible product of your dreams.

Jacqui--yes, I would be thrilled to spot someone reading my book.

Danette--Haha! I did not kiss the book. Can't risk smudges!

Sheri Perl-Oshins said...

YAY!!!! That must feel so amazing! Congratulations and I seriously can't wait to read it.

Kind of silly, but I will share anyway... when my husband asked me to marry him, I was so giddy I did stupid things all day, like took pictures of me and my ring... this is me and my ringing doing the dishes... this is me and my ring walking the dog... etc.

Maybe you can do that for us on your blog... this is me and my book going for a walk...

I am super happy for you and Violet. Now the world can finally know her like you do!

Danette Haworth said...

Sheri, are you a mind reader? I had the same idea. I want to set my book in places where it would look good and then take pictures of it!

Cate Gardner said...

Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations...

Wait until it's in the book stores - I'm expecting to hear the scream all the way over here.

Sheri Perl-Oshins said...

Yes, it is me, Sheri the Amazing. Now my true identity is known...

I hope you still do it. I think it would be really funny.

C. K. Kelly Martin said...

Congrats on being able to hold your book! What a fabulous moment!

Angie Frazier said...

Yay!! I've dreamed of this same moment forever, so I can only imagine the thrill you had when you saw it. I think I *would* cry! BTW, not sure if you know me, but I'm one of Ted's clients too :-) Congrats!!

Chris Eldin said...

Congratulations!!! You captured your feelings so well with this post too, thanks for sharing!!!
And I laughed out loud at the lightening graze reference--that would've been AWESOME!!!
xoxox

Danette Haworth said...

Chris, I remembered wildlife week and your advice then!

Linda D. (sbk) said...

Congratulations, Danette!!! That's so exciting!

I personally think you should have gone for the lightning strike. It really would have been great for publicity.

Jessica Burkhart said...

Woo hoo!! :)

Anonymous said...

So happy for you, so so happy. And it will get better--think of it in stores, think of people reading it, loving it (and I have a good feeling that they will)--!!!!!

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

Oh Wow! I am so excited for you! I seriously am over the moon about buying your book and being able to hand it over to my daughter and saying "I know the author!!!" I really feel like it will be the coolest thing for both of us!

Am so happy for you!

Robin said...

"lightning was flashing all around, I held the hardback in my hands, the rain blurred my vision slightly...but I could see my name on the cover..."

And then I woke up and it was Dannette! After covering disappointment I say yea! Blaze the trail before me (I'm hanging onto Trav's coattails, blubbering...)!

So inspirational to hear your excitement, knowing all of the hard hard work that went into it...and you came out on the other side! BRAVO!!!!

Angela Ackerman said...

Thanks for sharing this--what a great moment! I can just imagine how you must have felt, seeing your book for reals.Someday I hope to be able to feel the same thing. Congrats!!

Rachel Hamby said...

What a thrill! Congratulations on making your dream into a reality!