fan mail!

My 15-year-old son has asked if a few of his friends could read my book, so he's been circulating a couple of copies. While it's pretty cool to think that people -- especially teenagers -- are reading it, it's also really nerve wracking. What if they hate it? What if they lose respect for me and think I'm a big dork? What if I got the voice all wrong? So many doubts run through my mind.

I've read, over and over again, that writers should write what they want to write and then let it go and move on to the next thing. To not let bad reviews or negative comments get under their skin. And I get that in theory. But even this week someone commented on Good Reads that my book read like a debut novel and, despite the fact that the reviewer liked it overall, I let that hurt my feelings. But the thing is: this IS my debut novel! I've got to get over myself. Everyone has different tastes and my book, my writing, my thoughts will not be everyone's cup of tea.

That being said, it's so cool when people actually like what I've written. Nathan's girlfriend, Ashley, wrote me this letter after finishing Zenn Diagram:

Mrs. Brant,
Hi! So, I read your book and I loved it! It was so well written. I actually laughed out loud a lot and I love the way you wrote your characters. The plot twist completely caught me off guard and threw me for a loop. I couldn't put it down when I started reading it. It was so witty and clever. Thank you so much for sharing this novel with me and letting me read it! I am so excited for you.
<3 <3
Ashley

Gave me a boost of confidence right when I needed it. Thanks, Ashley!