Sunday, March 4, 2012

My Name-Tag Says "Author"


Yesterday, in my guest post at the A-Z Blog,  I asked, "When do I get to call myself a writer?"  Nicole of Madlab Post said:

You now have work that is in a book for sale while you also maintain an online "publication," if you will, so I'd say you're a writer. The question is, do you?  Be proud and claim it!  


I claim it, and I'll tell you why.  It was an evening that will be etched onto my heart forever. Indulge me please as I share a bit about the occasion. (Don't worry, my brevity card is installed ;-) 

I'm a sucker for the little things. Example: when I went to new teacher orientation for my first job straight out of college, I picked up my name-tag, and right there, under my name, were THE words I'd been waiting for and working towards my whole life: teacher. I saved it. Last night, Best and I were waiting in the very long line to get into the reception, and a woman comes walking from the front to the back, “Are there any authors in this line? We need to get you in right away so you can start signing autographs.” WOW. I got a red “author” ribbon on my pre-made name-tag!  Others used a sharpie on a sticky name tag.

My first look at my story in print was right after the registration table where I picked up my books. (I bought some for my parents and in-laws). I found a sofa and found my story. 



Right away people started coming over, “Would you mind autographing this for me?” Mind? I'm DYING TO. Not that I said that. I played it cool. On the outside. Inside? Jumping up and down for joy, happiness in every pore. Pure bliss.

Authors got recognized on stage! Standing applause! (Yes, there were tables and chairs, so it wasn't like they HAD to stand ;-) The various organizations that minister to the homeless population each had a booth set-up. The piece I wrote was about the director of The Center for People With Disabilities.  The book included not just portraits and stories of the homeless, but of those whose jobs “intersect” with that population.  At that booth they had the book open to MY story. 


I'm done bragging now. After all, this wasn't about the volunteers, or the authors, or anyone who helped make it happen. This was and is and will continue to be about the invisible people we have given a face and a voice to.
If you missed my guest post at the A-Z blog, you can head on over there for more links and info should you choose to support this cause. Thanks.

P.S I highly recommend you visit  Nicole of Madlab whom I quoted above.  She's been an amazing resource for the co-hosts and has guest-posted several times with very valuable, creative, easy to follow advice for the challenge participants.  Of course a big thanks to all of YOU for supporting me and helping me celebrate my first by-line!

22 comments:

Julie Kwiatkowski Schuler said...

Brava! How exciting! Congratulations on your fine work.

Brian Miller said...

booyah...yeah you are a writer...and i like where your focus is....

H said...

OOOOH! How exciting. An AUTHOR :)
Well done you!!

Michelle Wallace said...

Congratulations Tina! What an achievement... and you are DEFINITELY entitled to a jumping-up-and-down-moment :)
If I were in your shoes I would have done the same thing!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Tina, glad you claimed it and enjoyed yourself at the event! The cause may be the important part, but hope you reveled a little in your success.

loverofwords said...

Congratulations Tina and thank you for the links to some incredible organizations. My 12 year old grandson has autism and it won't be too much longer when he has to find his place in this world of work and contribution. Finding organizations for help and advice makes it easier. And. . .doesn't it feel wonderful to have that moment when your work is acknowledged and appreciated?

Susan Oloier said...

This whole story is absolutely awesome!

F. Stone said...

If you have time, check out my book kick off tour at my blog; http://www.featherstoneauthor.blogspot.com

Beth Stilborn said...

This is wonderful! Congratulations!

Heather Murphy said...

I'm so excited for you! YEAH!

Nicole said...

It looks and sounds like you had a wonderful time at the reception and that is awesome. Cheers to you!

Your work stands out now than ever before. What a great accomplishment that not only adds some sparkles to your writer tag, but also supports a cause that you care about, so it's like a full circle of good things to be had. I don't think anyone could ask for anything more.

Thanks for featuring the quote from my comment on your guest post :)

You rock!

The Madlab Post

Debra Harris-Johnson said...

Go Tina! You author girl you. I am sooo proud.
dreamweaver

Rek Sesh said...

Congrats and love that its fora noble cause.
being a writer is easy...all you need to do is keep writing but being an author is a different ballgame. You can call yourself both now.
Nice meeting you too.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

How exciting! May you keep that sense of excitement always :)

Unknown said...

Whoo-hoo!!! TINA!?!? So excited for you!!

My friend, the AUTHOR!

Go ahead, brag a bit....enjoy :)

Think Positive, Be Positive said...

Hi Tina! I'm entering my blog (http://www.donasdays.blogspot.com) in the A to Z challenge for the first time this year and I'm excited as well as nervous but I'm ready!

J.L. Campbell said...

Hi, there,

Over the years, my view of who a writer is has changed. I thought that I couldn't call myself a writer until I'd been paid. Nowadays, I believe that if it's something you enjoy doing and that work at consistently then you're a writer. Publication is icing on the cake. Hopped over from Damyanti's blog, where you're listed as a co-host of the challenge. Finally hit on something I can write about next month. Sweet relief!

Shannon Lawrence said...

I got giddy just reading this!!! How exciting! Congratulations again. But where are the pics of you signing autographs with your groovy badge?

And Nicole is awesome!

Shannon at The Warrior Muse, co-host of the 2012 #atozchallenge! Twitter: @AprilA2Z

cleemckenzie said...

Nothing like praise and recognition to make all that work worth it. Congratulations, author.

Susan Oloier said...

Hi Tina,
My blog post is up for the A to Z Challenge. I am off to write some of my posts in advance now :-)

Anthony Hopper said...

Congrats on the publication!

Unknown said...

Congratulations! I bet it feels good to wear that "author" ribbon.