In Times Like These Thank you to everyone who has posted reviews of the book. It's one of the best parts of being an author, reading that people have enjoyed your work. You spend how ever many years locked away with your characters in this other world and finally the day comes when you have to open the door and let other people in. It's a bit like hosting a party to celebrate some of your close friends and then letting random people off the street in to participate. It's nerve wracking at times, wondering how people will get along with your characters. You might bite your nails in the beginning and you want to flit around the party in order to eavesdrop on the conversations, but as the doorbell keeps ringing, you just have to invite folks in and hope for the best. You have to trust your characters to fend for themselves and hold their own.
Not everyone has the same experience. Some people track in a bit of mud, but overall it's been a great party. It's nice as the host to be able to sit back and watch. The prep work is done. You might take a few mental notes of things to improve on for the next gathering, but mostly you just get to enjoy watching new friends meet old friends and build connections of their own with your characters. The fact is, once the door is open, your characters are no longer just your own. They are free to touch the lives of anyone. They are part of so many lives now. I'm elated that so many of you have come to the party and enjoyed yourselves. There will be more to come, more opportunities to get to know one another and new characters to meet. Until then, I hope you are smiling and loving the company of these new literary companions.