My Readers are THE BEST! Really!

My readers provide me with the biggest and most unexpected joy of being a published novelist.  Now, I know you're thinking, what's so unexpected? you wrote a book and had it published for people to read.  Yes, but I didn't expect the outpouring of love.  I didn't expect to inspire other artists to paint and draw pictures based on my stories and characters, to inspire other writers to write their own stories,  poems, and fan fiction.  To inspire lovely videos, graphic art designs and even cartoons.  To inspire young women to take kickboxing and karate classes and one young lady to not commit suicide.  Would you expect all that?

And the best part is they share their poems, stories and pictures.  I have two pencil drawings hanging on my wall (one is on the left of Valek - credit and other photo is below), I have jewelry inspired by my books, and I have thousands of emails (and I saved every one!). 

In this series of blog posts, I'm going to share some of their efforts - not to say, "Look how fabulous I am."  But to say, "Look how fabulous and talented THEY are." 

Here's a poem inspired by all my books from Penny Willow of Australia:

When a reader finds an author and it’s a perfect fit
 They suddenly stalk bookstores to devour each word they’ve writ.
 They check her Facebook pages, then scan all tweets and blogs
 Looking for those magic words in every update, post and log.
“Well my new book is finished – and soon will hit the shelves!”
Twelve words which you can guarantee will have a fan beside themselves -
with hope, anticipation – and of course impatience too,
 it’s hard to wait, to see just what, your favourite character will do!

 

 I cried for poor Yelena when she drank the poisoned potions,
 I hated that man Valek – though I admit to mixed emotions.
 He seemed so hard and cruel – what an iron heart he’s got -
It would be easier to loathe him – if the man weren’t so damned hot!

 I watched Opal develop – with every turn of page,
 She went from glass to diamond – from innocent to sage.
 And though I wouldn’t quite agree with the choices she would make,
 I respect it was her journey – and not mine – to take.
 Oh how I loved fierce Trella and the strange world she would roam,
 I can’t believe I never guessed a [spoiler] was her Home!

 And now we have another tale, a new journey to share,
 With strong and caring Avry whose gift is strange and rare.
 Who takes the wounds of others – their sickness and their pain -
upon herself – then magically – both are well again.
 When we left her there was danger – from Tohon’s army of deceased,
 And now that Kerrick isn’t there – her peril is tenfold increased!

 So now I play the waiting game and as all fans will do
 I stalk Maria’s Facebook, her webpage, Twitter too
 In case she posts those little words I wait and hope to see
 Which say another Avry book is on its way to me!

 

 When you find an author – it’s such a special day
 One with awesome characters (who neither sparkle nor like shades of grey)
 Books with love and drama and just a bit of fighting
 (and if you’re reading this Maria – shouldn’t you be writing?)
 I cannot wait for your next book – I’m obsessed quite clearly
 But you are my favourite author – and I mean that quite sincerely :)

Yes, I should have been writing and got a good laugh from that third to last line :)

Here is the other pencil drawing by Xiaocaca that I loved so much I bought the originals and hung them in my office:

Yelena and Valek

 

(http://xiaocaca.deviantart.com)