crazy screaming fans = awesome

Soundtrack: Standing on the Shore by Empire of the Sun
Words: 0, again, but I'VE BEEN READING!

I think the every writer, once they get to a certain point, dreams of publication. Whether they realize those dreams or not, it can be pretty inspiring to imagine hoards of people dressed up as your characters, waiting in line for a packed reading/signing event a la Ms. Rowling.

Harry Potter is amazing. If you've read my blog before, you may know that I adore everything about it: the series, the characters, the writing, the magic. It's been a while since a series of books has inspired such utter fanaticism. Sure, you have Twilight, but let's be honest. That's mostly about the abs.

Just in case you don't understand my rambling, I bought a copy of Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins today :D :D :D

In case you haven't read them (which, by the way, you definitely should!), Mockingjay is the third book in the Hunger Games trilogy, a YA dystopian series featuring the daring, the stubborn, the AWESOME Katniss Everdeen, who is the most kick-butt heroine I've read about in a while.

Basically, I spent eight hours sitting on the couch, reading. I haven't done this in a while--the last time I can really remember reading non-stop is when the Deathly Hallows came out. Basically: book fanaticism, in my mind, is totally freaking awesome.

Yeah, this post isn't really going anywhere. I just wanted to tell you that having something to dream about, be it a big, glamorous release party or crazed fans chanting "PEETA!" can get you through some tough moments. I'm sure it certainly hasn't hurt Mrs. Collins.

Of course, fame and fortune (not that these are guaranteed what so ever when it comes to writing. Scratch that--just assume these things won't happen and move on) can't validate you're writing if you aren't confident with it. Screaming fans are one thing, a truly beautiful, quiet, unimposing book is another. And if you do dream big about publishing one day, you have to realize that you're book may inevitably be neither.

So, in closing, buy yourself a copy of Mockingjay, read read read, then go back to writing. And, just for a moment, give yourself permission to be completely and utterly self absorbed. Picture the autographing, the smiling fans, the flash of cameras...

Whoever you are, reading this, take a moment to realize just how much you rock.

...And then get back to work. Right, I should probably do that sometime :)

Love,

Erika