Okay, confession time again. I know I know I confess a lot during these writeups, but confession is good for the soul, right? So, there is a moment during every book where I get super excited. It’s the absolute best moment for me. It’s not when I write “The End” because that just means the start of editing. Nor is it when I finally upload my book to be published because then I have to start all the marketing.

It’s the moment when my book arrives in paperback or hardcover, and I get to hold my creation in my hands for the first time. It is the. Best. Moment. Ever. And it never gets old. Seeing my cover with my name in print just makes my heart smile.

There is another moment, however, that is pure panic, and it happens every single time. It’s the moment I open my new book and read a random page. I never, ever recognize the words on said page. Ever. It’s always about two seconds of intense terror. Did I submit the wrong file? Did the printer put the wrong story with my cover?

It takes a good two to three seconds before my brain unclogs, and I remember the scene before me. I know that sounds crazy, but it happens every time. I have come to accept it and learned to live with it, but I have to tell you, I will be thrilled on the day that I open the book and instantly recognize the words written within. That’s the day I will break open the champagne.