Reactions to saying you’re an author

I find it entertaining the range of questions and looks I get when others ask me what I do for a living. When I tell them I’m a published romance author, I almost have to be prepared for what comes next.

 

Some people get excited, ask a million questions, and think it’s the coolest thing in the world. –This is my favorite one. It makes me feel like awesomesauce.

 

Some frown and doubt me. –This is when it comes in handy to have business cards, postcards, and a Debra Kayn T-shirt on. For some reason if you claim to be an author, it’s like announcing you’re co-starring with Mr. Depp in the next pirate movie or you designed the wedding cake for the royal family. If they can’t see/feel/touch/taste it, it’s not real.

 

Then there are those that hear “digital” and tell you they only read REAL books. –That’s when I smile, nod, and tell them how much I love my Kindle and being able to read Nora Roberts, Sherilyn Kenyon, Robyn Carr and Debbie MaComber the minute their new book is released. This is usually followed by silence.

 

The most interested are men for some reason. They ask a ton of fun questions. -Funny enough, my doctor has been the most curious. Although, he claims to be asking the questions so he can understand his nurses better. They apparently read romance novels when they have nothing else to do at the office. It can be awkward, since I only go to the doctor once a year… if you know what I mean.

 

For the first time ever, I had a perfectly nice stranger approach me in the store last week and squee. –This was alarming at first, because this type of recognition has never happened to me before. If you’ve read my book, Double Agent, you’ll know why I’m a little paranoid. When the woman said she knew it was me, because she recognized my hair from my website, we had a nice lil’ chat. She had Googled “Oregon authors,” found my website, and bought the first 2 books of The Sisters of McDougal Ranch series a few days before this happened and loved the books. How cool is that? *waves to Michelle*

 

The point I’m trying to make is most days, I don’t have to tell anyone I’m an author. I work at the computer, I chat with readers who already know I write books, I correspond with author friends, editors, publishers, cover artists, and when I’m away from my job…I’m a mom. Okay, I’m a wife too. So, if I have that deer in the headlights look when you ask me what I do for a living, you’ll realize I’m contemplating whether to tell you I’m an author or run like hell to the nearest exit.