Greetings! Hope you are having a wonderful Holiday Season! We had an unusual Christmas here because our oven is broken. And so, we BBQ’d. It was kind of funny. I mean, we live in CA and the weather was perfect for BBQ, but I fought it at first. I was really disappointed. I mean Christmas has always been a certain way. With a certain meal. But, as it turned out, we just started a brand new tradition around here! The food was fabulous! [Thanks to Renee, a gal I met who recommended this fantastic butcher & of course HUBBY who has MAD BBQ skills] AND I had a lot more time to write & hang out & play games with the family:) SQUUUEEEE! I love new traditions:)
So here’s why I’m touched today. Once upon a time, way, way, way back in 2008, when Kindle was new and most people hadn’t heard of it, I wanted to see what it was all about. In previous years on my blog I hosted a 13-day countdown ’til Halloween where I posted short ghost stories. Kindergarten Ghost is the most popular of my Halloween short stories. So, I decided to publish it for the Kindle. I didn’t promote it at all. I’d forgotten about it. Until I decided to go Indie this year. People usually find Kindergarten Ghost around Halloween. But this year it’s been a steady seller. Anyway, I have a soft spot in my heart for the story, because it was my first Indie story. Today I noticed that one of the two reviewers of the story revised his Amazon review and here’s what he said:
Editing my review…Â
Almost 3 years after reading this book, I still think about it…. it was that interesting to me.Â
I also needed to edit my review as this was my first review and I felt my rating was unfair.Â
True, I wanted to know more about how everyone managed, once I knew what the situation was…. that is not the fault of the author. That is the praise of the author for a good little book.
So, I thought I’d share what he said with you. I am truly touched that a reader would care enough about one of my stories to let people know that it’s one that stuck with him for years. And even more touched that he felt strongly enough to edit his Amazon review because of it.
This is a sweet story and I wanted to share it with all of you who have been so encouraging this year! Thank you:)
We do the big home-cooked meal on Christmas Eve, then go to a nice restaurant Christmas Day. This year we went to this hotshot place called Jake’s. I had ahi tuna.
Wow, that is a lovely review. I honestly don’t think it gets much better than hearing you wrote something that someone still thinks about three years later. I’m so happy for you, Laura.
McKenzie,
That sounds FABULOUS. What a great way to celebrate. What did you eat on Christmas Eve? We had SO much food. Prime Rib & smoked Pheasant. YUM! My daughter made cupcakes for dessert too:) I’ll have to check Jake’s out. I’ll be back up there for a week early January! Squuuee:) I love ahi. Thanks for the kind words. The review was such a surprise and really is the cherry on top of an amazing year. We’ll have to grab a cup o’ Joe with Joe when we’re up there! Hope you have a HAPPY NEW YEAR:)
Happy Holidays, Laura! I loved receiving your Christmas card, but had no idea what address to use to send you one of my own. Now I have it recorded in my non-virtual address book so I’ll be set for next year.
You had such an amazing and entrepreneurial year. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments. I hope 2012 will be another year of adventures, opportunities and successes as well.
Happy New Year to you and your family! Should you ever be in Pasadena, please look me up. Cheers, Maggie
Maggie!!! I mis you:) I love thinking of you in Pasadena! The City of Roses has such a special place in my heart. I bet you’ll have great viewing of the Rose Parade. It was always so much fun to see the parade and the floats down at PCC. Thanks so much for swinging by! It’s been a real whirlwind, my friend. The most fun I’ve had in 6 months. I can’t believe it’s only been 6 months since I went “Indie.” Here’s to a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012 for you and your family, Maggie! Let’s do a get together with Patti REAL SOON! **Hugs**
Loved your blog post, Laura. Sounds like your Christmas was fun and congratulations on the great revised review – fantastic that a reader is still thinking about your books.
I just finished reading Winnemucca and 13 on Halloween and I wanted to tell you what extraordinary books they are. You are a fantastic writer with a unique voice. I really felt like I was on the road to Winnemucca and 13 on Halloween was just plain freaky in a good way.
I can’t wait to read your next book.
Dee
x
Dee,
So happy to see your smiling face here this morning! It will be the New Year MUCH sooner in Australia than it will be here….so you’ll know if the world is going to end much faster than I will…hee-hee! Those crazy Mayans.
Thanks for your kind words about the review and my books. Thanks so much for the support! I’m happy you enjoyed the stories and thanks for taking your precious time to read them. My next book is Transfer Student, coming out this Spring and after than 14 on Halloween will release this summer:) I’m super excited about an historical novel I’m writing about WWII too! Hope you had a marvelous Christmas!
What’s next for you, Dee?
*hugs*
Laura,
We had a wonderful Christmas. I’ll let you know if the world ends when we get to 2012:) We always sit on our deck and watch the fireworks from Melbourne on New Year’s Eve.
2012 is my ‘year of possibilities’. Hope they all come to fruition:) I have a lot of stuff ‘under consideration’ at the moment. For now, I just keep writing. I’m working on my YA psychological thriller series. Book One is The Secret Life of Mindy Palmer. Got lots of constructive feedback when I was in LA and now I have to put it into practice.
Sounds like you have a big year coming up too. I guess by Spring, you mean Autumn here:) I will look out for your new release. Looking forward to 14 on Halloween too. Dies it feature all the same characters?
Hope your New Year’s Eve is a blast. Looking forward to more news.
Dee
xx
What a fabulous way to celebrate the New Year! Can I come over? hee-hee…and yes, I do mean your Autumn. I can’t quite wrap my head around New Years in the Summer! I love that you’ve given 2012 a title. I shall do the same. I’ll need to noodle on it! I’m sending fairy dust your way so that all your dreams come true in 2012! Even though I know how hard you’ve worked and you won’t need it. I LOVE the title The Secret Life of Mindy Palmer 🙂 I wish I could read it now. Yes, all the same characters are back in 14 on Halloween and there are a few new ones too! It’s so much fun 🙂 2011 is coming to a lazy, lovely close, with lots of writing! No idea what we are doing for New Years….looks like we’ll prolly rip apart our deck and put up a new one! And play lots of games! No fireworks here, I’m afraid. We’ll have to watch yours on the TV! Good luck with your edits:) *waves across the Pacific*