My Favourite Thing

I've written and published two books so far, and am part way through at least a couple more. (I'm writing that last part to make sure I keep writing them.)  When my first book came out and I had to start marketing it, I remember saying to my wife, "I just wanted to write a book!  Now I have to sell the thing!"  So author shows, and vendor events are not my favourite things.  I've come to enjoy them, but they're work, and when there aren't any customers it can be a bit boring.

I really enjoy writing, but that's nothing new. I always have.  But that's a solo activity, and I'm somewhat of an extrovert.

I like it when I read a positive review, or when someone says to me, "When I read your stuff, I hear your voice in my head!  It's like you're reading it to me!"  I really like that, because that's what I try to do, and it's not easy.

I like being recognized in public as a writer.  "I know you!  You've written those books!"  "You're David Garlick!  I've read your book!"  Those are fun.  For years now, I've enjoyed being recognized, by former students or their parents.  It's great when I remember their names - not so great when I don't.  Thankfully, that's still a minority of the encounters.  But being recognized as a writer is still new, and I really enjoy it.

But my favourite thing, and it shouldn't have been as much of a surprise as it turned out to be, is reading my stories to people.  When people laugh at the right times, when they reach for a kleenex when I was hoping they would, and when they clap at the end.  Those are great moments.

​That's my favourite thing about writing.