It is so nice to get a message from a reader who enjoyed your writing, especially when you weren’t expecting it. As a writer, you spend so much time writing the book, and all of your tender care has gone into the writing itself, and then things like picking a cover and trying to drum up some attention for it. Once it actually gets into the readers hands, you hope they enjoy it, because after all, that is the goal.

Today was a day, like so many others, that had some good moments, and some not so good ones, in other words, pretty typical. By far, the highlight of my day was after getting home, fixing dinner, and finally getting a chance to boot up the laptop and check my email, was finding a message from one reader who lives in Canada. Here’s what she had to say:

my name is Kali I am Linda’s neice I have enjoyed reading your book that you so kindly signed for me!!! I can honestly say it is the best book I have ever read!!! That is no suck up! It is so neat that you know my aunt and I am hoping to meet you someday!!! When is your next book coming out I have heard that you are only just finishing the first chapter. Well sorry I dont mean to rush you but ….. i am almost finished the first book already, and i only got it for Christmas!!! Well looking forward to hearing back from you soon hopefully!!! I know you probably get a lot of e-mails in one day, what with your book being so darn good!!!

I happen to know Kali’s aunt because we work for the same company and I used to travel to the Vancouver office a few times a year. What a lift to my day at any rate. I guess I’ll have to put my writing hat on and get the sequel finsihed.

So, when you read something you really like, drop the author a line and let them know. They may not have time to respond to you, but I can guarantee that a message telling them how much you liked their work will definitely brighten their day.