She hears the hoof prints, she teeters on the edge/this is a race, a line she refuses to cross –Debbie Okun Hill from the poem “The Finish Line” – Tarnished Trophies (Black Moss Press)
Merry-go-round at West Edmonton Mall, Canada
An author’s life is like a merry-go-round! I wouldn’t call it glamorous but it can be exciting! You grab onto the book tour reins and hope you don’t get too dizzy and fall off the saddle. When I started this literary journey, all I wanted to do was to explore the creative world through the comforts of my home. However, the reality is that once your book is published, you are often thrust outside your comfort zone and into the business field where, if you are not careful, you can lose sight of who you are or where you are going. Below are some lessons I learned along the way:
1) Everyone has a unique voice that deserves to be heard. We are all special in our own way. Be kind to each other.
On the Great Canadian PoeTrain Tour to Vancouver. Special thanks to the League of Canadian Poets, the Canada Council for the Arts and it’s Canada Reading Tour program.
2) It is impossible to please everyone. Even the best writers have a critic. If someone doesn’t like you or your work, listen to what they have to say and then move on. You will eventually learn who you can turn to for support.
3) It is impossible to do everything. Budget your time and focus on your most important tasks first.
4) Roll with the flow. Perfection is unrealistic. We are not robots but human beings who can and do make mistakes.
5) Take time to make new friends. We learn from each other.
6) Hold onto your true friends. They will always be there for you.
7) Take time to breath.
8) Continue to find time to read and write.
9) Be yourself.
As my book tour draws to a close, you may find me hibernating behind my computer. But first, there are a number of blog posts I still wish to share….people I’ve met and experiences I’ve had. Thank you for your patience in advance. It’s been a crazy month.
Kites Without Strings 
wise words, Debbie. It is so easy to lose yourself with all the activity. Be true to yourself always. Congrats on what appears on the surface to be a fabulous experience.
Always nice to hear from you Heather. 🙂