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| This isn't my exact charm, but it's close |
Our first sale.
My first sale happened just a couple of months ago - February 28, to be exact. And then another big moment yesterday afternoon - when it went up on Amazon for pre-sale (yes, shameless plug in that link). Almost immediately after signing the contract my husband asked me what I was going to do to commemorate my first sale. Because those big moments need to be celebrated, we believe. Getting married means a ring, having a baby means a new birthday and whole slew of new first-times. The list goes on.
It doesn't have to be a major thing - it could be a glass of champagne or a nice dinner out. But I think it's important that we mark these events in our lives, especially as writers, because so much of our life is solitary. We write alone. We edit alone. Even when we have a good support system, the bulk of our work as writers is solo. So, for me, I wanted something physical to old onto for this big moment.
I thought about it for a while and then I made my decision, which some of you might find a little odd, me not being much of a girly-girl and all. But I'm making a Pandora charm bracelet, one charm for each book I sell. Each time I make a sale, I'll add a charm or bead that somehow reminds me of that book - quite a feat, especially for a bead that is just a color. But I'm having fun figuring it out. So, over the past weekend, I went to our local jewelry store and picked out a rather plain looking charm-chain. And my first charm - a silver-and-diamond cowboy boot, because Kathleen, the heroine from What a Texas Girl Wants, is slightly addicted to cowboy boots. And because the charm is just too cute. And it also fits my Texas story.
My charm bracelet - which is supposed to come in tomorrow - is kind of lonely right now, with just the one charm...but I'm looking forward to adding more. And maybe, someday, starting a second bracelet...
So, how do you commemorate those first time moments?
Huge congrats on the sale, Kristina! And what a clever idea about the Pandora charm bracelet. I agree that milestones need to be commenerated. Wishing you much success with What a Texas Girl Wants!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea, one I think I might shamelessly borrow. I've always wished for something special (framing covers lost its charm quickly) and I think this is ideal, especially since I can go back and start from the beginning.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations again, Kristi!
do it! do it! It was so fun picking out different charms and examining them - I had total girly-girl moments, lemme tell you! - and adding on to the bracelet is going to be so much fun.
DeleteThank you Maeclair!
ReplyDeleteThat is a cool idea, Kristi!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Allison!
DeleteHuge congratulations on the book, Kristi, nice one. And what a great idea, and a fun thing to do. The more total girly-girl moments in life, the better it is :-) thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cait! Alas, I'm still a bit of a tom-boy (and what does that word even mean?!?), aside from shoes. And now charms!
DeleteI LOVE that idea! I may have to steal it. I don't really celebrate my releases other than doing stuff on the major social networking sites. I guess I should.
ReplyDeleteYou *should*, Sharon! And steal away, I'm certain I'm not the first to do this. :)
DeleteSo happy for you, Kristi. When I saw your book on Amazon, I cried. I cried a lot yesterday. Anyway, we don't have the Pandora's place here, but Margot Early did this with gold charms, and I've always wanted to do it too.
ReplyDeleteYou should, D'Ann! And I cried a little when I saw your book up for pre-order, too. We're just a couple of weeping buckets, aren't we?
DeleteWhat a great idea! I just realized I haven't planned anything for the release of my first book! Now I'm going to! Thanks! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jennifer! Yep, get something going...have a party, frame a book cover, start a shelf with your releases on it...do something to celebrate!
DeleteLove your charm bracelet idea Kristi...you'll have to post a picture :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your book sale and the upcoming release. It's all exciting and enjoy the ride and every moment. You never get another first :)
Thanks, Christine! I'll post a pic soon ~ just have to go pick it up!
ReplyDeleteI love that idea! Hubby framed Dreamers for me and gave it to me foe Valentines Day. We did pop open a bottle of champagne for release day. I haven't made plans for Life After's release.
ReplyDeleteYour DH is a definite keeper, Shawn! I haven't made a decision about book cover framing. On the one hand, I want to. On the other hand, no office means no wall space. But I probably still will. At least for my first. ;)
DeleteMy dh had my first two covers framed, and they ARE beautiful, but the truth is I don't want them all over the place and I DO hope I get more of them, lol. I think the jewelry's perfect. Thanks again, Kristi.
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