I’m walking down the road but something is different. I feel as though a million eyes are following me. Well not exactly a million it definitely the people on the road – I can feel their piercing gaze like a pin prick on my hands, legs and face. It is an uncomfortable feeling to be stared, something I’m unfamiliar with. What happened to the anonymity of yesterday when I didn’t merit a second glance? Suddenly it hit me – it was the publication of my book “Waving goodbye ”
It’s not very often that an author’s first book is a best seller . In fact when I wrote the first word 10 years ago I was a writer, a spinner big yarns and a mere cog in the wheel of the huge conglomerate ATAMAC. Corporate jobs are boring but fill the stomach better than the words that danced in my head, trying desperately to break free. So I would write whenever I could snatch a few moments it busy day, preferring to scribble away rather than gossip with Sushila and The Gang about the Boss and his latest shenanigans. I did, however, talk to them while on the job, they were a great source of inspiration- especially when my brain used to freeze.
Finally after 10 years I had the manuscript ready for publication on my tablet, proofed ready and good to go. I sent it to the first publisher I could think of, more for a lark than with any great expectations. I was more flattered than shocked by the email in response to the manuscript inviting me to meet with the junior editor the following week.
I had nothing to lose but a day’s wage so I went more out of curiosity. But when I waited in the small reception room of Tamarind Publications I felt my heart leaping out of my chest. “Stop it” I told myself “it’s only a book , not the end of the world”.
Before I could console myself with the hypothetical rejection of my book, the junior editor walked in. ” so you’re the mystery author who sent in the manuscript by email! I was intrigued by your style and impressed by your audacity.”
I could feel my stomach sink to the floor as my heart beat even faster. I couldn’t believe I was hearing words like editor, agreement and royalty.
Several months and visits later, the book was finally published. And it was not only published but it became a best seller. That’s when I realised that I had not written just words but words that changed the way people think, words that moved them, words that they hated, words that they loved.
I realised that my wildest dreams of becoming a successful author were realised. I was now on my way to super stardom, ready to join the ranks of the literati and be the darling of the glitterati – the one whose opinion mattered on everything from world peace to atomic energy, to the economic crisis to raising the perfect children .With just one book “Waving Goodbye”, I was truly waving goodbye to anonymity, mediocrity and a life of dull predictability.
Aah! it was a writer’s wildest dream come true.………
