Book Reviews from the "Others"
Well, woo hoo and yeehaw - the reviews are in for Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This. And just in time for Mothers' Day to boot. If you'd like to read what "others" are saying about my newest baby, take a gander to the right and click on any of the links under "Reviews of Jenn's New Book!"
It's always a little weird for me to sit in the privacy and comfort of my office, composing something that will eventually end up in the hands of complete strangers. I wonder things like:
Will they like it?
Will they get it?
Will they notice that spelling error on page 64?
(and perhaps most frightening of all . . . .) Will they like ME?
I know. Sounds too much like junior high angst. But there it is. The thing is, you put something out for the others to see and the others are most likely going to have an opinion.
I've realized that being a writer can be a lot like being a Christian. The Bible tells us to show our wisdom and understanding to others by our good deeds done in humility (James 3:13), and to let our light shine before men (Matthew 5:16). But the risks of exposing our faith before the others are of course:
Will they like it?
Will they get it?
Will they notice all my errors?
Will they like ME?
(See, told you it was a lot like being a writer). The thing is, no matter what the critics say about my book, I have to remember that my publisher likes it; my editor likes it; my mom likes it. 
Everything else is just a bonus.
If I'm living my life for God - putting my good works out there for the masses to analyze and assess - I have to remember that because His Holy Spirit works within me, I'm already accepted and loved by Almighty God.
And my mom.
If anyone else is blessed by my good works, I guess it's just a bonus.
