by Liz Johnson, @lizjohnsonbooks
About 24 hours ago I learned that my upcoming release, A Glitter of Gold, received a review from Publishers Weekly—my first in more than 15 books. And it’s not just any review. It’s a starred review! My very first starred review ever.
And while PW offers red stars, since the book is A Glitter of Gold, I think it’s fair to say this is a big old Gold Star for me.
I was thrilled. I was delighted. I was absolutely floored. I never expected this, and I’m so grateful that they recognized my book! Thousands of librarians and bookstore owners read PW every week, and they’ll see my book among some other fabulous reads. What an honor.
This news was worthy of celebration. I walked on air for a few hours, basking in the glow of my Gold Star. I did a little dance, texted my mom, and emailed my agent. It was the highlight of my week—maybe my month! This one little star didn’t feel so little.
For a few minutes, I let myself believe that this Gold Star could somehow change everything. And then reality set in. Everything? Nope. This Gold Star is a wonderful treat, but it can’t change everything. In fact, in less than a day, I have come to realize some important things this Gold Star won’t do.
It will not:
– Write my next book for me. I know this because as soon as I received word of the review, I had to sit down at my laptop and write another chapter. Then another one. And another. No matter how many Gold Stars we get, we still have to do the work of writing. Seat in chair, fingers at the keyboard (or pen to paper, if you’re old school). This is how we write a book—one word, one line, one page at a time. No review or affirmation can change that.
– Make me a better writer. Yep. I am exactly the same writer I was before my book received a Gold Star. I have the same amount of experience, the same number of writing classes under my belt, the same way with words. A nice review doesn’t automatically make my writing sing or turn my books into works of literary genius. If I want to become a better writer (which I always do), then I’m going to have to take more classes, study more greats, and practice more. There’s no way to improve craft except through hard work.
– Refresh my creative well. If the last two points sound like a lot of work, they are. Honestly, writing can be tough. Some writers (of whom I am extremely jealous) are refreshed and recharged by writing. I am not. And I know this about myself. So I have to intentionally refill my creative well. A Gold Star isn’t going to cut it. If I want to write deep stories of heartache and healing, then I have to fill my spirit with joy and life. I must spend time with God—the ultimate Storyteller. I must spend time with my family and laugh with my friends. I must lose myself in great books and creative works and be reminded of why I love stories in the first place.
– Make anyone love me more. Here’s the hard truth of all Gold Stars—external validation feels nice for a season, but it won’t last. And it certainly won’t make those who love me care about me more. God’s love for me, my family’s love for me, my friends’ love for me—none of it changes, no matter how many Gold Stars someone else gives me. They love me through success and struggle. And the truth is that there’s a lot more of the latter in this writing life.
So here’s the deal. My Gold Star was a PW starred review. Yours might be a contest win or having your dream agent offer to represent you. Maybe it’s an editor asking for a full manuscript or a glowing critique from your CP. These are big things and worth celebrating. Be buoyed and encouraged by them. Do your happy dance, eat the ice cream, treat yourself to something special.
And then buckle down and continue doing the work of writing. Because writing well is worth a whole wall of Gold Stars.
Anne Norris moved to Savannah, Georgia, for a fresh start. Now her pirate-tour business is flagging, and paying the rent requires more than wishful thinking. When she discovers evidence of a shipwreck off the coast of Tybee Island, she knows it could be just the boon she needs to stay afloat. She takes her findings to local museum director Carter Hale for confirmation, but she runs after a disastrous first meeting.
Carter has been searching for the location of the wreck detailed in the worn pages of an 18th-century diary, the discovery of which could open the door to his dream job at a prestigious museum. But convincing Anne to help him fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle is no easy task. And working with Carter means that Anne will have to do the one thing she swore she’d never do again: trust a man.
Finding a monetary backer and sticking with a search that’s turning up nothing will take all their dedication–and every secret they’ve tried to hide. If they can find the lost ship, they may discover a treasure worth more than all the pirate gold in the world–love.
By day Liz Johnson is a marketing manager. She makes time to write late at night—that’s when she thinks best anyway. Liz is the author of more than a dozen novels, a New York Times bestselling novella, and a handful of short stories. She’s a Christy Award finalist and a two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist. She makes her home in Phoenix, Arizona, where she enjoys exploring local music, theater, and doting on her nieces and nephews. She writes stories of true love filled with heart, humor, and happily ever afters.