Connections

Several weeks ago I received a letter from Bear Creek, Wisconsin.  I don’t know anyone in Bear Creek, Wisconsin.  I don’t even know where Bear Creek, Wisconsin is located in our fair state.  I opened the envelope and a check for $20.00 dropped to the floor.  The check had been wrapped in one of the forms I used for people to order books while I was at the Oshkosh Irish Fest in May.

There was a note in the bottom right hand corner of the form:

“Rex, I hope your offer is still good.  I just found the form in my jacket pocket.” (July 23, 2015).

I laughed out loud.  Who would expect a person to find the form months later and still want to buy my books (she wanted in on the Two Books for Twenty Bucks deal.

I remember talking with the young woman and her husband.  She had a desire to write and wanted to know how I had gotten started.  I shared my story and was impressed that her husband was extremely supportive of her dreams.  In addition I learned that her husband is a skilled carpenter and cabinet maker, skills I may need to hire soon.

This is an example of a connection writers can make with readers only by looking them in the eye.  I know the common wisdom is to rely on social media to market and sell books and I do some of that.  Yet, nothing, nothing can replace talking directly with readers, looking them in the eye, exchanging viewpoints and experiences.

For me, one of the best aspects of the writing life are connections.  Without writing I never would have met this young family.  I hope I offered enough encouragement for this young woman to follow her dream.  I’d like to buy her book some day.