This past weekend, I had a pleasant surprise. I was at the Dallas Farmers Market doing an author appearance. It was my third year in a row, and if you’ve never been to the Dallas Farmers Market, it’s huge. I was in Shed 2 for four hours and did a reading each hour. I’d had posters up for about two weeks in Shed 2 and was shocked when a security guard opened the door to me, pointed to the poster and said, “Isn’t this you?” I laughed, delighted, and nodded. I was thrilled that someone recognized me and he was obviously delighted to have a chance to be the first to greet me. We started our setup, which took a little longer than expected, but went smoothly all around. Within a few minutes, a little girl walked up to me, with a little boy in tow. I was pretty sure I recognized her and within moments I was floored to be proven right.
The first words out of her mouth were, “I was so excited when I saw your sign! I know exactly who you are – I saw you last year. I was in the front row. This is my favorite book!” You could have knocked me over with a puff of wind. I was floored that this little girl not only remembered me, but remembered me so well that Jason, Lizzy and the Snowman Village was her favorite book. She had wanted the book last year but her mother wouldn’t let her get it. I had an inkling that before the end of the day I’d be giving her a copy of the book, one way or another. As it turned out, within a few minutes, she was back and offering to barter a lunch from one of my favorite restaurants in Shed 2, the Old World Sausage Company (where her cousin works), in exchange for a book. This was more than I could have hoped for! Heck, I’d told myself I’d give her the copy of the book I’d read through the day, whether I’d sold any books or not. So this was completely perfect. I immediately took a book over, signed it and placed my order for me and the kids who were both there with me. The little girl’s name is Elezabeth and she was completely adorable, hanging out with us most of the day. I think she listened to me read all three times and even brought her little brother over and let him fall asleep on one of the chairs. I carried him back to his mother and he never woke once.
A number of the other vendors noticed me or remembered me as well. It was great to be around such a welcoming group of people. I visited the local booths and did a little shopping afterward. One vendor, The Good Stuff of Dallas, was particularly thrilled I stopped by and bought an autographed copy of the book. And it hit me. THIS is why I write books and do these events. Knowing I’ve made such an impact even with one little girl is so incredible to me. I never thought I could ever have such influence as a writer. And in ten or twenty years, who knows what Elezabeth will have gained from my little bit of influence in her life? Will she develop a deeper love of writing and reading? Will it help her in school? I certainly hope so. I hope that my little book can give her joy and hope and inspiration.
So once again, I’m reminded of the incredible influence of writing. I have seen that personally in my own life from a very young age. But experiencing that on the other side is just incredible. There just aren’t very many words for how amazing it is. I never thought twenty years ago that I would be doing the same thing for other people that authors do for me every time I read a book, a story, or a poem.
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