Okay, it’s not really a medal, but it is shiny and silver and it IS mine! I am still glowing with yesterday’s announcement of Pearl Verses the World as Best Children’s Book in the Indie Book Awards for 2009. I’m also delighted with the wonderful responses I’ve had from friends, family, industry colleagues and even people I don’t know to the news of this award. I can truly feel the love.

Reading the judges’ comments (you can see them here) brought a tear to my eye, as did the fact that my writer friend, Sandy Fussell, threw an impromptu blog party for me last night over at Stories Are Light. She is just the sweetest! And so lovely, too, all the messages on Facebook, on Sandy’s blog, via email and the hugs and congrats in person.

Being a writer can be hard, frustrating, lonely – the list goes on – but it can also be wonderfully rewarding. And on days like yesterday you remember that you are not alone and that the rewards are many.

Life is good.