Pictures speak. Well, not literally. But, they say that a picture is worth a
thousand words. Most of us have heard
this common expression. However, I got
to experience it firsthand at my book signing last Saturday.
I arrived at my friends’
store, Angels & Outlaws, a bit before 10:00am. Andi and Amy set up a cozy little area for me
to display my books, golden pens, and golden keys. They had delicious cookies, treats, and
beverages ready for their customers. We
were prepared for a full day of book signing and shopping. Then, I heard the door open at 10:00am sharp. “Front door,” echoed the soft recorded voice
as the door handle turned. A sweet
couple entered and began to look around.
Andi and Amy warmly greeted them, as well as each and every customer who
entered their store that day.
The couple made their
way over to my table. I asked them if they had any children on their
Christmas shopping list. They did! We chatted about my book for awhile and then
I grabbed my golden pen. I signed my
name and wrote the child’s name, Bentely, across the top of the title page. It was my first book to personalize at my
very first book signing and I’ll never forget it.
Now, here’s where the
pictures started speaking. Around 11:00am, a
woman entered the store with her young twin sons. One of the boys immediately ran over to my
table while the mother and other son continued to browse. I guessed that the boys were about six years
old. I asked the child what his name was
and he said with an eager smile, “Ethan.”
I asked, “Ethan, do you like to read books?” He said, “Yes! I do!” I
told him that I had written a book and Ethan asked to look at one of the copies
on the blue table. “Sure!” I said. He slowly flipped through the pages, looking
at all of the pictures. Then, he tucked
the book under his arm, walked over to his mom, and tugged on her shirt, asking
to buy the book.
Ethan walked around the
store holding on tightly to my book. He stopped
by my table at least twenty times and said, “My mom told me that I could hold
on to it.” He kept eyeing the keys. On the twenty-first visit to my table, he
asked to look at the keys. I let him
pick out his favorite one. I knew that
it would be virtually impossible to share one golden key with his brother. So, I told Ethan that if his mom decided to
purchase the book in his arms, I would give him a bonus key to share with his
twin. He was thrilled!
That is when Ethan plopped
down on the floor just inches beside me. He sat
there and looked through the entire book with me, page by page. He spoke a thousand words…at least. It was precious! Ethan giggled and laughed as he looked at all
of the pictures, as if they were speaking to him. Ethan then began to show me the pictures. He looked at me and pointed to each picture, “Hey! Hey!
Look here! Did you see
this?! Look at this! This is so cute! Look at these angels. Let me tell you what they’re doing.” He then proceeded to explain to me what each
of the seven angels was doing on page 10 of my book.
My smile could not have
been any wider because yes, dear Ethan, I had indeed seen those pictures before...about
a BAZILLION times over the last year in my meticulous attempt to make sure they
were “just right” for the story. My
ever-so-patient illustrator did an incredible job! I was delighted that the pictures were
talking to Ethan. That was my
intent. That was my hope. That was my goal for having an illustration
on every other page. I wanted my book to
be FULL of pictures. If a child couldn’t
read the words of my book just yet, I wanted the pictures to speak to
them.
My dream for the book
that Ethan held in his arms that day is for every child to have a copy on their
book shelf. I want Gabriel’s
Golden Key to be the tattered, well-worn book that has been read over
and over again. I would love for it to
be the “go-to” bedtime story each night.
Pictures speak. They do.
Ask any passionate photographer or artist. Why do we hang pictures on walls or decorate our
homes and places of business with them? Why
do we take photographs? Why do we color
and paint? Why do we draw? A great deal of emotion and meaning can be
conveyed in a single photo, image, illustration, or other piece of artwork. Many times, a picture can do this more adequately
and effectively than a million words.
Pictures speak. God speaks too. But, oftentimes, He just knocks and patiently
waits for us. If you hear God knocking
on your door, just answer it. You don’t
know what He has in store for you, but it’s going to be an amazing ride, no
doubt. You have gifts and talents that
He wants you to use. Do it!
I’m so pleased that I
decided to answer the door when God wanted me to write a children’s book. It’s been a beautiful journey so far and I
look forward to enjoying the rest of the adventure!
My next book signing is
this Saturday, November 12th at The Market
of Victoria. I’ll be signing books from 10:00am to
5:00pm. Many of you have purchased your
copy on Amazon already. Great! Just bring it in and I’ll personalize it
while you pick out your golden key. If
you don’t have a copy already, no worries!
The Market is selling my book, in both paper back and hard cover
versions.
Please stop by The
Market this Saturday, as it’s a marvelous store full of “home furnishings,
décor, clothing, and gifts with panache of the past, present, and future.” I can’t wait to see you there!
P.S. As Ethan left the store that day, he flashed me the biggest grin as he held his new book in one hand and two golden keys in the other!
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