What has been one of your favorite moments as an author?

One of my favorite moments as an author? This one’s near the top of the list:

I was doing a book signing in the lobby of the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone Park about 10 years after my first children’s book came out. They had me in a great location with a lot of foot traffic. Of course, most of the people that walked by were on their way to the gift shop, their hotel room, or the toilets, but there were definitely enough people interested in the books to make it worthwhile.

My usual signing spot at Old Faithful Inn.

A couple of teenaged girls glanced my way from across the crowded lobby, and one of them spotted the sign next to me. She shrieked “It’s him!” and came charging across the room with her friend in tow. She said, “I learned to read from your books!”

She introduced me to her friend and said she’d bring her parents by to meet me. She asked for permission to give me a hug. I’m normally very cautious about that kind of contact with teens, but there were enough people around to make it safe.

Writing books has been a source of income over the years, and it’s been a lot of fun. But that encounter made me feel like I’d really made a meaningful contribution to someone’s life. It forever changed the way I look at writing.