Celebrations and Lockets
Jun 13, 2011 
So here’s the thing–I never actually did anything to celebrate my book sale. I mean, I danced around and told my family and so on, but I didn’t crack open any champagne or go out to dinner. One of the things about going down the agent/publisher path is that you can’t be completely transparent about what’s going on, but things happened for me along the way that ended up leaving me really wary of believing it was real. So it was a gradual realization for me–days and weeks went by and no one said “Psych!” and even now, it’s still an ongoing process of believing that it’s happening.
Part of that wariness translated into not celebrating. And the gradual nature of believing it meant that there was no specific day or moment where suddenly I realized, “I’m going to be published!” But anyway, I realized a couple of weeks ago that I hadn’t celebrated. Luckily, I knew what I wanted to do.
I found this locket on Etsy back in September of last year and totally fell in love with it. It’s book-shaped, it has steampunky (or magicpunky!) gears on the front, a bee on the cover, and even a little bird (for Lark!) on the chain. It was as though it was MADE for me and my book. I always told myself I’d buy it if I sold the book. I was telling my mother about this locket and how much I wished I had it, and she basically went, “So? Why don’t you have it?” And when we got home, she went and bought it for me. Because she’s awesome. <3
I was a little worried when I ordered it that it’d be too big or clunky to wear on an everyday basis, but it turns out that it’s actually the perfect size. (See picture with my fingers for reference.) The chain is the perfect length so that it sits right below the hollow of the throat, and being fixed to the locket means the clasp doesn’t slide around to the front, which it inevitably does on every other necklace I own.
The icing on the cake, for me, was that the owner of the shop was an absolute sweetheart. I sent a note with my order explaining why the necklace had such significance to me, and why I was finally buying it after approximately nine months of gazing at it longingly, and she wrote back just completely psyched. I definitely urge you to go take a look at her store, because she has tons of gorgeous jewelry there, and a ton of steampunky stuff to boot. (I mean, she actually has whole sections of the store devoted to steampunk-themed necklaces!)
I’m so thrilled with this necklace. It’s exactly the sort of thing I want–a reminder, that I can carry with me, that those close to me will recognize for what it is. So count this as one more step towards believing it.
What have you guys done to celebrate milestones? What do you have planned for when you sell a book or sign with your dream agent?
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Cool locket. I haven’t done a lot. Maybe if I get on the best seller list I’ll celebrate then.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium
Yeah, I think there’s a tendency to always have an eye on what’s ahead. I know I’m guilty of that myself. Maybe that means it’s all the more important to stop and smell the roses sometimes. 🙂
I’m glad you finally celebrated! I think like you when signing with an agent or getting a book deal it would take time to set in. But I’d do something! That necklace is perfect! And congrats on selling in other countries. So cool!
Thanks! Yeah–for me, something you can take with you and serve as a reminder is so important.
That locket is awesome!
I don’t know what I’d do if I managed to land an agent. I honestly haven’t thought that far ahead. Maybe I’ll do something when I finish the first draft 🙂
Isn’t it? I was totally blown away when I first found it!
Definitely do something to celebrate! Especially since it can be helpful to take a significant break after finishing a draft, and before starting rewrites.
Love the locket – I’ll definitely check out her site!!
I’m not far enough along in the process to think celebration yet … although I do think I gave myself a whole day off to read when I finished NaNo! 🙂
Her shop is AWESOME. Definitely check it out.
Man, sometimes those little days of celebration are all you need to keep going. I took a vacation after finishing my first draft where I just read for a week. XD Reading is such good imagination fodder.
Meagan, this is such a cool story! I LURVE it when stuff like this happens. That necklace is too too cool. You were def meant to have it. And way to go to your mom. I’m so glad she bought it for you… cuz you should be celebrating for sure.
I didn’t realize your book was coming out next year. I’ve brushed up your progress with the The Iron Wood. It sounds like an awesome read! Your agent sold it pretty quickly it seems, so you should be super proud and stoked.Cheers to that!
Hah, I’m glad you think it’s cool! I felt a bit silly after posting this, but it’s just such a neat shop and a neat necklace that I couldn’t resist.
Aww, thank you! Yeah, believe me, I still have moments where I realize my book’s coming out next year. YIKES! It did happen pretty quickly, all things considered!
So pretty, Meagan! And how awesome is it that you found the perfect peice of jewelry to celebrate your sale? It was totally meant to be. 🙂
Meant to be! That’s so how I feel about it. 😀
The locket is beautiful. You deserve it.
I don’t think I really celebrated. My news happened at a busy time for me.
Celebrate now! 🙂 That’s what I did when I realized I never celebrated. Sometimes stopping to smell the roses is one of the more important parts of the process.
Yay for celebrating! And yay for lockets. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in all the angst that’s involved in the process (for me, anyway) and forget to just be happy!
Definitely–I am WAY guilty of that. Always looking for the next difficulty rather than enjoying the successes of the moment!
Where do you live? I want to take you out for a glass (or bottle) of champagne!
The locket is perfect for you.
I would so take you up on that! 😛 Live anywhere near D.C.? 😉
I love the locket to bits. Now I just have to figure out what I’m going to put inside it… Hmmmm.
It’s a beautiful necklace. I think celebrating is important. We work hard enough for those milestones, after all! 😉
Sigh. Her stuff is sooooo beautiful. And it’s good, timely advice you give about stopping to smell the roses and celebrate each milestone.
My rewards mostly centre around food, but perhaps it’s time to dream big!
Beautiful neacklace! I haven’t decided on what I’m going to do when I get my dream agent. Pass out most likely. After that we’ll see. Grats, Meagan! It’s REAL!