Hey, it’s Lou Sylvre, here to start off 2018 with a Love Bytes post. Today, let’s talk about what makes us happy. I’ll start.

There’s a lot to love about being an author. I’m going to tell you three of my most favorite things, but keep in mind they’re not in order of goodness. It’s funny, each one of these things seems like my #1 top pick when it happens, so I can’t really choose which I love the best.

Writing fiction: Those moments when the words flow onto the page as if by magic, entertaining me, startling me, provoking me as they show themselves by ones or twos or tens. Or those moments when I’m writing, and suddenly find I have to pause for research. (I think of the research as part of the writing, and I intermingle the two all the time.) Or those moments when I spend five minutes thinking and checking and trying out words because I absolutely know there’s a word I want… and then I either find it or I don’t. I actually love that! Or those moments when the characters make me laugh or cry or wonder what they’ll do next. All of it. I love writing fiction, plain and simple.

Working through publisher’s edits: Okay, I know a lot of authors would read this and either shake their head about my lost marbles, or think I’m fibbing. But it’s the truth, pinkie swear. I love it because it’s a break from writing (!) and sometimes I need that. And because I get a chance to look at my work afresh and, often, appreciate it. (Egoistic much?) And because sometimes I get to say no. (Okay, I’m two years old.) And then also because, especially because, sometimes an editor’s remarks make me feel all shiny and new—for instance this week an editor said my (Lou Hoffmann’s) wizard, Thurlock, is the perfect curmudgeon. That’s some sweet sauce, right there!

Messages from readers: I know I said I couldn’t choose between these three things, but I think I might have lied. This week—on New Year’s Day, in fact—I got the loveliest email from a reader thanking me for having written Vasquez and James and naming some of the things she liked about the books. It made me feel proud, yes, and maybe special, but what I most appreciate about letters from readers is that they let me know the connections I make through my books are personal, not at all anonymous. My readers are real people who connect to my characters, and through them to me. For someone like me, not only working in a fairly lonely profession but also a bit of an introvert, that is a glorious thing. Yes. I think that’s number one, after all.

Coincidentally, that’s what I love about blogging too. I always enjoy hearing from readers, and this time I’d love to hear, maybe, what your favorite thing is about being a reader. Or a writer. Or an editor.

Next month, Maybe I’ll share a bit about my current writing projects and other news. Meanwhile, thanks for stopping by to read and maybe comment. Happy New Year, and happy reading, one and all.