#HeartBeeping

In the last few weeks, I have had some really amazing reading experiences. I have stacks of books that I am reading, and since lately I’ve had so many snow days having a stack of books to read is something that makes me very happy! I’ve also met incredible authors and been inspired by them in so many ways. It’s always fun to meet an author face to face, get your book signed, hear them talk, and leave thinking about something new. Social media can keep the energy from an author meeting going and give you even more to think about.
 
This has happened to me. Last weekend, I left Wellesley Bookstore, in Wellesley, MA after meeting 5 amazing authors and my brain felt like it was on fire! They were generous with their time and even made a fun LivBit with me. I showed my crazy side a little bit, but made sure I didn’t do any front walkovers in the store (I would have, but my mom said, no). It’s just the energy I feel when I meet people who write things that matter takes over my body! I want to talk and know and understand. I want to jump into their books with them right there!
 
There’s a great picture from my time with these women. It shows me directing the ending of the LivBit. It’s kind of a big deal because normally I do most of the talking in my Bits. But, in this one, I wanted a grand finale with all their voices. In the picture, the ladies look so engaged. It’s like my mom captured the joy that everyone was feeling right in that moment! I posted it and my mom posted it too, and someone commented:
 
“5 adult women giving attention and respect to 1 young woman. This is how we prepare our daughters to be revolutionaries! Finding safe, compassionate, respectful adults to listen and HEAR them.”

I thought about this comment for a long time because it’s very true! I felt like those authors really cared about me. I don’t think it is because I am anything that special, I just think that in that moment, we had a connection and it mattered. I could feel it, and, so could they! Right after the meeting at the bookstore, we all tweeted and commented on social media. It made that time together last longer. It made me think about how lucky I am to have books, authors, and places to go where leaving makes my #heartbeep.
 
Heart beeping is something very special and when it happens you should pay attention. It’s like your body’s way of telling you that you’re making a memory. It’s like your heart’s way of saying, “Pay attention!”
 
One thing that I’ve learned from meeting authors face to face is that authors are regular people, just like you and me. They worry about how people will like their books, they want feedback and to hear what readers think.  Lots of times they are creating characters that have a hint of who they really are or hope to be. When there is a “hint of me” in writing, it makes the author wonder whether they’ve made people’s hearts beep.
 
So, here’s my advice: be sure to reach out and let the author know when they’ve made your #heartbeep! If you’re on social media, it’s very easy. All the authors I know love to hear from readers. They appreciate when readers share their thoughts, ideas, and beeps.
 
But, don’t stop there! Tell everyone in your life when they make your #heartbeep! Doing that can change someone’s day; it can change someone’s life. It can make THEIR #heartbeep. And, really, there isn’t any better feeling in the world.
 
Keep reading, keep thinking, and, thank you for following LivBits.
 
Special thanks to my #heartbeeping authors:
Erin Petti: @empetti
Monica Tesler: @monicatesler
Lee Gjertsen Malone: @Lee_G_Malone
Elly Swartz: @ellyswartz
Victoria Coe: @victoriajcoe