I once worked with a lady who told me the secret to her success was to act like a swan. On top of the water, the part of her that everyone could see, she aimed to be serene and have her shizz together even if she was paddling away furiously to keep afloat behind the scenes.
The thing is I don’t think I can be a swan. Or even a common mallard for that matter. I find it hard to keep my emotions in check at the best of times (God damn you John Lewis adverts and Marley & Me) so when I’m faced with one of the greatest days of my life, trying to stay calm and ladylike goes out of the window.
Instead, imagine hyper toddler on redbull flavoured haribo sweets and you’ll get the picture!
Yesterday was quite simply EPIC. I don’t think I stopped smiling all day. I didn’t even care about the manic looks I was getting on the train as I headed home. The reason for this insane giddiness is because a childhood dream came true. I got to walk into an actual real life bookshop and see my debut novel, Destination Thailand, sharing the shelf with some of my absolute literary hero’s. Incredible. I couldn’t catch my breath, couldn’t stop the happy tears and couldn’t stop shaking. I had no idea it would cause such a physical reaction.
I left the shop in a daze feeling similar to how I imagine a mother feels leaving her first born at school for the first time. My book baby was out in the world and had to fend for herself. I probably should have licked a hankie and wiped her face or dropped off a packed lunch… too far?
I spent most of the day in Media City, Salford, acting like I fitted in among the achingly cool hipsters and serious journalists at work as I did back to back BBC radio interviews and ITV Granada Reports, all of which was SO much fun.
I think that after appearing on This Morning when I was in the Philippines with my iPhone propped on a tub of Nivea moisturiser (the glamour!) as I chatted into a black screen and tried to concentrate my jet lagged but buzzing mind on what Holly and Phil were saying, I knew I could squash any nerves and just have fun with media interviews. I know how lucky I am to be able to get to do this and how much it means to me to tell others who may have been dumped or ‘jilted’ that you can find happiness after heartache.
The reason I was so emosh, wasn’t just because a childhood dream had been realised but because I also came true on a promise that I make to myself, to past Katy. When my relationship ended and life suddenly seemed very bleak and confusing I told myself that one day something good would come of this. I knew that deep down I would be happy again, smile again and I would use this as the making of me. I just had this small nugget of belief that If I could use my experiences to let just one other person know that what they are feeling will pass and that everything will work out ok then I had to try.
I just never in a million years imagined the scale on which I could achieve this.
It has truly shown me that anything is possible and that if I can do it then anyone can.
Thank you to everyone who has bought, read, shared or reviewed this book. I wish you could know just how happy this has made me. I feel like I’ve failed as a writer as I can’t find the words to tell you just how much your support means to me, even if we have never met in real life or I haven’t had the time to personally respond to your messages, it doesn’t change the love and gratitude I feel for what you have allowed me to do. *Virtual hugs for ALL*
You can buy the paperback of Destination Thailand in store from Asda, WHSmith high street and travel stores, Easons and online retailers such as Amazon. It will also be available in Tesco from 25th Feb!
P.s If you have read and enjoyed Destination Thailand and could find the time to add a review online I’d be super grateful.
