We've just returned from a short trip to Toronto, where we somehow managed to pull off a surprise party for my wonderful daughter Sarah. It's her 21st birthday this month, and we wanted her to be able to celebrate with all her friends in Canada. And we wanted it to be a complete surprise.
So the planning began.
If you have any experience with young women in general, you know how incredible sneaky and curious they can be. Sarah is no exception and I knew if she had the slightest suspicion that anything was going on, she'd be all over it like a dog with the Christmas ham bone. Thankfully I can also be pretty sneaky when the need arises.
I put together a Special Ops unit of close and trustworthy friends and we devised a plan. My husband and I searched the internet for the perfect location, engaged in a long debate with our team as to which date would be best for this event, and finally everything began to fall into place. I should add that we began all this back in August.
The only thing you can't plan for is the weather. Unfortunately there was a snowstorm in one part of the city that prevented some family members from getting to us. Thankfully the weather did not impede our own travel, despite warnings of gale force winds in Bermuda on Saturday, the day we flew into Toronto! Her grandparents came with us as well - she hadn't seen any of us since September!
So, was she surprised?
I think you'll agree the answer is "Yes!"
As I think about everything we did over the last few months to make this night a success, I can easily relate this to the publishing of a book. Just like planning a good party, writing a novel takes work. Time and effort. But then, once all the effort is rewarded with a publishing contract, even more work begins. Just like my daughter's party, I want my book to be a success. I would love for it to be well-received, and for people to enjoy it. The only way for this to happen of course, is for me to do a lot of planning well ahead of time, to make sure Yesterday's Tomorrow is a success. It will require a plan, a team to come alongside me and help with promotion and talking up the book, and it will take time and effort on my part. But that's all part of the process, and none of this comes as a surprise.
The only thing I won't be able to plan is the weather. Note to self: Do not schedule book signings in the middle of winter anywhere that it snows.
What about you? Are you planning anything right now? How's it going?
