I got a little stressed last week. It must have surfaced to the rest of the world during a meeting with some folks about the release of my upcoming novel. I’m not sure what I said, but suddenly, the restaurateur who is hosting my book launch bash spoke up.

He isn’t the kind of guy who gets behind a pulpit. In fact, I’m pretty sure I see the remnant of a hippie in the curly, white hair he wears kind of long and sometimes in a ponytail. He rides a motorcycle. And he calls everybody, Dude.

motorcycle_www.kathynick.com

But on this afternoon, he looked at me kindly and said, “I wouldn’t get too worried about this stuff. Just take it one step at a time. You’re going to keep on writing books, so don’t let this one get you all worked up. If you don’t enjoy every step of what you are doing, what’s the point?”

I sat back. “You mean I shouldn’t stress over whether or not I make the New York Times Bestseller List?”

“That’s right,” he said. “Let’s just shoot for the Shelbina Best Seller List for now.” (Shelbina: Population 1700).

I stopped hyperventilating and looked again at my friend. I had a sudden thought that if I glanced out in the parking lot, I might see a shepherd’s staff leaning against his bike.

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me…

Thanks, Dude.