Hello! My name is Kasi Blake

When I introduce myself as an author, I get varied reactions, most of them pretty funny in retrospect.  What people don't understand is how hard it is for me to do this in the first place.  For years I felt awkward about telling people.  I felt like a fraud.  Even after publishing with Harlequin, it just felt weird to say.  My tongue would tie up in knots, and part of me expected people to call me out on it.  "You aren't an author!"  I would nod.  "Yes, I am."  "Oh really," they would say.  "What awards have you won?  How much money did you make last year?  Are you on the NY Times Bestseller List?"

Then I read a book about 'owning' it and forcing myself to introduce myself as a writer.  So, I do it when I can.  It's gotten easier, but some of the reactions are priceless.

Some people don't even blink.  They don't care.  A wary look comes into their eyes like they're afraid you're going to 'bore' them with details of your latest masterpiece.

Some people ask what I've written.  When I tell them I write YA Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy, their are two possible reactions.  Half of them get excited because they love those kind of books.  The other half take on a disdainful expression as if they wouldn't be caught dead reading 'those' kind of books.

Some people get excited because they want to tell me about their idea for a book.  I try to tell them they should write the book if they love the idea so much, but that is usually met with the response, "I can't write, but if you want to use it..."  I don't.  Even if the idea is awesome, I have too many of my own to make room for someone else's.

I've had people roll their eyes at me, quickly change the subject, and flat out tell me they don't care.

By some reactions you would think I just told them I kick puppies for fun.

There have been a few people over the years who are just so delighted to hear that I write, they make it worthwhile.  I love to talk to them about their favorite books.  Sometimes I even find a new series to read when discussing books with strangers.

If you write, don't be afraid to tell people.  Get used to it.  Someday you might even make a living at it.  Then you'll be glad you had all that practice saying it.  :)