I am sitting on a bench on our town beach, looking out at the waves while cupping a clear quartz crystal in my hand. Like me, it craves the light.

I take a deep breath.

And then another.

And another.

Two weeks ago I gave Birth to a 349-page newborn.

I sent out the cute birth announcements and received well-wishes for a job well done.

And then the questions came. So how do you feel? Do you think it looks like you? When will the print version be released? Are you planning a sequel? 

I had not expected the "birth" of to feel this strange. I didn't feel like this after publishing Haunted Newport or Pirate Fever years ago. So why was this tome any different?

As I watch the waves ebb and flow, and the sunlight sparkle the water with playful shimmers, I receive my answer.

I am a Book mother. INN LAK'ECH has been growing inside me for three years. That's a long (and sometimes painful) pregnancy.

Despite anticipating its arrival, INN LAK'ECH was accompanied by the "sickness" of panic that I felt the first thing in the morning and the last thing at night.

All the while, I thought I was producing a simple story about a teenage girl's spiritual awakening. I never expected to be writing about angels, mermaids, fairies, dragons, shapeshifting, and shadow work.

Like water, I go with the flow. And the flow took me to now. And now is strange.

I tell myself that books are not born everyday (although they are.)

I tell myself that writing and publishing a manuscript is a HUGE feat and not everyone can handle it (although millions have done it before me.)

I tell myself that once I've recovered from my postpartum shakes, well, I'll forget about all the trauma. Maybe conceive a new "family member."

I realize that my birth analogy may not adequately describe the emotions real mothers feel about childbirth and the lifetime of responsibilities that come with it.

I really needed my Vitamin Sea today.

The water is healing, reminding me that emotions come in waves and good things are on the horizon. As my protagonist Elm Sunday's favorite affirmation states, I swim past obstacles to find new treasure.

After all this pondering on the beach, I trust that I have fulfilled my author obligation by both conceiving and carrying the book. I endured the agonizing labor and the best thing to do now is just wait for this baby to grow to its expected capabilities.

But that doesn't mean my book isn't the light of my life and I can't brag about its accomplishments every now and then. In fact, I want everybody to enjoy my baby!

Wanna see a picture?