Don't Tell Anyone - I Have A Big Nose by Sydney Salter

My first published book, My Big Nose And Other Natural Disasters, is probably my most personal story. I stole many scenes and characters from my teenage years in Reno, Nevada. And the whole hating my nose business was 100% teenage me.

I was so excited to finally be published - after writing three other manuscripts that were less commercial.

But then it hit me.

People would find out that I had a big nose. Or find out that I thought that I had a big nose. Or start observing and judging my nose. Nose, nose, nose, NOOOOOOSE!

I didn't even want to tell people the title of my book - sometimes I blushed embarrassingly when saying the words "My Big Nose" out loud. Why did I have to call it that? Why?!?!?!

It turns out that nothing gets you over your nose issues more quickly than writing a book about nose issues.

So while I really wish I could go back to teenage me with my newfound wisdom, I would also tell new author me to calm down.

Any story, once published, takes on a life of its own. Readers add their own interpretations to the words on the page. So while I did suffer through a few awkward conversations about my personal nose, I loved watching how my story impacted other people.

I am - finally - 100% over my nose issues!