Sherri Cornelius

You know how people dispensing publishing advice say to gives yourself a small but meaningful reward at big milestones? Well I never could think of anything worth planning for the day I was finally a published author. "They" say to have a special dinner, buy something meaningful to mark the occasion, take a trip. I always assumed I'd go out to dinner with the hubs sans kids, a pretty ordinary celebration for something that will change my life, but all I could think of to do, barring a million-dollar advance.

In the shower yesterday, it hit me.

A nose ring! I've always wanted one, but I never took the plunge. As I aged I got it in my head my time for frivolous body mutilation had passed. Not so! It hit me in the shower (as all good ideas do) that getting my nose pierced would be the perfect way to commemorate the publication of my first book.

Since my husband would have to look at it every day, I thought it polite to get his final approval. If he really didn't like the idea, I'd just get a fancy pair of earrings instead. Luckily he likes bad girls, so he jumped on board without compunction. The kids thought it was cool, too. Their teachers have weird piercings, for heaven sake.

So...yeah. When I get a book deal I'll announce it by posting a picture of myself and my new nose ring.