I’m not your favourite writer

“You’re my favourite writer, Kern.”

I want to shut my screen and hide behind my couch.

Me? Your favourite writer?

Why are you saying that? Did you lose a bet? Are your friends behind you egging you on for a good laugh?

“I admire your writing so much.”

Stop it! Stop it, stop it, stop it.

You don’t even know what you’re talking about. You probably don’t even read that much. You probably skim through pieces and got caught by one of my titles and now you’re making things up to be nice.

If my dark brown face could turn red, I’d be rose right now. When I started writing my first book, I would lie on my bed and daydream about people saying those words. I’d imagine myself in a coffee shop or restaurant and a reader walking up to me.

“You’re Kern Carter, right? I’ve read all your books. You’re my favourite author.”

I’d picture myself reacting, telling them thank you, smiling uncomfortably as my date sat on the other side of the table impressed. It was all so ridiculous but it’s true. These were my daydreams.

So when people express their affection for one of my pieces, when they tell me how much my words have inspired them, the little boy in me can’t help but feel like I’m…