When my 7-year old heard I was going to the SCBWI conference this past weekend, he had a predictable reaction.

“Are you more famous than Julie?” he asked. For those not familiar with this particular competition, he’s talking about Julie Compton. You can find more details about this whole thing by clicking right here.

“No,” I said. “I don’t think that’s ever going to happen.”

“What about Hanna Dustin?” He asked. She’s a distant relative of ours. Click here for more info on that.

“Nope,” I answered, and then I had an epiphany. “Well, not yet.”

“Not yet?” He stuck one eyebrow up in the quizzical look that he’s been practicing.

“Nope, not yet,” I said, and walked away.

Since then, I have decided that I love “not yet.” It makes any answer okay:

“Did I get that raise? Nope, not yet.”
“Run a marathon? Nope, not yet.”
“Climb El Cap? Nope, not yet.”
“Famous-er than Julie Compton? Nope, not yet.”

In fact, that is now my response to all questions involving my lack of accomplishments:  “Nope. Not yet.”