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Monday, October 08, 2007A Writer's True Reward"Mommy," Spencer said in his Thoughtful Voice, "when your book is published, is it going to be like a real book with a cover?" "Yes, it will." "Well, when it's published, I want to read it." "You do?" And my universe danced with glee. "Well, you don't have to wait until then. I can print my manuscript out for you to read. Would you like me to do that?" His eyes lit up. "Really? Sure!" That was about two weeks ago. Yesterday I finally got around to printing out a copy of my latest novel, a young adult fantasy near and dear to my heart. Knowing that Spencer would do better with something bound (visions of cascading paper and mixed-up pages set me on the right path), I dutifully printed the novel on both sides of the page (which takes forever) and punched holes with my trusty three-hole punch (that only accommodates three pages at a time) and stuck the punched story into a plastic binder (which didn't hold the whole thing, so I had to staple the remaining chapters together). It was an administrative nightmare; it was a labor of love. And I placed the makeshift book, title stuck on the front with blue scrapbooking letters, on Spencer's pillow. When he discovered it, he ran pell-mell across the lawn (I was lounging in the hammock with a glass of Cabernet, well deserved after all that printing and punching), his face radiant, and threw his arms around me while expressing effusive thank-you's. Wow. Now, less than twenty-four hours later, my eight-year-old son has already read four chapters. And you know what? He loves it. Spencer wears his heart on his sleeve. Actually, it's beyond that: he's downright blunt. If he didn't like my story, he'd tell me (unlike my daughters who, despite having their own strong opinions about things, are more likely to sugar-coat in order to spare my feelings). But he loves it. It's already intrigued him (he asked me why I didn't call it a "mystery"). It's already made him laugh (my favorite character, no less). And the fourth chapter was proclaimed "awesome" just this morning. Suddenly, my entire life-of-writing has snapped into perspective. There are others in whose hands my work currently sits. Their opinions "mean something" (i.e., they will or will not wish to pursue a professional relationship with me). Then there are those through whose hands my work has already passed, only to be ultimately passed over, each time for a completely different reason -- or no reason at all. But every time my son mentions something new that he likes about my story, all the frustrations and rejections and endless bouts of silence fade away. Because I never began this journey to impress the Publishing World, though that wouldn't be a bad thing. I write because I have stories to tell; I write because I love children. I especially write because I love my children, and if they don't love my stories, it hardly matters if anyone else does. Oh, the joy of capturing a child's imagination! The delight of watching a young person fall in love with my characters, my world. The satisfaction of watching that excitement for a story turn into inspiration to create a story of one's own. Which is exactly what Spencer has been doing. That's right. He's writing. My eight-year-old is writing chapter books. True, they're a little on the violent side. I'll make allowances for the testosterone coursing through his body. But you should hear the drama and expression when he reads them out loud to me. A mama couldn't be prouder. And so I write. Yes, being a published author, beloved by the children who read me, continues to be a burning desire. But when all is said and done (or written and done, as the case may be), there is no joy in writing like the one I'm experiencing right now. My little boy loves my book. And today, that's all that matters. |
About Me
I am: Mother to five stunningly individualistic children... Writer of young adult fantasy... Passionate advocate for Women At Home... Madly in love with my husband... In need of Organic Gourmet Chocolate on a regular basis. I've got a Paypal account if you'd like to contribute to the cause....
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8of my readers are feeling chatty:
How wonderful that he is so enraptured with your work, as well he should be !!
Have a great week and kiss the baby for me.
Aww! I am not the least bit surprised that Spencer loves your book - I'm so impressed that it inspired him to write his own - how cool!!
Parker will be so jealous!!
That is so cool.
My oldest has no interest.
My middle guy has read the first revision and liked it.
My little is still at the Hop on Pop stage.
You reached your most important reader... your child. What does Molly think? LOL
I started a game on my blog. Drop by and play "Twisted Wish"!
And spread the word. :)
I wish Spencer had his own TV show. This kid is seriously one of the coolest.
But I agree, having someone from your target audience 'love' your work is huge. How cool is it that your little guy fits that category?
Now I want to read it, too!
How cool! Made my day just to hear it, can't imagine what it was like to experience it!
Awww! That is wonderful! Spencer is great. :) I can't wait til your book is published/I get to read it too. :)
It rocks, it rolls, it's a blast!
When stuff validates like that, all things bad get blown away. We all need that validation as it builds our confidence in the face of rejection.
Well deserved indeed!
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