Something that gave me encouragement.

Charlie Horse · May 12, 2008

Thought I'd share a positive experience I had this weekend.

On Friday I printed and put in a binder a copy of the second draft of my novel that is currently being read by betas. I suggested to my daughter (on the verge of being 14) that she finally puck up and read it; something she has been putting off for quite some time now.

Each night since when I have gone to bed I notice the light still on in her room and when I check up I find her staying up late to read my book. She says it's amazing. Just like a 'real' book.

Ahh, the small pleasures in life.

stormie · May 12, 2008

And at that age, daughters can be very critical creatures. Glad she likes it!

ACEnders · May 12, 2008

Aw, that's wonderful!

Will Lavender · May 12, 2008

That's really great, CH. Congrats.

Phaeal · May 12, 2008

And you know how hard it is for the teens to ever admit Mom or Dad can be cool.

dawinsor · May 12, 2008

That's great! It must make you feel good to share that with your daughter.

RLB · May 12, 2008

A "real" book! Congratulations!

That happened to me too with my first WIP. I gave it to my 11 year old cousin in installments as I was going through editing. She printed it out each day, and girls in her class passed it around and were demanding the next chapters. It was a huge encouragement. Unfortunately, my 11 year old cousin lacked any connections in the publishing industry...

Angela_785 · May 12, 2008

Congrats--I bet that feels pretty good, huh?

Pamster · May 12, 2008

That's awesome Charlie Horse! My son isn't a avid reader at 11, probably due to autism, since he doesn't like to sit still, but I can imagine how ultimately encouraging such a thing would be. Thanks for sharing it with us!

vfury · May 12, 2008

That must feel great, congrats!

Round John Virgin · May 12, 2008

My kids and my mother have all been extremely supportive of my writing, as have been many of my cousins, friends, and coworkers. It's too bad that they have zero credibility with agents and publishers. (FWIW, these same supporters have never been shy about telling me I suck at other aspects of my life. Seems fair and balanced to me!)

HeronW · May 12, 2008

See, kids do the darnedest things!

Charlie Horse · May 12, 2008

Phaeal said:
And you know how hard it is for the teens to ever admit Mom or Dad can be cool.

For whatever reasons, my daughter and I share a lot of the same taste in things like music and books. I figure either she's mature for her age, or (much more likely) I'm way immature. I do, however, hope it stays that way through her H.S. years.

windyrdg · May 12, 2008

"I do, however, hope it stays that way through her H.S. years."
I do too, but don't count on it. As the father of three girls, I can tell you that things have a tendency to change as they get older.

stace001 · May 12, 2008

RLB said:
Unfortunately, my 11 year old cousin lacked any connections in the publishing industry...

Don't ya hate that.

Mumut · May 12, 2008

I know the feeling, CH. I heard my daughter telling her friends I'd written a book 'and it's actually quite good!' as though that was amazing.

Congratulations. Now you have to get your daughter an executive job in a major publishing house.

Something that gave me encouragement.

Charlie Horse

Speaking in metaphors

stormie

storm central

ACEnders

Self-Banned

Will Lavender

Everything is what it seems.

Phaeal

Whatever I did, I didn't do it.

dawinsor

Dorothy A. Winsor

RLB

bundled

Angela_785

Pamster

Counting Stars

vfury

Hearts the furrily challenged.

Round John Virgin

HeronW

Down Under Fan

Charlie Horse

Speaking in metaphors

windyrdg

New kid, be gentle!

stace001

Look into my eyes

Mumut

Well begun is half done...