I finally got around to emailing my third book to my mom last weekend.
My mother’s an elementary school teacher, loves to read, and has a great way with words. So she’s a pretty good beta reader for big things like plot, pacing, and characterization—well, that, and she can never get over how many spelling mistakes I make.
I sent my manuscript to her on Saturday. Sunday night she called me. She’d been reading it all day, couldn’t put it down, loved the characters, story and the ending. Then she went on facebook and told the world:
‘Read my daughter's third novel today. She has really grown as an author, and it amazes me as much as watching her first steps. So proud! : )’
I know. Can we get a cumulative ‘aaawwwe’?
Most of you know I’d been feeling kind of down about my third book still living the single life despite the desperate search for Agent Love. Here are the stats thus far.
My mother is not a writer. Or an editor. Or an agent. But that doesn't mean she can't help me succeed. In fact, her message of enthusiasm has done more for my fragile wrego (writing ego) than anything else I’ve tried. She totally changed my perspective. She made me re-believe in myself.
Having her thumbs up made me realize I can do this. It is possible. Someone out there will love this book as much as I do, I just need to find them.
Does anyone else have a non-writer in their support group whose opinions mean the world no matter what?
*CQG*
AWE! Your mom rocks!!! Sometimes, that's what you need. Someone to just love your story when you forget why you loved it in the first place.
ReplyDeleteMy mom is this for me as well. She is so supportive and reads enough, our tastes are similar, and is picky enough for me to actually believe her when she tells me what I have is good. Besides, my mom has never been one to mince words. Seriously, she's told things suck when they do. So I trust her to be honest with me.
Glad your mom gave you the much needed pick me up!
Nope. My mother can't even believe I wrote one book, let alone three. I don't think she'd read it when (not if - power of positive thinking) it comes out.
ReplyDeleteBut that's okay. She'll tell her firends all about it so they can read it.
Yes, I have a number of "non-writer" friends who are very supportive.
ReplyDeleteThank God for supportive mothers. For years, my mother was the only one who thought I could write. I took a creative writing class at Oxford that made me think I was a hopeless case, but my mother never stopped thinking I was great, and that helped me get back on the horse. I think non-writers are great for giving feedback- after all, they are the ones who buy the books from the publishers! It's wonderful to have someone who believes in us, even when we don't always.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful mum!
ReplyDeleteYes, I do for sure. My best friend is not a writer but she always reads my MS and her feedback gives me a giant boost!
Add my Aww to the cumulative! Great story.
ReplyDeleteYes! I do, and it's not my mom, but that's just the coolest thing ever. I know that feeling. AWWW!!!
ReplyDeleteMy non-professional friend-beta is in my book club and she goes, "I can't wait til we're all reading your books."
Me = AWWW!!! :o) *sniff* xoxo
My wife and my aunt are my non-writer readers. Both devour books like it is their job (usually at a pace of 2-3 a week, and they don't read short books), and I do trust them to be honest with me, even if it is criticism. They both know I can take it.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend that reads for me and waiting for her response has always been my finger biting, nerves on end, torn up gut time.
ReplyDeleteI think its great that with our struggles to get "published" we still have those people that we nothing more than their approval. Don't get me wrong it still doesn't negate our dreams.
Aaawwwe! And Shain is totally right - with so much rejection as a writer, unconditional love is a beautiful thing :)
ReplyDeleteYou’re very lucky to have a mom who loves reading your stuff. My mom is scared to read what I write. Then again, I write a lot of erotic stuff and my mom is uncomfortable with that.
ReplyDeleteAw, that's awesome! We all need a non-writer to support us.
ReplyDeleteMy mom won't read my stuff. Her eyes glaze over if I ever mention writing. That's great that your mom's so supportive.
ReplyDeleteI use to have non-writer friends read my ms, but I have to print it off for them and it isn't worth it. Besides, my writer friend beta readers and CP do a much better job pointing out the problems.
That is too sweet! I have a friend (I refer to her as the "cheer princess") whose opinion means the world to me.
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool Katie! I'm really glad to hear her thoughts lifted your spirits.
ReplyDeleteI don't have anyone in my life who knows enough about writing or reading to show my books to.
my mom's the same way; isn't it awesome?! I also have a very supportive sister but to be honest, the most supportive people I've found are in the writing/reading blogospere.
ReplyDeleteI have to hand it over to my dad he is top aces in supporting me. alto' i refuse to let him near any of my sex scenes that will just be too awkward for him to know his lil girls knows all those things.
ReplyDeleteAwwwww is right! That is awesome!
ReplyDeleteMy best friend is a writer but not kidlit, and she gives me great feedback too.
I have family that would read but I don't ask them.
ReplyDelete34 queries is nothing. Keep going!
Katie,
ReplyDeleteMy non-writer reader friends do me a different, but valuable service as compared to my writer friends. If they read the books from start to finish and find it hard to put it down, then I know I'm on the right track. I particularly like to hear how they felt about each character. And when I feel I can't be bothered with approaching another publisher, these two friends let me know that the book deserves a chance at being read by other people.
I have a great group of girlfriends and while they do give me excellent feedback, purely from a readers perspective, I do take their adoration with a grain of salt! If the story totally sucked...would they really tell me??? Their thoughts and comments have been very helpful in pointing out plot holes and places where the story gets confusing.
ReplyDeleteMy younger daughter (age 10) rocks as a cheerleading squad, all by herself. She leaves me little notes, telling me that my books are going to be hits. She makes cards that wish me good luck with submissions. She has turned all my major characters into Mii's on her Wii. (And boy is it weird to have her announce "Hey, Mom, Verity just beat me at bowling."
ReplyDeleteShe has created Word Clouds using sections of my texts. She even had me load up my current manuscripts on her new Kindle, so she can re-read them.
It makes me feel good, because I know she is absolutely and totally sincere.
My mom was the first person to read anything I'd written, and when she told me it was actually good, I really believed it. It's what convinced me that I hadn't just gone crazy. She still reads everything I write.
ReplyDeleteThat is soo sweet! And what a boost. I find it so hard to share my work -especially with my nearest and dearest, and it is because they are the ones whose opinion counts the most to me. Great you got such a warm and positive responce.
ReplyDeleteAwwwww please can your mum adopt me?!?!? LOL!!
ReplyDeleteBut seriously!! YAY for your wonderful supportive and AWESOME mum!!! Wonderful!!!
My mum just thinks I'm wasting time and asks me constantly where the grandchildren I'm yet to give her are! LOL!!
Take care
x
Gotta love moms. They are the best :) Plus, I've heard third times a charm with novel writing. ;)
ReplyDeleteI just have to say, thank heavens for moms!! You will be thanking her in your first novel...someday. I know it!
ReplyDeleteThat's so wonderful! I love that she shared it with the world!
ReplyDeleteNo, all my critters are writers. I did send my mom my memoir, but that's because she's part of the story. I'm not sure she'd like my 'Mutant' book.
ReplyDeleteFirst your mum and next that agent who is going to represent you but just doesn't know it yet ;-)
ReplyDeleteLOL! I love the t-shirt.
ReplyDeleteWhen I showed my mom some of my writing she said, "You write? This is pretty good."
So great that your mom loves your work! I think that's the best compliment ever. =D
Awe! Your mom is awesome! My mom got my first book and I never heard back what she thought... I don't even know if she read it... my aunt too... They cheer and encourage, but only in a peripheral way. So consider yourself lucky! That said, my writing group has been close for 4 years now, and they cheer and encourage every day. I LOVE them!
ReplyDeleteIt's gets tough waiting for our work to reach the right agent. It's so sweet what you mom wrote. Helps put things in perspective--a lot of growth has happened in your writing and will continue to happen, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteMy mom is a big fan of my writing too. It's good to have fans. ;)
Moms are the bestest.
ReplyDelete