Do they Actually Approve of You Being
a Children's Writer?
a Children's Writer?
Or do they wish you would write REAL books,
instead of scribble for children?
Below are a bunch of questions. Honest answers will enlighten you about what your nearest and dearest REALLY think about you writing for children.
If you suspect your friends and in-laws of whispers similar to this:
"Why doesn't she get a REAL job: one that actually pays?"
"Why doesn't she get a REAL job: one that actually pays?"
Read on. . .
*Does you husband or significant other read your manuscripts under
protest, or duck this chore altogether?
protest, or duck this chore altogether?
* Does your family think of you as working on your writing career,
or as having a nice little hobby?
or as having a nice little hobby?
*Do your kids roll their eyes when you talk about your writing or your latest book?
*Is money always tight when you want to go to a conference, but
NEVER when HE wants a new golf club?
NEVER when HE wants a new golf club?
*Does your need for writing time make you feel guilty - all those
dust bunnies and dishes in the sink?
dust bunnies and dishes in the sink?
*Are you made to feel as if writing is some kind of poor relation
that has to be tolerated, but never loved or celebrated?
that has to be tolerated, but never loved or celebrated?
*When you mention your new book contract, do your relatives
(or Mom-in-Law) pat your arm and say, "That's nice dear,"
and quickly change the subject ?
(or Mom-in-Law) pat your arm and say, "That's nice dear,"
and quickly change the subject ?
*Do your kids want you at THEIR school promoting your new book?
* Does you husband only take notice of your writing career when
you wave a check for a hefty advance under his nose?
you wave a check for a hefty advance under his nose?
* Are you expected to use money earned from your writing to pay
household bills? (expected to are the operative words in this one)
household bills? (expected to are the operative words in this one)
*Are you doomed to sharing a computer with teenage game hounds,
a male net surfing addict, + assorted homework demands?
a male net surfing addict, + assorted homework demands?
*Is the idea of you, the writer in the family, having your own
computer, an idea whose time will NEVER come?
computer, an idea whose time will NEVER come?
* Do you bite your lip around family and friends when rejections
depress you, or an acceptance makes your day. . . and rush to tell
your favorite writing list buddies instead?
depress you, or an acceptance makes your day. . . and rush to tell
your favorite writing list buddies instead?
*If you received a mega advance tomorrow, would you pack a
bag and leave the bums by themselves for a month - or maybe
permanently?
bag and leave the bums by themselves for a month - or maybe
permanently?
Don't be shy, now. . .
I would love to read your honest comments.
No need to answer every question - just comment on
those that resonate with you
those that resonate with you
(And mates, a lie detector test for those who waffle is a definite possibility!)
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10 comments:
Oh, Margot, the last one is the most tempting. I can dream can't I?
Carma
http://carmaswindow.blogspot.com
I write adult nonfiction in addition to books for teens. The fam devoured the adult nonfiction. I think they started reading it just to be supportive, but
finished it involved in the book, since it was the story about a fascinating real life character. In teen books, not so much, but my teen books are fiction. I think the difference is between nonfiction and fiction, not necessarily the age-group. I would say they consider the nonfiction "serious", and the fiction as "something you just made up," and I get a feeling they are skeptical I can sell it. It was pointed out by the great storyteller Jean Shepherd that people you know don't read your work. If it was true for him, we're in good company.
*Does you husband or significant other read your manuscripts under
protest, or duck this chore altogether?
Yes, and rewrites it.
* Does your family think of you as working on your writing career,
or as having a nice little hobby?
Neither, just something fun to do.
*Do your kids roll their eyes when you talk about your writing or your latest book?
They used to but now they want involved.
*Is money always tight when you want to go to a conference, but
NEVER when HE wants a new golf club?
No
*Does your need for writing time make you feel guilty - all those
dust bunnies and dishes in the sink?
Yes, but I have a well paid house cleaner.
*Are you made to feel as if writing is some kind of poor relation
that has to be tolerated, but never loved or celebrated?
No, everyone in my family loves our books. They are are children.
*When you mention your new book contract, do your relatives
(or Mom-in-Law) pat your arm and say, "That's nice dear,"
and quickly change the subject ?
Yes, everyone that is not part of the writing team.
*Do your kids want you at THEIR school promoting your new book?
My grandkids would love for me to go to their schools.
* Does you husband only take notice of your writing career when
you wave a check for a hefty advance under his nose?
N/A yet!
* Are you expected to use money earned from your writing to pay
household bills? (expected to are the operative words in this one)
Never, that money is put into our business acount for book expenses.
*Are you doomed to sharing a computer with teenage game hounds,
a male net surfing addict, + assorted homework demands?
I have two computers and a lap top of my own. My husband prefers his personal laptop. Soon, I will place one of the computers in our new guest room for their use.
*Is the idea of you, the writer in the family, having your own
computer, an idea whose time will NEVER come?
No
* Do you bite your lip around family and friends when rejections
depress you, or an acceptance makes your day. . . and rush to tell
your favorite writing list buddies instead?
I go to my buddies. If it is bad news, my husband gets down. If it is good news, my husband gets down (usually). What can I say, he is a quality manager.
*If you received a mega advance tomorrow, would you pack a
bag and leave the bums by themselves for a month - or maybe
permanently?
No, I would simply make a copy of it and hang it on my wall along with my first check for $5.
*Does you husband or significant other read your manuscripts under
protest, or duck this chore altogether?
Yes, and rewrites it.
* Does your family think of you as working on your writing career,
or as having a nice little hobby?
Neither, just something fun to do.
*Do your kids roll their eyes when you talk about your writing or your latest book?
They used to but now they want involved.
*Is money always tight when you want to go to a conference, but
NEVER when HE wants a new golf club?
No
*Does your need for writing time make you feel guilty - all those
dust bunnies and dishes in the sink?
Yes, but I have a well paid house cleaner.
*Are you made to feel as if writing is some kind of poor relation
that has to be tolerated, but never loved or celebrated?
No, everyone in my family loves our books. They are are children.
*When you mention your new book contract, do your relatives
(or Mom-in-Law) pat your arm and say, "That's nice dear,"
and quickly change the subject ?
Yes, everyone that is not part of the writing team.
*Do your kids want you at THEIR school promoting your new book?
My grandkids would love for me to go to their schools.
* Does you husband only take notice of your writing career when
you wave a check for a hefty advance under his nose?
N/A yet!
* Are you expected to use money earned from your writing to pay
household bills? (expected to are the operative words in this one)
Never, that money is put into our business acount for book expenses.
*Are you doomed to sharing a computer with teenage game hounds,
a male net surfing addict, + assorted homework demands?
I have two computers and a lap top of my own. My husband prefers his personal laptop. Soon, I will place one of the computers in our new guest room for their use.
*Is the idea of you, the writer in the family, having your own
computer, an idea whose time will NEVER come?
No
* Do you bite your lip around family and friends when rejections
depress you, or an acceptance makes your day. . . and rush to tell
your favorite writing list buddies instead?
I go to my buddies. If it is bad news, my husband gets down. If it is good news, my husband gets down (usually). What can I say, he is a quality manager.
*If you received a mega advance tomorrow, would you pack a
bag and leave the bums by themselves for a month - or maybe
permanently?
No, I would simply make a copy of it and hang it on my wall along with my first check for $5.
*Does you husband or significant other read your manuscripts under
protest, or duck this chore altogether?
No. I usually read the story aloud to him. This way I get a feel for the story and what revisions are to be made.
* Does your family think of you as working on your writing career,
or as having a nice little hobby?
I don't know their thought on this.
*Do your kids roll their eyes when you talk about your writing or your latest book?
Don't have children.
*Is money always tight when you want to go to a conference, but
NEVER when HE wants a new golf club?
No.
*Does your need for writing time make you feel guilty - all those
dust bunnies and dishes in the sink?
Sometimes
*Are you made to feel as if writing is some kind of poor relation
that has to be tolerated, but never loved or celebrated?
No. My husband and I love my books. So do most of my relations and friends and church family.
*When you mention your new book contract, do your relatives
(or Mom-in-Law) pat your arm and say, "That's nice dear,"
and quickly change the subject ?
Perhaps. It depends.
*Do your kids want you at THEIR school promoting your new book?
Don't know.
* Does you husband only take notice of your writing career when
you wave a check for a hefty advance under his nose?
No!
* Are you expected to use money earned from your writing to pay
household bills? (expected to are the operative words in this one)
Never.
*Are you doomed to sharing a computer with teenage game hounds,
a male net surfing addict, + assorted homework demands?
No
*Is the idea of you, the writer in the family, having your own
computer, an idea whose time will NEVER come?
No. I have my own computer.
* Do you bite your lip around family and friends when rejections
depress you, or an acceptance makes your day. . . and rush to tell
your favorite writing list buddies instead?
I go to my husband first.
*If you received a mega advance tomorrow, would you pack a
bag and leave the bums by themselves for a month - or maybe
permanently?
No.
April 25, 2008 2:40 PM
Margot, I am so fortunate to have the total support of my family and friends. I'm a lucky one, for sure.
Cindy
www.cynthiareeg.com
My husband supports the idea of me wtiting or whatever I want to do, but I think he really treats it as a hobby now because I have not been "published" or paid. Hopefully someday that will change.
Margot,
You ask some great questions! My former husband helped me with technical issues all the while sighing heavily. When I finally got my first book published, he didn't bother to read it. Ouch!
My current husband not only wants to help me with technical issues, he enjoys being my first reader and editor. And he always introduces me as "my wife, a writer." This hubby is a keeper!
Margot, your timing is always right. This question...
*Does your need for writing time make you feel guilty - all those
dust bunnies and dishes in the sink?
Yes. I made my husband do the dishes and go grocery shopping tonight. I felt guilty because he thought I was helping our daughter go to sleep. She fell asleep in 2 minutes and I ran into the room to get to work. He's a great husband. What can I say... I guess I feel a little guilty.
Thanks to all you wonderful writers for posting on this blog entry of mine - I think I hit a chord with this one!!
Loved all the answers, mates. Thanks a million!!
Margot Finke
Books for Children
Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfinke.com
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