My early copy of A Year Of Writing Dangerously arrived last week. I was ecstatic – it looks so beautiful! New World Library did such a fantastic job turning it into a published book. It's almost 400 pages and it feels heavy. I tried dipping into it but I had reread it so many times in manuscript that my eyes just blurred over the words.
Then Axel and Grace showed up for the weekend - the book is dedicated to them along with their cousin Emma - so with much excitement I showed them their names on the dedication page. "Uh huh!" said Grace. I asked them if they wanted to have me read aloud an entry about them. "Sure," said Grace who is always polite. We were in my office and they were busy into art projects. Axel kept drawing.
"Okay!" I said, "This is about Axel and the time we played "Perfection!" Axel nodded as he drew a castle. I started to read. Grace walked out of the room. Axel kept drawing. It suddenly occured to me that no one was listening to me read.
Here's the truth about publishing: your family does not usually become ecstatic when it happens. You're still you and they love you but most likely they won't be overly impressed.
At bedtime I gave Axel and Grace a copy of Nancy Minchella's Mama Will Be Home Soon to read (their own mama was gone this weekend) and when I told them Nancy, the author, had been my student, Grace said in awestruck tones, "Your student? How old is she?" I told her Nancy was a grownup and that I teach writing classes for grownups. They loved the book. And I finally impressed my grandchildren.
Dear Axel & Grace,
Babs is an amazing teacher. Super amazing.
Posted by: Denise Emanuel Clemen | June 05, 2012 at 11:47 AM
If the rest of the book reads like the intro, can't wait to read it!
Posted by: Nancy Grillo | June 06, 2012 at 09:14 AM
Dude this is the excellent post! i hope that their have right creation of key and nice suggestion to reading books.to read to learn.
Posted by: heaven | June 06, 2012 at 10:02 AM
Oh, I can relate. I was at a family dinner the night after I finished the first full draft of my first novel--a big deal! When I told a relative (who shall be nameless), she said, "That's nice. I wrote a really great letter to the editor today. Let me tell you about it...." Know that WE are all impressed with your achievements and looking forward to enjoying your latest book.
Posted by: Kathleen Guthrie Woods | June 06, 2012 at 10:32 AM
Yes we are all awed and impressed with your achievements!
Posted by: Barbara Force | June 06, 2012 at 04:48 PM
Thanks for all those nice comments - but "Heaven" please stop spamming.
Posted by: Barbara | June 07, 2012 at 01:19 PM
Iso é bo. Eu escribín unha carta moi grande para o editor de hoxe. Deixe-me te dicir sobre iso .... "Saber que estamos todos impresionados coas súas conquistas e ansiosa para gozar do seu último libro.
Posted by: converse classic | June 09, 2012 at 01:20 AM
If no where in the Jeep you see the words, Selectrac then you have the four wheel system that will ALWAYS be in part time wveenher you active the four wheel drive. I don't recommend you leave in four wheel on dry roads but it IS a nuisance to have to shift it in and out when driving on snow covered roads that have bare spots. If you encounter a bare spot on the pavement with the four wheel drive engaged you will feel some tugging on the steering wheel. I don't think it would harm anything to have that happen occasionally but you need to be ready to experience that so you don't get distracted and have a wreck.
Posted by: Marcio | July 28, 2012 at 12:26 PM
I call it the hive mind effect. It's awseome. I get so much done and the energy is off the charts. I don't feel shame, per se, it's more an uplifting of my spirits. Everyone there wants you to succeed and you want them to succeed.
Posted by: Anwar | July 28, 2012 at 07:28 PM
I would Spend the Next Week just Editing it Otherwise, it's liable to Drive you Crazy Don't worry about NaNoAs Far as your Blog, Write as often as you want, or feel, as it might give you a bit of Relief from all that Editing I woludn't continue Working on your Other Novels until you felt better about the First Especially, as you say, as the Changes might Change what you end up Writing on the other Novels. Don't Worry about Nano You can always pick it up Next Week or whatever, and if you hit 50k, you hit 50k If you hit a bit less than that, big deal, you'll know why And there's always Next YearDarkJade-
Posted by: Andriana | July 28, 2012 at 09:13 PM