Recently, I decided she was ready. I told her to discuss anything she wanted with me.
Tween: Mom, you are a liar.
Me: What are you talking about?
Tween: In the book you said you'd never make your kids do all these things, and you do.
Me: First of all, the book is fictional. Second, I wrote a teenager's point of view.
She was still looking perplexed and had yet to uncross her arms and soften her stance.
Me: Trust me, dear, most teenagers swear they'll never do what their mom does. They truly believe that, so to a teenager it is not a lie. But I need to let you in on something (I leaned in close and whispered for dramatic effect)... all of you will.
Tween: No, I won't.
She huffed off. Later that day, she admitted she could relate to Krista (the teenage character I write in the book). I decided not to push my luck and remind her I was once a teenager. I'm hoping Krista can do that for me.
I'll be interested to see how the book affects her. It means a lot to me what she thinks. The side benefit is it will also open up a dialogue to talk about some sensitive issues. Wish me luck.
When's the last time you were nervous about a loved one's opinion/reaction?
6 comments:
That was hilarious! Yes, we are all the same (: Ha.
I think I'm always nervous about a loved one's opninon,especially if it's over something I've put a lot of effort into. Heck, I can be nervous over a complete stranger's reaction sometimes. I wish I could let go of that stress at times but it's not easy.
I don't have to worry about what my kids think because they have yet to read anything I wrote! *sigh* I think it's wonderful that your daughter is willingly reading your work.
I will admit that when I put my novel out there, it meant a lot that my mom loved it. I guess it still feels good to have Mom's stamp of approval, even after all these years!
I had a very hard time letting my parents read my mystery novel, which included those *gasp* kissing scenes and other stuff. My sons have been begging to read it as well, but I told them they must be in high school. Of course, I know they know about these things, but it's one thing to know about it and it's another thing to read your mother writing about it. :)
I know I often catch myself doing exactly what my Mom used to say or do, even though I swore I never would.
I am most nervous about showing anybody I know what I've written because there are inevitably comparisons between the character and myself.
Unbeknownst to me, my grandfather (my grandfather!)read my adult romance Precipice. All I could think about was the F-word one of the characters said, as well as the steamy love scene. Oh, dear . . .
But I have to admit I was nervous to let my tween read The Spirit Keeper. Not only does my own daughter's opinion matter to me very much, but she's also in the exact range of my target market. Talk about pressure!
Elise, The first time, "Because I told you so" comes out, you know. And I agree, it's stressful to hand our work to people, especially those we really want to love/appreciate it.
Nadine, My daughter really is enjoying. It means so much. And since I wrote it with my mom, I was already over that hurdle. ;-)
Julie, Too funny! My daughter does squirm from time to time as she's reading it. How dare her mom ever have been a teenager? ;-)
Fairview, That was my biggest fear... and she is having some problems differentiating between her mother and the writer/character.
Melissa, My daughter is the age range we wanted reading it, too. It'll be interesting to see what her final opinion is. Spirit Keeper is next in line for her!
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