Lately my oldest (who is spending most of the summer with her father) has texted me or came home and asked "Mom do you have something else published?"
My reply is usually no, but she keeps asking even when she has not read the pieces or is unable to read them because she is only ten and I'm a picky mother.
I'm halfway glad she is taking an interest in me in this way- she is seeing me in ways she sees other authors which is a really strange feeling for me as her mother.
The other half wonders if she is disappointed in me because the answer is no.
This is my little girl, she is growing up too fast, and as a mother I want her to be proud of me, but as an author I'm not sure how to feel about it. Perhaps she is not disappointed in me, but is just curious.
27 comments:
Remember, a day is an eternity to a kid. They just don't have the patience of an adult. If she keeps asking, that means she's still excited, and one day soon you will be able to say yes!
Hi Summer .. I hope she's just curious .. I expect none of her friends have parents who are authors, or aspiring to be .. maybe ask her if she would like to write something next time she's home ..
Just enjoy your time with them - when they're around .. cheers Hilary
I always say writers are sensitive souls with the thinnest skins ever!
This may not be the same thing but my mum (who is super critical of me and my lifestyle anyway!) continuously asks me this question and over the years, I've learned to reply with "no, but I've got plenty of time and I do try but don't worry I still have my day job!"! LOL!
But seriously! Your daughter is proud of her mama! Of course she is! Take care
x
Perhaps she's just being considerate? It might not run as deep as you think :o)
I don't think she is disappointed in you. I think what this is is a good object lesson on perseverance. Being published does not come easy, she will learn by watching you that just because something does not come easy does not mean it's not worth pursuing with dedication over the long haul.
Take heart, friend.
Oh gosh now that's a hard one.I'm sure she's just showing an eager interest. I think she's proud of you and wants some new stories to share with her mates about her writing mum.
Thanks for putting my blogfest info on your Current Blogfest page :O)
My kids ask me off and on, and then don't ask for a while . . . and I always take their questions about my writing progress as encouragement. I think they want to see me succeed, and I don't think they are disappointed, although we did laugh through one of my rough drafts together. They expect me to fix it, and write a great book they can tell their friends about - pressure! But encouraging too.
I would explain to her that for every book or story or poem that is published, hundreds or thousands never are, but those are just as important and the writers of them should be just as proud. Teach her to be proud of you for your work and achievements, no matter how they're received. As others have said, I'm sure she already is, but this sounds like an opportunity to reinforce that intrinsic worth a writer should get from writing. I've had similar moments. My mom once told me how neat it would be if one of my books became an Oprah's book. I thought, isn't it neat enough that I wrote it? But I think she was just expressing excitement in what she knows excites me. Same as your daughter was doing. By the way, this is Greg from facebook, from myspace, then facebook, lol!
I think she's proud of you and just wants to know what's going on. My kids (12 and 10) are always asking when I'm going to publish another book. Their little faces fell when I told them that the most recent one was an ebook. It broke my heart a bit, but I know that they just wanted to see me happy. Be glad that she's asking.
I agree with Kris's comment above-I think she's proud of you! And why not? You've had stories published when others haven't. She must love you so. :)
She's probably waiting for "bragging rights". Kids do that. She's proud, don't worry.
I take ANY interest in my writing as a compliment. My kids and husband haven't much interest in my writing, but they aren't readers, either. As far as that goes with my kids, I haven't figured that out, yet. I read to them all the time, but computers and friends take up their free time, now.
I think she's happy to have a mom who's ambitious and artistic.
She's too young to understand life in the writing trenches.
To me, it sounds like she's having a bit of fangurl love. At that age, to imagine your mom as a potential JK Rowling or whatever her genre, is a pretty heady thing. This is probably a silly example, but my kids were amazed when I showed them I could draw a wicked dragon. Imagine what your daughter feels to know her mom can make her imagine that dragon in the first place.
Kid's have wide imaginations and like to believe their parents and friends live in these whole other magical worlds and can do millions of other magical amazing things that they're not aware of. Your daughter is probably just trying to figure out what your super powers are, because in her mind, you are so amazing that there must be more to you.
<3 Gina Blechman
How can she not be proud and interested in you. You are her role model and she wants to be part of you "other" life.
Perhaps when you have the time write something especially for her. At least that way she will feel more involved in you as an author.
I don't think she sees you has a disappointment in any way; she's just curious. And, as Alex says, to her a day is forever. I would be proud that she is asking you, and one day soon, you'll have something special to show her.
Ellie Garratt
I agree with Kris also. She's proud of you! She probably sees you light up when you talk about your writing. This is a good thing. And it probably doesn't matter so much to her whether you've been published again or not, she's just found a new way for the two of you to connect.
I'm sure she's super proud of you! Someday they'll understand it's a process that takes time.
I love Alex's answer.
Happy Weekend!
It may be that in finding you, which includes you as an author, your daughter will find herself. Not a little task, but a long journey, and she has to start somewhere!
I find it very sweet that she keeps asking about your work! I feel that if I had a daughter, I would be absolutely thrilled and inspired by her curiosity :)
Just remember as children learn their adding of 2 and 2 does not always equal 4. She's proud of you and I'm sure when you say yes her response will be, "Can I have a new bike?" :)
Fairy waves from the weary.
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
I'm sure she's proud of you, and someday she'll understand it's a process that takes time.
I'd be curious to know what my mom was writing about, I wouldn't worry to much
Publishing is just something more tangible for her to grasp onto and her way of talking to you about it. Maybe explain to her that publishing isn't even the most important part of writing and perhaps she'll chance her question to: "Have you written anything new?" I like Michael's idea of writing something especially for her...yeah, perhaps I should take that advice myself.
I'd say she is proud of you - as you said, she sees you like she sees other authors! Maybe she takes it for granted that you WILL have something else published sooner or later.
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