Saturday, November 26, 2011

What We Should Remember

We writers often complain that no one understands us. People look at us strange when we profess writing as more than a hobby and yet have nothing published. Family members clammer for attention on all sides just when we finally sit down for some solid writing time. They don't comprehend how much time and work go into revising, editing, querying, and then the publishing process itself, that it's like raising a child.

We look at all of this and forget about the positive things they do for us. They sit and listen to us ramble on about something that doesn't make a lick of sense to them. They let us push the dishes back another hour and bed, too. Or they make their own dinners when they hear the clack of the keys. They offer encouragement and support through texts and shipments of notebooks.

Recently, I posted about getting three flash fiction pieces in an ebook, no big deal seeing as it was a collection of Campaigner challenges and all three pieces were Campaigner challenge entries, but my family was pleased as a plum. My mom spent two hours (Two hours!) on the phone calling and texting anyone and everyone who would listen. All who could immediately went and purchased a copy. And then, on Thanksgiving, I got the picture you see above. Though I wasn't even there (my parents were too sick to drive six hours), the maternal side of my family had erected a banner in my honor. The feeling of love and being loved still fills me when I think about it.

And that's what really counts. Those are the the things we should really remember.

10 comments:

  1. I love the banner! That is so sweet of your family. :) I hope you had a good Thanksgiving and your parents are feeling better! :)

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  2. I like how they put little images of pencils and the like in the corners. ^^ My Thanksgiving was still okay. Christmas will be much better. And my parents are staying to feel better, thanks. :)

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  3. I love supportive families! To them it IS a big deal. Sometimes, I think we writers take our craft/writing habits for granted. Like yesterday I was grumpily thinking, "What have I achieved this year?" and was totally overlooking the ridiculous amount of writing I've done this year.

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  4. Yes, like I was disappointed in myself for falling behind on my word count this month when I had already written 60k in just 20 days. Over people would have looked at me like I was nuts.

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  5. Aw that is so nice of them!
    Today one of my students who is writing her very last school exam tomorrow, gave me a letter saying thank you for everything I've helped her with and how much it's meant to her. That tiny gesture made all the hard work worth it - and it's one of the things I'll remember!

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  6. You kick ass as a writer and you know it. It's only a matter of time before you land an agent and get a six figure book deal.

    Just remember all us small potatoes.

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  7. @Rachel That letter is going to be a great memento. You should frame it and hang it up somewhere that, whenever you're feeling low, you'll see it.

    @Michael This would be where, in a novel, I would make the responding character snort. But thank you though. :) I love and really appreciate your kind comments.

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  8. Good luck with your writing "this evening" Brooke! :D

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  9. Oh, I love your family!

    Writers have to start somewhere, right. Happy to hear you have pieces in an ebook.

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  10. @Theresa I love them, too. XD The poor dears expected me to be there for it too. Wish I had been.

    Thank you. ^^ I'm going to buy Fangtales with the Amazon gift card I'm sure to get at Christmas.

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