Good Morning. I had a very interesting discussion with some friends at school the other day and I thought I would share it with you before I take off for the month. I'm going to hit the keyboard for my own version of NaNo. With my research finished, I need to concentrate on writing Richard's story. I kept telling myself I wanted to get his book done by Thanksgiving and just look at the time....
As you all know, the release of my book WHEN SUCH FRIENDS WERE MET was for the school. A fund raising event, so to speak. The book's characters were based on people at the school and family and friends of the two teachers who won the prize. One of the lesser characters was a woman named Mrs. Joyner -- who is the cafeteria lady at the school. Debbie had no idea I had put her in the book until it was published.
Anyway, she bought a copy and read the book. I hadn't spoken to her in awhile and last Friday I went down to the caf to find Melissa. Well, Debbie was there and hugged me and told me how fantastic the book was, how fabulous it was to be a part of it all, and what a wonderful writer I was.
I said thank you, of course, but brushed it off. I don't think of myself as anything other than a Jane Austen wanna-be. I'm not a New York bestselling author. I haven't gotten onto any lists in famous newspapers. I just write my books and am exceedingly grateful to the readers who buy them.
Debbie continued to heap on the praise -- telling me I'm so smart that I could write such a great book. How hard it must be to do all that research. How wonderful it is that I can take just simple words and turn them into such a creative endeavor.
Melissa then jumped into the conversation and said that she could never do anything like that. She loves to read (and has read all my books) but she couldn't write. "I think all you writers out there are gifts from God. You think up these stories and share them with the world. Without you guys, the world would be a very dull place. All we would have is television. So boring."
So, there you have it. We -- writers -- are gifts from God. Isn't that nice?
Tell me -- What's the best compliment you've ever gotten about your writing?
Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving. I'll see you when I get back.
Anne Gallagher (c) 2013
14 comments:
Well, since any face-to-face feedback I get is usually from people I know, I'm never sure if they are impressed with my writing so much as impressed that they know someone who writes novels (we are a rare breed you know!). But I am tickled when I receive a review from someone I don't know at all, someone who thought my book sounded interesting--even though it might not be their usual fare--and read it and loved it! I doubt they viewed the story as a "gift from God", but at least they feel they got their money's worth.
I'm just so pleased for you and the feedback you've received. You did work very hard on that book, and you deserve the respect of those in your community. I'm glad all those ladies are finally beginning to appreciate what a gem they have in their midst.
You can tell when people say things that are heart-felt. It's so touching.
One of my favorite compliments is when someone tells me they reread one of my books. I never reread anything so that's especially meaningful to me.
The most unique compliment came from a film development executive. She wrote me a gushing email telling me my SF novel was the most original science fiction she'd read in years.
--wish she had the clout to pitch my novel to Hollywood. :)
Bridget -- Funny you should say that. The more people at school who find out I'm a writer, the more they treat me like a celebrity. Well, maybe not famous, but like I'm "somebody". And it's a little disconerting sometimes. I'm just me.
Maria -- Oh, I love that when someone tells me they've reread my book. Or they cry. Biggest compliments ever!
Isn't it nice to be noticed? I think I could get into being a gift from God. :) That said, to know people have read your books and liked them, what more could a writer, any writer, ask for?
You've given me some nice compliments, Anne. And there was my mother who told me to, "Follow the way."
Much luck to you, Anne.
I love letters from strangers but one of the most wonderful things I experienced was when my daughter read one of my books and cried at all the right parts.
That's some awesome praise! Go you!
I think the best compliment I've had was when a reader told me she stayed up until 2am to finish my book. I thought of all the times I couldn't put a great book down until I finished it, so to me that was high praise indeed.
Good luck on your November writing spree. :-)
Bish -- That's so true. All we writers really want, I think, is to just be read. That in itself is a compliment.
HW -- Thanks so much. I need all I can get. Imaginary deadlines looming and all that.
Susan -- Oh, she cried. How sweet. I love it when someone tells me they cried while reading my book.
Sarah -- Well, the praise isn't just for me but for all of us. I wanted to share.
Linda -- Oh yeah, up all night, turning pages. I love that. High praise indeed.
Enjoy your blog break
Catcha on the flip-side, Anne.
Take care and happy writing :)
Wow, Anne! That must be wonderful to hear! You definitely deserve that praise. :)
One of the best compliments I've received was that some readers were truly moved by what I wrote. Either moved to tears, or laughed until they cried, or just sat and thought about my characters after they'd finished the story. I love hearing that.
Good luck with NaNo. Such a challenge! Hope you get a completed book out of it.
...that was truly wonderful, "a gift from God." Those are the types of compliments that are difficult to forget. Well deserving ;)
El
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