Something that gave me encouragement.

[Charlie Horse]

Thought I'd share a positive experience I had this weekend.

On Friday I printed and put in a binder a copy of the second draft of my novel that is currently being read by betas. I suggested to my daughter (on the verge of being 14) that she finally puck up and read it; something she has been putting off for quite some time now.

Each night since when I have gone to bed I notice the light still on in her room and when I check up I find her staying up late to read my book. She says it's amazing. Just like a 'real' book.

Ahh, the small pleasures in life.

[stormie]

And at that age, daughters can be very critical creatures. Glad she likes it!

[ACEnders]

Aw, that's wonderful!

[Will Lavender]

That's really great, CH. Congrats.

[Phaeal]

And you know how hard it is for the teens to ever admit Mom or Dad can be cool. ;)

[dawinsor]

That's great! It must make you feel good to share that with your daughter.

[RLB]

A "real" book! Congratulations!

That happened to me too with my first WIP. I gave it to my 11 year old cousin in installments as I was going through editing. She printed it out each day, and girls in her class passed it around and were demanding the next chapters. It was a huge encouragement. Unfortunately, my 11 year old cousin lacked any connections in the publishing industry...

[Angela_785]

Congrats--I bet that feels pretty good, huh? :)

[Pamster]

That's awesome Charlie Horse! My son isn't a avid reader at 11, probably due to autism, since he doesn't like to sit still, but I can imagine how ultimately encouraging such a thing would be. Thanks for sharing it with us! :D

[vfury]

That must feel great, congrats! :D

[Round John Virgin]

My kids and my mother have all been extremely supportive of my writing, as have been many of my cousins, friends, and coworkers. It's too bad that they have zero credibility with agents and publishers. (FWIW, these same supporters have never been shy about telling me I suck at other aspects of my life. Seems fair and balanced to me!)

[HeronW]

See, kids do the darnedest things!

[Charlie Horse]

And you know how hard it is for the teens to ever admit Mom or Dad can be cool. ;)

For whatever reasons, my daughter and I share a lot of the same taste in things like music and books. I figure either she's mature for her age, or (much more likely) I'm way immature. I do, however, hope it stays that way through her H.S. years.

[windyrdg]

"I do, however, hope it stays that way through her H.S. years."
I do too, but don't count on it. As the father of three girls, I can tell you that things have a tendency to change as they get older.

[stace001]

Unfortunately, my 11 year old cousin lacked any connections in the publishing industry...
:ROFL:Don't ya hate that.

[Mumut]

I know the feeling, CH. I heard my daughter telling her friends I'd written a book 'and it's actually quite good!' as though that was amazing.

Congratulations. Now you have to get your daughter an executive job in a major publishing house.