Reader e-mails
10 September 2009
I had a darling e-mail from a girl named Hannah. If you happen to see this, Hannah, I tried e-mailing you back but it kept failing. I’m not ignoring you!
I don’t know how possible it really is, but I hope I’m always able to respond to every piece of reader mail I receive. Even if there were days where all I did was e-mail (a person can dream about that much fan mail, right?) it seems like it’d be worth it to me. It’s so nice to hear from readers and know what aspects of your book particularly touched them. Receiving those e-mails makes me a better writer.
It’s funny because reader e-mail is something I always knew would make me feel good about myself. Something I never anticipated making me feel so good is my daughter brushing my hair. Over the weekend, McKenna discovered my brush and thinks it’s tons of fun to have me sit on the ground while she brushes my hair. For her age, she’s surprisingly gentle, but even on the occasions that she hits a knot or smacks me with the brush, there’s still something wonderful and refreshing about the experience.
Parenthood, while fabulous, is draining. McKenna doesn’t tell me she loves me or appreciates me. Heck, McKenna won’t even kiss me. And it’s rare that she initiates a hug. So even though brushing my hair was just a fun game to her, to me it felt like a gesture. Like she was doing something to show she cares about me. Even with the occasional clunk of the brush against my head, the experience was spa-level relaxing.
I often notice parallels to writing and parenthood. In both, there’s a ton of investment up front with no guaranteed return. When you’re writing a book (or when I’m writing a book anyway) it’s a closed-door process. I may talk about it with writing partners or my husband, but no one sees the book until it’s been edited a couple times. For a very long time, all I focus on is what I did wrong, what needs to be fixed. It’s a lot of work, and I’m never really sure it’ll turn out the way I hope and imagine. When I receive fan letters, I get this sensation of, “Ah. I did something right.” So thanks to those who have taken the time to write.
Hope everyone enjoys their Thursday.
With you on both counts! I remember Xoe playing with my hair before she talked much and thinking something similar. Or that first time she actually HUGGED me. Same thing with Rowyn, who is so independent that half the time he just looks at me like, “Oh, yeah, you. Hi.”
As social creatures, we all need that feedback on what we pour ourselves into, and I for one am so happy to see you getting all this positive reader mail! You deserve every thumbs-up. =)
Posted by Roseanna White on 10 September 2009