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July 6th Question:
What's the best thing someone has ever said about your writing?
One of my friends who is a writer, who I was friends with before I started writing myself, kept bugging me to read something of mine. I don't know about you all, but sometimes it's harder to have real-life friends read your work vs. writer friends. Imagine they hate what you write, and every July 4th BBQ you have to face them, wondering if they're thinking how terrible your writing is as they serve up a hot dog.
So, I went ahead with it. My friend, a guy, reads and writes wonderful short stories and sci-fi. He read through my whole young adult manuscript, a heartfelt contemporary story about sisters and complicated family dynamics and first love. He said the first few pages were a little tough for him because he wasn't used to reading books from a teen girl's perspective. But then, by about page ten, he said he forgot all about those things and just focused on the story.
That may sound simple, but I consider it a huge compliment! I was able to bring him into a story he would not have otherwise read, and made him forget that it wasn't his usual fare. My manuscript still needed work, but the essential storytelling bones were there.
I read a lot of contest entries through Romance Writers and Pitch Wars and other volunteer mentoring. The best feeling is when a story takes hold of you and you forget all your hang-ups and preconceived ideas.
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I can't argue with that. A happy moment for sure. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
I agree. That's the best compliment. I write multiple genres so I've had people who read one genre decide to try my other books and say the same, "I usually don't like this genre, but..." Always makes my day. Great post and congrats on the accomplishment! ;D
ReplyDeleteSweet beans! When you can hook someone who ISN'T part of your audience, that's a huge success. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteStephanie,
ReplyDeleteThat's an awesome story and testimonial! I know there have been times I've started reading a book I thought I'd hate and wound up loving it but I'm drawing this total blank. Maybe because once I get to the end in my mind it's like - well, yeah, I always knew I'd love *that*. How could I not? Revisionist mental history. So true though that we need to expand our horizons and try new things. Also true that the people you know are always the scariest. Maybe that's why they say make new friends and keep the old?
Anne from AnneHiga.com
If you can get a dude to read and enjoy a book aimed at teen girls, you are doing something right. Rock on!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you did a good job, even if it was a rough draft you handed him. That's a big WOOT! in my book!
ReplyDelete