We had the opportunity last week to drive past our old house. It was the first house we bought and we were its first owners. We loved that house. There were some changes to fit their style and needs but a lot of the yard was the same and I could tell they loved it too because it was very well cared for.
Someday, when (yes, when) my book is published it will be like this house. For now my book is mine, my baby, but at that point it will belong to the reader, the person who purchased (or otherwise legally obtained) a copy. I had to wonder what it would be like having my book owned by someone else, someone who may not like it or take care of it. I didn't mind the people who lived in our house now because I could tell our house, their house, meant a lot to them. Maybe it will be like that for my book too. I have to hope that the people who find it will love it and treat it well. How do you feel about sharing your book, knowing people will bring their own interpretations and images to what you wrote? How do you let go?
LOL! Sara, if it happens to others get to hold my baby in their hands and read the story of Laura Grace and Samantha, I'll be proud as punch. I'll work on the eye roll necessary to deal with misinterpretations. ; )
ReplyDeleteYou're right. If/when I get published I'll be so excited. I'll focus on that instead of worry about how people will view it.
DeleteSara, honestly, it's hard to just "let go" and not worry about what people will think. Maybe someday I'll get there. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteHopefully we'll all get there, then laugh at how worried and naive we were.
DeleteI've had that worry, too. But I've decided to look to authors who've handled it well as role models, and they tend to not post about it. This doesn't mean it doesn't bother them, just that they focus on the positives instead. So that's how I plan to handle it, if/when the time comes.
ReplyDeleteExcellent idea. I'll have to look around at some authors.
DeleteIt's a lovely analogy. It's hard for me to let people read my work, but that's because its open to criticism. When I'm published (yes, when!) it will be hard. I'll have to work on Zan's eye roll, lol!
ReplyDeleteWe should have a class, eye rolling 101.
DeleteHm, I don't really feel like I've let go of my book. It's more like I'm sharing it with readers now. The connections it's made between us have been really thoughtful and positive. I love it when readers share their thoughts, send me a message. They bring their own perspective and it really makes the journey interesting!
ReplyDeleteNice perspective. It's not moving away from the book, it's a bridge between us and the reader.
DeleteI'm not at this point yet, but I'd imagine that when I do get published and I find people bringing their own ideas about what my writing is about, I'd be flattered that they took the time to address my work. And even if they don't like it, there will be those who do like it. And the important thing is that I'd like it too!
ReplyDeleteGood point. If someone cares enough about my book to think about it that much then I would have succeeded as a writer.
DeleteNice analogy. It is funny to think about others owning our work and something we often forget during writing. I'd like to think I'd take the bad with the good, and I'd be really interested to hear about people's observations.
ReplyDeleteHopefully those observations will help as we write our next novels.
DeleteTHe most amazing thing is when someone reads something I've written and GET it. They get the characters, they get why the characters acted a certain way.
ReplyDeleteIt just sucks when they don't. BUT - it will always be that way.
We built our first house, and it's only a couple of miles away from where we live now. They still have the funky paint colors on the walls that I picked and they still have the same window coverings.
It's pretty awesome :-D
True, there will always be people who don't like it.
DeleteThat's cool they kept so much of its personality.
Ohhhh, I like this. I know there will be people who do not like my writing, but there will be people who do. It's a hard thing--but a real thing.
ReplyDeleteHard but real, just like life.
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