My husband recently took my young adult love story on a trip with him to read (he hadn’t read it before, and generally doesn’t read my writing). He’s a tremendously good egg for reading it (he wanted to show support for my writing), but I kinda cringed.
It’s a love story.
He doesn’t read much in the first place, and he abhors the romantic comedies I make him watch occasionally. We’ve had a running joke from the first days of our courtship (I just love that word), that if a movie doesn’t have aliens in it, he’s not interested.
I thought he would hate it (and he probably does, but won’t tell me) – but what did he notice? The details that echo the characters of his (now deceased) grandmothers that we both loved. Reading my book was a pure act of love on his part, but he reminded me why I do it – because I want to connect with readers and share my stories with them. And to do that I have to take the risk that some of them (maybe a LOT of them, especially agents and editors, but even critiquers and reviewers) won’t like it.
If you’re a writer, how does your family support your writing? If you’re a reader, how do you support the writers you love?
p.s. picture from Flickr
Ha! Maybe not erudite, but a comment nonetheless! Great topic–my husband supports me by giving me what a writer most needs: time. He hasn't really read any of my stuff, but he has on many weekend afternoons taken our girls out of the house so I can get some writing done. An idea without time remains but an idea!
I recently finished a fantasy book just to support another author, and surprised myself by how much I enjoyed it. Maybe your husband liked it more than he admits lol!
Sue, How about writing a love story about aliens? 🙂
My husband wrote a book on computers and out of 600 pages I only understood 1 page–the Acknowledgements! His current blog is also his creative life line. When I write, it's too academic for him. But we do give each other the "space" to write. We alternate responsibilities of cooking/cleaning/childcare to create time for the other to write.
My husband supported me for years, carrying the balance of the family's financial responsibilities so I could write. Now, he's a compulsive Amazon sales-status checker (number guy that he is). He doesn't generally read my books until they're out in print, but once they're out, he tells EVERYONE he knows about them, much to my embarrassment at times.
@Laura I would rather that gift of time to write as well! Your hubby sounds awesome!
@KarenG Yay, you! I try to support other authors as well, especially ones that write in genres I want to see more of – like MG! And YA! And SF! Time to go read more …
@Mudita A love story about aliens might just entice him to read! LOL Aspi is hugely creative, and I love that you support each other's writing!
@Kirby Your hubby sounds like the best – gotta love those numbers-oriented types! 🙂 What a sweet way to show his love for your! 🙂
Trying again …
@Laura I would rather that gift of time to write as well! Your hubby sounds awesome!
@KarenG Yay, you! I try to support other authors as well, especially ones that write in genres I want to see more of – like MG! And YA! And SF! Time to go read more …
@Mudita A love story about aliens might just entice him to read! LOL Aspi is hugely creative, and I love that you support each other's writing!
@Kirby Your hubby sounds like the best – gotta love those numbers-oriented types! 🙂 What a sweet way to show his love for you! 🙂
My family has been very supportive. My husband's not much of a reader, but he's read my entire book–and my book is LONG. And my dad's been even crazier. I write MG fantasy. My dad only reads long, boring biographies on business men. He hates cartoons and kid stuff. So when he asked to read my book I was DREADING it. But he loved it–and not just in a 'dad' way. In a he's totally a fan and driving me crazy asking way too many questions about the future of the series and everything else. Funny how that works. 🙂
You are seriously brave. I have let my husband read a single PAGE so far. That's it. I'm so afraid he'll choke up laughing (and my writing isn't the humorous sort that I would expect laughter from)
@Shannon I was a bit freaked when my dad wanted to read it too! But he worked for the Navy and so does my MC, so there's something for him to love. But wouldn't you want to read anything your kids wrote? My kids keep pestering me for the sequel to my MG novel, complete with their new ideas for characters and plot lines! It's awesome.
@Margo It's kind of like a trust fall. 🙂
I'm so glad it's not just my husband. You read about these husbands who are the first ones to read everything their wives write, but that doesn't work for us. Ben likes reading my stuff after it's polished.
@Myrna Not even the cat gets to read my first drafts. *yak!* 🙂
Your husband is so sweet! Mine's not a reader but he supports me in other ways — like encouraging me to take classes and taking care of the kids for four days while I'm at SCBWI 😀
@Sherrie That's the most important support of all! 🙂