'Writing' I tell him then, conscious that that won't actually move the conversation on much, I tell him
'I'm a bit stuck at the moment - not sure what Bridie is going to do next ...'
'Bridie! You can't have a heroine called 'Bridie' - you'll have to go though the whole lot and change it!'
'Umm ... why?'
'Because you can't - and I bet she's blonde too, isn't she?'
'Umm ... yes as a matter of fact she is ...'
'Well you'll have to change that too ...'
He doesn't seem to have realised that this is book four with her as heroine - and he hasn't asked to read any of the preceding ones either - but of course he knows best ...
'Because you can't' The answer to life, the universe and everything. (when it isn't 42)
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can go through the whole lot and change him? Or exchange him, for a more interested one. :)
Bless him! My son tells everyone who will listen that he knew I could do it when I said I was going to get something in print by the time I was 50. At the time he laughed and said 'Yeah right Mum whatever.' Ten years, and 7 articles, one short story published and one novel read by a publisher, but unpublished later, my son is as proud of me as my husband is, but unlike my husband,my son hasn't read a thing I have written. I shall be 52 this year at 40 I didn't know the first thing about English Grammar or what tense were or even what an adjective did... so I think I've done pretty well. Good luck with your writing.
ReplyDeleteLOL. My friends and family are always giving me helpful tips such as these, and several of them have never even asked to read anything. One particular family member just smiles sweetly and then looks at me as if I've gone mad!
ReplyDeleteBless them all.
I'd better keep my mouth shut with all my helpful suggestions then... because Sean wouldn't do that or Bridie wouldn't say that ;)
ReplyDeleteAJ - probably couldn't exchange him ...
ReplyDeleteJarmara - lucky you if your husband reads your writing, sounds like you've earned it!
Ellie - yes, bless them all, because the alternative is probably illegal
jk - at least you HAVE read the previous books, and sometimes I take note of your suggestions, especially with 'Holding steady'
My work suffers a similar fate at the hands of my children. I recently published a story ABOUT my daughter, and it was in her hands for weeks before she finally read it. *sigh* To the rest of the world, we're writers. To our kids, we'll always just be "Mama." I love being a mom enough that I guess I can live with that. :)
ReplyDeleteMy children are ruthless when it comes to my writing, when they actually read it! I feel your pain.
ReplyDeleteLisa - I hastily assure you that I'd NEVER write about my daughter (just in case she's reading this!) Being 'Mum' is fine I agree but the time comes when they should be living their own lives and giving you credit for still being able to get on with yours ... ;)
ReplyDeleteLynn - that's probably why I only offer it to my daughter to read - she's ruthless but knows to be tactful, honest and constructive.
My MC is names Chase Manhattan (nothing to do with the bank). Sometimes people ask me if he's a bank teller. I want to smack them but refrain and smile.
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