The scene: I am standing in the kitchen with my baby on my hip, chopping onions for the dinner I am making ahead of time since I have cub scouts in the afternoon, while simultaneously cleaning the kitchen, drawing a food pyramid for afore mentioned scouts, entertaining crabby 3-year-old, and watching for 8-year-old to come home.
Me=Me. Jaime=Husband.
Me: Jaime, you seem a little miffed that I asked you to watch the kids for an hour so I could work on my writing.
Jaime: Shrug.
Me: Just out of curiosity, how do you see my writing?
Jaime: I'm glad you have something you enjoy doing, and that it gives you a sense of accomplishment.
Me: But it's more than that. I have the potential to be published. I have to treat it like a job.
Jaime: Shrug. When you start making money I'll see it differently.
Me: Biting my tongue. Waiting for fire to start flaming out of my nostrils. Deep breath. Another deep breath. Imagination overload--If only I had magic at my fingertips... I'd turn you into a toad!
Jaime: Don't get me wrong. I'm glad you have such a fulfilling hobby.
Me: Almost bite clean through my tongue. Pound the crap out of a chicken breast, kiss baby's forehead.You know, you're lucky you're still a good looking man. It's your only defense right now.
My dear Jaime
Husband of twelve years
UPDATE: My book will be published in September 2011 by Walker Books!!! Husband takes my writing very seriously!
Originally posted 2/9/10
14 comments:
Well at least he comments on your writing. Mine just keeps his opinion to himself and shrugs or mumbles something and moves on. Ten years does that, I guess! Doesn't deter me, though!
Congrats on your impending publication...and he is adorable! (And the puppy is cute, too!)
I guess this is where I'm lucky. I don't have anyone to answer to for my writing. Just me. No one to look down on it, no one to sneer at it, no one to think that there are better ways I could spend my time.
Glad to get the update! Woohoo for publication!
My hubby is kind of like yours but when I got picked up, his opinion changed. When the contract went south, he still hangs in there, knowing what's possible. But it's hard. Even I sometimes wonder if it's just a hobby! LOL Will this EVER pay off?
My hubby's kinda like yours. He'll give me time to write (if I beg) but I know he wishes I would make more money from my writing. I also wish I could get him to read my writing, but he's not a huge reader. :(
Lovemuffin isn't a big reader. We've gone in circles about his feelings toward my writing - some days he's frustrated that's all I'm doing, other days he's the first to bring me a coffee for that extra little creative nudge. It's been a long process, and at times our emotions have gotten the best of both of us.
But lately, he's come around. He understands how much it means to me, he's the one to tell me not to be so negative about the queries out there in queryland ("Think positive!"), and to set my eye on getting a book out there and concentrate less on how "big" of a publisher it might be and more on accomplishing the dream in general. His faith in me is what helps keep me going. And I love him for that.
So, so happy that your book will be published! That is wonderful news!!!!
Jessica
This is my favorite post of any you have ever written, Bethany. I remember it well from the first time you posted. It really effected me. I had a conversation with my hubby afterwards that was extremely eye-opening because he was like, "Yeah, I feel the same way that guy does." I was shocked. "WHAT?!?" My husband's so quiet, I never knew he had these feelings about my writing. I thought he was 100% on board. Anyway, it made me step back and do a better job with priorities. *sigh* Hopefully someday the sacrifices he has made for my writing will not be in vain. (But they really aren't in vain anyway because he gets a happy, creatively-fulfilled wife out of the bargain whether she's published or not.)
Anyway, sorry this was so long! Just had to tell you. :)
Amy
The Missus has been pretty good about this whole writing lark.
Mainly, she's surprised I'm putting myself through it at all. All the hours spent beavering away and setting myself up for rejections, critiques, etc.
After I got my U.S. agent, she's certain she's getting a trip to New York out of it! (we live in the UK)
My husband is like yours. He "tries" to be supportive. But it's hard for him. He's never read one of my manuscripts, which really, really bothers me.
But I've had my revenge. I told him I'm not dedicating a single book to him until he reads the darn thing.
It didn't sting until I got a contract. *grins manically*
My wife is excited about my upcoming release. She is very supportive, except when I need to travel for conferences, or spend time, you know, actually writing. Other than that, she's all for it.
I suggested last night that I'm working two jobs--the day job, and writing. She said something about if we ever see any money from the writing.
I guess that's it, isn't it? "Show me the money!"
Oh this is SO MY husband. He thinks it's a total hobby and I think secretly believes I will never sell. Arrghh
Congrats, Bethany, on the book deal! I think this is the first I'm hearing about it.
My husband's been very supportive about my writing. He's dreaming of the day he gets to tell the CEO of the major book chain here that I'm an author (not that he's meet her yet--only the CFO), and tells other people that I'm a writer. But he also understands the industry enough to know it's tough to get into. I couldn't ask for a more supportive husband.
Bwahahahaa! Tom and I have the exact same conversation all the time. He even once said "When you start making money, I'll start being supportive." Good thing I wasn't holding anything heavy at the time LOL Unfortunately, his attitude hasn't changed much even with my first book due to hit the shelves in a short couple of months. It's hard to do what we do without the support of the one who should support you the most. But...I don't let it stop me :)
So excited for your book to come out!!!!!!
So glad to know I'm not the only one! You guys make me laugh.
I have nothing but admiration for all of you. I waited until the kids left home and I reduced my teaching hours to part-time before I started to write and even I saw it as a hobby for a start. I was almost writing in private. I would never have had the self-belief to ask, 'Please, look after the kids while I write.' You're great! Go for it! And congrats on the Walker Books book :-))
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