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Yesterday I plowed through the mail that piled up while I was away in Ireland—research you know—ahem! (After all, one does need to get the smell, feel, sound, and taste (?) of a castle if writing about castles. One can’t get all of that from looking at photographs!) Anyway, awaiting me in the pile was a nice letter from a middle school student in New Jersey.
Earlier I posted some thoughts about the questions kids ask at school visits. This letter made me stop and think about the questions kids ask when they write a fan letter.
Now, I don’t get tons of fan mail—not as I suppose J. K. Rowling must. However, I do get the occasional letter or email from a child or adult reader. Some are obviously class assignments sent by each student in the class. Most of these ask the same questions; the ubiquitous one being “Which of your books is your favorite?” (An impossible question to answer! I usually have to say something like “that’s like asking your parents which of their children they love the most.”) The truth is one invariably loves, rages at, despairs of, brags about, and feels embarrassed by the same manuscript—not unlike the various emotions endured while raising and living with children. I most often sum up this question as many authors do . . . it’s the one I’m currently writing.
The more interesting questions are those not dictated by teachers or educational settings. These often bring laughs—and much more to the authors. A favorite (and telling) question I got in a letter a few years ago was from a second-grader who wrote (summarizing this) I wasn’t in school when we read your book. I play tennis and I am very busy. So can you tell me if it is any good? HAH! I wanted to answer: how the heck should I know? I’m only the author . . . the LAST person you should ask that of! And no book is a waste of time to read; even bad books hone our sense of discernment. I don’t remember my reply, but I’m sure I was much more circumspect. (However, I did have an itch to write this kid’s parents asking what is happening to his childhood if he’s too busy to read already? But that’s another soapbox topic . . . )
The question in yesterday’s mail was pure manna for a writer! After telling me how much she loved my novel, SPITTING IMAGE, my 6th grade fan asked: “Are you going to write more books or end your career now?” For her I had obviously reached some authorial pinnacle with its publication!
I have to admit that standing barefoot and sweaty in my unair-conditioned, littered, dining room on a 90O day feeling jet-lagged (and grumpy from having just opened the summer tax bill) . . . I felt like I had indeed climbed a treacherous pinnacle. Her so innocently asked question made me collapse on the floor, hug her letter to my chest, and laugh. It was proof . . . I had made it. Despite the many hours of second-guessing myself, of writing and deleting and rewriting, of waking up in the middle of the night worrying, of holding my quivering stomach in abeyance as I checked reviews . . . I actually reached a reader who will hold my book, for a precious while, in her heart. That’s what it’s all about.
And thank you, Kristie! It’s with such fan support that I can answer your question—a question I actually ask myself everyday as I face a blank page. I will write more books.
Ciao!
Shutta
Posted in October, 2007
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