Three things today –
1. I finished the first draft of my chapter book last night. It has messy hair and ripped sweatpants and warts, but it’s done, and that’s what revision is for. Plus, parts of it are funny and sparkly.
2. This relates to #1. I’m thankful for E, who lit a fire under me to finish. If you ever really want to meet a writing goal, share your unfinished draft with a 6-year-old. I have heard “Do you have a chapter for me this morning?” every day for the past three weeks.
3. I got a letter in the mail yesterday from a 5th grader named Olivia. It’s one of those letters that is so perfect you want to keep it and frame it and be buried with it some day. Here’s an excerpt:
I LOVED your book SPITFIRE! I am not going to exaggerate the words I am about to say. And those words are, That was the BEST book I have EVER read!!!!!!!!!
You had beautiful word choices. I LOVED the sentence fluency. I like the way you set the mood and showed how the characters felt with the injured men and all of the emotional bits. I like the way you switched Abigail (Adam) and Pascal in the chapters to show each of their emotions. I LOVED the epilogue for the same switching reason I just said. And that they wrote to each other. Plus the part where they both saw honking geese.
Thank you, Olivia — and thanks to all the other Olivias out there, too — kids who love stories and words so much. You are the reason I write.
That note is so sweet! And I am reading SPITFIRE now. 🙂
Wow! I think I would photocopy the letter in mass and leave it all over my house as a reminder of how powerful words can be. How woonderful!
How very sweet of her to take the time to write!!
I’d frame it.:) Or if you have many more, which you probably do, make a collage and frame it. They are so precious.
How cute. I love kids.
It’s too early and I forgot to add: Nice letter from Olivia.
Aw, that letter is AWESOME!
What a great letter!
Ahhh, Olivia!!! You are so sweet! 🙂
1. Yay!
2. Ain’t it just grand to have such in-house support/pressure?
3. Frame it and read it every time you need a lift. WHAT a great letter.
Spitfire arrived in my mailbox a day or two ago and is traveling with me next week!
I think we should all have a little E inside our heads. Good job on getting the draft done!
Yay! And I’m looking forward to YOUR historical novel!
It’s on the corner of my desk, on top of my rejection letter folder.
I thought so, too – and she’s a great writer. I bet I’ll be reading one of her books some day!
This is actually the first paper letter I’ve received – the rest are email, and as much as I love email, it’s different somehow.
Thanks – She was very happy to have the last few chapters waiting for her at breakfast this morning!
Thanks – It made my whole week.
I was grinning like crazy on my way back from the mailbox.
Isn’t she? I’m going to have to name a character after her.
Oh Yay! Where is it going? (I like to live vicariously…)
Thanks!
Wow, real mail. That is defintely special.
Here’s the letter I would be tempted to send back:
Dear Olivia:
I LOVED your email. I am not exaggerating!!!! I loved the way you showed your emotions. And the way you gave specific examples from the book.
😉
Your chapter book has first draftyitis! I know it well. That’s what second drafts are for.
Congrats on finishing. Isn’t it the best feeling?