Sometimes I find it hard to return every day to my notebook and computer to go on with the story I’m currently writing. Even though I’m disciplined enough to write on a daily basis, I’m also lazy and easily distracted. There are so many books to read! So many movies to watch! So many desserts to bake! So many walks to take!
It’s also fair to say that writing is a solitary task that doesn’t bring immediate results. And when the result – the book – is there, I always feel a little lonely. Now what?
This is why any acknowledging nudge is a gift to me. Thank you for your reviews, your invitations on your blog, and your links to mine. Thank you.
But when the kind nudge comes from a young reader, my audience, then I have no excuse to feel sorry for my lack of courage.
This is what I received yesterday morning, sent by an English teacher who liked my novel Chronicles From Château Moines well enough to have it read and discussed in her seventh grade class.
I don’t know the student who wrote this. I won’t probably ever meet her. And yet she is the reason why I dragged my lazy little me to my table this morning and wrote another page. A gift, really.
Evelyne Holingue 
Nice one; kids must be the most honest and harshest of critics too 🙂
You’re right! But I must say that this one made my day. See you, Uncle Spike.
You are inspiring the young audiences! 🙂 nice
And you are very nice, Andy. Thank you.
Those moments are seriously the best and make it all worth it, don’t they?! So awesome to get that nudge. And yes, writing is very solitary. Sometimes depressingly so when you’re an extrovert. I think it’s heaven for an introvert. 🙂
I totally agree with you, Katie. I also agree that one must enjoy solitude to write. As much as I love people and being with them, I also need some quiet time on my own. So I find this place, right now, pretty good for me. See you soon!
Wow, that’s what it’s all about-the reader. And a reader who writes an author a request for another book-double wow.
Isn’t it cool? The thing is that now I need to do it again. Not that it wasn’t planned, but I feel both motivated and intimidated. Thank you, Mona, for your constant support.
This positive feedback is truly motivating…so wonderful when readers take the time to be appreciative.
I was also happy to find this in my Inbox. The teacher took the time to forward me four responses. I didn’t want to brag too much so I only picked one! But the encouragement is certainly a good feeling. Best to you, Beverly.
Oh definitely a gift, Evelyne! How sweet. Mega-hugs!
This note felt like a mega hug too, Teagan! See you soon.
I can see why you treat that as a gift. It must be rewarding to know that you reached a member of your target audience, not to mention the teacher. That should keep you writing for a few mornings.
Right, Dan! No more excuses for postponing another chapter. I appreciate the reader’s kind words and also, like you say, the teacher’s support. Both are really cool. See you.
It makes it all worthwhile, doesn’t it?
It certainly does. For an unknown writer, the fact that a teacher picked my novel and that her students wrote about it (several did), felt really like a gift. See you, Marilyn.
Hello Evelyne! I’ve decided to read and follow 15 interesting and new blogs a day every day for the first month of 2015, and yours is today’s #4! Feel free to come visit me when you can at http://www.thatssojacob.wordpress.com, and follow if you like what you read. Happy new year and happy blogging!
Although I don’t do New Year’s resolutions, I find yours funny and I like your honesty about it. So, thank you for stopping by #4. I will stop by too. Happy New Year!
How sweet! Young readers warm the heart.
One of the reasons I like writing for children is that they are honest and don’t fake interest. So this note is really a gift and a nudge too. See you, Nicki.
Responses from readers are like creative fuel — and to have a teacher like your book enough to introduce it to her class? Wonderful.
I agree that the teacher’s choice is also a great gift and nudge. Once in a while we all need that to keep going. See you soon, Susanna.
How wonderful that the teacher shared your novel, so that it inspires the new generation! It’s great that the student loved your work–time to follow their suggestion and write another book 🙂
I found this great, too, Jennifer. Reading this when I woke up was a terrific incentive to return to my project. See you soon.
What a precious gift Evelyne – you just never know when the next piece of inspiration and nudge will come from. Such an honor to think that a class has taken your story as a lesson. That’s fantastic.
Thank you, Mary. I agree with your comment. A nudge is always good. From a reader I can’t ignore it. See you!
Wow, what a wonderful piece of feedback Evelyne – and there are no readers more honest than children 🙂
I agree with you about children’s honesty, Andrea. I enjoy school visits for this reason and I felt elated when I read this short note. See you on your blog.
How wonderful it is to get responses from your readers. There are probably many others who read, enjoyed but didn’t respond. I am sure this encouragement will motivate you in your next project.
It certainly did push me to go on. You know that returning to the page isn’t always easy, so this comment was so spontaneous and sweet that I really appreciate it. I also thank the teacher who picked my book for her class. See you soon, Claire.
What a wonderful encouragement for you Evelyne 🙂
Isn’t it? I enjoy each of my school and library visit because of the children’s honesty. Adults learn to pretend but kids don’t easily fake their interest. So this note really made my day as I am working on new projects. See you soon, Sherri.
That’s the beauty of writing, when you read a review from someone who actually loves what you write, it spurs you on! Keep writing Evelyne! 🙂
Thank you, Seyi, for your visit and kind words. You’re right about the postive effect of a reader’s review. From a child, I find it even more moving. See you!
Beautiful story, Evelyne! And yes, I can imagine that a note from a young reader is the most special gift you can receive. Happy writing!
Thank you, Kimberly. It was a nice note, and since it’s always hard to know where we are going when we write, a reader’s feedback is really a terrific incentive and a lovely gift. Happy writing to you too!
La vérité sort de la bouche des enfants 🙂 Sais-tu s’il paraîtra en France?
Sauf si je le traduis, non! Sorry, Mary.