Saturday, February 12, 2011

It's Real!


 It’s alive! This week I received my first Advanced Reader’s Copy (ARC) of book two! I've looked at the cover art a hundred times, yet nothing quite prepares you for seeing it in book form.  Funny as it may sound, it reminds me that the other book is still out there! My husband told me this morning that a high school boy came up to him yesterday and was raving about how much he was enjoying my book. We both kind of marveled at the fact that we don’t think about the book that often; it almost feels like a movie that came out and then went away. Release time was hectic with all the readings and school visits, but once the initial few weeks of fervor were over, we all went about our normal lives—which for me includes a pretty intense day job. So when I get an ARC in the mail or hear about a kid who is reading my book, it snaps me back to this alternate reality, the reality where I am an author. I didn't intend to have a double life, it just sort of happened.

My kids have been trying to get me to play Mario Kart on the Wii since Christmas. I’d honestly rather clean those vile little bolts around the base of the toilet than play video games, so it’s taken them a while to get that silly white steering wheel in my hands. When we started playing I felt like I was 15 again the first few minutes of having learner’s permit. I was overcompensating so hard that I was bouncing off rocks and guardrails and enormous mushrooms and whatnot. It was infuriating—just when I got up enough speed to clip along there’d be another obstacle or a quick turn. I asked the kids if there was a course that was simply a straight road so you could just gun it. They looked at me as if I’d just revealed a vestigial tail, and said, “Uh, no. What would be the point?”

That’s kind of what I wanted the writing life to be. You know, put out a book and then gun it. But, as my kids would say, “What would be the point?” Perhaps there’s a reason I’ve run in to an enormous mushroom or slammed into a guardrail. Perhaps it’s not supposed to be easy. Because we tend not to value what comes easily.  

Raising good children, finding work you enjoy, getting published—none of it is easy. But there are moments, like the first time you touch a book that bears your name on its spine, that make it all worthwhile. I’ve just had one of those moments. 

16 comments:

storyqueen said...

Congratulations!

It is so lovely to see the book for the first time.

And you hit it out of the park on this post. We do not tend to value what comes easily. And those of us who strive to be authors who are also mothers and also have full time work commitments often struggle. A LOT.

But there are days when it is worth it.

Shelley

Kirthi said...

Haha, congrats on the book! It looks gorgeous!
I think it's so cute how the boy came to you about the book! t

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful post, Christy. It is so great that you see the value in the things you work so hard for, and are realistic about the things that are really meaningful. The books make a glorious couple, and I can't wait to read Book II!
CAM

Robin Mellom said...

I can't believe it's already time for book 2! Woohoo! It's like they're kids that just grow up WAY too fast.

And btw, your covers--especially next to each other in that picture--are GORGEOUS.

:-)

smoki2 said...

I love your post, Christy. I SO remember the day my picture book, Keep Your Ear on the Ball came in the mail. I couldn't stop touching it! My behavior bordered on obscene - there, I said it.

Congratulations. Enjoy every minute, every school visit, and every author talk. I get it that we work for the joy of creating, but holding the book in your hand... Nothing compares. THAT'S what we really work for!

Christy Raedeke said...

Oh how I love the blogging community!I have been so negligent of this blog for the past few months, but then I post something special to me and I see that people are still reading. Thank you, friends! It means the world to me.

Christy

Steph Burgis said...

Hooray! Congratulations, Christy! It really is such an amazing feeling. :)

Orchid said...

Congrats! I absolutely can't wait for Serpents Coil.

Anonymous said...

That just made me cry.

Little Ms J said...

This is awesome, Christy! I got a little misty. I'm so happy for you!

Precious said...

YAY Christy! So happy for you! Man. Book Two is coming out but I still haven't found a copy of Book One yet!

ChristyT said...

So when I first read your FB post, I didn't read the whole blog story. This morning I read it - it made me cry. Beautiful reminder - it's not always easy - what would be the point? The mushrooms of life almost always make it so much more interesting. Am excited to read #2 - and hope you have more days that remind you that you are an author. xoxo ct

Jennie Englund said...

Those are sleek little partners, Books One and Two!

Happy Birthday, SERPENT'S COIL! (My favorite part is the dedication.)

Christy Raedeke said...

Thanks for the comments, one and all! I really hadn't intended this to be a teary post!

anjie said...

Can't wait to partner it up with Book 1 in my home. Ready to read it!!! Congratulations. :)

Dena said...

Congrats Christy! Inspiration accomplished.