Do your family members ready your books? This may come as a shock, but my 94-year-old mother is the only person in my family who has read all seven of my books. It’s true. My mother is the best!
A writer may have lots of fans and supporters, some of whom may read everything she writes and even happily share her posts on social media. That writer is indeed fortunate. What may surprise you to learn is that typically, these “fans” are not family members. I know I have addressed this before, but whenever I ask other writers about this, the consensus is the same. Their family members don’t read their books.
At first, this may seem unexpected, but when I think about, it’s that way with my family, too. Many of them congratulate me on a new book, but don’t buy it. And even if I offer to gift it to them, usually they aren’t excited about it, and gently decline with one excuse or another. Now that I’m no longer a new writer, I realize this isn’t so far out of the ordinary. I understand that maybe they don’t like to read books about travel, or maybe they don’t want to read abut a surgical procedure as described in my medical thrillers. Or maybe they just like to read news articles. This is okay.
Would I want to read every report one of them might publish, or read a paranormal or sci-fi novel, or a biography about the Vikings? I doubt it. So it’s nothing personal, and as writers, while we appreciate the support and encouragement, we must believe that it doesn’t have to come in the form of someone reading our books. If it does, then it’s all the better.
So, since my mother is more than halfway through The Venice I Know, I really appreciate her as a reader, as well as my wonderful mother.
I do appreciate each and every one of you who takes the time to read my blog. I enjoy feedback from you, so please do leave a comment. And by the way, I have not yet started writing my third medical thriller, but Allison Jamison will be returning sometime in 2022. I am open to any ideas you may have regarding her next adventure. Let me know what you’d like to see.
Click here to check out my Amazon author page for my medical thrillers and Italy travel books.
Grazie and Ciao.
Jack Erickson
Ciao Margie — I booked a flight to Milano September 1. My Italian friends think Italia will open up by then, but few have had the vaccine. Most of the UE is struggling with getting supplies. Paris is in another lockdown, Germany as well. Do you have any plans to travel?
Jack
margieinitaly
Ciao Jack. Very cool. I think it’s a little iffy, but perhaps. Several of my friends in Italy have recently received their first dose of the Astra Zeneca vaccine. Hopefully you will be able to get in by September 1. I am hoping to be able to go in 2022. Fingers crossed.
Un po' di pepe
I guess Allison Jamison survives COVID! I guess it is similar for blogs. I have not (yet) written a book, but about half my extended family and close friends read my blog posts loyally, and the other have never do! Oh well, you can lead a horse to water. …. I’m actually happy with 50%😎. Your Mamma is cute-issima!,,
margieinitaly
Grazie, Cristina. Yes, I would say blogs fit into that category too. Allison Jamison does survive Covid and she will return, hopefully in 2022.
Karen Neary
Like you my family members haven’t read my books. I’m enjoying “The Venice I Know” very much!
margieinitaly
Thanks for checking in, Karen. I guess we write for our own pleasure, and don’t have too many expectations about who reads our writing. At least we know someone does. Glad you’re enjoying the book. Thanks so much for the feedback, Karen.
Bonnie Davis
Margie, you are a tough act to follow. Wife, mother, critical care RN, retires and morphs into a popular writer IN TWO GENRES. You have succeeded in many areas and sometimes it creates just a tiny bit of resentment. That is all I am saying. When people are sure of their own accomplishments they do not take pleasure in refusing to enjoy your successes. Recognize this and grin every time you think about it. But no, you are too nice to do that. I’ll do it for you if I ever get the chance.
margieinitaly
Hi Bonnie…You are too kind, my friend. All I can say it I am forever grateful for your support from the very beginning. I truly appreciate it.
margieinitaly
Thank you so much, Bonnie. I have always appreciated your support and kind words. Reading this today made my day. I apologize that I missed it a year ago.
karenincalabria
My 91-year-old father read my books as I wrote them, chapter for chapter, and then a couple times each upon publication, but I only have 2. If my mother were alive, she would have been my biggest fan. I have a small family, but my sisters have read my first book and I’m sure will get around to my second. However, what you say is true, you can’t expect family and friends to read your books and wave a flag about them. I’m not sure I’d compare it to reading a published report, but it certainly does have to do with the personal interests of friends and family. It’s always great when a loved one takes genuine interest and you can really see the enthusiasm for your book in your mother’s face.
margieinitaly
That is wonderful that your dad read your books so carefully, especially at an advanced age. Yes, Karen, we have to appreciate our readers, whomever they are. it truly is a blessing.