The boys, five and three, were sweetly supportive during the writing process. Actually, their baby sister played a big role, too. She would kindly wake me up around 2 or 3 a.m., eat, and then go back to sleep.
I could then write or edit for three or four hours, until her oldest brother (our resident morning person) came bounding down the stairs at first light. He routinely greeted me with, "Morning, mom! How's the book coming?"
Our night-owl middle child provided additional encouragement during a conversation about what he was going to be when he grew up. His older brother had changed his future career from firefighter to paleontologist. The three year old still wanted to be a police officer, but planned to also be a meteorologist. Older brother did not approve of this dual career and the three year old said, "Mom is a lawyer AND a writer, so I can be a police officer AND a meteorologist."
So, when the electronic versions of the book went live, I told the boys. They were very excited for me. Then, they got down to business:
Five Year Old: Is it a very important book? Will it save people's lives?
Me: Well, no.
Five Year Old: Oh, will it teach people how to be a lawyer?
Me: Uh, no.
Five Year Old (a note of exasperation creeping into his voice): Is it about dinosaurs?
Me: No, no dinosaurs. It's a book for grown ups to read for fun . . .
Five Year Old (cutting me off, addresses the Three Year Old): No dinosaurs.
Three Year Old: No dinosaurs?
Me: No. Sorry.
Three Year Old (looking on the bright side): Will lots of people buy your book?
Me: Maybe. I hope so.
Three Year Old: If they do, can we go to the dollar store?
Me: I really hope so.
Three Year Old and Five Year Old abandon discussion of book to daydream aloud about the many riches awaiting them at the dollar store.
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