Celebrating Comments
August 2, 2014 by margaretsmn
Ruth Ayres invites us the celebrate each week. Click over to her site Discover. Play. Build. to read more celebrations.
Today I am celebrating comments. I am admitting how important comments are to me. They drive me to write more. They give me confidence. Comments are like attention from a close friend; they wrap me up in warmth.
Every Friday of Kate Messner’s Teachers Write Camp, Gae Polisner hosts a Friday Feedback on her site with a guest author each week. A week ago, the guest was Avi. Yes, the one and only. If you are steeped into the kidlit world of middle grade books, you know Avi well for books like Crispin and The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle and many more. I was a bit star struck when I saw this and hesitated to post anything, but I got my courage up and posted this little piece of Sunshine, the sequel to Blessen.
On the porch hidden by the screen door, I think I see a child. All I can see are eyes, big and round like white marbles, staring out at me. Still, I am startled by the voice.
“Hi, there! Whatcha’ doin? Swinging?”
A little black girl swirls off the porch and flies like a raven to my side. She wears a tattered pink dress that’s too short for her long skinny legs. Her hair is plaited in braids close to her scalp. Her skin is as dark as a moonless night. She runs around me and pushes me forward on the rope.
I swing higher and squeal. Holding tighter to the rope, I ask the girl, “Who are you? Where did you come from?”
“My name is Harmony, Harmony, Harmony.” Harmony sings her name higher and higher on the scale. “Who are you, you, you?”
Holding tightly to the thick rope, I unwrap my legs and stand.
“I’m Blessen. I live right there in that double-wide with my momma, Miss Gardenia LaFleur. Are you living here now?”
“Oh, well, it’s all just temporary. We’ll see, we’ll see. Will you swing me high?”
And from Avi, “Dear Margaret,
Not much to add, because this seems to work as is. Good job!. I assume there is more, and would like to read.”
And this week from Gae herself, “Margaret, I’d offer constructive criticism if I had it. But your writing is really stellar and compelling. Just beautiful. Keep going!”
How can I not keep going with support like this from successful authors like Avi and Gae. A huge THANKS to Kate Messner and Gae Polisner and all the other amazing authors who are devoting their time and energy to nurturing struggling teacher-writers like me.
I am trying to trust my authentic voice. Comments strengthen this voice and make me feel worthy! Totally selfish and totally true!
Reflections on the Teche 
Wonderful for you, Margaret. And all I can say is ‘Carry on!’ It’s true, comments are like a hug, a special support, especially when it’s about the writing.
Your writing IS beautiful. And you are right- comments, and writing for an audience are motivating.
This is wonderful. i am happy for you. Keep writing!
Awesome! I hope you find your true voice but it seems like you already have! Keep it up!
That’s wonderful!! Congratulations!! Gae’s comments to me were very encouraging too. Unfortunately, Avi didn’t understand that my excerpt wasn’t the lead to my story. His feedback wasn’t as helpful. I was disappointed until I reminded myself that Avi read my writing and that was AMAZING!! And I NEED to read your book, Blessen! You are such a talented writer…I need to add that to my TBR list! đŸ™‚
O. My.
The promise of Harmony and Blessen is exquisite.
It will be wonderful to know where they are headed.
Joy! for Gae P. & Avi commenting.
Kate Messner’s summer of Teachers Write is a generous gift of her time & organizing to us, if we only sign up & attend. I’ve dipped in & out of it last summer (more) & this summer (less) & want to gift myself next year with clear days dedicated for TW.
Again, you are on an lively path with these two characters. Brava! Margaret.
Congratulations Margaret! I agree that comments help keep us motivated and getting comments such as these is wonderful. You do have a way with words and I always enjoy reading your writing. I fell completely off the Teachers Write wagon with getting ready to move. Next year, I’ll hop back on. đŸ™‚
Hi, Margaret. Two comments for *you*: 1) AVI — wow. 2) Your vignette is beautiful. I loved the voices of the two girls and all of the rich detail. It feels anchored in setting already. I hope there’s more!