Topic of the Week: What Has Changed Since You Signed Your Contract?
As we get closer and closer to 2009 (OMG it's October!!! How did that happen??), it's likely settled in that you do, in fact, have a book deal and that, indeed, this book will, in all likelihood, be published in the foreseeable future. So, now that the initial shock and awe of it has (probably) passed, what has been the biggest change in you and/
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For me, what changed was really KNOWING I can do this, instead of being afraid that no one would ever want what I wrote or that I'd be stuck in some weird writing-limbo, constantly querying until I died. : (
With the friends/family thing, now they "get" what I'm doing. Before, my parents were supportive, but grateful that I had a full time job and never really understood the "I'm writing today," in response to questions about what my plans were. Now they really understand WHY my writing is so important and why I need time to work on my projects. My in-laws kind of knew I wrote, but *totally* didn't get it until they saw the ARC. Then it sunk in for them, too. So getting a different type of support has been wonderful.
With friends, I've gotten a range of reactions, from professional jealousy to sincere joy. No one has drifted away, but I've noticed some of them can't quite grasp the concept and just don't talk/ask about it. It's almost like it's too weird for them to know an author, so they just act like the book isn't happening. Which can be a nice break, actually!
What's REALLY changed is the respect level from my colleagues. I teach at a studio art school, where exhibiting work is the ultimate goal of faculty members. They look at this like a big exhibit--so that's been very fun!
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The friends drifting away thing -- well, that has always happened on some level. Life changes and there are shifts and movements. But there have been definite changes since the deal. I think some of my friends, who knew me when I was in third grade, for example, are kind of weirded out. Then again, so am I, a little bit ;D.
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