I’ve just been reading a blog where the blogger asked regular readers to make “de-lurking” comments. In other words, she/he asked regular readers who never comment, to write something – anything – about the blog in the comments section below the post. I often wonder who my regular readers are. I know I have regular readers, even though only a handful make comments. Only two of my family ever comment on the blog, though they do email me privately about what I write on here.
It would be great if you could leave a de-lurking comment – yes, you! You don’t have to tell me your real name.They don’t have to be clever or witty. You could just say “Hello from” wherever you live. Or you could ask me a question – which I will do my best to answer. Something, anything from you would be so encouraging.
Why have I given this post the title “Scary post”? Because I might get no comments from anyone. How ignominious would that be?
18 comments:
Hi Sue, I doubt if this will be clever or witty, but it will be a de-lurking comment on your blog. I have been a regular reader since November of 2009 when I picked up a copy of Zuzu's Petal's in an English bookstore in Amsterdam for the 9-hour plane ride home to Pennsylvania. I absolutely LOVED it! I then did a follow-up a few weeks later with Plotting For Beginner's...I am definitely hooked now.:) Is it true that you have written a follow-up novel to Plotting called Sally and Gus (sorry, the rest of the title has gone out of my head)...? I don't think it has made it here to the States as yet. I have looked and looked for it. As soon as I can get my hands on a copy I will. Can you tell me anything about it? I tried to comment a couple of hours ago. I don't think it worked, so you'll have two similar posts if it did, which I doubt :) Please don't feel ignominious(what a harsh word!)...you definitely have a [new] fan who can't wait to read your next book! Hope this posts and on to the grocery store. Ruth
Yippeee! My first de-lurker. Hi Ruth, I have just promised to play my sax with Dave (and his guitar) so will come back to answer your question a bit later.
Hi Sue, I read your blog ALL the time and am amazed that you can always write the short, interesting and emotional stories that are posted. I love seeing where you live, your adorable grandsons, Dave, the progress on the sax; the photos are fabulous. I appreciate your politics, your family connections, and the struggles you reveal about being a writer. I am so glad that we met in SF and have become friends! I have never ever commented on a blog before -- you're the first (and perhaps the only) I've done. Love, Karen
Hi Karen, How great of you to comment on my blog - when it's the first time you've done it. Thanks for the compliments, and thanks for being a regular reader. I'm glad we met, too! Love, Sue.
Hi Ruth, I'm overwhelmed by your lovely comments, and so, so delighted you enjoyed the first two books. Sally and Gus get Serious was planned and announced on Amazon, but it never came to fruition. The book I have just completed is BUT I TOLD YOU LAST YEAR THAT I LOVED YOU, and as soon as I get a publication date, I will announce it on the blog. It is more like Plotting for Beginners than Zuzu's Petals, but it has more emotional depth than PfB. Thanks again for coming out of the shadows. x
Hi Sue,
I read your blog every day, I think Karen summed up how I feel too.
I love both books you've written and picked up Plotting for Beginners at my local library (Regent's Park Library) and have been hooked ever since!
I never used to write to the authors whose work I love but I try to now, because I always get a response, and a couple have asked me what I liked/disliked so it doesn't feels like I'm being stalker-ish!!
I started to give patchwork quilting some serious consideration after seeing the lovely pics on your blog and always go to any links you post...I think I'm rambling a little now, but anyway, I was 28 yrs old when I read Plotting for Beginners and I want to add that the story resonated with me, even though I may not be the usual age group that would? (There was something I read in an earlier blog)...so please keep it up cos clearly there's lots of us who would miss it if you didn't!!
Shafia
Hi Shafia, Thanks for commenting - you're not a lurker, but it's lovely to hear from you. What you said about the other authors was interesting, and made me want to ask what you liked and disliked about PfB and ZP...
Re the patchwork, I am *still* looking at my fabrics on the dining room table, and trying to decide which to include and which to put back in the drawer for another time. This part of the process takes ages. The browns are definitely drawer-bound, but I am havering over some of the others.
Can I ask how you took the Gaza cause on as your own personal 'crusade'?
There's no agenda on that question... ( because it is horrific). I am just always interested to how we attract ourselves to certain things and invest time/ money/ passion/ empathy etc. Often it's because it's something close in our lives.
Just being nosey !
Yes you can ask, Sam10, I'll tell you tomorrow.
Hello Sue,
I came across your blog via Christine Poulson's - A Reading Life & have been a regular reader since. Felt very envious of you snowed up when we were sweltering in 38 degree heat here in Australia.
Regards
Treva
Hi Treva, thanks for saying hello from down under.
Sue, Thanks for clarifying for me the status of Sally and Gus Get Serious. I can now stop looking. Phew! I do look forward to your announcement of the publication date of But I Told You Last Year That I Loved You. :) You must be excited as well. What kind of emotions do you go through after finishing writing a book? If I may ask?
Hi Ruth, emotions on completion - huge satisfaction, then a week of anticlimax, and then impatience while I wait for comments from my trusted critical readers, and then I miss my characters and miss being inside the world of the book.
..."and then I miss my characters and miss being inside the world of the book."
That's exactly how I feel, as the reader, when I finish reading.
Hi Sue,
Sorry for not replying sooner, I wrote a REALLY long answer to your question re: PFB abd ZP and for some reason I wasn't able to send it!
So to summarise;
I loved the way the stories flowed, I felt very relaxed whilst reading both novels, particularly PFB. I liked Sally's character so much and she felt so real to me that it was easy to believe she existed somewhere. There were also some LOL moments in the book, but not obviously so, which made it even funnier and heart-warming.
I found myself rooting for Gus and Sally and wanting it to end so I would find out what would happen with them, but not wanting it to end because I'd have to say goodbye to them!
Do you watch Jam and Jeruselum? Its funny but not overtly, you love the quirky, weird characters and recognise yourself and others in them? That's how PFB and ZP felt to me.
It's funny for me to be describing how I felt reading it then how I thought??
I didn't dislike anything about either books, although I did prefer PFB because I loved Sally's character.
When is your next one out??
Shafia
Hi Shafia, thanks for bothering to write it all out again! It's always interesting to hear what people have enjoyed about the books.Jane and I set out to make PfB a feel-good read, so it's rewarding to hear that it did just that for you. I missed Jam and Jerusalem, but I saw a clip from it at Christmas and I realise now that I would have liked it and will try to track it down. How is your knee? and how is the patchwork?
Forgot to say - unknown publication date for next book but will announce it on the blog when I know.
Hi Sue,
Well the knee saga continues unfortunately, but I have an appointment with a specialist on Tuesday, because clearly it isn't just a sprain...and the patchwork quilt is still just a dream, it's been SO manic at work that on Saturdays I just want to slob about and eat and RICE my knee!!
I've just been reading the interview with the author (can't remember her name)...sounds like a great idea for a novel - I shall buy it today, I've just finished reading Jonathon Tropper's and Debby Holt's new novels - both feel good romantic/family themed novels so I fancy a change now.
Keep us posted with the new novel - blog ya soon, Shafia
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