Monday, August 17, 2009

First Signed Copy

I really have nothing say at the moment, but in a major attempt at laundry avoidance, I am determined to come up with something!

Uh, let's see...

Did I ever tell you who my first signed copy of Hop! Plop! went to?

The dedication went to my husband. I had no kids at the time, so it was a no-brainer.

But the first signed copy went to my second grade teacher, Claire Cohen. She always said, "You are going to be a famous writer or poet someday." I remember her saying it and I felt she deserved to hear from me 33 years later when my first book was published!

Who gets your first signed copy?

17 comments:

lisa and laura said...

Congrats on being on sub!!

As for signed copies...that's a great question. I'm not sure who we'd choose. Hmm...we'll have to discuss.

Anonymous said...

Um...you?

Seriously, I have no better cheerleader.

Corey Schwartz said...

Aw! Tara, you are SO sweet :)

Stephanie Faris said...

Awww. I've thought a lot about this. I'm hoping I have two or three books hit around the same time so I can dedicate one to my boyfriend and one to my mom.

Tess said...

Oh, that's a tough one. I haven't given it much thought yet. I guess I'll wait till I actually have a contract in my hot little hands to go down that road.

I really like your decision, however. How cool for that teacher!

Yat-Yee said...

My daughter, because without even knowing about such a thing as "first signed copy", she asked me if I could give her the first book when I get published, and "please sign it for me, Mamma?"

Danyelle L. said...

*joins you in laundry avoidance*

My husband, hands down. :D He's always there to talk me out of quitting.

Susan R. Mills said...

Avoiding laundry here, too! I think my first signed copy would go to my mother. She's the one who has always encouraged me to write.

MeganRebekah said...

Wow what a great question. In all my writing dreams and fantasies, I have not thought about this at all. I'll have to get back to you...

storyqueen said...

I don't remember! Probably my parents......

I think it's lovely that you remember something like that, and if a student of mine ever signed a book for me, it would pretty much make my decade.

Shelley

P.S. Have you ever thought about writing an article about signing your book for your teacher? Sometimes as teachers, we forget how much a comment or bit of praise means in the life of a child.

Unknown said...

So cool!

I think it'd be a toss-up. Probably my mother...but one would go to my tenth grade teacher, Mrs. Washburn, for telling me I could write. And my fifth grade teacher for reading my story aloud to the class...and my sixth grade teacher...

Wow! Teachers sure have a lot of influence!!!

MG Higgins said...

DH, without a doubt. And my cat, for the comedic relief.

Rebecca Gomez said...

My first signed copy will go to my parents. But there are teachers on that list too!

Hardygirl said...

Mrs. Carter, my third grade teacher who dubbed me "Miss Creativity" and submitted everything I wrote to Highlights magazine (rejected--ha! faced it early it my career!!). She died several years ago, though.

I'm not sure who would be next in line. I must spend some time thinking about this one. My laundry mountain can wait, as well. I need to figure this one out.

sf

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

What an interesting question! I've thought about dedications but never a first signed copy. Oh, the joy of having that dilemma to solve. I like that you raised this because it is good to dream and think postively about the future and to remember those who made a difference in our lives. Thanks.

Casey Something said...

I'm not sure! I've never thought about this one before. Maybe my best friend. Aside from my mom, she was my first reader and fan, and is very supportive of my writing to this day.

Jim Hill said...

The first will go to my wife.

The second will go to my tenth grade English teacher. Mrs. Williams. She made me take creative writing in eleventh grade, not research paper writing which was the standard track for ninety percent of my classmates.

The third goes to my creative writing teacher. She pushed, cheered and gave me books outside of the curriculum to broaden my mind.

Then I'll start in on art teachers and family.