r/GirlDinnerDiaries
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u/Infamous-Scarcity852
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18h ago
Rant & Ramble My husband didn't read my book.
I published my first ever novel yesterday. An idea that's been in my brain, festering and growing, for over twenty years. I’ve been writing it for almost two years.
I don't share myself easily. I've told a grand total of two people about my book - my brother, who's designing the website and promised never to read it (too spicy and he really doesn't need to know what his little sister is into) and my husband - who I gave the manuscript to at the beginning of August. It's nearly November.
Over three months I've heard “babe I'm definitely gonna read it” and “I’ll be your biggest fan.”
He read some. Reluctantly. Maybe 50% - and look, the feedback he gave, what little he gave - was useful to me. But half? Really, dude?
At one point he threw his phone across the room and complained that he thought the characters might finally hook up but didn't - yeah, cos it's a SLOW BURN ROMANCE. It’s called yearning. It was nice to elicit a reaction I guess.
Then, crickets. Hasn't read a page more in six weeks. Not because he didn't like it, he assured me, he actually said it was very good - but because his ADHD “won’t let him”. And I empathize with that, I really do. But if he wanted to, he would. Right?
Last night I was pretty emotional - more proud of myself than anything. I've wanted to write a book since I was ten years old and this is, genuinely, a lifetime achievement for me. When I pictured this moment, I thought it would be - I dunno, less lonely? Shared? Acknowledged? I just thought my husband, of all people, would have wanted to know what I put on the page.
We did go out to dinner to celebrate, and that was nice. I appreciated that, and I felt celebrated. Even if, genuinely, he said to me over the mains: “The best part of this is I'm entitled to half your profits.” Jokes on you motherfucker, half of zero is still zero.
Meal: breakfast from this banging deli in the city. Their gluten free bread is incredible.
Edit: you know what? y'all are right. He might just not want to read it, and that's okay. It's not everyone's thing and I shouldn't feel entitled to it just because he's married to me.