Cutie CONversation (SMiiiLE)
The following is a transcript of texts between me and a darling girl (and her charming sisters) who had a taste of The Magic Pencil, one free copy, and wanted more!
Text received:
[no intro] Can you get me a book next time
7:44 PM
Me:
I need to know who you are!
8:02 PM
Text received:
Amina
[I changed her name]
8:10 PM
Me:
Hi! Do you mean a single copy?
8:11 PM
Amina:
Yes
8:12 PM
Me:
[a malevolent animated Grinch grin] OK but you will have to pay for it.
8:13 PM
Amina:
WhyHow much
8:14 PM
Me:
How much do you have in your piggy bank?
[I sent message to her just as she was sending above]
8:14 PM
Oh. The book is 14.95
Look on the back where all the numbers are. [the ISBN]
8:16 PM
Amina:
14.95 I don't have that much
8:17 PM
Me:
[I told her how to get book and Kindle for less on Amazon.com]
8:19 PM
[I sent her link, and emoji of sloth hanging on a limb. Told her about my next author visit]
But you can use your $5 coupon and get one from me for $10. I have to pay my rent!
8:23 PM
Amina:
What coupon
8:27 PM
Me:
The grey card with the books on it.
8:27 PM
Amina:
Can I have it for free
8:29 PM
Hello [A two minute pause. This cracks me up!]
8:31 PM
Me:
No sweetie. That's why I put [autographed] your name on it too. It belongs to all 3 of you. I can't always give away books! I only do it sometimes.
8:31 PM
Amina:
OK sorry I Bothered you [embarrassed smiley]
[4 smileys gushing waterfalls of tears]
8:33 PM
Me:
It's OK. No bother! [I sent message to her just as she was sending above]
8:33 PM
Amina:
OK
8:33 PM
Me:
[I sent photo of 3 plush smileys I have in my bookcase for young visitors]
I had fun with you girls and wanted to share.
So don't feel you are bothering me.
8:35 PM
Amina:
I really want to have my own book.
8:36 PM
Me:
I am very glad you like the book so much! You and your sisters can take turns reading it to each other.
8:36 PM
Amina:
Ok
8:36 PM
Me:
Ask Grandma.
And, please let her know you have been texting me. I don't want her to worry!
8:37 PM
Amina:
Where not sister [the two other girls' names] a_____ and a_____ is sister there cousin
Ok [she will tell Grandma]
8:39 PM
Me:
Oh, I see! You are their cousin.
8:40 PM
Amina:
Yeap
8:40 PM
Me:
That's why you want your own, right? I will see if I have a used one that you can have for $5. OK?
8:42 PM
Amina:
Ok
8:42 PM
Me:
You have to give it to me whenever you get the book.
8:43 PM
Amina:
Ok I will
8:44 PM
Me:
Just let me know when.
8:44 PM
Amina:
Alright
8:44 PM
Me:
[I sent photo of me and a brother and two friends from when I was 6]
Happy!
8:48 PM
Amina:
Very
8:48 PM
Me:
Good. Now go to sleep!
8:49 PM
Amina:
[three smileys with three z's on their foreheads]
8:49 PM
Persistent young ladies, aren't they? Over an hour of negotiations!
We did have a good time talking and reading parts of the story earlier. I engaged the lively trio when they appeared in the living room/lobby of where I live. They were waiting along with their grandmother for an elderly relative to return.
I rewarded them with a complimentary copy! All three were obviously hooked on books!
I take their request as a compliment but I want no part of encouraging children to be duplicitous and retain a high sense of entitlement when someone has already been randomly kind to them. All three of the girls were involved in the writing of the conversation and thought they were "playing" me! How do I know? The skill level varies widely and they were a little manipulative before I gave them the book. I may have given out another one had they been honest with me.
P.S. Actually, I will give the youngstar a free book if she comes prepared to pay. If she doesn't I have another one - that is not as expensive - to give her.
I ALWAYS have children "work" for my books before I give them one. They have to read some of it to me - effort counts as much as accuracy - and to show a sincere desire to want to continue to read it. The Magic Pencil has no illustrations inside, so if a child does want one after seeing that, they are usually seriously invested! And it's really sad to watch a child beg for any book and not get it. I am working on mini books I can have printed as chapbooks. I will ask for $1.95 for each. The ones who can't buy one will have a chance to get a free one by being included in a drawing - after reading some of one, o'course!
P.P.S. What's really gratifying is The Magic Pencil cover attracts youth with different needs. I like to say they learn differently than working past a "disability." My friend - artist and author Karl C Klein did a superb job on the cover! It's unforgettable to anyone who has seen it! Right?
Karen E. Dabney copyright 2018