Yaysayers Vs Naysayers

Wow, embarking on this publishing lark is certainly an eye-opener.

There are those who want to help; hell, they are helping! Each little bit of advice, support, guidance is so appreciated, be it a link, an experience or just a good on ya Boy 1.

I love that others are honest about the trails and tribulations, the rejection, the struggles, the "WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T DO THIS!" tales. It ALL helps me help him. I never said it was going to be easy, I said this was an experience I wanted him to have. Another learning curve of life.

BUT, you know what?

It does not help when someone goes "Bah, good luck, my friend so and so has been trying to get published for ten years..."

or
"You are kidding yourself, why are you bothering?"

or
"What sort of a book could a kid write, I could write better than that!"

Firstly, read it before you make stupid comment, dipshit. And from the things I have read of yours and your lack of a grasp of the English language, ah no, you couldn't!

Secondly, I am bothering because I have taught my children if you want to do something give it your all. If it doesn't succeed, then the success is in the experience.

And thirdly, I do not know your friend or what she has written, I know my son and I believe in what he is trying to do. Oh, and as you are a close friend, don't you think a "Wow, what a great thing to try. Isn't it amazing how far he has come" would be more appropriate? Considering you have known him since birth and you teach kids on the spectrum? Seriously, how miserable a person are you? Really. really sad comment.


I have come to the conclusion it is like dieting. Never mention the word to some people because all they will do is ridicule the idea and belittle your ideas whilst pushing you to have the large slice of chocolate cake.

Okay. Rant over. Feel better now.

We Haz Fame!

Remember this little guy?

Before he grew all big and tall and confident? Well a funny thing happened on the way to puberty. As an intense part of his younger speech therapy days was daily rhyming and poetry. Now the young Boy 1 used to write beautiful poems and was quite unimpressed with his Madmother trying to make light of it with terms such as poo, bum, and the worst one - fart being used. Anyhoos, he soldiered through and with some one-on-one brainstorming sessions produced some pretty damn good poems. Most of which were lost in the drunk drive fiasco - remember that? No? Before blog time methinks.

Fast forward to the world of today. A writing contest is being touted at the school. Can be old, new, poems or prose. Both boys decide to submit older work. Boy 2's poem is one of the first things I posted when I started my blog. Boy 1's was even older. He wrote it in Grade 1, yes in those intense rhyming days. Now, I was so proud (as was his speechie) that I posted this on an autism poetry website. With copyright (whilst his christian name was on the piece, oh and age = 7, it was my name that appeared after the little circled c) held by moi truly! So, although I luckily had a copy saved in a file on my work pc, I figured save time google. Google is a very useful tool, let me say.



You wanna know what I found?

This poem (without permission I might add) has been used:

• in a brochure for an American university's autism programme
• in a sermon
• in a play
• on a FB page for a support group in Maritius
• in a school website
• in a book - this one gets me as it is a bestseller and the author should have known better. Am following this up as we speak.

Now, the site it was posted originally on is pretty clear about copyright, and my name and contact details were obtainable. Half of me is beaming in pride at my very talented boy, the other half is seriously pissed that people take liberties like this. The university has been great, and I have, with a few conditions, given permission to continue using it. The author - well, that one is pending.

I'm also wondering if the competition judges will accuse him of plagiarism seeing as you can google it and it comes up so many places. Am going to talk to the teacher today to let her know.

And no, I'm not posting it here, I've learnt my lesson on THAT one!

My boy haz famze!

Weekend Grateful - The Best

From this (3 weeks of age 1998),

to this:

I love you my son, and on your 13th birthday I am truly grateful for your presence in my life and the lessons you have taught me and everyone who crosses your path on this journey.

Thank you Maxabella, for reminding us we need to stop and give thanks.