Chick Wit: Moms can't help but keep on tweaking
Mother Mary has a new job that benefits us all.
Before I reveal it, let me explain that, when I was growing up, Mom and Pop Scottoline weren't big readers. In fact, there was one book in our house. Guess what it was. The Bible, you say?
No.
TV Guide.
Late in life, however, both of my parents became bookaholics, and I became their supplier, finding large-print editions of popular fiction for my mother. Over 16 years I've made a few author friends, and I buy their books and get them to sign them to my mother, which gives her a big charge. Last month, I shipped her five books, including my new one, then I called to ask her, "How'd you like my book?"
"I loved it, it was great!" She goes on to say nice things, not relevant here, then adds: "But I have some corrections for it. And for the others."
"Corrections? How many?"
"About five."
"Five corrections?" I ask, surprised. "Like typos? That's bad."
"No, five pages of corrections. And for the others, too."
I am astounded. "Five pages of typos?"
"Not typos, corrections, and I have five pages per book. So, 25 pages of corrections."
Now, I officially don't get it. "Give me an example of something you corrected."
"OK, in your book, you use the word ain't. Ain't is not a word."
"Is it used in dialogue?"
"Yes."
"Then it's fine. That's how the character speaks. That's not a mistake."
"Yes, it is. Nobody should use the word ain't. You know better than that, you went to college. I'll mail you the sheets. You'll see."
"OK, send them."
"Ain't! Hmph!"
