Women, Waitressing and the Art of Service - The Documentary

How did I miss this?  

TV Ontario aired this documentary on March 16th. I'm interested in seeing it since I waited on and bussed tables for a short period in a former life.  I was oblivious to any gender or pay inequality at the time. 

 

In the novel The Year of the Rabbit, Jenny and Amy Young wait tables at their family restaurant with the occasional help of hired staff.  Jenny enjoys her work, performing it with pride and finesse. Amy, being a teenager, helps out because it is expected by her Chinese Canadian parents.  It's husband and father Carl who gladly and expertly works in the kitchen.  The parents practically live the art of service and provide it with compassion. 

Young Sera Fletcher enjoys an inside view of the people who prepare and serve the food at The Red Hare restaurant.  It was was not only a third place for her community; it became her new home when her own family began to crumble. 

Second set of proofs for review

So, I received a pair of proof copies of "the novel".  

I can see there are already areas that need updating and correcting.  Ack!  The online publishing / print on demand service recommends to do three sets of proofs because there's always something you're going to miss...  Thanks to SJ for tips. 

This is very exciting yet tiring.  It's almost like being pregnant and having false labour.  Just come out already!  I love you baby.  I created you and think you are so beautiful.  I want you to greet the world, this mixed-up yet promising world.  I hope people will think you are beautiful too.

First proof readers provide advanced praise (unofficially...)

I was pleased in February when an older brother offered to read one of the printed novel proofs. Although he is not part of my target audience, he said he enjoyed it.  He picked up on some references from our home town and family history that I wasn't even aware existed. This is a story of fiction that contains no characters related to people living or dead. I better make sure I put that in the front flap!   I do though use my dear father's name for a character who helped turn around Matthew's wild ways and led him into the noble trade of carpentry and cabinetry. 

Next, a co-worker offered to read it one snowy weekend.  She didn't exactly tell me that she liked it but she said "I didn't want it to end."  Nice.  Then she declared, "You have to do a sequel!" Ack! No,  I loathe sequels.  I thought the ending was good enough to lead the reader into events that might transpire afterward.  Sigh.

Next, a technically inclined writing friend accepted my offer for him to read it.  Again, not in my target group but now I'm starting to wonder... Maybe men could enjoy this story especially if they would relate to Father Gio or even Matthew.  They may also enjoy getting to know sexy, outspoken Georgette. Aside from the spelling mistakes and consistency checks, he said he liked it and it kept him going.  He liked the themes and thought the ending was perfect. Yay!

So... once I have both proofs in my hot little hands, I will apply the recommended edits and submit once again for review.  Hopefully, I'll have this ready for the print on demand service and an e-book version by Easter. 

This has been a fun, stressful, rewarding project that I hope to see to fruition.  

Thanks for following along.  Do come back in a few weeks :o) 

T

Little girls and women on International Women's Day March 8th

This Deep Blonde Thoughts blog entry mentions feminine characters from the novel.  

I wish I could teach the little girls to scream. It was too late for one little girl...