GOOD
NEWS: In June I asked for prayers for a big day, and
last month I asked for more prayers for another big day. Well your prayers and
wishes for good luck paid off! It may take months before I see any good changes to my life, but this is still a blessing. So
thank you from the bottom of my heart!
PUBLISHING: I am writing a prequel to 30 Seconds called “30 Seconds Before," which follows Blake when he goes undercover in the Mob. I am hoping for a 2016 release. In the meantime I have other publishing plans...such as the sequel to Hurricane Crimes!
PUBLISHING: I am writing a prequel to 30 Seconds called “30 Seconds Before," which follows Blake when he goes undercover in the Mob. I am hoping for a 2016 release. In the meantime I have other publishing plans...such as the sequel to Hurricane Crimes!
FACEBOOK: I
reached 300 likes! I know many of you have 1,000+ likes, but 300 is great for
little ole me. Thank you to everyone who has liked my page.
THANKFUL: I am thankful for the Blogging from A to Z Challenge where I met countless
wonderful people.
Image by Chrys Fey.
CONFESSION: My ultimate insecurity is . . . my
family.
After I left school and got my GED, I couldn’t find work due
to medical limitations from spine surgery, so I put my energy into writing. I
was completely happy with this, but I don’t think anyone else in my family (other than my mom) liked my plan.
Last summer, my father came down to Florida for my sister’s college graduation. They took me out to lunch
and the first question my father asked me was, “Are you still being a
bump-on-the-log?” Meaning: Do you have a real
job?
Two months after his visit, I got my first publishing
contract. I was thrilled! But not everyone shared my enthusiasm. My sister congratulated me by adding this at the end of a Facebook message: “btw
congrats on your book.” That “btw” made her words feel half-hearted. She didn’t
buy Hurricane Crimes for $1.99, or even get it when it was free. During all of that I waited for my father to say he was proud of me, but that never happened.
So yes, more than reviews, and rejections, my biggest insecurity is my family.
QUESTIONS: Does your family support your writing dream? What are you thankful for?
GREAT FREE STORIES:
Campus Crush by Ashelyn Drake (Romance novellas collection 1-4 ) 5 Stars
Two Tales of Terror by Kelly Hashway (YA flash fiction) 5
Stars
Curse of Death by Kelly Hashway (PDF short story) 5 Stars
Kiss of Death by Kelly Hashway (PDF short story prequel) 5 Stars
The Imaginary Friend by Kelly Hashway (Children's short
story) 5 Stars
Small Graces by M. Pax (flash fiction) 5 Stars
Plantgirl by M. Pax (flash fiction) 4 Stars
Translations by M. Pax (flash fiction) 4 Stars
*Don't forget to post reviews on Goodreads and Smashwords/Amazon!
Your first publishing contract? Wow! Congratulations! That's really wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sittie!
DeleteAw sweets, I bet loads of writers can relate to the lack of family interest/support in their writing. I can. Most people just don't understand the publishing world, marketing, and the development of a full story. They have not idea how the business works from the creative side to the logistics of needing a synopsis and query to sub to publishers and agents. It's hard to explain such a complex subject to folks who just aren't into it. Hang in there. Others understand how you feel. <3
ReplyDeleteI'm sure a lot of writers can, but it's always difficult when it's your own family not supporting you. Thanks for your comment, SA! :)
DeleteCongrats on the good news!
ReplyDeleteI hear you regarding family support and interest. It's difficult, but I've found it almost makes you tougher and more determined to succeed. And as long as you've got a few people - like your Mom - who totally believe in you and cheer you on, that's all you really need. That, and believing in yourself, of course. :)
Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
It does make me tougher and push harder...to show them I am a good writer.
DeleteThanks for your comment, Madeline!
Chrys, it sucks that your family isn't more supportive of your writing. I think that many times, if someone doesn't have a dream of their own, they can't understand yours. Good luck with your upcoming projects. I know that you'll continue to write great stories no matter what.
ReplyDeleteIt does suck. and I think that's the reason why my oldest sister doesn't support me...because she doesn't have a dream of her own.
DeleteThanks, Quanie!
So glad to hear your big days went well. My family is very supportive and I'm so happy about that!
ReplyDeleteThat's great, Stephanie!
DeleteWell poopy on them for not being supportive. When you LOVE someone the way God intended for us to love (unconditionally) then you support them and encourage in whatever dreams they have. I'm sorry your sister & pop aren't doing as they should. While not all my family is so into my writing, at least they encourage me to go for it.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for keeping on despite them. It takes dedication to get published. And you have!!!
I'm thankful for life. :)
Hugs!
I agree, Terri, which is why not having their support hurts so much.
DeleteHugs!
Glad your prayers were answered!
ReplyDeleteHeck with your family for not supporting you. It's a bummer, but don't let it get you down.
My family does support me and I'm thankful. Even though my own mother has never read any of my books and I doubt she ever will.
I'll try not to let it get me down anymore. My mom supports me very much, but she hasn't read any of my books either and she probably won't because they aren't her style. ;)
DeleteSorry your family is not more supportive but it's not the end of the world. Their loss! You must just plug on regardless....
ReplyDeleteI will plug on. Thanks, Pat!
DeleteI realize all over again how lucky I have been with my family. I am so sorry - I can half-adopt you. They think writers are the best! You have 310 FB likes now, and I just bought Hurricane Crimes. We'll see how I like it, but it sounds good. Oh - and I posted te purchase notice on FB.
ReplyDeleteThanks for buying Hurricane Crimes, Diana. I sure do hope you like it. :) Thanks for your support and the offer to half-adopt me. ;)
DeleteI completely understand. I've got five brothers. Do you know how many of them have bothered reading anything I've written? 1. Just one. My inlaws are more supportive than my siblings. I find that disturbing, but maybe it's just the whole nose against the wallpaper thing. People who are close to an artist are typically the last ones to validate them.
ReplyDeleteUnleashing the Dreamworld
I have two brothers, two sisters and no one has read anything of mine. I guess that's the way it goes. *sighs*
DeleteI always suspected my mother's criticism of my writing style and determination was motivated by secret jealousy, since she gave up her own writing dream so quickly and easily. After awhile, she stopped trying to make me write the way she did, short stories in contemporary settings. She and my father also never understood my Atlantic City books are largely meant as satire and spoof, not straight historical, and that some of the things they were horrified by are meant to be dark comedy or so deliberately over the top they're meant to be funny and not taken seriously.
ReplyDeleteMy mom supports me although she hopes to get published herself one day, but she probably won't ever read my work as it's not her style. Good for you for writing the way you wanted to write!
DeleteCongrats on your good news, Good you have the support of your family with your writing. Should you read my poem you will see I don't have that support.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, most enjoyable to read.
I don't really have the support of my family...mostly just my mom.
DeleteSorry your family isn't supportive. I would say my family is supportive, but through encouragement. No one in my family has read my book (at least not the final draft, which is drastically different from the first draft). Despite this, my husband still wrangles the kids away so I can write (he's waiting for the audiobook), and my sis-in-law spends hours brainstorming over plot ideas I'm stuck on (she hated my first draft). My parents beam when they show off my book, though they seem to be struggling with actually reading it (they don't read for enjoyment). My brother makes conversation, asking how I'm doing with writing, but he'll probably never read my book.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm not a full-time writer. I wonder if the attitude would be different if I was.
I sure wish my family showed me support the way your family does. That's great that they do those things for you, Loni!
DeleteSeems many people, family or otherwise, think we are a bump on a log if we don't have a typical 9-5 job. But pffft to them is all I say haha congrats on 300 likes.
ReplyDeleteYes! Pffft to them! ;) Thanks, Pat!
DeleteI find that getting family (and even friends) to read my novel is really hard. My mom is the only exception. Others say they will... but don't. I think this is fairly common. Don't let it bum you out.
ReplyDeleteIf it was only the fact that they don't read my work it would be a different story, but they don't ever show support or interest and that's what's hard.
DeleteOnly my parents and siblings know I write, and if they ask what I'm up to, if I'm writing I say it . . . to this day I still hear from everyone (not my mom) "oh you're still doing that? Why?" I get eye rolls and such, so I kinda get it. Hugs to you, you're doing a great job and really? It's their loss.
ReplyDeleteS.K. Anthony: My Writing Quirks—IWSG (16)
Thanks, S.K.! I know whenever my sister calls and asks me what I'm doing, I always say, "I'm writing." And she laughs as though it's funny. What else would an author be doing?
DeleteI definitely understand the family thing. Then again, my family is screwed up in more ways than one. It's really hard when you're not getting support from the people who should support you the most. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteOh, we could have a competition to see whose family is more screwed up. HAHA!
DeleteFamilies are complex and strange and if they weren't family they'd be strangers. I know my mom thinks I am strange for writing, but then my dad was a poet and she thought he was bent, too. I work hard at closing my heart to those sorts of things... otherwise it hurts when it shouldn't. Be proud of what you have done.. Everyday I manage to go to the day job, find time to social media with others, but mostly write, I am happy woman warrior writer..
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brenda! I am proud of what I have done. "I am a happy woman warrior writer..." I love that! :D
DeleteMy family is supportive, thankfully. Well, most of my family at least. Some never ask about my books and never purchase them. That's okay. My husband, daughter, parents, and sister are supportive and I'll focus on that.
ReplyDeleteThanks for spreading the word about my free books. :)
I wish the family closest to me were all supportive. You're lucky! ANd you're absolutely welcome. I loved ALL of your free books! :)
DeleteUgh, it's so hard when families and friends don't understand and can't be supportive. I'm sorry, Chrys. I hope they can come around!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard, and I hope so, too. Thanks, Liz!
DeleteSorry to hear about your family. I don't think anyone in my family's read any of my books, so I understand how frustrating it can be! Congratulations on all the good news, anyway - it's still worth celebrating! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Emma! If I could get support without them even reading my books, I'd be happy.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear your family doesn't have respect for your chosen profession! I've had unlimited support from my folks and my friends, but in the early days, my distant relatives were more lukewarm about it. They didn't believe I could do it, but I proved them wrong. I bet over time they will realize how serious you are! I wish you the most success :) Keep at it, and you'll find your own better cheerleaders out there in the world.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you proved them wrong, Kiersi! And thank you so much!! I will keep at it. :)
DeleteYour parents are probably just worried and would like you to have a steadier income. My dad would have responded the same as yours if he were alive. My family is supportive of my writing, but my mom's first comment was, "I can't believe that book came out of you." o_0 *Say what?* So yeah, I just told her still waters run deep and you just never know. It was hurtful, though, that she didn't think I had it in me. I've always told my daughter that she could do or be whatever she wanted. She went for Theater first, then switched to Criminal Justice.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, Gwen! I love that you tell your daughter she could do anything she wants. Although my mom supports my writing, when I was growing up she would shoot down all of my other dreams, saying things like, "Do you know how much work you have to do to be an actor?" Yay for your daughter doing criminal justice!!!!
DeleteSorry to hear that about your family but I remember you writing about your mother and her writing. My kids and husband are very supportive though my husband keeps hoping for bigger checks. Hope your online friends make up for it somewhat.
ReplyDeleteYes, my mom is very supportive as she wants to publish, too. Bigger checks would be nice. ;) And thanks, Susan. My online friends do make up for it. :)
DeleteAt least you have your mother Chrys, my tank is empty family wise when it comes to family support for writing. Even though I make some money now from freelance/ghostwriting work I'm still treated like I'm some kind of bum. I have actually been busy writing and having to argue when someone wants me to do something when another is sitting right next to them doing nothing (literally). As if staring into space is more work than anything I could be doing. I could go on and on about the ways family have tried to derail me being a writer but I won't depress you.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your over 300 likes. Don't worry about those who have 1,000 or more likes. Do you think they know a lot of those in some cases. Bet you have some kind of relationship (or recognize) with even half of the people behind the likes. I have over a 100 likes and I'm ecstatic and grateful. Online friends have been remarkable to me and I got to meet Joy Campbell (not face to face yet but I plan to change that) a local author who I was very interested in because of Contraband. So remember we are here for you too and thanks for popping by my blog.
It's terrible that we get treated like bums for following our hearts and dreams. I wish non-writers could know how tough it is to write, edit, and publish a book.
DeleteThank you for such a wonderful comment, Sheena-kay! You're right about the FB likes. I do "know" a good many who have liked my page and I'm grateful for that.
Hey, I get excited over every new like! Glad to hear you have good things going on. Sorry to hear about your family. I actually have good family support, but I do hear comments like that from other people. I know how bad that stings, so it must be doubly hurtful to come from the people who should be cheering you on. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteSo do I, Elizabeth! ;) Thanks. It does hurt the worst coming from loved ones. Hugs back.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear your family has been so unsupportive of your writing career. I can only imagine how much that must hurt. I haven't published a novel yet, so I'm not sure how my family will respond, but I have to admit, that is one of my biggest fears. I have a large family, as does my husband, but what if none of them want to read what I've written? As of right now, none of them care enough to ask how the writing or the querying or the publishing process is going, so am I to expect any less when I do get published? I'm not sure... Sending you hugs. You should be so proud of all you've accomplished!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kristin. Before I was published, I suppose it was worse. But after I was published, I thought it would change and it didn't. Maybe they don't take eBooks seriously? Maybe they'll support me more when I actually publish a print book? Who knows? Thanks for the hugs! I am proud of what I've accomplished, and you should be, too. :)
DeleteChrys, you've moved mountains with your books and blog so even if your family isn't supportive or proud, we all are. I've been a fan of you ever since I met you on She Writes. And thank God for that! You've been an amazing friend and inspiration. I will always be grateful.
ReplyDeleteWe've talked about this before and it sucks how both of our biological fathers are douche bags. I know you hardly speak to yours and my communication is nonexistent with mine. But to be honest, in a way, this pushes me even harder to succeed. One day, when we are both rich and famous, those who shunned us and left us behind will come crawling. And those who have supported us will be the ones who will bask with us in our light.
I'm looking forward to all of your upcoming releases!!
Thanks for a wonderful comment, Gina! You've been an amazing friend, too. I don't know where I would be without our emails. :)
DeleteYou're right. It does push me harder to succeed. And I love what you said about us being rich and famous one day. ;)
Thanks for being a great friend!
It's sad that your family doesn't support your writing career. My mother and brother are extremely supportive of me (my mother to the point where it may be counterproductive to let her know too much). I'm lucky to have the people closest to me support me.
ReplyDeleteYou have a contract, and you have fans. You have 300 likes on your Facebook page. Even if your family doesn't appreciate your dream, there are many people who do.
I love that your mom and brother are so supportive of you. That's a great thing!
DeleteThanks for a lovely comment, Jennifer. Sometimes we have to put things into perspective. :)
Chrys, I feel your pain. Family is your support system and without their support you don't feel quite balanced. After reading your post, I'm upset with your family, especially a sister who should be bragging about your accomplishments!!! I pray your family will hug you and say, "Well done, Chrys, We're so proud of you!"
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Cathrina! Your comment made my day!
Deleteso happy for your big day and so sorry to hear about your family... try to spin the negativity around and make it work for you, take it as the motivation to prove them wrong! ((((hugs))))
ReplyDeleteI sure will prove them wrong! ;)
DeleteCongratulations on all the good things happening in your life, Chrys. I'm sure my family laugh at me and my writing dream but I rarely share. I'm sure publication of my book will be under whelming for everyone but my hubs and me. Just turn your face to the wind and ignore negativity.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Denise. You should just turn my face to the wind. :)
DeleteWow, that's such a shame! My parents have never been too thrilled with my performing aspirations, but they've been supportive none-the-less, which I've been thankful for.
ReplyDeleteThat's great that they are still supportive, Michael!
DeleteIn computer programming terms (my "native" tongue) FB Likes = FB Likes +1. :) (And 300+ isn't shabby at all.)
ReplyDeleteShame about the lack of support from family. My wife was my biggest fan and toughest drill sergeant / butt kicker to get words on paper. My children and brother also support and encourage me. Tough as it may be, don't allow their lack of encouragement to become discouragement. Family sees the perils before us and often goads us into avoiding them. They mean well, but the impact is usually more detrimental than their intent.
You're right, Jeff! 300 likes is awesome for me! :)
DeleteThanks for your comment, Jeff. I will not let their lack of encouragement discourage me anymore.
you MUST find my post from last year about Write Club. I had the exact thing happen to me and my family. but then my hubs reminded me that if I want to feel good, I need to go to the RIGHT people. so now, I just don't discuss it with them anymore! congrats on everything else. I'm reading Hurricane Crimes and enjoying it!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Tammy. I should just focus on the ones who do support me. Like everyone here. :) Thanks!!! And I'm so glad to hear you;re enjoying Hurricane Crimes. ;D
DeleteI'm sorry to hear your family isn't supportive. :( That was a mean thing for your dad to say. I hope someday they can realise what you're doing is important and worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Trisha! I hope they will realize, too. ;)
DeleteIt's hard when you don't get support from family. I have only one member of the family who isn't supportive, so I guess that makes me lucky.
ReplyDeleteThat does make you lucky. :D
DeleteI've been lucky with my family supporting me. Some people just don't realise the work and pain that goes into writing a book, that may be read once and discarded - they don't equate it to 'real work', even though you probably end up working more hours, and putting more sweat and tears into it, than if you had a 'proper job', Ignore them, and when you hit the best seller lists, take them out to dinner ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I work much longer than everyone in my family who clock out at 5pm. I loved your comment, Annalisa, because those are all the things I wish non-writers could experience and understand.
DeleteI hope one day your father says something. I know my mother was proud, but she rarely told me directly. She would gush about my books to my husband and others but rarely me.
ReplyDeleteI think it's nice that she would gush about your books to others. I doubt my father does that.
DeleteI'm thrilled for you. Families are difficult to peg. Mine didn't seem too excited at first either. Then I heard from friends how proud they were. Maybe it's not what it seems. I'm voting that they are very happy for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joylene! I hope so. :)
DeleteI'm sorry about your dad and sister not being more supportive, Chrys. I think a lot of people just don't get it. They don't understand exactly how hard it is to be a writer, and don't get everything that comes with it. Also, sometimes, I think people get jealous, or they are proud, but they just don't know how to show it. I know it's hard not to let it get to you, but I'd say focus on your projects, and someday, maybe they'll surprise you. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Gisele. I do think my sisters lack of support comes from jealousy. Maybe they will surprise me someday. :) Thanks!
DeleteOh, and also, congrats on all your good news! That's also a great place to keep the focus on. ;)
ReplyDeleteThe good news is definitely worth my focus. :D
DeleteI'm pretty lucky because half my family is more than supportive. But one sister is not supportive. I had my 2nd book come out in June and she is yet to say one word, let alone buy a copy. She never even bought a copy of my first book! It hurts I have to admit. Family members are supposed to be our biggest supporters and I would NEVER not support her. But we have to face facts that not everyone understands what writing means to us and how hard it is to get our writing actually published. We just need to be extra thankful for the people who do show us love and encouragement. I agree with what Tammy Theriault said...that she doesn't involve those that don't support her. I don't tell my one sister or any friends that don't act interested in the past about my writing news unless they ask.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry half of your family isn't supportive of you, Allyn. Sounds like our sisters are two peas in a pod. ;) I agree that we should focus on only the ones who do show us support and ignore the rest. I'll be doing that for now on. :)
DeleteI "liked:your FB page! I have about the same as you - how do those 1000-like people do it? My family doesn't support me at all. That's why I have writer friends and a great CP group. Go where the support is. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lexa! I liked your page in return. :D I have no idea how those people get them. I can only think they have a lot of fans or they solicited a ton of people for likes.
DeleteGlad you have some good things happening in your life! I hopped over and gave you another like for your Facebook page.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sherry! And thanks for the like. I liked you back. :D
DeleteI liked your FB page too. :) My family has been the same in lack of support. Starting from when I said I wanted to be a writer when I was nine and my parents told me I couldn't, because I wouldn't make enough money. Then one of my sisters offered to beta read my novel with her boyfriend and it was amazing how deeply that touched me, realizing how much I wanted them to want to _see_ me (because I feel that someone won't actually know me unless they read my writing). But I also realize that people express love in such different ways, so I try not to be hurt when family members do it in a way that doesn't involve liking my forms of self-expression. Maybe things will change in your family...sometimes it takes time for it to sink in, this image of you in present time that's so different from the image they're stubbornly sticking to.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the like Colleen! I really appreciate it! You could be right, Colleen. I can only think that their support/views will change when I actually have a print book available and not just eBooks. Thanks for telling me about your family/support situation.
DeleteThere are a lot of misconceptions out there about what writers do and why writers write, and I think that's why sometimes writers don't get the encouragement that they need. So I think it's important to know people who do get it so they can be there for you when you need support.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. I've even blogged about that. Having writer friends does make all the difference.
DeleteI can relate, but what I do is write on and share my good news with friends and writer buddies. If I don't get open arms from one group, I turn to others for support.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I need to do. Thanks for commenting, Medeia!
DeleteOops sorry, my earlier comment has gotten a bit more personal (and a little begruding even though I hadn't intended it to be at all) so I deleted it. Anyway, I understand about the lack of concern from family and the hurt that comes with it. Ironically, I've chosen to let them (most of them) know as little as possible about my writing these days because I feel more at ease that way. Can't really explain it lol. *Thank goodness for writer-reader friends!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind personal comments as long as you are okay with sharing that with me. I don't judge. :) I don't share anything about my writing life with most of my family either. Unless they ask. Yes, God bless writer friends!
DeleteMy family is like yours; except they will buy my shot stories but not read them. They only want to know when I'll make big money off my writing.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your good news.
It seems my family wants to know when I'll make the big bucks too. Or will only care if I'm a bestseller.
DeleteThanks, Dolorah!
Hi Chrys, Well, I'm sorry to hear your father doesn't GET IT! I can relate to this insecurity as well. My family is embarrassed by my book and blog. They never say anything to me directly but I know they read it. Actually, I don't see my family anymore but it is a long story and has much to do with my divorce and things that happened after. I think knowing that our parents are people with flaws and expecting zero from them, in the long run will help us move forward. Awesome links for free reading. Thanks for those Chrys!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome for the free eBook links. :) I don't even think anyone in my family reads my blog, which is why I felt comfortable posting this. I don't hardly even speak to my father anymore. It's a shame because I was close to him as a child, but things changed when my parents divorced, he moved away and remarried.
DeleteI meant to add that if you want to increase your facebook likes you can buy an ad for as little as $5/day and you will be amazed at the positive exposure. You can choose your target audience for more success with the ad. It's worth it if you want to increase your page exposure. :)
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about doing this. I've been having financially problems this year, but my good news will change that, so I will definitely buy an ad for a day and see what happens. :) Thanks!
DeleteGood for you persisting with your dream even without the support of family. I hope you've found tons of support iin other places -- like here for example. :)
ReplyDeleteYahoo for your big days going so well!!
Thank you, Nicki! I could never give up on my dream. I have definitely found a lot of support here. :)
DeleteHappy belated blog blitz! It's a shame when people equate overnight success with validity. My family are supportive of my writing but until I get published or win some major award they'll continue to see it only as a hobby. I treat it that way myself sometimes, allowing myself to procrastinate on edits. Must buckle down!
ReplyDeleteThank, Deniz! :D I think my family will view it as a serious career when I publish a print book, or land an agent.
DeleteNovember 25th, 2014
ReplyDeleteDear Chrys,
I could write volumes answering your question.
Does my family support my writing ambitions? you ask.
No.
My mother wanted me to be a nurse or something normal. My father wanted me to be a doctor, but secretly supported my dreams of being an artist by buying me art supplies and paying for an art correspondence course when I was eleven years old. I had to choose between a drawing course and a writing course and chose the drawing course because I thought that writing was something I could always learn along the way.
My father probably wanted to be an artist himself but got zero encouragement and ended up as a WW2-veteran and an economist for the Department of Labor. He wrote extremely well, but only reports. I don't think he ever allowed himself the luxury of writing fiction.
But then he could hurt my feelings by talking about artistic talent as a "curse". It's just something you do. Why do people make such a big deal about drawing and painting?
My mother remembered all of these starving artists in Sweden during the depression (1930s) who paid my grandfather for his services (he was a dentist) with artwork. So my mother had no respect for artists when I applied to art school. My mother changed her mind somewhat when I became a commercial artist and could earn a living doing it.
When I started writing translations, I dearly wanted my father's approval. I wanted him to read my English texts and say how well I wrote. But by that time he had become legally blind and asked me to not send him any more books to read. He never read my English translations. (After that, I switched languages and started translating English texts into Swedish.)
I wish that I had had parents who were more supportive of the arts. But I have had (and still have) dear friends who have filled (and fill) that role. I had an uncle who wanted to support my artistic efforts, but I was too shy to accept his offer. My paternal grandmother was an artistic soul. My maternal grandmother taught me Swedish. (I owe her a lot.)
But surprise, surprise! Guess who helps me now? My children! My son and daughter are my cheering-squad! My ten year old daughter looks at the computer screen and corrects my spelling! She makes up her own stories that I dutifully write down for her. I ask her advice about characters' names.
My son has started learning French in school and wants me to help him. I'm so relieved! French is a language that I have studied and could pick up again. Earlier, he was talking about learning Mandarin and going to China. France is much closer to Sweden that China!
If you really want to write or be creative in some, there are still ways of getting there, even if you don't have a cheering crowd at home; even if you don't get it from Mom and Dad. Do you still have grandparents or great aunts and uncles who are alive and still clear in their heads? Maybe one of them could give you some moral support.
Thanks again for visiting my November post for IWSG!
Best wishes,
Anna
Thank you for sharing your story with me, Anna! Not receiving the support and recognition we need from your loved ones is tough. Finding this somewhere else is important and I'm glad you've found it with your friends and children. Having your children back up your dreams and help you is a blessing. And I think, ten times more powerful than having our parents do the same, even though we always want/need their support.
DeleteI don't actually have a relationship with my extended family, which is how I grew up. My father's family was across the United States and my mother didn't talk to her brother and sister. But like you, I've found much support from friends and bloggers. :)