F is for Family

            F is for family, a bittersweet word to writers. At the very least, most of us seem to write about people who find their family, whether or not that happens to be the one they were born into. It should go without saying that family is important, and it’s something that most writers cannot get away from when figuring out their characters. It is also something that can hold oh so many meanings to us personally.

            Anyone who chases a dream can probably relate to this, and part of the inspiration behind this post was Lori Lesko’s blog on the subject, which you can read here. She brought to light something many of us experience when it comes to family and a seemingly impossible dream. If we’re lucky, we get support and love. More often, it’s a scoff and one good eye roll.

            When Shadows Rising hit the Kindle in January, I was overwhelmed by the support that poured out from family and friends. I cannot express how thankful I am for that. However, I spent the better part of middle school and high school trying to find a more practical career path, one that would pay the bills, because I was never told that I could make this my living. I’m not bashing my parents by any stretch of the imagination or faulting them for the paths I took to get where I am today, but the truth of the matter is they could (and still can) be depended upon for the practical side of the coin.

            I’m coming to realize you need at least one person in your life that will give you the cold hard facts and give them to you straight. I’ve got three people. My mom and dad and the Frog Queen. They’ll give me a straight answer, whether I like it or not.

            Even when there’s scoffing and eye rolling going on, family is still the one to catch you when you fall. They may border on obnoxious with the “I told you so” but really, that should just inspire you to get back up and do what you set out to do. After all, it’s sometimes fun to annoy your relatives and if you’re doing it while achieving your dream, all the better.