Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Floored.

I was talking to my mother, a couple of months ago, right after I published The Godshead.  I asked if she wanted me to send her the URL so that she could see it on Amazon (because I still think that's the coolest thing in the world: I am a published author). 

"Why?  It's not like I'm going to read it." 

Um...okay.  Because her daughter wrote that book, and is proud of it, maybe?  And maybe a parent might want to brag about their kids' kid's* accomplishments? 

Turns out, she's not proud of me for having written and published that book.  Isn't going to be proud of me for the next several, either.  Wanna know why?

Because I write fantasy.  I write about magic, and gods with little gs.  It's what I read, it's what's in my imagination, and it's what I write (because I write what I like to read). 

I have been informed that neither she nor any of her sisters want to hear about any more of my books until and unless I write something explicitly Christian, something wholesome.  Something that appeals to their naval-gazing fundamentalism. 

Something that won't entertain them or make them think about the world that they're willfully turning their backs on. 

Heh.  Guess I shouldn't point out that Christ has several cameos, starting in the first story, in The Godshead, or that the bartender is His brother, Lucifer.

Yes, this conversation, and revelation, happened a couple of months ago...but it hurt.  A lot.  And I've only just assimilated and gotten over that enough to be able to discuss it now.

What kind of parent actually says this to their child?

*I initially used the plural possessive because I have a younger sister.  But she hasn't accomplished anything beyond dressing, bathing, and feeding herself in more than fifteen years.  And she's only thirty-one in April.

12 comments:

  1. We can't choose our parents. But we can choose whether they get to see the grandkids.

    Vindictive? Maybe. But, sorry. Life is too short for this kind of crap.

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  2. Sadly, they will probably not understand until the instant that they will need to "account" for their life . . .

    And, then I read about your adventures with the Imp and Pixi . . . . you're a good mom, Odeius is a good dad - and that is always a wonderful thing to watch.

    You have changed the future, set a better path for yourself and your kids - and that's all a parent can ever do. Hang in there Ms. H.

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    1. I'm trying to be a better parent than mine were. It's not hard, but I want to be better than I am.

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    2. I been a creative writer, etc. for well over 50 years.

      I don't give a rat's ass what folks think about my writing/creativity.

      I do it for myself.......

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    3. Oh, I do, too. I don't really care that Mom doesn't have any interest in reading my stuff. It was more that she told me she wasn't proud, and was actually ashamed and wanted to hide what I'd accomplished.

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  3. I'm familiar with the type. I'm married to it. I love my wife dearly, but I know that there are certiain things that she can't handle. She stays as far away from the Guardrails of Life as possible. In her mind, fantasy can become reality, by means of possession.

    Personally, I love your work. I recommend it to those whom I know will also enjoy it, but I don't talk about it with my wife. My wife wants me to get rid of my Grandfather's ring because it has a Masonic Symbol on it, and Masons are historically Anti-Catholic. She sees it as keeping Evil in our home.

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    Replies
    1. Masons aren't really anti-Catholic. They're actually an offshoot of a persecuted monastic order that was driven underground in the 1400's. The Catholics devised the Knights of Columbus because they wanted a secret club, too--even though the Masons don't discriminate against them.

      Odysseus is a Mason. He's the one that told me all of that--it's not part of their super-secret stuff, and both of us like that period in history.

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    2. My father was a 32 degree Mason and instructed new members. You would have to kill me to get my fathers ring. The Masons want to take a good man and make him better, there is no reason to fear them! the rat

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    3. Both my husband and father-in-law are Masons. They're almost always the best of the best of men.

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  4. I am reminded of a quote, Nietzsche I think, "Those who soar appear small to those who cannot fly". It is sad when your loved ones value their cherished superstitions more than their own child. You fly girl. Far and high! Don't let the chains of mediocrity hold you back.They are just afraid, don't take it personally. I am proud to know you, if only as blog pals. Have a great day and a better life, the rat

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