I concur with Oren -- it's hard keeping touch over the summer, and I think everybody who knows you knows it's not because you don't care, because, um, Kristin=HUGE HEART! ^^
I think where they may be coming from, though, is the simple fact that you don't really live with them any more. They're used to having you home and being aware of what you're doing, who you're with etc etc, even if you never told them when you were living there, they were still aware of your presence. But now you're not there, so they're adjusting to that. They want to know what's up, and as it seems neither of you are forthcoming communicatively, there's this standstill. You think they should call you, they think you should call them situtation, so nothing gets said, and they get nervous.
And I think they're just trying to be realistic/helpful about the writing. The cold reality of life is not that it's incredibly hard to get published, but rather it's quite difficult to sell fiction because there's so much of it out there. Unless your first book (or two) is a hit, the life of a writer is rough. And I think they're worried that that may happen, and just trying to figure out what you'll do in the meantime. Because, um, bills happen whether or not a book sells.
I mean, I know you probably know all this, and I know you're prepared to be "poor for your craft," but your parents, it seems, are just very worried about your future, and want you to be okay. Does it come off as mean and hypocritical and controlling? Yes. Because they're parents, and that's how parents come off when they offer adverse opinions to our own. But, I mean, you're growing up and that's hard for both you and them.
In the end, though, keep in mind that they more than likely mean well, even if it doesn't always seem like it. And when they offer to help, they're offering to help in the ways they know how because they may not know what else to do.
I think where they may be coming from, though, is the simple fact that you don't really live with them any more. They're used to having you home and being aware of what you're doing, who you're with etc etc, even if you never told them when you were living there, they were still aware of your presence. But now you're not there, so they're adjusting to that. They want to know what's up, and as it seems neither of you are forthcoming communicatively, there's this standstill. You think they should call you, they think you should call them situtation, so nothing gets said, and they get nervous.
And I think they're just trying to be realistic/helpful about the writing. The cold reality of life is not that it's incredibly hard to get published, but rather it's quite difficult to sell fiction because there's so much of it out there. Unless your first book (or two) is a hit, the life of a writer is rough. And I think they're worried that that may happen, and just trying to figure out what you'll do in the meantime. Because, um, bills happen whether or not a book sells.
I mean, I know you probably know all this, and I know you're prepared to be "poor for your craft," but your parents, it seems, are just very worried about your future, and want you to be okay. Does it come off as mean and hypocritical and controlling? Yes. Because they're parents, and that's how parents come off when they offer adverse opinions to our own. But, I mean, you're growing up and that's hard for both you and them.
In the end, though, keep in mind that they more than likely mean well, even if it doesn't always seem like it. And when they offer to help, they're offering to help in the ways they know how because they may not know what else to do.
Anyway, my two cents. See you soon!! :D
Reply
Leave a comment