My friends and family, while supportive of my writing business, don’t get very involved in my writing at all. Once in a while they will stop by one of my blogs, but they never comment and rarely wish to discuss anything that I write about.
When I first started posting content online, my kids were avid readers. Despite the fact that I’d worked as a technical writer for years they seemed genuinely surprised that I could write short articles.
“This stuff is good.” My one daughter said.
“Yeah, it’s almost too good to be online.” My other daughter answered.
However, as the novelty wore off, they have lost interest in what I write.
My close friends are the same. I can drag them to a computer monitor and show them one of my blogs, but they typically have nothing to say other than, “that’s nice.” I can tell by the look in their eyes that they probably won’t be reading it again.
Sometimes it makes me wonder how I can be so close to people that have no interest in something that I spend so much time doing and put so much of myself into.
However, I guess that’s why I have you, the readers.
Which bring me to my question of the day: is your family involved in your writing? If so, how?
(If not, leave me a comment too so at least I’ll feel like I’m not the only one with an indifferent family.)
Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.
13 responses so far ↓
1 Helen Ginger // Aug 22, 2007 at
I’d have to say my family is not involved in my writing. Don’t think either of my kids have read my blog. My husband is impressed that I’ve been doing a weekly e-newlsetter for writers for eight years now. He actually subscribes, but I seriously doubt he reads beyond the initial column each week. I do have friends who tell me they read the blog, but like yours, they rarely comment. It’s rather lonely out here, isn’t it? Okay, now you’re making me cry.
2 Laura // Aug 22, 2007 at
Hi Helen!
Thanks for commenting. I didn’t mean to make you cry, I just wondered if many other writers had feedback from the people close to them.
I think the lack of feedback from my inner circle is one reason why I value my commentators so much.
3 Lillie Ammann // Aug 22, 2007 at
My husband reads and comments on my blog occasionally. When my mother was alive, she was always interested in what I wrote (but I guess that’s what mothers do). Others among my family and friends are impressed when I give them a book I’ve edited for a client. I don’t think they would buy a copy, though. We’ll see if they buy my next novel when it comes out in the fall. 🙂
4 Renae // Aug 23, 2007 at
Last week my mother told me she had my dad print out everything I’d written on my blog so she could read it. (She doesn’t like using the computer.) I was shocked and blessed.
My wonderful husband has subscribed to my feed and checks my blog everyday. He is very supportive.
Close friends haven’t said much. A couple have said they don’t have time to read anything else.
5 Jeanne Dininni // Aug 23, 2007 at
Hi, Laura!
My family isn’t really very involved in my online writing to any great extent, either. But, I think it’s important for us to be philosophical about these things. We must remember that the reason we ourselves are involved in it is because we love to write, we love to read and correspond with other likeminded people, and we enjoy working with computers and the internet.
If our family members 1) have little or no interest in computers and/or the internet, 2)have interests and talents that lie in totally different areas than our own, 3) aren’t into connecting with others via written correspondence/comments (but maybe would rather connect in person), and/or 4) are either not interested in the writing craft or not avid readers, it would stand to reason that they wouldn’t be overly excited about our internet writing–and our writing blogs in particular, which are, after all, aimed at writers.
Every person is an individual, with individual interests, talents, and aspirations–which is what makes us all so unique! My youngest son is a wonderful musician–a pianist and composer, who has written some of the loveliest piano pieces I’ve ever heard. He’s also developing into an excellent artist, and has created many very impressive drawings. And, while he’s intelligent and articulate–and very computer-savvy–writing simply isn’t his main interest at this point in his life.
It’s OK for us to let each member of our families be who they are–who they were meant to be. We don’t need to take it personally if their interests lie in different areas than our own. We can give them the freedom to like what they like without having to feel guilty that they aren’t as “into” our interests as we would like them to be.
And, after all, whether or not this becomes an issue for us is really dependent upon how we, personally, choose to perceive their “lack of interest” and the way in which we choose to allow it to affect us.
(Sorry if I got a bit carried away with my response! That’ll teach you to ask questions at the end of your posts!)
Jeanne
6 Courtney // Aug 23, 2007 at
My family didn’t use to be very involved in my writing, at least until my husband came home to work on his own business almost a month ago. Now he’s doing some writing gigs as well as his graphic design work. Technically, he’s still not involved in my writing….but I’m definitely involved in his! 🙂
My dad, who I inherited my love of writing from, has tried writing content but hates it. He asks occasionally how the business is going but I don’t get into too much detail with him.
7 Laura // Aug 23, 2007 at
Hi Lillie, Renae, Jeanne, and Courtney!
Lillie, you’re publishing a novel?? You HAVE to share the details.
Renae, that’s so wonderful that your mother wants to read everything on your blog.
Hi Jeanne! Actually, I loved your long response! It’s almost another post in the comments. I agree with you about the uniqueness of individuals. Once in a while, though, I wish that I had some offline friends or family to talk to my writing about.
Courtney, that’s great that your husband is now doing writing too! I’ve had several family members start blogs, but they don’t really apply themselves to it or promote their blogs.
8 Robert Hruzek // Aug 23, 2007 at
I’m reminded of something Liz Strauss said at SOBCon07 about being prepared when what we write is never read by our friends or loved ones. I thought it would bother me – but it doesn’t, because my writing is simply my way of thinking out loud.
When others respond, it’s a conversation. But when they don’t, hey, it’s only a conversation that simply hasn’t happened… yet!
9 Laura // Aug 23, 2007 at
“A conversation that hasn’t happened yet…” I like that.
10 Joanna Young // Aug 23, 2007 at
Hey Laura, it’s just me and my cat here and he doesn’t seem too interested. In fact most of the time he seems most displeased that I spent so much time in front of the PC when I should be sprawled on a couch waiting for him to come and sleep in comfort!
Joanna
PS Sorry I’ve not been around for a while
11 Laura // Aug 23, 2007 at
Hi Joanna!
I perfectly understand about the cat not reading your work. Since she/he is probably illiterate, they are off the hook.
I’m sure the cat would read your work is she/he could …
12 Lillie Ammann // Aug 24, 2007 at
I posted about my novel on my blog in Dream or Destiny … The End!. I’m still working on the final edits, but paying customers keep taking up my time. 🙂 If I get the minor revisions back to the publisher soon, the book (a romantic suspense) will be out in November. I’ll post plenty of updates before then.
13 Laura // Aug 24, 2007 at
If it weren’t for those paying customers … Will you sell the book on your blog? (What if I want an autographed copy?)