As I was pondering what to contribute to Writers Vineyard this month, I remembered a visit with a new author I had a couple of days ago. She called and wanted me to come to her house so she could pick my brains over the joys and heartaches of having a novel published.
The joy was self-evident with the bubbling pride I observed while she told me of her success with sales and her new experiences. I caught the catch in her throat when she asked how I deal with close friends and relatives showing little interest, not only in purchasing a freshly minted novel or attending launches, but also in never asking about the work involved with such a production.
For whatever reasoning they follow, the end result of having people close to you ignore your creativity HURTS. I like to think it isn’t intentional and after so many novels behind me I tend to compartmentalize the sadness, but as I admitted to her that on occasion the door opens a crack and the gremlins shoot out to prick and prod. While I have great support from most everyone I know, which is encouraging, I realize others aren't so fortunate. I’d be interested in hearing how other authors deal with this. Carol McPhee
