It’s the last Saturday before Christmas. Please take time to enjoy these few days before Christmas with your family and loved ones and friends.
I do love Christmas. My husband and I have a tradition of shopping in a small mountain town, Blue Ridge, Georgia, the first or second Saturday in December. We find unique gifts and have a great lunch and a fun day together.
Speaking of shopping, my publisher has my book, Rich in Love, is on sale for .99 cents through the end of the year.
Ann Thomas has to spend 1 million dollars on herself in 23 days–with a cute accountant holding the debit card. It’s not a Christmas story, but hey, shopping is shopping. (Oh, and Ann hates to shop!)
Christmas is a great time to think about family. When writing a story, family is important. Whether they’re in the story or not. A orphaned girl, can be just as interesting as a girl who has seven brothers or sisters. The lack of family begs for questions. Who were the parents? Did they die? If so, how? Who raised this girl? Her grandmother, aunt, favorite uncle, or even a friend of the family.
The eight children in the family scenario is interesting as well. How did they get along? What are the age differences? Who is mom or dad’s favorite? Are there twins? Are they all athletic? Artists? Musicians? Do they have the same interests or are they different as night and day.
As writers, we get to delve into these scenarios. We get to find out what makes each story click. I’m working on a project now where the heroine is adopted and her birth father has contacted her and wants to meet her. My girl has great parents, and is torn with what to do. (This is all first chapter info–no spoilers) But the concept of family and extended family is fascinating.
I grew up with a large extended family. It’s been great. But I know people who have no family. They are happy, well adjusted people with amazing lives. It seems to me it’s not how much family you have, it’s what you do with what you have.
Mindy Obenhaus, who was a guest earlier this year has a Rocky Mountain Heroes Series writes about 5 brothers. It’s a great series She weaves in family dynamics and there’s a overarching romance concerning the father. (The mother passed away shortly before book 1) If you like family connections, I recommend this series.
I’d love your input on the pros and cons of extended families and no families. Are you particularly drawn to stories with families? Or do you like the loner type stories? We love having your input!
Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!
Lelia (Lucy) Reynolds says
I enjoy both types of stories. Have a blessed and Merry Christmas 🎁🎄
Lila Diller says
I came from a small family, only one sister, and my husband is an only child. But all of my parents and in-laws came from big families of 6+ siblings. So I don’t really care too much, not enough to put a book down if I find that it has a big family or an orphan. As long as the characters are deep and the family connections (or lack thereof) have played a part in who they are now, I’m good.
Patty says
I don’t have a huge extended family, but do enjoy stories about large families!
Paula Marie says
I grew up in a large extended family but now they are all over and I never see them. I miss the closeness so much so I am drawn to family stories!
Lindi Peterson says
Merry Christmas, Lila!! Thank you. :)
Lindi Peterson says
Merry Christmas, Patty. Thank you. ;)
So many books to enjoy.
Lindi Peterson says
Merry Christmas, Paula Marie. Reading can bring us close to memories. :)
Lindi Peterson says
Merry Christmas, Lucy. Thank you. Blessings to you. :)
Trudy says
I like both kinds. I have a huge extended family on my Daddy’s side, and a much smaller extended family on my Mom’s. Daddy was one of 12, Mom was one of three.
Lindi Peterson says
Merry Christmas, Trudy. My Gma was oldest I’d 11. :) I love big families.
Mary Preston says
I like families in stories. I come from a very large family myself.
Dianna says
I tend to like books with dysfunctional families. Maybe because I came from one!