Finally, a psychological diagram that explains why I am a well-adjusted coper of the highest magnitude. As a child, I was seriously rejected by my father. The trend continued into adulthood. My now-dead dad even went so far as to choose me among all his children to disinherit, though we are all born of the same woman, his wife for 58 years, our mother. This is true, actually; a little swipe from beyond the grave that took the whole family aback. (Why me? you are wondering. I wonder the same.) Not that there was any money, or anything; I think he was just going for a final crushing blow.
This is probably the deep, dark reason why I started this blog in the first place, and why I keep clamoring for more rejection after so much already. Could it be that I can't get enough? Perhaps I'm going for mastery?
That said, as my friend Helen famously put it: "Well, at least now you have a topic for your memoir." (She said it more eloquently than that.) I would probably need a less defended tone to write a successful narrative about how such a bad thing could happen to such a good person as myself. I'm working on it and will keep you posted on my progress.
7 comments:
First, hugs.
(I have similar parents.)
But look at it in this karma-y kind of way: You may have started the blog to revel in rejection, but the blog has made you beloved.
And that's not nothing.
Hugs from me too, and your candid sharing is appreciated. You've alluded to it before, but that is seriously harsh and must be very painful to deal with. Do you have any inkling as to why he might have singled you out this way? Do you look different from your siblings? Are you more like your dad in personality or anything (not that either of these scenarios would excuse it)?
It does seem to be a pattern amongst us writers - sharing backgrounds of parental rejection, neglect and other such formative fuck-ups.
As you say, it (hopefully) ends up making for good stories, whether we wind up calling them fiction or non-fiction or creative non-fiction...
More power to you, and much success, in all things.
Why not start posting some of your actual writing, Bright Boy? An excerpt or two.
Not this again! Every few weeks, someone comes around and tells you to post your work on the blog. Then an argument about whether it's a good idea or a bad one ensues.
My advice, as always: DON'T DO IT!!!
Not yet, anyway.
Because she's a bright girl, 5:53.
;)
I agree, Anonymous 3:07. She is.
I get it, W,R. Sorry.
Love your blog.
I think the characters of Hemingway's story would call a woman "Bright Boy." Just saying. Imagine "The Killers" as an SNL sketch...
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