Will you tell your family or not?

@starr4all (2863)
September 20, 2008 9:37pm CST
I was just wondering. Would you tell your family if you get published? Now, why I'm asking is would you want your family to read what you wrote? I tend to write horror. Sometimes very graphic horror. My husband isn't so sure he would want his family to read some of the stuff I write. He doesn't have a problem but he wouldn't be sure how his family would react. So, if you think your family would not like what you have written, would you tell them or not?
2 people like this
26 responses
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
22 Sep 08
I think that this is really a personal choice. Personally, I might, but for each of us it is different. Here is a suggestion, if you aren't sure and cannot make up your mind: one thing you could do is to weigh the pros and the cons, and maybe just write them down on a piece of paper. It might help give you a clearer sense of where you stand.
1 person likes this
@starr4all (2863)
23 Sep 08
Thanks for the advice. I think what I will do (if I ever get published) is tell them that I am going to be published, but warn them that it is graphic. And let them decide if they want to read it or not. This past year I've gotten to know them a lot better so that helps. They know I like horror (a lot!).
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
21 Sep 08
Yes I would tell my family. They would be proud of me that I have made a name for myself. Some of my poems got published in a local newspapers. I always received positive feedback from my close relatives.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Sep 08
Congratulations on getting your poems published in the local newspaper. That is a tremendous accomplishment for any writer and I am glad that your family could share it with you.
@k1tten (2318)
• United States
21 Sep 08
Well, I would probably tell them. Heck, I'd be too excited not to. I'd also dedicate it to them because they were the ones to get me into books. I'd dedicate it to my partner to because she is my inspiration. My story though is fiction/fantasy so it'd be easier for them to read that horror.
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Sep 08
I would definately tell my family. They are such an important part of my life, and I would love for them to know that they have helped me reach this point. It doesn't matter what i'm writing about, the fact is that I have been working hard and have achieved a goal of being published, and selling my books, I would love for them to know they had a part in it. Of course they would all get a free copy of the book along with it being signed lol. But in all honesty I would love for them to know my accomplishments therefore I can have a stronger support system in the future. Wonderful discussion and great work getting published!
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
12 Nov 08
I probably would, mainly because I'd be so excited that I might have a hard time not to. There are somethings that I feel that I can't keep from them. I think that this would be one of them. But it's difficult to say, when you're not in that situation. At times, we think we may act in a certain way in a situation and, when that situation arrives, at times, we act in a completely different way than we thought we would. So, sometimes it's just better to wait until that moment arrives before being able to say what we would or would not do.
• United States
25 Sep 08
Most likely I'd tell them. I write vivid horror myself, but I also write a lot of scifi. Sooo, I'm not ashamed of having them read it. What would worry me more about telling my family is the money thing. I've got some serious mooches in my family. Especially my brothers. arrrgh.
@starr4all (2863)
25 Sep 08
That would suck about the family. I'm glad that on my side of the family there are so few of them that they are not moochers. I'm not ashamed of what I write, but I don't want them to feel different about me.
• United States
25 Sep 08
Well, you say they know you like horror, so it shouldn't change their opinion of you too much ^_^ So long as you don't have any ultra-religious nuts in the family, it shouldn't be an issue. Yeah, when I say serious moochers, I mean the kind of mooches that ask for crazy expensive stuff, and for some reason feel like you OWE it to them o_O I've had my brother ask me to buy him an iPod. Guess what I said to that, lol.
• United States
27 Sep 08
Being that it is music I have been working on, usually for a lyricist, I have a feeling that many in my family would want to hear it, being that they'd probably say it's "just noise." I'm not really much of a lyricist, & with music, I do tend to be somewhat of a perfectionist. That perfectionist part is what can hold things back though.
@fifileigh (3615)
• United States
23 Sep 08
i dont care i would tell them. i already published my book, and i told them, but i dont think they like my novel. it is too blunt and sarcastic for them. i dont care.
@syankee525 (6261)
• United States
28 Sep 08
oh i would specaily if you got published oh yeah.. it's not such you pleasing them but what you enjoy doing. i often write things not many might like, but it what's i like doing.. be proud of yourself no matter what, tell them what it is, and leave it up them
• United States
22 Sep 08
If I ever got published, I be so thrilled I'd probably tell everyone.
• United States
28 Sep 08
I would tell my family ahout it. Whether they read it or not is entirely up to them. When my work is published, I want anyone and everyone to read it, so I make calls and send emails telling everyone I know that they need to read whatever it is...just for support if nothing more.
25 Sep 08
It depends. I've written (and published) quite a few "newsy" articles, and even had an occasional column for a trade magazine a few years back. The beauty of those is a) I wouldn't mind my family reading them (although some of my work "exploits" have been, shall we say, lively...), and b) they're unlikely to happen across them in print by accident. The column was written under a pen-name, and thankfully so, as one or two employers would definitely think twice about gainfully employing me ever again... But the other stuff...yep, I've written things on the more, shall we say, colourful end of the scale that I wouldn't be too happy about mum and dad reading. And the thought of one or two of my more staid acquaintances happening across it makes me blush - and that's not easy!
• United States
27 Sep 08
I have my own blogsite for almost a year now. I write anything, i write how i feel and how would i react to a certain issue. For your question. I would not tell them that I had published something. I would just like them to be surprised that I already got that far. Surprises are of course still great.
@EAStanley (2688)
• United States
28 Sep 08
I would probably tell them, just because I'm not sure that they really take me seriously. And, it'd just be cool!
@KrauseHome (36449)
• United States
22 Sep 08
For the most part, what I write would be no big deal if any of my family read it. If I write a Biography of my life, then there might be some things that they would not be wanting to read, or ready for it to be shared, but anything else I may want to write about, I would be Happy to share it with my family members if any of them would be interested in wanting to read it.
@mcat19 (1357)
• United States
21 Sep 08
I told everyone I could think of when my book, Cat-House Sonnets, 100 poems celebrating cats, was published. I told them all again when it won the Muse Medallion from Cat Writers Association. I was so thrilled to hold my own book in my hands that I wanted to put up a billboard sign. Check it out: http://www.jorlanpublishing.com/Cat-HouseSonnets.htm
• Philippines
22 Sep 08
Good day... Yeah why not. It's still your talent and that your family should be proud of that. I like reading graphic horror stuff and even like it more watching it in a movie. I think typo errors are normal what's more important is the composition and the clarity of the story.
• United States
22 Sep 08
If you want to be with this guy for the rest of your life, your gonna be with his family too ;), This is you and you can't hide it. You need to let them know who you are and if they don't like it to bad! Follow your dreams and tell them. I would definutly tell them for this reason because what happens if you hide it from them and they find out. What are you going to tell them, "I've been hiding this from you 'cause I didn't know what you would think." No! What would you say when they ask you what you do, "Iunno." No! Tell them! Haha, glad to be of assistance!
• United States
22 Sep 08
I would tell my family I was writing and was being published, even if they disagreed with what I was writing about. However since it is a topic that they may disagree with I would be a little vague on the details. I would only pass along specific details to those family members who were a bit more forgiving and understanding. They should realize that not everyone has the same interests, so what is interesting and acceptable to you may not be for them - but that is okay since we are all different and have our own opinions. Also, they should be proud of you for being published, that is a huge acheivement that few ever reach. If you do tell them and they disagree, give them time to accept the idea and eventually the differences in opinion will pass.
@lynnemg (4529)
• United States
22 Sep 08
I would definately tell my family if I were being published. I feel that if a person can write a piece of work that is good enough to be published, reguardless of the content, they should be proud enough to share the accomplishment with family and friends. No one is forced to read your work. If you tell them what kind of work it is, then let them make the decision whether or not to read it, you aren't keeping some big secret from those you love.