Family Dynamics

 

Since creating the last post, a few chapters have gone by. So much of it deals with Laramie’s relationship with his family.

Click here for Laramie, Chapter 4
Click here for Laramie, Chapter 5
Click here for Laramie, Chapter 6

You don’t have to be gay to have weird family dynamics. More than anything, politics can be so divisive. As can religion — or the lack of — which can cause its share of turmoil.

When writing my characters, I feel they play more authentically when you understand the complete picture. Family is a part of that. Lance and Mike are fortunate to have wonderfully supportive parents. I wish had more reasons to bring in Lance’s father to stories, as I really liked him. Coming out has its own moment of shock, so I addressed that with Trent and Cooper. Then there are tales like Jakob’s. I wish those were so remotely rare, but I fear it may not be as uncommon as we think.

Laramie’s story becomes more intertwined with family. I hinted at many things in Coffee at 9. Laramie opened up to Cooper. Their relationship grew from being able to share. Those spoken-of hints from the previous book might serve as minor spoilers, but the true nature of Laramie’s environment comes from those entanglements of family, which is why for his story to be fully told, those experiences are fleshed out. We all know where they eventually lead him. And soon.

From tidbits many of my readers have shared, there is both support and family drama in their own lives. My hearts especially go out to those readers who feel they just can’t possibly reveal who they truly are. It is too simplistic to say, “No matter how traumatic it may seem, you can finally be the person you really are. That terrifying moment is over.” But not every situation is as easy as that. If those people just need an anonymous person to unload on, I’m just an email away. The gay phrase, “It gets better,” is true.

Laramie’s family will continue to mold his environment through the end of the book. There is much more to develop in the chapters ahead.

Someone might wonder about me. What’s my family like? Ironically, the most supportive one in the whole group was my father, who was a preacher. The rest are not homophobic necessarily, but they are not “fans.” They accept, they tolerate. They don’t hate. But … not fans. It is what it is, and I’m grateful I am not pushed away.

We can’t choose who our family is — which was the theme of Trent’s play, The Brutal Reality — but there is the family we choose, and those people are worth a million dollars. Surround yourself with friends who love you and love who you are.

Blessings to all.

Timothylane414@gmail.com