Welcome back, dear voyagers, to the final chapter of our shared journey through my shadowy narratives and personal reflections. As we reach the culmination of this series, I invite you to join me in a space where the past intertwines with the present, where my role as a parent melds with my identity as a writer of the dark and the profound.
The Intersection of Parental Fear and Writing
Reflecting on my evolution from a wanderer to the head of a household, I find the intricate dance between my personal experiences and my creative endeavors continually fascinating. The emergence and development of my children, Typhon, Oleander, and Kirby, have been profound catalysts for a deeper exploration of the human psyche, both in life and in literature.
Having watched my children’s minds develop, The emergence of their sentience, and the heartbreaking struggles they have had to overcome, often by their own doing, I found that there is something that I fear losing. First one, then two, now three, they have given me new macabre thoughts. Fear unlike anything I’ve known before. What started with the curiosity of seeing an entity learn to speak and think, became a deep and inescapable chain that bound me to them. Each of them brings their own challenges.
Typhon's Unpredictable Moods
Typhon, with his rampant mood swings from rage to tears to maniacal laughter, always simultaneously breaks my heart and imbues me with fear for what will happen to him. He is a living reminder of my own turbulent childhood. His struggles mirror the emotional landscapes I navigate in my stories, where characters grapple with their inner demons in a world that is often indifferent or hostile.
Oleander's Creative Genius
Oleander's unbridled creativity and isolation echo the themes of my writings. Her struggles to understand and connect with others reflect the profound loneliness and misunderstood genius often found in literature. Her quick wit and vengeful mind serve as a constant source of character inspiration. I try to demonstrate healthy social interaction to her and explain the nuances of social interactions, but she will not listen.
Kirby's Boundary-Defying Nature
Kirby's defiance of norms and relentless pursuit of humor, despite the challenges, inspire tales where characters must navigate a world that does not conform to traditional rules. They do not understand boundaries, and it is as though they exist to defy them. I don’t want to discourage them, but I can not allow their behavior to continue.
Parenting each of them has been akin to solving a better version of the trolley problem. Every decision made hurts the child in some way, and it is not just hypothetical.
My Current Projects: Childish Macabre Adventures
Foredoom's Fugue is directly inspired by my fears of what my children might experience as they grow up. It is a layered drama about the tumultuous journey of self-discovery and transformation into adulthood set against a backdrop of cosmic horror and fantastique. It draws deeply on my own experiences at the end of the millennium and the daily struggles I witnessed of teenagers transitioning to adults in a broken world.
Thorn and Needle draws heavily from my observations of my children transitioning from toddlers to children. It follows the journey of Rose and Spruce, a brother and sister duo, as they navigate a world filled with gothic horror, elusive cryptids, and deep-rooted conspiracies. Both stories are profoundly influenced by my own life experiences and the milestones I missed during my adolescent development.
Final Writing Exercise: The Cursed Pet
This first exercise, based on the complexities of familial love and the unexpected, involves a family rescuing a sickly pet, unaware of its cursed nature. I will post my story in four weeks, on January 8th. This will be followed by a two-week period for sharing and discussing, and then a new prompt will be introduced on January 22nd. While I don't expect participation with this prompt, I welcome any shared reflections or interpretations.
Concluding Reflection
This journey from a child simply creating ideas to an adult with a newfound sense of humanity has given me the confidence that the stories I write are now worth sharing. It's a transformation that I cherish and one that continually inspires my work.
Engagement Encouragement
For those who may discover this blog later, I warmly invite you to delve into the series and share your own thoughts and experiences. Whether it's a reflection on a specific post, a shared fear, or a personal creative journey, your insights are valued and add depth to our collective exploration of the dark and profound.
Thank you for accompanying me on this expedition through the recesses of my mind and heart. May your own journeys be as rich with discovery and transformation as mine has been.
Until we meet again in the realm of words and reflections, journey well.
Comments