It’s Valentine’s Day and what better day to talk about the topic of passion—not necessarily the romantic kind, but the “courage to follow your dreams” variety.
I had the opportunity to talk with my good friend, author Jennie Nash about her new novel Perfect Red and about her passion for encouraging dreamers and creative types. And by the way, she was instrumental in prodding me to follow my own passion, to write my book and create this site!
You can see the interview below and read Chapter 1 of Perfect Red here.
I have my own copy of Perfect Red, and if you’d like one too, Jennie has generously offered to give away three signed copies. All you have to do is email her and on Sunday February 17th she’ll select three winners at random.
You can reach her at: jennie.nash [at] gmail [dot] com.
It strikes me that Valentine’s Day, is, for the uncoupled, a lot like Mother’s Day for us. I’ve noticed a lot of snarking on Facebook and Twitter today from people I thought were otherwise happy in their single state. I wonder if my reactions to their blue moods (and words, good gravy!) are more compassionate because of my experience with infertility?
I was single for years before I finally married, and yes, for me Valentine’s Day was difficult. Bridal showers were sometimes difficult. Not *quite* as rough as Mother’s Day and baby showers and I’m still trying to discover why ~ but they were painful days that I didn’t always welcome.
I used to celebrate with single friends and enjoy NOT being in the wrong relationship. Hate the set menus on Valentine’s Day so now that I am in a relationship, we don’t go out. It feels like a holiday Hallmark took over.
I find i’m very hurt at FB by pics of babies and happy families and birth announcements. With that in mind, i don’t go into rhapsodies of the joys of being married and how wonderful my life and marriage. I also do not repost “if your sister/brother/mother/father/cousin/etc. is the best thing in your life repost this.” (Well, and we don’t celebrate Valentine’s. I love my hubby dearly, so i let him believe that i agree with his feeling that it is just a waste of money.)
I realize that even tho posting to FB is praising him, to some degree it is bragging. With that in mind, i have to wonder, do any of these folks say these praises to their children/husband/person of whom they speak/etc. I wonder this largely because in my own family, growing up, my mother constantly criticized me and if she ever gave praise, I never heard it because it was said to one of my sisters. THEY then took that as criticism and thought she favored me. She never gave them any praise to their faces, either, but told other folks what she thought was positive about them. It was twisted.
So, i prefer to live my life where i let the person know directly when i appreciate them. Or at least i try to.
FB has its uses, but there are other times when it is just a downer.
What a wonderful interview! I’m buying the book.
Lisa, you are a woman of many talents. This interviewing thing is great. Hope to see more of it. Thank you for introducing our community to Jennie Nash and a very special thank you for having the courage the follow your own dreams. Where would we be without LWB?
You’ll have to let us know if the book is any good. I’ve read 2 books recommended here and I only considered them both okay.