By Angel Smits
There’s
a place in the sandhills of Nebraska that has always been special to me. The North Loup river winds through the
prairie, cutting paths through the pastures and over the thick grasslands. A bridge spans the water, creating sandbars
here and there and making swimming an adventure. My grandparents lived there, so of course it
was a place filled with fun and love.
The North Loup River |
My uncle, the
last of my father’s siblings living there, recently passed away, and we all
made the trek back to say our final goodbyes.
And while it was goodbye to him, it was also a bittersweet goodbye to
the place. As my aunt prepares to move
into town, and the land will soon go up for sale, I realize there’s no reason
for me to go back—even to visit. There’s
no reason to visit, no one to go see. So,
while I was there, I took the opportunity to visit all the places I might never
see again.
You see, that’s
where I learned to tell stories, and more importantly, to write them. As a kid, I loved to sit and listen to my
grandfather talk about growing up there.
Reminiscing was something the grownups did around the dining room
table. It was as if they had to one up
each other to prove who could remember the funniest or strangest events. And there I sat, listening. And as I discovered writing, I sat there with
a notebook and a pen, writing in my journal, capturing so many of those stories. Basically, taking dictation of some of the
best stories.
Not
surprisingly, my first novel-length fiction was largely written there, a story
that won the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart award. It is a story of returning home, of going
back to a special place. It’s about good
Midwestern values and the life I’d been documenting for years. While that story has never sold, it set the
tone for the Super Romances I’m writing now.
Hearth, home and family.
Wandering around
the small country cemetery, visiting the graves of so many of those other family
members, I swear I could hear their voices still telling those stories. There’s a new voice in their ranks now.
One of the best
memories I have of my uncle--that farmer/rancher who definitely fit in with the
rural mindset of country living--read my books.
He read my romance novels. I know
the image romances have, especially to a generation of men who pride themselves
on being tough and unemotional. Not that other people haven't read my books. I
wouldn’t have expected him--or my father for that matter--to read my
books. But they have, and it’s not just
lip service. They actually know my plots
and have talked about specific parts with me.
Shocked at first, there was no ignoring that thrill when I realized they
really had read my words.
![]() |
Not your typical romance reader... |
What a gift
they’ve given me. What validation. I feel
like the kid who’s finally been allowed to sit at the adult table and share in
the storytelling. And though I’ve come
back to the city, and left the country behind, I can still hear their
voices--laughing, telling stories and sharing the past with me. I won’t ever forget the roots they’ve given
me.
To celebrate the
memory of that life, I’m giving away of a copy of A FAMILY FOR TYLER, the book
that began my Hawkins Family series. Leave
a comment to be entered and if someone’s supported your dreams, toot their horn
here. Give them their due! Life's to short not to appreciate the people who support you.
8 comments:
All I can say is Thank you Angel,,,,Dad was one in a million and I am a better person because of him. It was great getting to see you and the rest of the family. I would love to read all your books in Dads memory :). And it's never goodbye it's see you later, you will be back someday :)
Pam
I always love the family stories told around the table too. They are an important legacy.
My parents have always supported all of us. We all had very different lives & dreams.
My grandmother was my rock... unlimited support and love... Miss her more than anything!
Wow, so nice to have had the support of family in your writing. And the experiences and memories of Nebraska: priceless!
I miss my grandmas.
denise
Family really is a vital part of who we are, and that's a big part of what keeps me writing. Thanks for sharing everyone!
What a wonderful sign of support, Angel! Your family is truly such a blessing! I'm so thankful for my husband--he's made it possible for me to continue taking dance classes, even though I'll never be a professional dancer ;) And he's kept mum about the enormous stacks of books around the house :D
Thanks for sharing your memories, Angel!
family
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
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