Family, Bonds, and the Meaning of Family

Today is a special day for me. No, I'm not resurrecting my blog, though I am posting one blog for today and leaving it here for posterity sake, because this topic reflects who I am and what my books are about, so I thought it was the perfect day to share it.

I have been thinking a lot about themes in my books and what they all have in common. I blame Zoe York and a host of other people, but then today hit (on a personal level) and everything coalesced for me. 

My stories are about family - the kind you're born into, the kind you make, the kind you create.

To me, family has never been about DNA or Blood. It's always been about who you choose to be your family. That does not diminish blood ties, but in fact, it expands them. I believe your family is who you include in that circle of family, be they blood related or not. I define family by how they treat me and mine, not if we share DNA.

This is a big deal to me for many reasons, including being a relator strength (thank you, Becca Syme and coaches) because we don't let just anyone inside our little circle. It's an exclusive club and just because we share DNA or are supposed to let you in, doesn't mean that you're in. I choose to let you in because of your actions.

When I looked at my books, I focus on the bonds created between people - their family bonds and the friend bonds and even community bonds - that are built by shared values and experiences. I don't dwell on the negative (even though some of my characters have some sad backgrounds). I focus on how they overcame that to create new families and connections, and find love in those new places.

When I started looking for new stories to write, I realized something. I love writing small towns, communities, bands of brothers and sisters (literal and figurative), people who have created their community and a family, whether they share DNA or not. And this is because of how I define family.

Today, because of something personal, this was brought home to me. And I wanted to share that with you. I hope you see this thread in my books and find that sense of family in my stories.

​I also hope you find the family that you want, whether it's through DNA or friends. Hugs everyone.