Mothers, Other Mothers, & OTHER Other Mothers

My mom is my best friend. That's a truth I'm quite proud of and am happy to advertise. In the small town of Gettysburg, she's a bit of a local celebrity... especially among the parents of story-time attendees. Having been the head of the public library's children's department for a long stretch of years, Miss Nancy read aloud many books to many, many children. As teenagers, my brother and I were still occasionally treated to impromptu storytimes at the dinner table!

One of the cool things about my mom is that she likes to read. What's even cooler is that she likes to read the things I write. If she doesn't like something, she makes sure to tell me. (She doesn't always sugarcoat her words, either.) For the most part, though, she loves my characters almost as much as I do. Petey Goode and Bert Robinson are her favorites, I believe; each time she reads a manuscript starring the latter, it's inevitable that she'll at some point exclaim, "What's not to like about Bert?!" This is probably the most accurate statement of all time. I can't think of anything unlikeable about Bert.

It was my mom who originally instructed me to make up a story in my head, thus leading to the creation of Lake Caywood and all the folks who live there. That was back when I was in the fourth grade and struggling to fall asleep one night. When I approached her about my inability to shut off my brain, she suggested I use it to create a fictional tale. That night, Kenny and Sierra were born.

Yeah. You read that right: Kenny and Sierra. [insert eyeroll here]

I've always had an obsession with names and it makes ZERO sense that I ever thought the names Kenny and Sierra were worthy of residency in my brain. As I grew older and my tastes improved, those characters were renamed (hence, Sebastian and Lucy) and a third fellow (Bert) was added to the mix. They're still the trio that occupies my thoughts as I climb into bed each night and turn off the light; I still to this day look forward to spending time with them and they're always getting into new adventures.

Somewhere along the way, I introduced my other mother Amy Gorman to Bas, Bert, and Lucy... but the novel I most associate with Amy is Like A Flip Turn. After a hiatus from writing, I got this idea for a novel at the start of the summer. That June (and then right on through July and August), Amy and I spent almost every day at the swimming pool. We swam laps, worked on our tans, and eventually went back to her house for a late lunch and lots of wine. (Amy is a phenomenal cook and she has the unique ability to make even the most simplistic meals memorable and magical.) The talks we had that summer were deep and often centered around writing.

It was toward the middle of June, I believe, that I got back into writing. When I started picking away at Like A Flip Turn, I had no idea where it was going, and if I'm being completely honest, it was heading in the direction of realistic fiction. But as I was telling Amy about my ideas one day, she said, "Is there magic in this one? Oh, I hope there's magic in this one!" So I went home and started over. Today's version of Flip Turn is FILLED with magic; there is magic on every page: animals talk, flowers provide words, unsettled souls are able to communicate with the living.

Amy has now read everything I've ever written: the rough drafts and the final drafts, the good stuff and the bad. I love her for that. I love that she's able to give praise and criticism, and that she's also able to love my characters even though she's more of a "plot person."

Many people don't have strong relationships with their mothers. I do know this and I'm thankful that I have an amazing friendship with both my mother and other mother. It seems almost unfair that I should have an other other mother... but do! Theresa Hardman is my third mother and she, like the others, exudes kindness, warmth, and abundant encouragement when it comes to my writing.

Just recently, Theresa read my manuscript Running Through the Words, and while reading it she said one of the simplest things that meant so, so much to me. "I'm really enjoying your novel," is what she verbalized. "I look forward to spending time with the characters each day."

It's true that I am someone who prides herself on character development, sure... but more than that, I am someone who loves my characters as much as (if not more than) many of the people in my world. To have someone express such an intense appreciation for the people who live in my head--to have someone want to spend more time with them and get to know them better--is a huge compliment.

In addition to reading my novels, Theresa reads all of my blog posts and comments on all of my social media sites (which brings me so much joy! I love reading the comments of fans on Facebook and Instagram!). She checks in weekly, whether it be via phone call or text, and she sends uplifting messages like "You have a gift, Hannah Rae" at the most-needed moments.

I could go on and on about the love I feel for my mother, other mother, and other other mother, but this particular blog is meant to focus on how my moms support me in my writing. Never fear, though: These lovely ladies will be featured again someday because the three of them are among the most important people in my world.