Another Novel: The Unschooling Adventure Continues!

What do you think? A safe and secure job? Or should we encourage our kids to follow their dreams? Should they give the more adventurous path a go? Could they work part-time while continuing to follow their passions?

Recently, I’ve had a lot of visitors to my blog from Facebook. Someone shared my post Choosing Not to Look for a ‘Real’ Job. When I wrote this post, my daughter Imogen had just finished her Bachelor of Arts degree. Instead of looking for an expected secure job in the writing and publishing field like most of her fellow graduates, she chose to keep following her passions in her own way.

I wrote…

Most people think my 21-year-old daughter is unemployed, but she’s not. She’s a… ‘full-time writer, blogger, and musician. So far unpaid… And so far completely undaunted by this fact.’

So what has Imogen been up to since I wrote that post? Well, she continued to study music, gave music lessons and made many music videos. And then she put her music on hold while she wrote and published her first fantasy novel, The Crystal Tree. For the last year, Imogen has been working part-time in a cafe while she has been writing her second novel. The Shattering Song is the sequel to The Crystal Tree and will be published before Christmas!

Last night, Imogen was writing the blurb for the back cover of her latest book. At regular intervals, she said, “What do you think of this?” and then read out her latest version. “Any suggestions?”

“Could you mention something about the novel’s themes?” I asked. I rattled off a few things that I’d noticed as I was reading The Shattering Song:

• When we do what is right instead of what we want, we discover that our choices lead to unexpected and true happiness. (Does this sound a lot like unschooling?!)
• Is it okay to use our strengths to influence people for a good cause? Are all of us tempted to use such things as strength, power and magic (if we happen to be magicians!) for our own benefit?
• Sisterhood and friendship are magic.
• True love involves sacrifice.

“I’m sure there are other things as well,” I said. “Your novel gave me a lot to think about.”

Writing books is exciting. Finishing them is even better.  I remember how I felt when I finished my unschooling books. All done! Except I wasn’t really finished. I still had the cover blurbs to write. Oh my, condensing my books into a few attention-grabbing words seemed so difficult. I did lots of sighing as I chose and changed and rearranged the words. Eventually, I ended up with something I could use. “That’ll do!” I announced. But now I’m wondering: could I have made my blurbs better?

But back to Imogen. I don’t suppose she’ll be able to use all my suggestions. There is only so much room on her novel’s back cover. But as long as the blurb entices you to open her book and start reading, you’ll discover all those thought-provoking themes for yourself.

When Imogen finalises her blurb, she’ll give it to younger sister Charlotte who will add it to the stunning book cover that she’s designed. Then it’ll be time to upload the files to Amazon. Soon we’ll be saying, “The Shattering Song is now available on Amazon!” Won’t that be exciting?

Something Extra

Here’s a video that I filmed just after Imogen finished her Bachelor of Arts degree. Imogen talked about her university experience and what she wanted to do next.

Photos

Sophie took these photos recently on Imogen’s birthday. Imogen isn’t really six years old. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find enough candles to give her one for each year of her life!

So I’m wondering if your kids have dreams. Will you encourage them to find a way to continue following their passions? Perhaps they’re already doing this? And do you ever discover you haven’t got enough candles just as you’re about to serve up the birthday cake?!

And if you haven’t already read The Crystal Tree, will you check it out?