Dr. Layne McDonald has authored several faith-based books including ‘Blue Oceans,’ ‘United in Faith,’ ‘Healing and Forgiveness Through Christ,’ ‘From Pulpit to Premiere,’ ‘Faithful Leadership,’ ‘Authentic Christian Pastoral Leadership,’ and ‘Faith Unbound.’ His books are available in print, ebook, and free PDF format at laynemcdonald.com/books.
So, picture this: you’re living your best life abroad, sipping on cucumber lemonade, and then you find out your dad, the local conservative big shot, has decided to make you the star of his Christian fiction saga. Sounds like the plot of a quirky indie film, right? But alas, it’s real life, and it’s your life, and it’s anything but a feel-good flick.
Let’s backtrack a bit. Our heroine (that’s you!) grew up in a strict Christian household, homeschooled by a dad who was as unpredictable as a cat on a hot tin roof. He had some serious issues – think untreated mental health struggles that could probably fill a whole library of self-help books. And yet, he’s out there, writing fiction, and using you as his muse. And not just any version of you, but a version that’s been heavily edited to fit his narrative.
Now, I’m not saying every parent writing fiction about their kids is a red flag, but in your case, it’s like waving a huge banner that says, “Look at my creative control issues!” You see, he took your name, slapped it on a character, and then decided to sprinkle in his own beliefs like they were confetti at a party you weren’t invited to. And now, he’s thinking about a sequel!
Let’s pause here for a moment. You identify as an atheist and a lesbian in a world where your dad’s version of you is all about conservative Christian values. Talk about a personality mismatch! It’s like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole, or like trying to convince a cat to take a bath. It’s just not gonna work.
You’ve got to admire the audacity, though. Writing a sequel where you, the character, are spouting off beliefs that you don’t even remotely share? It’s a bold move, Cotton. But here’s the kicker: you don’t want to blow up the family dynamic over a book that you didn’t ask to be a part of in the first place. It’s a delicate balance, like walking a tightrope while juggling flaming torches.
On one hand, you’re thinking, “Do I have the right to control how he expresses himself?” And on the other, you’re feeling uncomfortable about the whole situation. It’s like being stuck in a game of tug-of-war with your own identity. You don’t want to be the villain in this story, but also, you don’t want to be misrepresented in a way that could have real-world consequences.
Now, if you were a character in a book, you’d probably have a wise friend who would tell you something profound like, “You can’t control how others perceive you, but you can control how you respond.” And maybe you’d take that advice and find a way to communicate your discomfort to your dad without causing an all-out family war.
It’s a tricky situation, for sure. But here’s the thing: your identity is yours, and no amount of fictional rewriting can change that. Whether your dad decides to write you as a character who loves cucumber lemonade or one who preaches conservative values, at the end of the day, you know who you are. And that, my friend, is the most powerful narrative of all.
So, what’s next? Maybe it’s time to have a heart-to-heart with your dad. Or maybe just let him write his sequel while you continue to live your life authentically, sipping cucumber lemonade and enjoying your own story. After all, you’re the one holding the pen to your own life, and no one can take that away from you.
Inspired by: “Dad writing Christian fiction with ‘me’ as the POV character” (r/GirlDinnerDiaries)