This is Day 3 of my Character Reveal series for my next book—title TBA soon. I’ll post a new character and a one-question T/F Quiz each Wednesday until I run out of characters. Those who comment most AND answer the most questions correctly will receive a signed book (bookplate sent separately–50 copies up for grabs) and a chance at 1 of 2 $10.00 Gift Certificates. At the end of each month, I’ll announce the winners. The books and the CG’s will be sent out upon publication. Sorry, but I can only send books to U.S. However, I have plans for my international readers later. Promise.
To enter, leave a comment and type the answer to the quiz at the end of your comment (A, B, or C) I’ve left links to previous posts if you’re joining me late, so you can work your way back if you want to see the other posts and comment to win. Here’s last week’s POST.
WEEK #2 WINNERS:
Once again, everyone got the question right. Everyone left a great comment. So It was back to pulling names out of a “hat.” Remember that even if you win a book, you can still win a Gift Certificate. And if you’re out of the U.S. I’ll send you an eBook.
Those who will receive a signed copy are: Cathrina, Mike, Rebecca, Jemi, and Simone. Now…
Meet Taylor
Taylor Bancroft is excellent on the slalom. She can out-ski most people on the slopes, but when something goes wrong, she tenses up and goes off in a pout. Too bad for Taylor because her friends are short on patience when it comes to her “little girl” antics.
“Stop the thumb sucking, Taylor,” they shout at Taylor’s retreating back.
But Taylor’s under pressure from a helicopter mom. She can’t even think about making mistakes or being less than the best. She has to win. And in this story, she has to make the Olympic team. No other choice.
I had a Taylor Bancroft in my life and I didn’t feel sorry for her until I grew up and understood how hard it had been for her. My mom didn’t hover. She couldn’t because she worked, and my teen self resented that while my Taylor’s mom was always at the games to cheer her on, mine wasn’t.
It was interesting writing this character and drawing on my own experience. It gave me a chance to examine that jealousy I felt so long ago. That experience contributed to one of the major plotlines in this story.
How do psychologists say we should react when our friends behave immaturely?
A. Give them understanding and sympathy
B. Never support their poor behavior.
C. Give them a good scolding.
J Lenni Dorner says
Glad you enjoyed writing the character and finding your feelings while writing.
I’m torn between A and B. Because one could be understanding by trying to figure why they’re behaving that way. But that doesn’t mean one has to support the behavior. Scolding isn’t going to change a thing, but that C is what absolutely will happen from any authority figure within shouting distance because immature behavior isn’t tolerated. (Or is that just my experience? Hang on, let me go look up the definition of immature again.) B is definitely a reality.
🤷🏽♂️ It’s probably A.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Okay. So now I’m laughing. This was a great comment!
J Lenni Dorner (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) says
😶😮😲🤯
You mean it was actually B????
They agree with reality?
🛏 I’m gonna need a minute.
Sheri Sudweeks says
I think the answer could be A or B depending on the friends role in the person’s life.
Rebecca Douglass says
I’ll go with B. The sympathy and understanding can come years later :). There is, of course, a happy medium between the absent mom and the helicopter/tiger mom. My mom did a great job of supporting us, coming to most of my soccer games (and all our band concerts) without ever putting pressure on us. I appreciate her more every time my friends start talking about their moms.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Your mom sounds great. We never should stop appreciating those women. They were so special.
Michael Di Gesu says
Hi Lee,
Yes, pouring our own emotions into our characters is a great way to unload our own “baggage.” I do that in almost all my works, pulling from my life unhappy as well as happy experiences…
Answer: B
C. Lee McKenzie says
Without those unhappy experiences, we couldn’t create any interesting characters, could we? It’s just so much more fun when everything’s lovely in our lives.
Sandra Cox says
OK. I’m going with B.
C. Lee McKenzie says
That’s the trend!
Sherry Hilger says
The answer is B, of course. You never want to support bad behavior. However, Taylor needs understanding and support. Hopefully her friends realize that as they get to know Taylor’s mom. It’s so unfortunate that these “helicopter” parents do not realize what they are doing to their kids!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Agree. Give those children some rope to learn how to cope!
Sherry says
Definitely.
Jeff says
I go with “B”, too. It has to be hard to have such parents, but such a drive might help her make the Olympic team. I love skiing, but haven’t done any since moving back South
C. Lee McKenzie says
When I researched to write this story, I realized how much it took put athletes at the top of their sport. Some accounts I read didn’t lead me to believe the successful competitiors had much of a life outside of training and competing.
Liz A. says
It can’t be easy to have a parent who’s that controlling. I want to say A for the answer, but I see everyone else has said B. I can see why B. One shouldn’t allow them to get away with poor behavior. But they need understanding as well.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I see you’re undecided between A and B. I’ll have to post the answers at the end of this contest if anyone’s interested in the “correct” answer.
Elephants Child says
I am pretty certain that the answer is B and that the psychologists would push us in that direction by talking sternly about being an enabler…
Mostly I opt for E (since Mike has claimed D) and walk away. Eagerly walk away.
C. Lee McKenzie says
LOL. Mike is always up to tricks. Love that you caught his humor and played along.
Mike Boyd says
I’m pretty sure it is. Of course if you were a cyber-speaking reindeer, you’d probably want to go with LMAO (laughing my antlers off).
C. Lee McKenzie says
Of course. We need to save this for Christmas humor.
Natalie Aguirre says
I would say B. Excited to learn more about your characters. Taylor sounds like an interesting one a lot of kids will relate too with her helicopter mom.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I hope kids will relate to her and maybe a mom or two will take heed.
Simone says
Whoo so excited to be a winner thanks! Taylor sounds like so many… the answer is B- it is so frustrating to see the helicopter parents, I always feel so deeply for these students, as they are all have such potential in their own way, Letting our children grow, finding their interests and passion without constant pressure is so important. I can’t wait to meet the next characters.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Every kid needs you as a mom!
Jemi Fraser says
Woohoo! Thanks!
I’ve taught a lot of Taylors over the years – so much pressure. Powder kegs waiting to blow! It’s hard to break through to those helicopter parents and help them realize they’re often forcing their own dreams on unwilling kids.
B – but they sure need support of a different kind!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Glad your name came up on this round.
I’m sure as a teacher you’d love to help those Taylors out. I feel for them.
ryan lerman says
B as in beautiful.
Mike Boyd says
Since “D. Give them a sound thrashing” isn’t listed, I’ll go with B.
There are a bunch of anagrams for Taylor Bancroft, but none make a lot of sense. “Contort a barfly” perhaps.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Good grief. That anagram sent me rolling across the floor. Is that ROTFL in cyperber-speak?