Many countries celebrate Father’s
Day on the third Sunday of June, though it is also celebrated widely on other
days as well—in Germany
In the United States
In 1910, a Father's
Day celebration
was held in Spokane , Washington Arkansas June 19, 1910 . Her father, the Civil War veteran William
Jackson Smart, was a single parent who raised his six children after his wife
died in childbirth. Credit for this holiday was also given to Grace Golden Clayton
of Fairmount , West Virginia
Mother’s Day was accepted as a national holiday in
1914. It wasn’t until 1966 that President Johnson issued the first presidential
proclamation honoring fathers and set the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day.
In 1972, President Nixon signed the law making it permanent.
Father’s Day is a time to reflect on what our fathers
have taught us about life. It’s also a day when we can honor them and show our
appreciation for their love and devotion.
In literature, writers often deal with family matters
in their work. For example, in my young adult novel THE DEVIL AND DANNA WEBSTER,
a teenager’s relationship with her step-father is one of the concerns. Family
relationships serve as an important theme.
A poem I wrote took first place in the READER’S
DIGEST Poetry Contest 2015 and was published both in print and online in the
June issue. It is about the relationship of a young girl and her grandfather.
You can read it at:
As a reader, do you recall any books in which a
father was an important character? If you’re an author, do you feature fathers
as significant characters in any of your writing? If so, please note your work.
Thanks for the article. I think fathers are so important. I grew up with a single father who is very special to me. My book, The Dance of the Firefly, has a significant father in it. Cameron is a single dad. His wife passed away and he's having to bring up his young daughter on his own. When her ballet teacher catches his eyes, a stormy romance ensues. It was such a fun book to write - how to handle the dynamics between a precocious daughter, her father and the woman who gives her the motherly love she craves. You can buy my book here: http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Firefly-Creators-Kathy-Bosman-ebook/dp/B00T75W6DI Thanks for giving me a chance to share.
ReplyDeleteKathleen,
DeleteThanks for telling us about your book. It sounds like a very good one. Congrats on having it published.
Fascinating post, Jacquie. I created a family, including a great-guy dad, around one of my series characters because I wanted my family to have been like that. Not that my dad wasn't a great guy, because he was, but he was totally overwhelmed by my mom (well, we all were). Anyhow, this is one of the fun parts about writing fiction. You can write it the way you want it to be :-)
ReplyDeleteHi, Alice,
DeleteI agree with you. In fiction, we can create all sorts of families, good and bad. But much of it goes back to our own experiences.
I loved your poem!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathleen. It was based on a real experience.
DeleteOne of the things I enjoy most about the Mellingham series is exploring the role of Chief Joe Silva as a stepfather to Gwen's two children, now teenagers. It brings an unexpected dimension to the mystery and deepens Joe's character. Thanks for giving the history of Father's Day.
ReplyDeleteHi, Susan,
DeleteIn mysteries, I think it's important to develop well-rounded characters as you do with family connections.
My character Gena in SECOND SIGHT is a member of the dead mom's club and lives with her father. When I have to write parents into scenes, I like for them to have a close "buddy" type relationship that plays out funny or light. It feels less adult intrusive.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the article.
P.S. I miss my dad.
Hi, Dotti,
DeleteI miss my father too! Funny, how much smarter parents become as we grow older ourselves. Your book sounds great. Congrats on having it published.
I have a couple of fathers in my current mystery, but neither are likely to be receiving many Father's Day cards. I am much luckier than my characters, it seems :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your poem winning the Reader's Digest First Prize!
Hi, Allan,
ReplyDeleteIn literature bad dads seem to be more common these days.
Since I write romance, I'm always featuring fathers because to me nothing makes a man more attractive than having a healthy, loving relationship with children. Some are single dads, some are loving uncles, and others need to learn. Nice post!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input, Patricia. I agree with you. Men who treat children kindly are most attractive to women.
DeleteGreat background on Fathers Day, Jacqueline. Father-child relationships have been prominent my books. The first,which launched my second career as a writer was inspired by my loving admiration for his World War Ii performance--both in seving his country and in keeping us informed and buoying our spirits back home. In Fatal Designs, released today, Patrick MacKenna, a widowed father, struggles to bring up and now to rescue his kidnapped rebellious teen daughter Erin. You can see what I mean at www.peterhgreen.com
ReplyDeleteHi, Peter,
DeleteI enjoyed your novel. Fathers are indeed important in your writing! Congrats on the new book.
An interesting blog, Jacquie. My father, alas, died when I was 12 and he was just 52. So I have been searching for and reinventing him ever since in poems and novels. He was by all accounts a lovely man, and a professional Irish tenor. Oh, and congratulations on that poem! I'll look for it.
ReplyDeleteHi, Nancy,
DeleteTerrible to lose your father at such a young age! I'm glad though that he could inspire your work.
My father was not in my life growing up. In my series, Royal Tanner, a Navy SEAL, is Cait's love interest. He has a 6-year old daughter. He's had full custody since her birth and even writes children's books. He's a strong father figure.
ReplyDeleteRoyal Tanner is a very interesting, well-rounded character. You obviously have true creative ability.
DeleteJust your usual insightful do. I had a step-father who was a huge influence in my life, was a best friend during those formative early teen years. As a 10-year-old, I wanted my parents to get back together. Had no use for interlopers in my family. A Father's Day after I was grown, I wrote a story for my step-father called, "Dearer Than Dad," about how I came to love and admire him more than any other adult male until I met my husband, Bill, who shared many of the older man's attributes.
ReplyDeleteSharon,
ReplyDeleteA father doesn't have to be related by blood to be a real dad. You just proved that.
My husband said, and I agree, father's day isn't just one day in which children should honor their dads. We should appreciate what they've done for us each day--and show it in the living years as much as possible.