I always thought I was sort of a misfit (heh) for being a writer. But apparently not so.
Oldest Uncle: Works for a major news station verifying sources
2nd oldest: Started a Magazine In Cleveland (Anyone remember when magazines were a thing?)
3rd oldest: Stock broker, plays in band (he had kids at a young age hence the stock broking)
4th-6th (Including my Dad): 2 part time musicians, one full time
And now Ze Cousins:
Oldest cousin: Went to Colombia in NY for Screenwriting masters
2nd oldest: Came very close to going all out on Improv in 90s (same time when Stephen Colbert + Steve Carroll were doing it), he should have. Tells a hell of a story. Also a writer
3rd: Had a full time rock band in Boston for 5+ years
4th: Writer and director of a local theatre, runs a podcast
5th: Majored in Theatre at University of Wisconsin, has a few small Hollywood acting credits
6th: Former Stockbroker (not sure what happened there)
7th: Played in a metal band, acts, lives in LA, we’re writing a screenplay together
8th: not sure
9th: Award winning writer of short non fiction (she’s only 22)
10th: Has yet to decide (she’s 18)
11th: Extremely talented musician songwriter, RIP
12th: Already plays the guitar and she’s not even a freshmen
13th: (Mickey’s sister) is a badass photographer
And then there’s me, of course.
—
My Mom’s side of the family is the complete opposite for the most part. Aside from one trumpet player who is part of a famous band, my cousins on that side are mostly cops and carpenters.
This leads me to think, is it possible that something like art is hereditary?
My lay person opinion, citing no research, is that it’s more nurture than nature. I’ve always thought you can be anything if you have it modeled for you from an early age. I’ll have to give those “Twin studies” a fresh look.
I wonder if the number of artists on my Dad’s side of the family could be due to those skills being passed down, from father to son, from mother to daughter, etc. If you’re three years old and some0ne close to you is a writer, you already believe you can do it.
—
Do you have any special skill that “runs in the family?”