As 2016 disappears in the rearview mirror, and 2017 rolls into view, I've been thinking a lot about beginnings and endings. As a writer, I masterfully steer (read: “sweatily manhandle”) my stories through a definite beginning, middle, and end, but it struck me the other day that we never know quite where we are in our own personal narrative. We could be living our last chapter at this very moment--or we could be beginning a new chapter leading us to crazy-cool places.
As you get older, it's easy to focus on the endings, rather than the beginnings. But how many new experiences and adventures are we missing out on because it seems we're too old to start something new? I believe there are still new beginnings for me, and I'm resolving in 2017 to find them, lasso them, and make them my own.
Speaking of endings, Richard Adams died a week ago. He was 96, and he lived a long and productive life, but I still couldn’t help but feel his death particularly hard. His book, Watership Down, prompted me to begin writing a long, long time ago. I don't know why this particular book inspired me to write my first plagiaristic story at the age of twelve (he had rabbits; I had cats), but something in it spoke to me. I've been thinking about twelve-year-old Wendy writing that first sentence; I didn’t know then that I was embarking on a thirty-year journey that would change my life. I didn’t know that I was starting what would become a passion that I'm sure will carry me through to the end.
Who knows where new beginnings will take us?
As you get older, it's easy to focus on the endings, rather than the beginnings. But how many new experiences and adventures are we missing out on because it seems we're too old to start something new? I believe there are still new beginnings for me, and I'm resolving in 2017 to find them, lasso them, and make them my own.
Speaking of endings, Richard Adams died a week ago. He was 96, and he lived a long and productive life, but I still couldn’t help but feel his death particularly hard. His book, Watership Down, prompted me to begin writing a long, long time ago. I don't know why this particular book inspired me to write my first plagiaristic story at the age of twelve (he had rabbits; I had cats), but something in it spoke to me. I've been thinking about twelve-year-old Wendy writing that first sentence; I didn’t know then that I was embarking on a thirty-year journey that would change my life. I didn’t know that I was starting what would become a passion that I'm sure will carry me through to the end.
Who knows where new beginnings will take us?
The end of 2016 was full of family and celebration, but my favorite part, as usual, is the time I spent with my family out on the water. I look at my children and wonder where their passions will lead them. After all, I began writing when I was younger than my oldest son. Are my sons even now beginning their own journeys that will carry them into their bright futures?
I haven’t posted anything about Murdock in a while. He is nine months old, and has turned into a sweet, intelligent dog who can open doors and jump onto the top bunk of my son's bed. I am focusing on the good in 2016, and he is one of them.
Another thing I am grateful for is ALL WE HAVE LEFT. I had no idea where this book would lead me when I started it four years ago. It was the hardest book I ever wrote, and I suppose it's only fair that it is the book for which I have won the most recognition. The newest accolade, of which I am particularly proud, was from the Nerdy Book Club. ALL WE HAVE LEFT was named one of their picks for best teen books of 2016.
This makes me smile.
This makes me smile.
I wish I could show a video of what happened a few days ago. A dolphin came to the side of our boat and poked his head out of the water to look at us, no doubt wanting some food. We did not oblige, but he hung around for about five minutes right at the edge of the boat. I THOUGHT I was taking a video the whole time, but when I looked down at the screen, I realized that I never hit record. Very much a blond moment!
Anyway, this is a sunset shot from where we saw the dolphin.
Here's to new beginnings and leaving regrets behind in the old year.
Peace out.
Anyway, this is a sunset shot from where we saw the dolphin.
Here's to new beginnings and leaving regrets behind in the old year.
Peace out.
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