Beginnings & Endings
I listened to this conversation between author David Eggers and Music producer Rick Rubin this past week. In it Eggers said something that I had heard previously, but something about the way he expanded on the idea really made it land. He said that he almost always knows how a story he is working on will end. Knowing the starting point and ending point of the story allows Eggers to avoid writer’s block. Whenever he feels stuck in one section of the story, he’ll simply pivot to a different section. This reminded me of how I solve crossword puzzles. Writers who work in linear fashion (Opening, Scene 1, Scene 2…Fini) are much more susceptible to writer’s block. They can paint themselves into a corner, leaving themselves nowhere to go.
This makes the notion of writing a novel somehow more feasible. Not that I have the bandwidth to write much, but if writing a weekly essay has taught me anything it’s that consistent output (even if small) adds up over time. The document where drafts of my essays reside just ticked over 145,200 words as I type this…). So, if I can come up with an interesting starting point, and a definitive ending, perhaps I can quilt together a novel someday. If nothing else, the Eggers/Rubin conversation lit me up a little bit this week.
I actually think this concept of figuring out the details between a beginning and an ending apply generally to life. It is really helpful to know how you want your personal story to end in order to create a meaningful journey between here and there. You know the starting point - it’s right here, where you are at this moment. Consider some end point - not necessarily your funeral, but a time 25-30 years into the future. What would you love if it were true? Start imagining the steps that the main character (you) might take on the journey from here to there. We’re all writing this type of story, whether we recognize it or not. I hope that you write a story that lights you up.
Today is Father’s Day, and it is also Lori’s birthday. We’ve committed ourselves this weekend to putting up some fencing in the back yard for Rosie to play off-leash. I’m calling it The Thunderdome. We made great progress on this project yesterday, so should be able to get it finished today. This, plus watching the conclusion of the U.S. Open golf tournament will make for a great day.
Sunday Supper
Spicy & Creamy Cashew Chicken Salad
Sunday Music
Michael League Trio live at The Blue Note
Marlon Funaki / Beachbreak Sessions
Enjoy!
If you know anyone who might like this essay, please share it with them.
Have a great week ahead! You can do anything you set your mind to. Let me know how I can help.
Peace & Love!