A ROMANTIC NOTION
Maybe it was all the silly movies we watched as kids, maybe they’re to blame. Perhaps it was all the books what, with all the “And they lived happily ever after” endings. Maybe both of them are to blame for our silly romantic notions.
Lives that play out like a fairy tale don’t exist… except in stories. But there is beauty in the struggle of life. Even happy endings can be born in the dark.
When I was younger I yearned for the romantic notion of writing a book. I’d planned on it all my life, ever since I read the wise and somewhat romantic notion of a quote; “A full life should include planting a tree, writing a book, and having a child”.
Movies depict writing as an extraordinary joy… I guess it is if you look at it from a gratification perspective… and hindsight.
Books and movies portray the inspired writer hunched over their typewriter, or keypad these days, and a less than an hour and a half later – Voila – Presto – the next New York Times bestseller. The forlorn authors lean back, smile, lock their hands behind their heads and exhale. The birds sing and the heavens open up and the brilliant light descends as the angels sing.It was a few months back, but it was no movie. It was a book. One with a somewhat happy ending, but I wasn’t reading it, I was writing another one.
The process is anything but romantic. It’s a downright struggle. It’s a struggle for time, a fight between spending time with family, running businesses, and plinking out some words that might grab a hopeless romantic by the heart.
There were days in the process I stumbled through them like a zombie – delirious from the lack Z’s. But the closer I got to the climax and denouement I could feel the second wind behind me and I pushed for the finish line like a marathon runner with my arch nemesis breathing down my neck.
It was at our breakfast table I typed the sometimes sweetest words in the English language; “THE END”, which doesn’t take into account the additional two hundred hours of re-writes.
I pushed back, glanced around, took a deep breath, and there was dead silence and dimness. My dog Larry was fast asleep in his bed. The skies outside the three windows didn’t split with brilliant light and the normally bright Arizona afternoon had gone dark behind menacing clouds. Then the rain started and put any romantic notion type of fire out before it could get started.
I smiled at the irony of it.
Endings only happen in stories. Real life nods its head in recognition then resumes its fight. A story is like a vacation, then it’s back to reality.
The lack of the romantic notion in finishing just another story reminded me that the only truly happy ending comes when we cross over to the other side… into the arms of The Father.
June
Sunday, May 7, 2017 @ 7:25 pm
The skies may have been crying as Larry slept through your final keystrokes, but the moment was yours to savor! Congrats on crossing the finish line, Floyd! Despite the potential re-writes, that is a huge accomplishment! Well done!
Ngina Otiende
Sunday, May 7, 2017 @ 9:18 pm
This is such an encouragement today, Floyd. I am in the two-hundred-hours-re-writes-zone and its been months and its been long and tiring. A great encouragement to me as I polish away still. And big congratulations on the milestone! Its a big one!
Pam
Monday, May 8, 2017 @ 4:10 am
Oh my, Floyd, I know exactly what that feels like. Writing a book is not romantic–it is long, long hours of hard work and even when you aren’t physically typing, the work goes on in your head. There is a thrill that matches the romantic, though, when you open the box, hold the finished product in your hand, and gaze in amazement at the shiny cover and think with wonder, “I wrote a book! Praise God! I wrote a book!”
Dikkon Eberhart
Monday, May 8, 2017 @ 6:17 am
Yay, Floyd! Yay for the ending of the story (except for the 200 hours of rewrite–how can you do it in such a LITTLE bit of time? I’m jealous). And yay for sayin’ it like it is.
Best to you this beautiful Virginia morning…over to you in Arizona.
Hazel Moon
Monday, May 8, 2017 @ 10:12 am
I love a happy ending to a story. I always hated the movies that leave you wondering what next. Even if Larry still snoozed as you typed “The End,” it was the beginning of an adventure to get your book published. Awesome post allowing us to cheer with you in ending your book. My daughter Nancy always made my stories look better, and a good editor will unbiased make those suggestions for you.
TC Avey
Monday, May 8, 2017 @ 10:58 am
Life is too hard, too real. I like happy endings even if they only exist in the movies/books.
But you’re right, the real happy ending will come when we finally see Jesus face to face. I can’t begin to imagine who wonderful heaven will be!
Ed
Monday, May 8, 2017 @ 11:10 am
So glad to hear that you finished what you started. I’ve been having a hard time writing anything at all lately.
Cheryl
Monday, May 8, 2017 @ 2:20 pm
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am so happy you finished your book, and even if the skies didn’t open, you have the satisfaction of knowing you made an amazing accomplishment. I look forward to the day it is on a shelf where we can buy it. 🙂
Lisa notes
Tuesday, May 9, 2017 @ 9:29 am
True: “Endings only happen in stories. Real life nods its head in recognition then resumes its fight.” Congratulations on hitting The End! What a feat. So glad you persevered!
Bill (cycleguy)
Wednesday, May 10, 2017 @ 3:01 pm
Hmmm I never had that romantic notion of writing a book but i did have it as a kid playing baseball or a high schooler playing basketball. Surely the pros will be calling me. Aaaaah yeah. Reality hit home way too easily. Good field not much power. How high can you jump? So goes the romantic notion of being a professional. But then again…I have the greatest job in the world. I’m a pastor. A shepherd. A lover of people. Yeah…that works.
saleslady371
Wednesday, May 10, 2017 @ 5:18 pm
Good for you and congratulations on your accomplishment. Add me to the list of people who want to purchase this beauty as soon as it hits the shelves. You are a man that makes time for your most important priorities and I admire that! I know about the child and the book, where did you plant the tree?
Floyd
Sunday, May 14, 2017 @ 3:52 pm
I’ve planted more trees than I can even remember. The first tree I ever planted was a queen palm. The last time I was through that neighborhood it was twenty plus feet and as majestic as a mountain. My daughter’s and I have planted trees along the way too. It’s a gratifying thing to participate in God’s creation and see the wonder of His design.
Barb Raveling
Saturday, May 13, 2017 @ 8:18 am
Yay!!! Congratulations on finishing your book, Floyd! I know what an accomplishment that is and how hard it is to do! I also wanted to write and thank you for recommending the Dikkon Eberhart memoir. I loved it! Also noticed that he commented on this post. That’s fun!
Floyd
Sunday, May 14, 2017 @ 3:50 pm
I knew you’d enjoy Dikkon’s book. It’s one for the ages.