Vern's Verbal Vibe

Singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist and purveyor of folk 'n' roll: spirit-filled sad songs made better.

July 12, 2006

For Roger Upon Ascension

As we stood at the cusp of youth's promise
you spoke to me in obscure clarity
Is it now up to me—not just me, but me
to separate vision from mythology?

While tethered in body the spirit can't flee
that peeling scotch-tape humanity
We eat, sleep, and ache, love, smile, and die
for ephemeral sips from the chalice

Roger, dear friend, you will not be alone
I will see to it that you're welcomed home

Love, Emily


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July 08, 2006

Belated Celebration

Sometime in late May, I finished the first draft of my book. I even typed THE END to mark the occasion. It took me a year and a half to get there! Though this is only the end of phase one, it's a significant milestone. So, with this post, I stop for a moment and allow myself to take pride in what I've accomplished.

In the words of author Louise Penny: "If you've actually finished your first book—well, you're amazing! You're already so far ahead of the pack they can barely see your dust! Most people never even start that first book. Of the few that do, most never finish ... frankly, as far as I'm concerned, the pact you made with yourself, probably as a child, is complete. You wrote the book. You did it ... you've accomplished something most people only dream of."

[ applause dies down ]

Thank you. Thank you so much. :-) And to other writers out there: if I can do it, you can, too. Stay true to your voice and your vision. Perservere. Sacrifice. Risk. Do whatever it takes.

For my next trick, I'll be spending six months polishing what I've written. I have a second draft of 15 of 17 chapters and am beginning a third as we speak. The goal is not to create the "perfect" book, but to craft the best manuscript I can with the resources I have. I have faith that the rest, whatever it may be, will take care of itself.