Tuesday, January 1, 2013

2013 & the magic of writing


By T.W. Fendley

Perhaps, like me, from time to time you hit the doldrums. As you look forward to 2013, you may wonder if writing makes any difference in the great scheme of things.

I believe there are no coincidences, so one reason why I read Erin Morgenstern's THE NIGHT CIRCUS must have been to hear what was on page 381. A character named Widget, a magician in the circus, says his job is to tell stories, adding "It's not that important..."

"It is important," the man in the grey suit interrupts. "Someone needs to tell those tales...There's magic in that. It's in the listener, and for each and every ear it will be different, and it will affect them in ways they can never predict. From the mundane to the profound. 

You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone's soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows what they might do because of it, because of your words. That is your role, your gift. Your sister may be able to see the future, but you yourself can shape it, boy. Do not forget that." He takes another sip of his wine. "There are many kinds of magic, after all."

Happy New Year, Storytellers!
from Brad R. Cook, David Alan Lucas & T.W. Fendley




2 comments:

  1. Thanks for reminding us writers that we actually do make a difference! We can see it in every child's smile and in every tear shed by our readers, and yet when we're stuck, we often forget what impact we can have on the world.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Brad, David and Teresa - thanks for all you do for all of us writers. Happy New Year! Great post to start the new year with inspiration!

    ReplyDelete