The struggle and the reward There is a sequence in the 2002 movie "The Rookie" starring Dennis Quaid in which he as an older aspiring minor league baseball player feels overburdened by the demands of playing and questions whether he should continue. One evening he goes out and sees a bunch of kids playing. He catches the eye of a boy in the outfield and notices the innocent happiness on the youngster's face. It reminds Quaid of why after everything is said and done he, too, plays the game. For the sheer joy of it. I can relate, but not because I want to play center field for the Milwaukee Brewers (although decades ago that would've been mighty nice.)
As a writer, I succumb to the struggles of the craft. I can't get my thoughts down as precisely as I want, the story seems to drag, no one will care about what I am writing. And then maybe I am reading a book or overhearing a conversation or witnessing a situation and a light bulb goes on about a sentence I want to write or a chapter I want to develop. And with that, I am able to return to the joy of writing and why I do it. To entertain readers, to uplift them, to ease their pangs of anxiety and loneliness. In the process I restore myself immersing in a character, or turning a phrase just right, or capturing an elusive exact right word.
(Spoiler alert!) Dennis Quaid does eventually make it to the major leagues as a pitcher for Tampa Bay in the movie. I loved the story and the happy ending. And I have my own happy endings every time I sit down at the keyboard and smile in satisfaction at a chapter accomplished. With that, Happy New Year everyone, and may your writing be joyful.
