I’ve been working on a book about my time with hospice for about five years now–or rather working on it for two years and then procrastinating for three. On the advice of an agent, I originally started this blog to build an author platform and then got hijacked. Publishing blog posts is a lot more fun and immediate than slogging away for years on a book that may or may not ever see the light of day.
But while I was thusly blog-distracted, some upstart hospice nurse back east snuck under the police tape and wrote my book before I could finish. It’s called Transitions by Becki Hawkins and, while I haven’t read the book yet, I did read the press release:
For the most part modern western culture has distanced itself from the celebratory and positive aspects of the dying process, instead either ignoring it, or focusing on only the negative aspects of death…Becki felt there was another more joyous and beautiful side that she was learning from her patients that she wanted to share with others.
That’s exactly what I was going to say. Shit.
Now don’t get me wrong here. There does lurk an altruistic/decent person inside me who says thank god and good on her for getting the word out when I was too lazy and undisciplined to get it done. Ms. Hawkins’s accomplishment is everything good and noble and generous, and Transitions is a wonderful boon to the world and thank you a million times over for writing it. There.
But I’d be lying if I said there isn’t also a poisonous/jealous writer in a dark corner of my soul, nursing a double and hissing a pox on her for stealing my idea. (Inner writers are all neurotic, not just mine. Hold the stones please.)
So what now? Do I shoot my languishing book in the head and put it out of its misery once and for all? Or do I buck up and take the immortal words (and graphics) of Chuck Wendig over at Terrible Minds to heart?
Well, I’m either a writer or a masochist because I printed this puppy off and taped it up on half the cupboards and all the mirrors in the house. Guess I’m still in.
The other voice haunting me belongs to the ever wise and balanced Linda over at Rangewriter, and in its own way, is both finer and more compelling. After being informed that my book was already written, she thought about it for a second then gently asked:
“Do you think one book on this topic is really enough?”
That sobered me. I looked up from my whiskey and suddenly recalled this one basic truth I heard about writing once that I’d somehow forgotten:
Everything under the sun has already been written about before. There is no…NO…such thing as a new topic. Ever. There are only new voices to express them in different ways, and each one of those voices is important because there’s at least one reader waiting out there that only that voice can reach.
So, do I really think that one book about the joyous and beautiful side of dying is enough? That Ms. Hawkins and Transitions can (or should) carry the entire burden alone from here? That all the mindless terror of dying out there in the world has now been forever eased?
Probably not.
But truly, even if her book WAS enough–even if that one truth I know about writing turned out to be sheer self-delusion and there wasn’t really a lonely reader waiting anywhere out there for my unique voice to reach –I could still fall back on this completely selfish reason and finish my book anyway. It’s from Mr. Wendig again, from his post 25 Things I Want To Say To So-Called “Aspiring” Writers, and comes in at #24:
“As a writer, the world you create is yours and yours alone. Someone will always be there to tell you what you can’t do, but they’re nearly always wrong. You’re a writer. You can make anything up that you want. It may not be lucrative. It may not pay your mortgage. But we’re not talking about that. We’re talking about what’s going on between you and the blank page before you. It’s just you and the story. If you love it and you want to write it, then wire your trap shut and write it. And write it well. Expect nothing beyond this — expect no reward, expect no victory parade — but embrace the satisfaction it gives you to do your thing.”
Amen to that Chuck. Back to the keyboard.
copyright 2012 Dia Osborn
The Odd and Unmentionable 
yours ill be better…..
like they say
“publish and be dammed” xxxx
Aaaah…so YOU’RE my lone reader-out-there. All this time and I never guessed.
Thank you my friend. 🙂
I agree that there should be more than one book out there on the subject. Thank your lucky stars that you get to read hers and both avoid any mistakes she might make and provide something new that she didn’t address.
I agree!! We all have so much to share!! Thank you for the great article!! I’m starting on volume #2!! 30 years awards many stories!!
Bless you !!
Becki
Keep up the great work Becki…I admire your dedication immensely! (…and hope to replicate it.)
Thank you!! New with blogging!! So much for me to learn! And this blog has blessed my socks off!!
More stories on my website!! 🙂
http://www.ladyhawkpublishing.com
So true! I guess being lead goose in the “V” has it’s drawbacks, too. Thanks for that.
I’m BIG BELIEVER that each person brings something unique to whatever they do creatively. You’d bring something unique because no one is you and you aren’t anyone else. No one has the nuances of your experiences and you may not have theirs. Even if you did, your reactions and notations are based on your individual make up so that voice will still be different and resonate with those who connect to the way you’d say it, what you’d see. Also consumers have different tastes, for instance today I took in a debate on Huffington Post, between Madonna and Deadmau5 fans, now Madonna is okay, but the admiration and respect you can see by their comments comes from them. How that audience sees her comes from inside of them, even their partiality to her as an artist is about them. Personally, the person I admire on this level is Shirley Manson – now there’s a Rock Star. She’s not affected ‘bad ass,’ she’s the real deal. But they both corner the same market, woman throwing convention to the wind, eating controversy as she expresses whatever. Still, they are both wildly different and there is a powerful audience for both.
*Finish.*
Then – post the name of your book so we can all get it. 😉
Bravo!! And you’re right, we should all be so fortunate as to develop that kind of come hell or high water chutzpah. We can…and should…dream.
It’s early yet and these things can (and usually do) change, but so far the working title is A Curious Cure. Hence, the URL. We’ll see.
I believe we should, so keep on. Everything changes, but perhaps the folks that finish the race bend with it or fine tune or something. A Curious Cure. Okay.
No rush. Just don’t put it up. 🙂
Becki Hawkins is a delightful person who will encourage you to follow your muse. Please do. There is so much to be said from the perspective of living and dying. What else is there?
She did!
Thank you Dia!!
Thank you Steve!!
Looking back…I used to do good deeds with the expectaion that goodness would come back to me (some mis-interpretation of Karma on my behalf perhaps). During my spiritual eveloution, I discovered the story of preparing a beautiful meal…and even if the Master turns it away…you still had the joy, devotion and spiritual journey of preparing the meal.
So, when I read your post…it reminded me of mowing the lawn, turning your bed, cleaning the toilet….and not needing the “payment” or “parade”. Looking back (and forward)…doing the “right thing” because it is the right thing…is a good thing.
If you write this book…is will be the right thing…a good thing…and the world (and you) will be better off because you did.
H.
Beautiful!!
I never turn away. 🙂
I had a feeling you’d have a lot said in the comments section of this post. Not surprised. I knew when I saw the header, I’d be responding too, happy I read to the end before responding as I was already preparing a pep talk (smiling)
Dia, you have a unique way with words. I’ve know only a handful people that write as well as you do.
Embrace the dream, without attachment to the results. I’ll prebuy a copy.
Laurie
Laurie you’re so great! I’m pre-selling already…what a kick. I’ll get her done. I promise.
I read becki’s book quickly, because it was so touching, inspiring and intriguing. I agree all has not been said that could be said in this area. And your insights, experiences could also be of great interest. I hope you accomplish what you desire.
Joan, NY
Thanks Joan…every vote of confidence is worth it’s weight in gold. 🙂
Dia!! You shall always have my vote!! You are incredible with your exquisite writing!!! Becki
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