Today’s Walk

“When you want something, all the universe conspires to helping you achieve it.”

Paul Coelho, The Alchemist

Personal confession, I have not read The Alchemist. But when I saw this quote, the book went onto my TBR list. This quote, which I ran across somewhere in all my reading, dazzled me, appearing at just the right time and validating my current writing.

As I read this quote, my mind filled with all the people who have interacted with me about the biography I’m writing. Only one person among the many I’ve interviewed or sought to interview refused to join me in this process. Quite the contrary, they have not only talked with me, they have referred me, enthusiastically, to others who might be helpful. They have paved my path with introductions and suggestions.

My subject is a reporter for the Associated Press whose short life spanned, and was affected in unusual ways, by the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War.

So, journalists comprise the largest group in my conspiring universe. Every time I talk to one of them, they give me an overwhelming feeling that I can succeed with this book. Accuracy is paramount in my universe of reporters, and in today’s reality, that’s impressive. Because their relationship with my subject was just about 50 years ago, some struggle to recall details as exactly as possible. They preface many statements with, “As I recall” and “To the best of my memory.”  They want to get it right.

They encourage me. They appreciate that a writer is pulling together the pieces of a person’s story and preserving that person’s place in history. These journalists quickly recognize “a good story” and are confident enough to be able to help another person tell it.

I appreciate their willingness to share their information and their encouragement more than they will ever know. They continue to be consummate journalists. I stand in awe of their commitment to story and its truth.

But, what if a writer’s universe doesn’t conspire for success?

Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time was rejected 26 times. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Racing by Robert Pirsig, rejected 21 times as was M*A*S*H by Richard Hooker. It took 23 rejections before Dune by Frank Herbert was published; 30 for Carrie by Stephen King and 38 for Margaret Mitchell to find a home for Gone with the Wind.

These writers believed in themselves enough to keep on, even when their universe was weak.

So, how lucky am I to have a conspiring universe. But it will not write my book. I have to do the work. I have to believe in the work. It is work only I can do.

But, am I ever glad to have my universe backing me up.

Makes me wonder if I am part of someone else’s universe.