Wednesday, December 20, 2006

For Writers: The Ultimate Reward

What do you picture when you dream about your book’s success? Do you envision readers stopping you in the grocery store with stars in their eyes? Getting on Oprah? Seeing your book in the front window of your local Borders?

Or maybe you dream of your book riding at the top of the NY Times bestseller’s list for months at a time? How about dining with Dean Koontz and his dog, Trixie? Of course, this repast would be followed by a glowing, personal endorsement of your works by Trixie, and if you’re lucky, maybe Mr. Koontz himself.


Am I close?


Are you being honest?


Over the years I’ve pictured several of these dazzling dreams happening to me. Including a multi-million dollar movie deal in which Harrison Ford plays Gus LeGarde. And of course, the world would fall in love with the LeGarde family and beg for more each year.


I imagined quitting my engineering job, staying home to write, making enough money to pay down the debt and take care of long needed repairs, like the twenty-six windows that shake and rattle every time the wind blows.


I envisioned copies of my books in everyone’s home library. Worldwide, mind you. Not just in the States.


Lots of dreams. Big dreams. And all revolved around the traditional definition of success.


Recognition. Adulation. Confirmation that my work is valued. And enough money to take care of a small country.


A few weeks ago something happened that changed all that.


Judy, one of my lunchtime walking partners, had been canceling walks and working through lunch to make extra time to care for her elderly mother. We all admired her, watching as she shopped for her mom, took her to numerous doctors’ appointments, and tended to her increasing needs with fortitude and devotion. She was one of five siblings, but took the bulk of the responsibility on her shoulders.


The cancellations increased in frequency, and it seemed we’d never see our friend on the walking trails again. We worried when her mother was admitted to the hospital. Up and down, her progress seemed to change like the December wind that skittered across the parking lots at work.


Judy was absent a few days, then a few more. Something felt wrong.


Then came the dreaded email. The subject line always seems to say the same thing. “Sad News.” Judy’s mom had passed away, released from her earthly bonds and finally free to float among the angels.


When Judy returned to work a week later, she shared stories about her mother’s final days. One of them surprised me greatly, and fundamentally changed my definition of success.


Judy read to her mother during her final stay in the hospital. For hours on end. She happened to have my second book, Upstaged, handy and began to read to her during her responsive times. Sometimes her mother would just lie there with her eyes closed, and Judy didn’t know if she was listening. Frequently, she’d ask, “Do you want me to continue reading, Mom?” Her mother would respond. A nod or a short word.


“Yes.”


A nurse perched behind Judy and became involved in the story, too. So Judy would continue reading aloud, giving comfort to her mother and providing a little armchair escapism to her nurse. Solace came from the tentative loving voice of her daughter, close and warm. And she was reading my words.


It floored me.


In a flash, I realized if one woman could be comforted on her deathbed by my books – I’d already reached the definitive pinnacle of success.


You’ll never know how your stories will affect the world. Not until it happens. So keep writing and imagine the best. Not the money, not the fame, not the ability to quit that day job. Imagine affecting one solitary soul in their final moments on this earth, and you’ll have pictured… the ultimate reward.


A mom and child, in Judy's mother's memory.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aaron, that is what I call success. When you get the rest, it will be the gravy.

Aaron Paul Lazar said...

Thank you, Steve. You are right on. ;o)

Merry Christmas, bud.

Jude Hardin said...

Beautiful post, Aaron. It's important that we not let the material things of this world overshadow the true measure of success. It all boils down to love, really.

Aaron Paul Lazar said...

You've got it, Jude. In the end, the things that matter are our family and friends. Period. Though we are pretty broke this year (what year weren't we? LOL), I feel richer than ever before. My heart is full of love for my family and I am incredibly blessed. It really hits home when I see the faces of my two grandsons each day - filled with love and life and character and humor. I'm so lucky. And I thank God for friends like you and our mutual writing buds. You keep me sane!

Thanks, Jude. Merry Christmas!

s.w. vaughn said...

Woot! You posted it!!

I just love this piece. You're so right! It's easy to lose sight of what's really important... and this is it. Touching people. Nothing better in the world!

Have a beautiful holiday, my friend.

(((hugs)))

Aaron Paul Lazar said...

Aww, thanks S.W.! Your opinion means the world to me. You're one hell of a writer. Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Aaron, I hope you and your family has a very merry Christmas.

astrologymemphis.blogspot.com said...

What a poignant story. My condolences to Judy.

Aaron Paul Lazar said...

Thanks, Val, I appreciate your comment. ;o) I'll tell Judy you said so. Have a great day, and Happy New Year!

tom sheepandgoats said...

Yes APL, very touching post re the more important things.

I found you via Moristotle and then someone else. But your profile! With a good arm, I could hit your house with a stone. There you are in academic Geneseo. And I am in Rush-Henrietta. Do you commute into Rochester every day for Kodak, that one-time giant which rapidly approaches Mom and Pop status, at least locally? If so, do you use a voice recorder or voice recognition software to "write" as you drive?

Aaron Paul Lazar said...

Hey, Tom!

Well, whaddya know, a neighbor!

Yup, I commute every day to Kodak Manitou (formerly Heidelberg Digital USA and before that Office Imaging, and really before that... Copy Products!) It's a long way to drive, but I often plan the next chapter in my head as I drive. I love the peace and quiet of going to work on back roads. I drive up through Geneseo on 39, hook west to ward Caledonia, then scoot north on River Road toward Scottsville. After that, it's whatever mood I'm in. I love winding along the horsy roads and looking into everyone's gardens and corrals! LOL.

Are those beautiful creatures (in your blog photo) yours? Are they Alpacas or llamas? Or is there a difference? I'm savvy about horses, but not about the sheepandgoats world!

Thanks for stopping by!