The Sleeping Artist Needs to Wake.

There was a time when I thought I had a great passion for music. And maybe I did. Maybe I do. But then I listened to Joshua discuss music, and I realized that what I think about music pales in comparison to what Joshua experiences. When he experiences a song (which is the most appropriate word I can think of for how he consumes music), he is aware of all the minutiae of the piece. He’ll point out seemingly trivial components and express how they are necessary to the overall composition. It’s amazing. Just once, I wish I could hear music the way he hears it, because I bet it would be magical.

There was also a time when I flattered myself as a great appreciator of literature. Joshua’s approach to the written word is analogous to how he experiences music. When he takes in a book, he sees more than the main “melody.”  He discusses the cover art, the typography, the plot, the nuanced writing, the binding, an so forth. He is eclectic in his tastes and has even read a couple of my silly romance novels (sigh, what a husband I have).

I am sorry to say that Joshua is not gifted when it comes to making music. I hope he forgives my saying so. Don’t get me wrong. He isn’t a bad musician; it’s just that making music isn’t his calling. In my opinion, the same cannot be said about his writing skill (and Garrison Keillor - yes, that Garrison Keillor - can back me up on this one). Joshua’s gift with the written word is one of the things that drew me to him in the first place. He’s amazing. Simply spectacular.

A few years back, I started writing a chick-lit novel. I read enough of the stuff that I thought I could write one myself - I’m certainly familiar with the formula.  My thought was that if I (somebody with only adequate writing skills) could finish a novel, then I could more easily convince Joshua (somebody with phenomenal writing skills) that he could also finish a novel. Unfortunately, graduate school got in the way of my project, but I wrote 50 pages before grad school got me and made plenty of notes.

Now I’m plotting (pun intended) again. Joshua said he would participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) with me this November.  While, yes, I am selfishly delighted to revisit my incomplete novel, I am more giddy (yes, I said giddy!) about Joshua’s participation. It’s a huge undertaking, but I think it will be a fantastic experience.  Even if Joshua doesn’t write his masterpiece, I hope it will revive Joshua’s long-ignored love of writing. I, for one, can’t wait for him to stretch those dusty writing fingers (I believe he will write longhand) and make some literary music.

If, by reading this, you feel the need to spur on Joshua via email, facebook, Twitter, his blog, etc., please do so! I hope that getting the word out will motivate us even more. As I’ve mentioned before, Joshua and I are not known for our follow-through, and we have many excuses waiting in the wings (e.g. parenthood, jobs, housework). And if we are truly successful in our encouragement of Joshua on his writing journey, we might someday be gifted with a remarkable literary offering from a great talent.