The End of the Matter, by Emily Owen
J is 10, and very keen on Shakespeare.
We hoped to finish The Tempest but, in the end, we had to close the book and go and say our goodbyes.
Next time, perhaps we'll find out what happened to Prospero and Co.
Endings matter.
How many readers of Pride and Prejudice, had they chosen not to finish the book, would be going through life under the assumption that Elizabeth and Darcy can't stand each other for all time?
How many readers of The Three Little Pigs, if they didn't read to the end, would assume that there is still a house-felling wolf at large?
I recently had reason to look up Julian of Norwich: ‘All shall be well’.
I can't remember what the reason was - it was nothing to do with Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well! - but I'm grateful for it.
It led me to realise that the quote carries on:
“All shall be well. For there is a force of love moving through
the universe that holds us fast and will never let us go.”
Julian of Norwich
Doesn’t the ending make the quote richer?
It does not suggest we go through life not knowing how ‘all shall be well'.
Including writing life.
Hoping for a contract?
There is a force of love that holds us fast and will never let us go.
Signing a contract?
There is a force of love that holds us fast and will never let us go.
Beginning a manuscript?
There is a force of love that holds us fast and will never let us go.
Reaching the end of your first draft?
There is a force of love that holds us fast and will never let us go.
Re-reading said first draft, deciding it's rubbish, and despairing that you ever wrote such tosh? (Or maybe that one's just me.)
There is a force of love that holds us fast and will never let us go.
Awaiting editor's first round of comments?
There is a force of love that holds us fast and will never let us go.
Reaching edit number seventy-zillion, and agreeing with first draft self that the whole thing is rubbish? (Again, maybe that's just me)
There is a force of love that holds us fast and will never let us go.
Seeing the finished book for the first time?
There is a force of love that holds us fast and will never let us go.
Struggling with marketing?
There is a force of love that holds us fast and will never let us go.
Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 139:10
All shall be well.
[The End]
Firstly, respect to J! But also that was a really encouraging post, thank you Emily.
ReplyDeleteI'll tell J! He is known as my Book Buddy. Thank you.
DeleteThank you, such an encouraging post! Just what I needed on a blustery Monday morning!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maressa.
DeleteFirstly Emily, it's not just you, you are not alone. Such a great start to my week, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, and thank you for the solidarity; good to know I'm not alone.
DeleteLovely post, Emily, thank you. Love that scripture loads! Blessings.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sophia - I do, too!
DeleteSuch a wonderful post. I love that Julian of Norwich quote but rarely remember the end part. I will now. Your encouragement is such a gift. Thank you, Emily.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Deborah.
DeleteSuch a good reminder; thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jenny.
DeleteI am so grateful to you for completing that quote from Julian of Norwich. The 'All will be well' used to make me feel uncomfortable by itself. With the added assurance of His love, it makes perfect sense!
ReplyDeleteYes, I was glad to discover the ending, too!
DeleteSo important to read quotations in context!
ReplyDeleteVery true!
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