Weddings and Writing
On my wedding day, I got to live out my little-girl dreams. I was marrying my Prince Charming, in a hotel that was the closest thing Ottawa had to a castle, with a gorgeous dress that would rival any fairy-godmother’s creation.
Then I saw another princess! Another bride!
I felt deflated. Logically, I knew there were dozens of weddings that day just in my area alone. But emotionally, I felt deprived. Wasn’t this my special day?
I got in the elevator with a guest of the other bride.
“You look gorgeous,” she said. “Congratulations!”
“Thank you,” I replied, wondering if she was a traitor to her bride for complimenting me.
But her comment cheered me immensely. It reminded me that another couple’s happiness didn’t negate my own.
It’s what we feel as writers sometimes. We love what we’ve written (at least I hope you do!!) and we want to share it with the world. We know there are a million other books out there, but we want—for even one day—for the attention to belong to us.
I used to think that was all the attention—biggest bestseller, a household name to rival the literary giants—but I’ve since realized my error. I didn’t have to worry about “sharing” my special day with another bride, just like I don’t have to worry about all the other books out there. My day was special. My writing is special.
So, too, is yours.