In the early 1980s, a work colleague gave me Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s “A Gift from the Sea.” But I worked full time, had a husband, two children, a big house, and was taking an evening college course. I was too busy for quiet contemplation that this book encouraged.
Recently, a friend mentioned how much the book resonated with her now that she was older. I pulled out my slightly yellowed “Gift From The Sea.” The introduction reads: “I began these pages for myself, in order to think out my own particular pattern of living, my own individual balance of life, work and human relationships.”
Ms. Lindbergh started writing her personal thoughts because she needed to make sense of where she was in life and where she wanted to go. She knew writing helps you make sense of things. That first sentence hit home.
I started my first book, “An Unexpected Death,” because in 2008, I had to make sense of things. The country’s financial collapse put working people out of their jobs, and many lost their homes. Those responsible were not being held responsible. I felt frustrated. A way to deal with my frustration and anger was to write. Little did I know my first book was born out of my strong sense of justice. And that sense of justice I gave to my protagonist, Caitlyn Jamison. And that first book would lead to four more Caitlyn Jamison mysteries. Writing mysteries was not in my life’s plan, but when readers continually ask when the next book is coming out, I had no choice. The characters continued to reside on my shoulder and whisper in my ear. And I had to keep my readers happy!
Some books are meant to be read slowly. I will continue to read “A Gift From The Sea” a chapter at a time. Then stop to think about what Ms. Lindbergh’s contemplations mean for me and my writing.
