The Epic Nature of Life
There is nothing more beautiful than human tragedy and triumph. Nothing more beautiful than a man protecting the woman he loves, than a sister shielding a sister, a man giving his life for the woman he knows he can never have, a father seeking vengeance for the death of his son, a woman killing to protect what is hers. There is nothing more beautiful than a woman hungering for a man, nothing more beautiful than a brother loving a brother, nothing more beautiful than a father's love for a daughter, nothing more beautiful than friendship between man and woman and child.
 |
| Watch Movie Trailer |
The answer is YES. Yes, we can write these stories. Yes, we are brave enough. Yes, we can set aside our smallness and our frailties and reach for that deeper part of ourselves that knows there are GREAT TRUTHS in this world, and it is these truths about which we must write.
 |
| Book's endpaper by N.C. Wyeth |
Trust the humanity of each character who finds his and her way into your imagination. Trust that life is meant to be lived with passion, full throttle. Dip your pen into the center of your own beating heart and paint a timeless image on the rock wall of the world.
 |
| Pictographs at Lathrop Canyon |
* * *
THE MOHICAN TRIBE TODAY: "Contrary to early American literature and Hollywood license, the Last of the Mohicans continue to outlive James Fenimore Cooper's book-ending prediction. We are alive and thriving in a beautifully forested section of Northern Wisconsin."
THE 2013, 10th Biennial JAMES FENIMORECOOPER PRIZE Competition: Honors works of literary fiction that significantly advance the historical imagination. The winner will be chosen for its literary quality and historical scholarship. Sponsored by the Society of American Historians.
Comments
Carol Grever
Your name came to me as I attended the Feminist Luncheon for the first time today. I loved what you just sent and printed it out as a guide. Thanks,
Shirley
Your opening Write Brave, Write Epic, addressed to me personally....well, let’s just say it spoke to my heart, especially as I’m contemplating a sequel to my book about Paul LaRoche, Hidden Heritage. (Never mind that Last of the Mohicans is my absolute favorite movie; I’ve watched it enough times that I can recite the entire script along with the movie.)
So everything you wrote tonight really connected with me. As you said, “Leave something that is worthy of the path laid before you.”
Love that whole paragraph. Maybe I’ll frame it (with your permission & name) and post it in our ranch office.
Barbara Marshak
Camille Lione
Love your post. I'm finally starting back into the novels and my charge to myself is go deeper. Take risks. Tell more than the good story.
I, too, love "The Last of the Mochicans film" (one with Danial Day-Lewis). Something about it. Perhaps it's that it was filmed in natural lighting as much as possible. The fort (in Asheville, down the street from where I lived, btw) in natural darkness. The confrontation at the falls in natural daylight. Perhaps it's the truth of what we will do for love, as you say. What I know is the moment it hit me, when I got "it." It was when the runner from the fort with the message runs, trusting his compatriots for protection. Tho he knows Indians surround him - who will fly at him, shoot at him, tomahawk him - he stays focused, never hesitates one-half second, never looks back...because he knows he'll surely die if he does. *That* blew me away.
Hope 2012 is turning out to be a good one for you.
Aloha,
H
Yes, 2012 is promising to be a much easier year than 2011.
Aloha. Page
I really enjoyed your comments on Last of the Mohicans.
What a movie that is...
Wes Studi's Magua is a classic.
Dan
LH