The Traditions We Keep
“And how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in one word… tradition!”
~ Reb Tevye, Fiddler on the Roof
Family traditions are big in our home. There are the standard ones many families observe such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and baseball’s Opening Day. Then there are traditions specific to us like the Devers Family Olympics, Family Game Night, and “Making Dad Cry” (I’ll have proof for you later).
Very early on, my Bride and I decided that family traditions would be a foundational part of our lives. We made a point to celebrate the conventional ones and create a few of our own along the way.
So when the Mr. Rogers quote popped up on my calendar last week, I couldn’t help but feel a little satisfaction at the job we’ve done establishing family traditions our kids will hopefully carry on. It also made me reflect on how the idea of tradition has shown up in my writing.
Though it was never a conscious choice, it’s probably no coincidence that the opening chapters of my first novel center around Rhigov’s biggest annual tradition, the Harvest Ceremony.
Things do not go as planned at the Ceremony, which sets off a chain of events that carries not only through the rest of the novel, but through the entire three-book series.
Of course, tradition can also become an impediment when it continues blindly and no one stops to ask whether it still serves its purpose. There is some of that at play in Rhigov as well, and I hope that comes across clearly. This aspect of tradition will play an even bigger role in Book Three, but we’re not there yet.
Woods and Wings: Swithen Update
Another very productive week on the first draft of Book Two. I added another 4,400 words and completed Chapters 59, 60, and 61.
One more chapter will complete the climax of Act III, after which I will begin working on the resolution chapters. As I do, I will be mindful of Jack Nicholson complaining to Elijah Wood about the resolution section of The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.
You can watch it here. (The story starts around the :42 mark of the two-minute clip.)
Family Stuff
On top of a productive writing week, I had a fantastic weekend. Two of our kids made the short trip to New Braunfels to celebrate my birthday a little early.
There were games, of course. And Tex-Mex, of course. Along with presents, waffles, and general merry-making.
Between my bride and me, we try to keep things interesting every year when it comes to the “cake” part of the celebration. (Bucking tradition here, I suppose.)
This year, instead of the standard birthday cake, she made caramel apple hand pies completely from scratch, by request.
They were outstanding.
There is only one left.
No, you cannot have it.
It’s mine. It was my birthday.
Bonus Pic
In case you thought I was just making it up for effect…
Chapter 62 calls now, and I don’t want Jack Nicholson to walk out before it ends.
See you next Tuesday morning.
— MWD