When Work Becomes Play: The Writer's Life
“What’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen, John?” I asked in the ride back from the WNRN studios this morning.
“I guess the first thing that comes to mind is another question. What do you mean by beautiful?” John responds.
Today has been one of those days I’m so grateful to have, one of those days that makes me shiver a little when I think I might have to, some day, do something other than live in the flexible world of a writer’s schedule. This morning, I had the privilege of standing and listening to a live interview and performance with John Francis, the honor of watching someone do something he obviously loves to do. Now, I’m sitting in a coffee shop, my laptop on my lap, my cousin Lauren on her laptop, John on his laptop, John’s intern and friend Tyler on his laptop – we are all working in this space, our bellies full of great bbq from the place up the road. Tonight, we will grill out and have a bonfire. Maybe John will do a little song leading for us. In short, this is a good day.
In a few minutes, if I don’t take a quick snooze on this comfy sofa, I will pull out slave inventories and scan through names for dates and data. I will write my 1,000 words. I will read more of Harkness’s A Discovery of Witches. In short, I will work.
On days like this, my “work” feels so much like play.
If you’re in the Central VA area tomorrow night, please come enjoy a great concert experience with John Francis. The show is a benefit concert for the Fork Union Fire Department and Rescue Squad. Doors are at 6:30, and the show begins at 7pm at Fork Union Baptist Church in Fork Union, VA. We’d love to see you.