Friday, January 21, 2011

Blogfest: being married to a writer in the words of SHH


When I asked SHH to write this post, I was expecting a tell-all piece on the trials of being married to a writer. (The messy house! The piles of clean--but unfolded--laundry! The bleary-eyed wife begging for him to take the kids for just two hours so she can finish this revision!) But instead, well... read for yourself.



At dinner for our 7th anniversary in September of 2010






Being married to a writer is like having a full time job in the elevator industry. Need I say it’s full of up’s and down’s? We eat, drink and sleep inside the elevator. Among the hundreds of floors, there is only one special floor we are looking for. At times we climb so fast to the top that our ears pop. When we reach what we think is the very top floor, we hold our breath to see what greets us on the other side of the doors. Is it the welcoming hand of a publisher? Is it another pass? The suspense at times is overwhelming. Only Sara and Hannah (her agent) hold the combination that will get us to the right floor. I can’t choose the numbers for them. All I can do is encourage her to continue to try.

At times the elevator plummets, seemingly uncontrollable. We have to hold the handrail to stay steady and try not to throw up. Our stomachs twist inside out and force their way into our throats. The bell dings. The door opens. We find ourselves face to face with a two-headed evil beast named Despair and Failure. Now I’ll be honest here. We’ve had a couple of lengthy conversations with this beast. As ugly as Despair and Failure are on the inside, they can come across as an old friend looking for someone to join them. We have to remind ourselves that to step off the elevator at this level would only bring discouragement. Lucky for me, I know Sara has the strength and incredible support group to resist the temptation of this evil beast.

We must stay on until we’ve made it. To believe is to achieve. I know you can do this Sara! I believe in you. You are amazing! You inspire me to be better. Thank you for this wonderful ride!

Love, Trav

Halloween 2010 (we dressed up for a party the week before, but not the night of)

Thank you so much for believing in me, and for writing this post. I am so lucky.

25 comments:

S.A. Larsenッ said...

so inspiring!! He's a keeper, Sara. Well done. I am so in love with the elevator analogy. True that!

Enjoy your weekend.

Cheyanne said...

Awwwwwwwwwwwwww. I loved this! What a fantastic, supportive hubby!

Talli Roland said...

What a wonderful, truly supportive post! My insides feel all smushy! You're lucky to have him in your life. :)

Stephanie Lorée said...

Awwww, so sweet! And metaphorical too! Me thinks there might be a bit of a writer in the hubs.

Myne said...

You're lucky indeed! Please keep this one close, :) Lovely post.

Jacqueline Howett said...

What wonderful encouragement!

Unknown said...

What an awesome post! Congrats on winning the hubby lottery :D Loved this!

Shari said...

I think he should be writing, too. That was an awesome post. Lucky!

Alex Cameron said...

Yes he definitely has some writer in him! That old chestnut despair and failure sure are tricky ones and as I have been reminded recently there's no avoiding the pain of rejection as much as you know it's all part of the process. But it's good to know Sara has a true partner to share the road. TGW

Unknown said...

Love, love, love the elevator analogy!! Trav seems like an awesome guy, and just perfect for you, Sara!

Janiel Miller said...

THAT is a good man. Sounds like he's right by your side. And he's welcome to post on our blog any time. Maybe you guys could team-post sometime. That would be cool!

Nice. Thanks for sharing.

Angela said...

Wow, Sara, you're husband is a writer! And supportive too. How lucky you are.

Wendy Tyler Ryan said...

Wonderful post. Did you sprinkle some writerly essence on him?

Jennie Bailey said...

Your husband has some talent as well! What a sweet post. I love it! I'm making The Hubster read it when he gets home from work. :-) How could you not succeed with him behind you? You've got the talent, the determination AND the support. The trifecta!

Len Lambert said...

I agree your significant other sounds like a writer, too! This is a very loving post. Thanks for sharing! :)

DL Hammons said...

Dang it! Now I have a man-crush on your hubby! :) I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the fact that everything is told from the point of view of US! This post epitmizes what I hoped for when Talli and came up with this crazy scheme.

There has been an unexpected side-effect from this blogfest. I tend to worry about my fellow writers/bloggers sometimes. Now I can be more at rest for some, knowing they are in good hands if things don't work out as planned. :)

Ellie Garratt said...

Aah, bless. Such a sweet post. And pictures too! Thanks for sharing.

My significant other

Colene Murphy said...

AWE my gosh!!! He's so sweet!!! Great pictures. You two look amazing together!

Lydia Kang said...

That was a beautifully written post! Hmm, seems like talent runs on both sides in your house!

Vicki Rocho said...

What a sweetie! Love the elevator analogy.

Nicole Zoltack said...

Wow, love the elevator analogy - it's so apt! And I love the pictures of you two together. :)

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

What an amazing guy to have in your corner, Sara! Love the pictures, too. I think you need to get Trav to work writing. He's got a way with words, too.

You guys are so precious together. Seriously, like the picture that comes with the frame. You look so happy and beautiful together.

alexia said...

Looks like hubby has writing talent, too! Great post.

The Dixon Family said...

This was a great post, thanks Travis!

Natalie said...

Aww, what a sweet guy!

My husband is super supportive of my writing too, and BOY does it make a difference. I don't know if I could keep going sometimes if I didn't have him cheering me on.