The journey, not the arrival matters
- T.S. Eliot (1888-1965)
I feel like I am a passenger on a luxury train. A palace on wheels, like the Orient Express. With vintage cabins and a plush interior. All breathing elegance and history. A deluxe train that takes me on a wonderful journey. Every once in a while I get off the train to see places I have never seen before. Places that surprise me, make me wonder and bring me new experiences. After such a visit, I get back on the train to continue my journey. During that, I am meeting new people. Interesting, fascinating and intriguing people. I am enjoying the scenery, the places and the people so much, that I hope that it will take a real long time before we reach my final destination...
More precise than with the above words I could not describe how writing this first book feels to me. This 'journey' is such an amazing experience already, that it truly is more important than the arrival for me. It is a journey that takes me to unknown topics and challenges me to explore these thoroughly. As I have always been eager to learn (unfortunately never too much in the 'conservative' way....), this really is one big pleasure trip for me! Like a sponge I am absorbing everything that gets in my way. I feel privileged. It is like being on my own Grand Tour.
Right now I have the actual story all chopped up in chapters. In short sentences and keywords I have described what will happen per chapter. Structuring took me much longer than I would have ever thought. Now the time is close to start working out these short sentences and keywords chapter by chapter into the story of Elena, the protagonist, which will be spread out over a few decades. There are still many gaps to be filled (like how the story must end exactly...), there is still much material to be gathered and many topics to be researched, but piece by piece the puzzle is coming together! And during that process, I am learning and enjoying the ride. Do I really want this journey to ever end? I definitely agree with T.S. Eliot. It's the journey that matters. Love, M.
