Monday, December 13, 2010

A new idea, tinged with sadness...

Well, I got one wish on my Christmas list this weekend.  A shiny new idea.

Unfortunately I feel like it's tainted with tragedy.  Yesterday tragedy struck our street once again in the form of a sixteen-year-old suicide. 

It seems like one house after another on our street has fallen to tragic ends over the last year and a half.  It leaves you wondering, "What's next?  When is it my turn again?"

It immediately brought to mind Jay Asher's THIRTEEN REASONS WHY as all the neighborhood kids gathered, wondering why.  Just why.  They all want to know WHY.  But I'm kinda glad they don't.  So much guilt could be associated with the why, and I would never wish that on any of them.

But out of it blossomed a story idea.  Something new for me -- a contemporary piece.  A piece about tragedy and grief, and how one teenager handles the consuming fear of the questions, "Why?" and "What next?"

Forgive me for being a downer today, I'm in a very contemplative mood.  I didn't know the neighbors daughter well, but it's hard not to be effected by such a thing.

Hug the ones you love a little tighter tonight, and make sure they know how much they mean.

8 comments:

Abby Stevens said...

That's terrible. And at Christmas, too... sometimes it's easy to forget as we go about our lives that there are people in deep, deep pain all around us, and sometimes the smallest act of kindness can makes the biggest difference.

Pam Harris said...

It's so sad that sometimes we have to experience some kind of tragedy to get new ideas. I'm faced with them almost every day as I have to talk many students out of committing suicide. However, I have found that writing is so therapeutic. So hopefully your new idea will help with some of your questions and your sorrow.

Jessica K. said...

I think that a story like that is needed by so many. Just imagine if a teen who was thinking about suicide could pick up this book and see what tragedy it would be if they took their own life. Maybe they would think twice.

Way to inspire, Holly.

Meredith McCardle said...

That breaks my heart. I can't even imagine what that poor family must be feeling.

KatOwens: Insect Collector said...

How awful. I think it's somewhat normal to try to make sense of all the things around us by pulling them into our writing.

Holly Hill said...

I've been trying to come up with the right way to tell a story of loss that has been brewing in my mind for a while. I'm just sad it had to come on the heels of yet another loss.

I feel so bad for her family. Losing my brother was hard, but I can only imagine how much harder it would have been if he'd done it on purpose.

Erinn said...

I'm so sorry, it's incredibly tough on everyone.
I"m normally witty but I can only offer my sympathies.

Anonymous said...

Suicide is always an awful thing. My prayers go to that family as they try to process the death of someone so young.