Stumbling Upon Stars

A photo by the spectacular travel photographer Anton Jankovoy

“He pointed out to him the bearings of the coast, 

explained to him the variations of the compass, 

and taught him to read in that vast book
opened over our heads which they call heaven, 

and where God writes in azure with letters of diamonds.” 

― Alexandre Dumas in "The Count of Monte Cristo"

Not long ago I attended a workshop by Dr. Jeffrey Wilhelm. The workshop was designed to help teachers learn to teach reading more effectively. The man is a genius and I learned a ton of useful information for the classroom, but that's not what this post is about. Dr. Wilhelm told a story about teaching a workshop at some kind of a young adult literature conference. In it, he talked about all the beautiful symbolism in the final chapter of the powerful book "Number the Stars" by Lois Lowery. He said that after teaching the class, he was approached by a women who turned out to be Lois Lowery. Lois Lowery said something to the effect of, "Wow, I'm a lot smarter that I thought I was." In other words, she did not intentionally put in all the symbols that Dr. Wilhelm claimed were there. Then she added, "But it all fits perfectly!"

I have found that this phenomenon is not all that uncommon. I've even experienced it in my own writing. I will be typing along and I decide to add certain details that simply feel right. I have no idea why. They are not even remotely a well thought out, logical choice. Then, later on, I'll see all these beautiful connections like dim little stars that I thought stood alone, forming into complex constellations. These "unintentional" details have a way of adding up to a system of symbols that unifies the text and enhances the theme. It's truly exciting when it happens. Almost magical. Blaise Pascal said, "The heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing." The point here is that we have to listen for those quiet little instincts that seem to form in our hearts instead of our minds; don't question them, trust them, have faith. So often they turn out to be the faintest touch of the Creator's hand in our work.