Envy and Creativity

From time to time I come across a book that is more than a good book. These books create envy in me as I read them, because I wish I had been the person priviledged to write them!

When I read The Chronicles of Narnia, I kept wishing I had been the person to create Narnia rather than C.S. Lewis. When I read The Hobbit, I wished I had created Hobbits and their rare adventures! But Narnia was not within me, and neither were Hobbits. I am thinkful for the people who were priviledged to craft them.

One reason I want to write is to be a part of that creative process. I dig within myself and search the world around me to find the means of creating characters that come alive in stories of high interest and excitement. I hope to grow into creating better and better stories to live in vicariously. I don't know how far I will progress in that endeavor, but I know I can only get there by attempting it.

In the mean-time, I am thrilled when surprised by a highly creative and ingenious book. I am reading one of those books now. I have only read the first three chapters of The Mysterious Benedict Society, and already envy is growing. My mind is asking, "How can he be so creative? How does he come up with these ideas? How did he make this world work so effectively?" The most haunting question is, "Why couldn't I have been the person to write this book?"

Trenton Lee Stewart has created a world that is delightful to travel through, and I am enjoying every bit of it. I am glad he is gifted with the talent to create such a story. Maybe my turn will come. If I am not destined to create such worlds as these men have, I am still richer for having experienced them. Best of all, the discontent created in me will compel me to create what I can, which is far better than creating nothing at all.