Great things can take a very long time.
Which seems somewhat anathema to our “instant” society, no?
As a novelist, I’m used to settling in for countless years with a place and people, with the twists and turns, the delights and sorrows of what the characters go through, the story ever deepening as it grows.
And that’s just the first draft.
It’s not unusual for one scene to take a week to write. Plus, let’s not focus on the time involved in revision and rewriting . . . Years can be optimistic.
And I can’t count the litany of novelists who only gained renown after their deaths. Herman Melville, for one, was buried in a pauper’s grave . . .
The joy is in the creating, no?
Although I always chuckle at the Cormac McCarthy quote: "I'm not interested in writing short stories. Anything that doesn't take years of your life and drive you to suicide hardly seems worth doing."
Every novelist I know gets a laugh from that.
To keep the faith, to believe in the process, is much like trusting Mother Nature that the rain will fall and the harvest come in.
Once upon a time, I was a farmer. And in recent years, a gardener. Doing so provides a great antidote to the eons it takes to see a book to fruition.
But even that depends somewhat upon what you’re cultivating.
As I rewrite my new novel, I’m so blessed to have the expertise and company of Gary McKibben, the grower and vintner at the Red Caboose vineyard and winery, who’s teaching me (or trying to!) the nuances of growing great wine grapes. Because of course, my fictional characters are doing just that, and in the same county, near the same land, where Gary creates his wonderful wines.
Every time I’m with him, I learn more than I can even begin to recount.
I’ve ambled through the pristine rows, grapes being nursed by the grandmother vines, and those just starting to produce nicely. I’ve gone there to pick grapes, the clusters full and glistening in the morning sun.
Last week, I went to see the ladies springing new growth, the harvest complete, their relief vigorously evident under the blue Texas sky.
And as we strolled I commented on how nice being a farmer was, seeing quickly (in comparison to novels) the fruits of your labor from early spring bud break to finally having the harvest complete.
This is the time as well of uncorking their new-release wines, and oh, my. Because at the Red Caboose they use no pesticides, they don’t have to filter the wines. The full mouth feel of them, the rich fruit-forward flavors. The noses so intense it takes a bit to even sort through the layering aromas.
And the legs do a virtual dance in the glass, flowing in continuous swirls.
Because of this Old World method (which all the experts said couldn’t be done in Texas), the wines taste, indeed, like the terroir from which they come.
But ah, the Cab Franc/Tempranillo, aged 24 months in American white oak, deep in color, with an intense nose of liquorice and coffee aromas, then with a rich dark berry taste and a long, layering finish. I could drink this one forever.
So interesting is the 2012 Touriga Nacional, which is used primarily for their Tawny Port, the nose teasing you of the rich sweetness of port, the flavor doing so as well. Just luscious.
All of these varietals and blends are estate grown. All are unfiltered. All are big robust red wines.
And as this is a land I know well (the very place I lived on and farmed for long stretches of my adult life is just down the way), I can taste in them the lushness just under the hardscrabble soil, the native aromas teasing like a glint from peripheral vision.
The finale came in the form of "Some of that Red," their Tawny Port wine, again produced from estate-grown grapes. Tinta Coa and Touriga Nacional provide the basis for this Port, which is then aged in oak for 7 years before bottling. Unfiltered, oh, my, god, the flavors! The nose is so intense, it’s almost like candy, caramelized sugar, rich plums, raisins . . . But like great ports, never a cloying sweetness. Oh, my, do those flavors just waltz on the tongue.
The wines of the Red Caboose have won a litany of awards, and justifiably so.
When Gary says they grow wine, never is this point so dramatically driven home than when tasting the blessed end products.
One of my favorite things about this beautiful vineyard is the grandmother Cabernet Sauvignon vines—which again, the experts said couldn’t be grown in Bosque County, Texas. Planted in the very beginning as a test, today these mature ladies have thick stocks that are tree-like as they branch up the trellises, twisting into place, fashioned carefully by the grower’s hand. And now producing mature, full, incredible wines.
So I had to rethink, as I drove home, that yes, while often farming gives that immediate sense of fulfillment, at least through the cultivating season, when you’re growing wine, well, actually reaping said benefits occurs far down a long and winding road. Gary poured 2012 vintages. And the port had aged for 7 years . . .
The way those Cabernet ladies grew reminded me of the way story plots come, of how characters ripen and mature as the book takes shape, as branches sprawl out and are carefully weaved into the whole. Of how the plot changes the characters and characters drive the plot.
It’s all a dance between the thing created, and the one at the helm of creation.
And all requiring patience and fortitude and fidelity as the fruits of those labors may indeed be far far on a distant shore . . .
It takes a measure of courage (and perhaps stubbornness) to keep one’s commitment while toiling at an endeavor that will be all those years in the making.
But then again, that’s what life’s about, no? To keep one’s eye on the prize, to keep focused on moving the dream forward, even when the outcome can’t yet be seen.
It takes faith that what you’re doing will one day bear fruit.
Hopefully we’ll all one day see that fruit (and in our lifetimes, rather than a Pulitzer post-death a ala John Kennedy Toole).
But then, I always draw strength and comfort from that old saying of Nelson Henderson:
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”
Sharon M Hart
5 Oct 2016I appreciate how you connected the wine-making process to the writing process. I live in the San Joaquin Valley, surrounded by vineyards, so I am always cognizant of the changing seasons by the look of the vineyards: the first green sprouts of spring, the heavy clusters of the grapes in summer, the rows of raisins drying in the sun, and the barren branches in winter. It reminds me of what C. S. Lewis wrote about the law of undulation.
Thank you for sharing.
Susan Malone
5 Oct 2016I love how you related this to the Law of Undulation! Yes! That’s just wonderful, Sharon.
Rachel Lavern
5 Oct 2016Susan,
I started reading this post and midway in had to go back up to the top because I thought I had somehow switched to Katerina’s blog 🙂
I do believe in keeping my word (to others and to myself) and delivering on my commitments. Sometimes people make promises too lightly and break them too quickly. Do what you say you’re going to do.
Susan Malone
5 Oct 2016Sometimes a difficult task, that keeping commitments to yourself. But oh, so worth it.
Bill S
5 Oct 2016So important to do what matters to you. I think the wine making process is amazing and you have to be so patient with it too.
Susan Malone
5 Oct 2016So true, Bill, to do what matters to you!
Brianna
5 Oct 2016What an interesting post!
Susan Malone
5 Oct 2016Thanks for stopping by, Brianna!
Lori English
5 Oct 2016Susan,
A great article that was very interesting about the wine. I loved the quote that was included in this article. This brings memories of Martha’s Vineyard and the way you write I was present. Thank You, Lori English.
Susan Malone
6 Oct 2016So glad to bring your experience back to life, Lori. These ah-ha moments are everywhere, no?
Tamuria
5 Oct 2016This was so beautifully written Susan – I could nearly taste those wines. So clever to compare wine making to writing a novel and then understanding that while it appears the former occupation would achieve immediate gratification, it is, in fact, a slow process before the fruits of the labour can be truly enjoyed. Here’s to perseverance, no matter what our goal.
Susan Malone
6 Oct 2016Things are never as they appear on the surface, are they, Tamuria. Although we may think an endeavor is different from ours, when we dig just a bit deeper in the soil . . . And yes! Here’s to perseverance!
Sabrina Quairoli
5 Oct 2016Wow, great post. Your description of growing wine made me want to go on a wine tasting soon. Thank you for sharing. It sounds like you really enjoyed yourself.
Susan Malone
6 Oct 2016Tasting great wines is such a joy, isn’t it, Sabrina. And oh, my, how wonderful when in the company of the grower/wine maker. Always such a rich experience!
Roslyn Tanner Evans
5 Oct 2016How delightful to get lost in your weaving between the grapevines and story telling.You are some interesting lady, farmer, dog raiser, novelist, editor & I bet a whole bunch more.
Susan Malone
6 Oct 2016I always laugh, Roz, that I have depth knowledge of a few things. Lol. Then I sit back and glean the knowledge of those who do different things. Pretty cool life this is!
Neely Moldovan
5 Oct 2016I love the way you look at things. Its truly beautiful! I love the connection you made.
Susan Malone
6 Oct 2016Isn’t it wonderful to make the connections life presents us with, Neely! They’re always there.
zim
5 Oct 2016“It takes a measure of courage (and perhaps stubbornness) to keep one’s commitment while toiling at an endeavor that will be all those years in the making.” – Your quote is what keeps me going in my career as a blogger. I am starting to see some fruits of my labor.
Susan Malone
6 Oct 2016Good for you, Zim! Sometimes it feels like we’re just slogging away. But by keeping at it, we get there. Kudos!
Reba Linker
6 Oct 2016“It takes faith that what you’re doing will one day bear fruit.” Ah – yes! I think we all need to periodically stroll those vinyards and remember that good things take time, and that all things have their own rhythm. It is the antidote to our ‘results NOW’ culture. Thank you, Susan, for this beautiful reminder!
Susan Malone
6 Oct 2016I love that, Reba–“all tings have their own rhythm.” Now those are wise words to live by!
Kristen
6 Oct 2016What an amazing adventure you are on! I cannot imagine having the patience to write a novel and I admire those that do! I can see where it would be a lot like gardening, something I have started enjoying the past years as well.
Susan Malone
6 Oct 2016It is such a fabulous adventure, Kristen! How much fun I am having.
Erinn Sluka
6 Oct 2016With an 8 year old we are practicing patience which is so hard to have when young
Susan Malone
6 Oct 2016Oh, I can only imagine, Erinn! Good luck!
Jennifer Quisenberry
6 Oct 2016How delightful! I thoroughly enjoy visiting vineyards and attending wine tastings. What a wonderful way to spend the day!
Susan Malone
6 Oct 2016So do I, Jennifer!
Kathy @ SMART Living 365
6 Oct 2016Hi Susan! Having just gone to Napa for the first time and then touring Sonoma County tasting wines, I could relate to this post on many levels. Yes to the fact that most anything great takes time and commitment. I love this quote, “It takes a measure of courage (and perhaps stubbornness) to keep one’s commitment while toiling at an endeavor that will be all those years in the making.” thank you for reminding why I do what I do. 🙂 ~Kathy
Susan Malone
6 Oct 2016And you do what you do so well, Kathy! You’re such an inspiration.
Renee groskreutz
6 Oct 2016I am just starting to see the fruits of my labor and it is a beautiful feeling. It has taken me several years to get here though. This is such a wonderful reminder.
Susan Malone
6 Oct 2016I know how hard you’ve worked, Renee! And what great fruits you’re seeing. Your persistence is paying off!
Kristen Female Wilson
6 Oct 2016I had to do a double take… thought you and Katarina merged.. lol So true that we need to be true to ourselves and well… do what we say… not only for others but for ourselves. Thanks, nice learning experience.
Susan Malone
6 Oct 2016It’s that commitment to ourselves that’s key, no? And isn’t wine just a shared thing! Lol.
Alene A Geed
6 Oct 2016Characters ripening and maturing.. I love the way you express yourself. Probably why you are a writer. Also love the name of your book.
Susan Malone
7 Oct 2016Thank you, Alene. And that’s how they do–ripen and mature, life fine wines 🙂
Myteenguide
7 Oct 2016What a nice post, very inspiring. Fruits of the labor are not easy to get, take a lot of hard work.
Susan Malone
7 Oct 2016Those fruits do take a lot of work, no? But oh-so worth it!
Christy
7 Oct 2016Everything worthwhile takes time. Putting in the effort is always worth it or at least it has been for me. Never give up on yourself.
Susan Malone
7 Oct 2016That’s the ticket, Christy–never give up on yourself!
Kimberly
7 Oct 2016Sometimes I think that the things I do are not worth my time because I feel like I am not getting anywhere at the pace I want to. But I have to remember that getting from point A to point B usually takes some time no matter where you’re going.
Susan Malone
7 Oct 2016What a great reminder, Kimberly! Love that.
Joan M Harrington
7 Oct 2016Really enjoyed this post Susan as it really got me wanting to come and visit this winery 🙂 I am SO not a wine drinker, but the way in which you describe it well, you know……thank you for the awesome visual as relating to the fruits of your labor. I can totally relate and yes it seems like it takes forever for “fruit” to come, but as long as you have that one thing, FAITH that with all of your efforts that one day all of your hard work will pay off, it will be so worth it!
Thank you for sharing 🙂 Another great post!
Susan Malone
10 Oct 2016Come out and have some wine, Joan! We’ll make you a convert yet 🙂
Faith is the key, isn’t it. You have to believe all your efforts will pay off in the end, no?
Kathy
8 Oct 2016Susan, When I was younger, my grandmother would let me help her make these amazing raised donuts. Of course, there was that time we had to wait for the yeast to make the dough rise and I complained the entire time about waiting and she would say, ” If you give things the time they need, you will get rewarded for your wait.’ This story reflects that well. Thanks for sharing.
Susan Malone
10 Oct 2016I love that story, Kathy! What a wonderful grandmother–just look at all the lessons she taught around making raised donuts 🙂 How cool was that!
Elizabeth O
10 Oct 2016One of the treasures of planting seeds is watching the effort of our labor come to fruition. I can appreciate the piece you shared and how it speaks to the actions we take in our lives.
Susan Malone
10 Oct 2016Isn’t that a wonderful thing, Elizabeth–to plant seeds, tend them, and watch them bear fruit. Keeps my faith strong in so many ways!
Jackie Harder
11 Oct 2016Years to fruition…sigh. Yes. I get that. And it’s so hard to keep the faith! Thanks for the inspiration.
Susan Malone
11 Oct 2016Fruit can take a long time to mature, can’t it, Jackie!
Joyce Hansen
12 Oct 2016Susan, my mind always escapes to what you are writing about. I swear the wine section is the supermarket is calling me.You remind me of how marketing is changing. Rather than place emphasis on benefits, it’s becoming the experience one gets from a product or service. But, more importantly, when we invest our lives in things and do not see the fruits of our labors it’s what we leave behind for the next generation to grow from.
Susan Malone
12 Oct 2016Isn’t life just all about the experience, Joyce! And it truly helps me to remember that some of the fruits of my labors won’t be realized until after I’m gone. That just puts things in perspective for me . . .