On Ben Cooper and Beginnings

My week is bookended by two weddings.  Two beginnings.  Two profoundly meaningful days for two sets of couples.  And for me?  My own profound day fell right in the middle.

Yesterday, I had the privilege to finally meet the inspiration for my second novel: Ben Cooper.  After a stunning and unique show (and a surprise yo-yo display by the drummer…apparently he was ranked 3rd best yo-yoer in the world at one point), I finally met the man behind the magic lyrics.  I was not disappointed.

Ben was gracious and humble when I handed over my 300 page manuscript.  I honestly think he was blown away that I actually came through with my idea (which I pitched to him two years ago), and was able to hand him something tangible.  Then came the surprise:

“I wanted to be a writer too, at one point,” Ben told me.  “I actually wrote 150 pages of something and then my computer crashed and I lost it all.  Then I decided to stick with being a musician!”

Taken by Charles Robinson, 10.16.13

I smiled.  When I thought about what he’d said later, it made complete sense.  His lyrics are thick and rich; they tell stories within stories (and this is not accidental, as he explained during his show).  There is a lot of thought and soul that goes into his music–not just a nice beat or a few well-put together riffs.  It is not a stretch to grasp his lyrics and turn them into something longer, something like Ten Thousand Lines.

As my two dear friends begin their new lives with their new husbands, I think about my special day sandwiched in the middle.  It was also a beginning.  It was the first time I placed the manuscript of my new book in the hands of another person.  Here’s hoping for the very best…

**A special thank you to Eric for printing my manuscript, lugging it to the show, and waiting with me afterwards as Ben finished up chatting with his fans.  You’re the best.