"The End Remembers the Beginning"

Thank you, Uri Shulevitz!

Sunday a.m., view from van window, Bryce Canyon campsite

“The End remembers the Beginning.”

A quote from Uri Shulevitz’s wonderful book about creating picturebooks, WRITING WITH PICTURES.

It’s a simple enough idea that I’ve taken to heart, not only for works for the youngest readers, but for all projects, from book reviews to novels and memoir.

It’s become one of those automatic checks. Or perhaps I should say “almost” automatic. There are times that, for whatever reasons, I think I can skip. Either I’m too rushed (that should never be a reason… ) or that dubious state of excitement that can happen post-partum with creative work, that sense of “this baby’s perfect!” when in fact, “baby” needs to be given a bath, a new diaper, onesie, and sleeper change…

That moment of reckoning can come: “this needs more work, but not sure where to begin.” A check in with “does the end remember the beginning?” is a good place to start.