Blame it on Shakespeare by Lynn Viehl
May 9, 2011 
25 Comments
Hi all! Today is a very special day. Anyone who knows the Book-Addicts knows just how much we worship the amazing Lynn Viehl. In fact, there’s squeeing every time we get an email and when I read this guest post, I might have cried, so have some tissues ready. I don’t cry easy.
Please welcome Lynn Viehl to Book-Addicts.
In addition to thirty-seven or more plays, William Shakespeare wrote a lot of sonnets —one hundred and fifty-four of them, in fact. I first discovered them in high school, in the back of a copy of Will’s complete works (I’d found it in the school library it in order to study lines from his play Othello, another long story.) It was a nice surprise to find Will’s poetry, too. All my English teachers ever taught were his plays; I had no idea that he’d written any traditional verse at all.
One of the most significant moments in my life was about to happen, but I had no clue about that, either. My teenage self sat in the school library, turning those tissue-paper pages of Will’s complete works just like any other book. After I found the sonnets I began reading through them, mostly because I’d been writing poetry for a few years. The sonnet was my favorite verse form, and I always liked to see examples of how to work the rhyme. At the time I didn’t understand Will’s version of English, so my involvement in what he was trying to say was minimal. I do remember thinking how cool it was that he’d been a poet as well as a playwright.
And then I hit Sonnet XXIX.
Almost four centuries separated the American kid in the school library from the universally acknowledged father of English literature. The only thing we had in common was that we both wrote poetry; we really didn’t even speak the same language. But that sonnet reached across three hundred and eighty-seven years, grabbed me by the heart, and refused to let go. I not only understood every single word he wrote, I felt them down to my bones. Will could have been sitting there right next to me, saying: “You’re miserable. I get it. I know every secret thing you feel because I felt the same. I understand why you write. I did, too. Now, this is how you’ll get through the worst of it.”
According to all the studies and analysis I would read much later in life, Shakespeare probably wrote his twenty-ninth sonnet sometime around 1592. During that time an outbreak of plague had also shut down all the theaters in London, so Will was out of work. He’d also been subjected to the harshest criticism and ridicule he would probably ever receive, this from a then-famous, now-forgotten critic who decided on his deathbed that before he bought the farm he should make one final attempt to destroy Shakespeare’s career. He did a pretty good job of it, too. A lesser writer would have been demolished.
Intellectually I didn’t agree with Will. At that point in my life I was quite depressed; my parents had divorced and my family had fallen apart. Home was a place I escaped from, not to. We’d always been poor, but now it was much worse. My mother was working two jobs, sometimes three, just to keep the house out of foreclosure. In desperation she put me out to work, too.
I had nothing to look forward to. I already knew I wasn’t going to get better clothes, a class ring, a car, or go to college. At best I was going to be a cashier or a convenience store clerk. While my friends were going to school dances and football games and the beach and generally having a great time, I had to work dismal minimum-wage jobs on nights and weekends and all through the summer to help mom put food on the table.
Even with all I did, I was made to feel like it wasn’t good enough; that I was an inconvenience and a burden, not someone who was valued and wanted. My life made me wish I was dead (although I never could decide if I want to kill myself, which was probably going to hurt, or die under some tragic but beautiful circumstances, like rushing into a burning building to save a baby just before I collapsed and expired from smoke inhalation, which of course would allow for an open-casket funeral, during which everyone would sob uncontrollably and regret every harsh word they’d said to me for the rest of their miserable, empty lives.) I didn’t have any sweet love to remember, to give me wealth, and to see me through the disgrace in which I lived, every day.
When I read the poem again, it seemed to understand that, too. Between the lines, Shakespeare said: That’s okay, kid. Someday you will.
My head didn’t want to believe him, but my heart fell for it. I copied down the sonnet in one of my notebooks and took it home. I read it so many times that by the next day I had it memorized. I can’t say it changed my personality overnight. I still dressed in black (I was Goth way before Goth became a style), moped around, hated my life and wrote a lot of bleak poetry. Life didn’t get better; I hated it, and sometimes I still wished I was dead. But occasionally, whenever I hit the lowest of the low points, I’d think of that sonnet, and it would patch up my heart and get me through to the next day.
I think what Will also did was point me in a different direction, because that was the year I began reading romance novels. Like Sonnet XXIX, romances were all about the power and the promise of love. I also wrote my first love story. Granted, the story was set in the near-future after a thermonuclear apocalypse that Russia won and every American who survived was exiled to a Land of the Lost version of Africa, where they turned blue, but in the end love triumphed over weapons of mass destruction and genetic mutation. Likewise my first novel ended up being a historical romance. And through that constant exposure, I began to believe in love and dreams. Gradually I let go of my bitterness and self-pity, and started moving toward a better place.
I did become a cashier. Then, after high school, I enlisted in the Air Force. I traveled the world, came home, and worked a bunch of other jobs. I was poor for a long time, too. It took another fifteen years to find the love of my life, but he was worth the wait. Ten years after that I published my first novel, and another dream came true.
I can’t attribute all that to finding Will’s twenty-ninth sonnet, but I will say this: thanks to that poem, I’ve never once been ashamed of reading or writing about love. When someone snotty tries to make me feel that way, I simply feel sorry for them. Whoever you are, whatever happens to you, it is love – or the dream of a someday love — that gets you through. It’s the only thing this species of ours ever got right. Anyone who despises that, or belittles someone who believes in that, deserves to be pitied. Because without love, you have no hope.
Sonnet Twenty-Nine
By William ShakespeareWhen, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possess’d,
Desiring this man’s art and that man’s scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven’s gate;
For thy sweet love remember’d such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.
Lynn continues to be super amazing so wipe your eyes and listen up. Lynn’s granting one of you lucky commenting people a romance BookWish. That’s any romance novel that’s available from B&N online, paperback or hardcover up to $30. Yes, the Book-Addicts might be a little jealous because they can’t have it. So, what romance novel would you pick?
ETA: It occurred to me that I didn’t put an end date on this. I’ll pick a random winner on Friday May 13, 2011 and contact them through email, so make sure you use a good email address when commenting! 
I’d start with her own newest YA novel, which I’m dying to get my hands on, I’ve loved her work since I picked up the first Stardoc novel. If not that, then I’d pick Ilona Andrews upcoming Edge novel or Lori Handeland’s Crave the Moon.
I used to have that sonnet in a notebook when I was in high school!
I love Shakespeare — that’s why I had my students study him in the 7th and 8th grades. His words are as profound now as they were 400 years ago.
Your story gives everyone who dreams of something better hope in the future.
Thank you for sharing.
MM the Queen of Shakespeare
Lynn,
How amazing the gifts of love and hope words give and the incredible skill of the writer who pens such words. I can’t say Shakespeare influenced my life, but I do recognize the impact his words have had on our culture. I’m glad you found something to identify with during the difficult times of your life. I’ve always escaped into books, grabbing the opportunity to disappear in any world other than my own.
As for the giveaway…you rock! I have to say I just bought several of your Darkyn books on Saturday! *embarrassed* That was the first time I’d ever seen your books. They almost never come into our local bookstore! (You’re so popular, no one ever brings the books back!) I would love your new YA, but I’d have to think hard because I’d want a book from your Darkyn series as well!!!
ReneeRearden(at)yahoo(dot)com
Shakespeare’s sonnets have always held a special place in my heart. I used to read them over and over. I was never a big fan of poetry in general, but Shakespeare was different. His weren’t just poetry. They were beautiful and lyrical, and just simply amazing to the angsty teenager I was. I still have the notebook I copied them all into way back when.
Wow, Lynn. Powerful stuff. I’ve loved this sonnet since my husband wooed me with it, 33 years ago. It is a lifesaver and I wish more of Shakespeare’s sonnets were taught in high school. Bless you for hanging in there!
And if I win, I’d want one of your books, Lynn.
Christineash AT sbcglobal DOT net
Cheers!
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Thanks so much for sharing your story. It’s very inspirational! I’d never read any of Shakespeare’s poems before.
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Hey Suzan and Lynn :waves wildly:
I would go for the latest Amanda Quick. I’m on the library waiting list, but it’s a long list.
Even if a book isn’t strictly a Romance, I want some romance somewhere in there.
Suelder
What an inspiring post. Thank you for sharing it with us. I love it that Shakespeare spoke to you, found a spot in your heart and helped you move toward your dreams. Wouldn’t he love that?
I don’t know what book I’d choose. I’m still ruminating on the sonnet.
What a lovely post. Thanks for sharing it with us. I love reading Shakespeare. He hasn’t exactly influenced my life but I love being transported by his words.
If I could have any romance from my wish list it would be Sweet Possession by Maya Banks. Thank you for the great giveaway!
user1123 AT comcast DOT net
What a lovely story, and so inspiring. The sonnets are amazing – I am re-reading them now for the first time in 20 years and finding how much my understanding of them has changed.
I have a friend who refused to read romance, having never experienced any in real life. She was depressed often, just drifting through life. I finally got her to read an inspirational romance novel, and believe it or not, she then met a guy on the ‘net and is planning to marry him this year. Gotta love romance!
Lovely, touching piece. I’ve often wondered what Shakespeare would think if he knew how important his work still is to folks 400+ years later. Our world and society have changed a lot, but humans are still thinking about the same things.
As for the contest, I would have to enter for Gemma Files’ A Book of Tongues. I recently borrowed it from the library and was astonished. I went in expecting a fun, but time-wasting, horror western and got a tale about tangled morals and personal demons with a main couple that has to be described as sweet, even if the people in it have a fondness for shooting other people.
Lynn, that was a beautiful and powerful story. I love romance because of the belief in the power love has to overcome and heal. It’s amazing how someone’s words from over 400 years ago still resonate deep within the souls of people today. I can only hope some of my favorite books have that same impact 400 years from now.
There are so many good romances out now, it’s hard to pick just one, but I would buy the 20th anniversary edition of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander. No, it’s not traditional romance, but it’s a wonderful love story that started an amazing series. It’s not out until July, however. Of course, I would also love a copy of After Midnight.
Although it’s not truly a romance novel, I think the city is one of the most romantic for fiction and non-fiction alike. I’d love to read David McCullough’s The Greater Journey – Americans in Paris. I had the good fortune of traveling there for a week last April and was seriously considering not returning. What an adventure!
I have always loved Shakespeare. There have been numerous times when I found solace, inspiration, or a commiserator in the poems and plays of the Bard. for me, with also a very Lon ely and miserable childhood, I found escape in books, anid poems as well. Many times I wrote to pour out the feelings, frustrations and grief that came with childhood and young adulthood, so I can empathize very much with Lynn in that.
I’ve read a few of Shakespeare’s sonnets in school, but it’s his plays that stayed with me.
janie1215 AT excite DOT com
I have loved this sonnet since I memorized it in 10th grade. It helped me through some rough spots as well! Great post.
Hmmm…is Julia Quinn’s new book out yet? Because I would pick that one!
I grew up in Manhattan, and was lucky enough to attend the Shakespeare in the park every summer until I moved to the Boston area after college. My father was an attorney, and a close friend of Samuel J Silverman, the attorney who argued (and won) the case against Robert Moses on appeal (Silverman insisted on the appeal, We (my parents, me and my sister, the Silvermans, my aunt and uncle) all supported Papp by contributing and attending the plays.
I just finished After Midnight yesterday and LOVED it! I can’t wait for the next one! I too had a rough, depressed adolescence where I often wished I was dead. It was reading and writing that kept me from doing anything too stupid as well. Your story inspires me.
All I can give you is this:
{{{{{{{{{{Lynn}}}}}}}}}}
You know why, my friend.
I would pick either her first YA novel. it sounds great. Or one of the first 2 Kyndred books. I have Frostfire staring at me and I cant read out of order.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
The struggles of the characters in Lynn’s books are so poignant that it is no surprise to know that she has lived that gamut of emotions, too. Thank you for sharing that lovely, hopeful story with us.
I would want to get Lynn’s new YA novel. I am also looking forward to the next Patricia Brigg’s novel, River Marked. That’s paranormal romance, right?
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It’s amazing how some stories can be very similar years apart. Of course, their are differences in our stories. But, of course, the main theme between the works was finding that one writer who changes your thinking processes, makes you look in a different area then you’re used to and making you feel good in your life.
I know I’m late, but this was such an insight into what makes Lynn tick. She is so obviously devoted to sharing her knowledge and gift of writing, art, photography, etc., through her blog. Also, I love when she talks about her kids. It shows her love and devotion, something that seemed to be lacking in her childhood. Thank you Lynn for sharing with us.