The inspiration for the “parting” chapter in “Lasting” from Book 2: Across the Broken Bridge

Just like most writers, I sometimes need a little boost to get a chapter just right. Readers of “Across the Broken Bridge” will recall a POV from Caleb very late in the section “Longing” in which Caleb must say goodbye. I wrote this chapter, and then rewrote it, but still found it to be lacking the emotion that I felt both characters involved might be feeling in that moment. And so, I turned to what I believe to be one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking opera arias ever written. In fact, I left a little clue for the reader on page 590 (of the paperback) as to the exact title of the song, from the opera Samson and Delilah. I revised the chapter while listening to it, and then also had Caleb listening to the same song I was listening to on the old turntable phonograph. Here is the link if you care to try it for yourself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05yUZnpeQZ8 Whenever I think of Caleb’s heartbreak during that chapter, I think of this song. - JRS