A Metaphor for the Writing Life

The Alpine Path of Emily Byrd Starr

Emily Climbs by L.M. Montgomery

“I, Emily Byrd Starr, do solemnly vow this day that I will climb the Alpine Path and write my name on the scroll of fame.”

L.M. Montgomery, Emily of New Moon

I would panic if you walked up to me and said, “Quick! What’s your favorite book by L.M. Montgomery?”

I’m a loyal lover of Anne (I even spell my middle name like she does), and I don’t want anyone to think that I dislike that darling redhead (pardon me, I meant auburn). However, if I had to choose the L.M. Montgomery books which resonate most, I’d choose the Emily series.

Emily Byrd Starr is a writer. Anne dreams of writing, too. However, unlike Anne, writing is Emily’s all-consuming passion. She can’t do without it; she needs to write as much as she needs to breathe. The motto of Emily’s life has been running through my mind a lot lately, and I wanted to share this timelessly beautiful metaphor with you.

“Then whisper, blossom, in thy sleep
How I may upward climb
The Alpine Path, so hard, so steep,
That leads to heights sublime.
How I may reach that far-off goal
Of true and honored fame
And write upon its shining scroll
A woman’s humble name.”

L.M. Montgomery, Emily of New Moon

A year ago, signing a contract felt like the pinnacle of Mount Everest. And yet, despite my excitement at signing my first book contract last week, I’ve discovered that I haven’t summited the mountain: I’ve only reached the first vista point. I can see my whole world spread out beneath me—from the first handwritten story with scrawly illustrations to Monday, January 27th, 2025, when I wrote my name at the bottom of my first author contract—but there’s still a long climb ahead of me.

So, since I’ve followed the Alpine Path of writing this far, I’m going to enjoy the view. Above me, there are peaks as yet unscaled, but I’m grateful to stand here, looking back and ahead. I hope that you can say the same, wherever you are, whoever you may be.

If you’re an author with multiple published books, thank you for persevering and becoming an example for the rest of us.

If you’ve just begun to realize that there is magic in the written word, I’m so excited for you to begin this majestic climb.

If you’re slogging through the middle of a novel and are unsure if you’ll survive, keep climbing, keep writing.

Writing is hard work; the metaphor of the Alpine Path proves that. We’re scaling dangerous mountains and fighting through lonely valleys, and often, we think we’re doing it alone. However, the truth is that we’re never alone, no matter how many long days of “I have writers’ block again!” or “Who would want to read this book? It’s a disaster!” we have. Everywhere, there are writers, struggling through creative dry spells and celebrating each bit of progress made in the ascent.

Another piece of mountain verse comes to mind:

“I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:1-2

Wherever you are today in your writing journey, may you take courage. Lift up your eyes to the hills above you as you continue to climb. I’m right beside you.