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The Death of Frank McCourt and what it means to be an artist
Today was a bittersweet day for me. You see, for quite some time I've had a speech/lecture/sermon/pep talk that I've given a number of friends (and a few strangers) about what it means to be an artist and how, quite literally, it is never too late to become everything you ever wanted to be. And that speech always involved mentioning Frank McCourt. Many of you may be too young to remember the hubbub 13 years ago when McCourt released the heartbreaking memoir about his immigrant mother and his life during the great depression titled Angela's Ashes. It won a Pulitzer Prize, was a New York Times best seller for quite some time and inspired a well reviewed, if somewhat forgotten, film of the same name.
Why did I bring up this writer and his book? Because Angela's Ashes was his first work, published when McCourt was age 65. You see, Frank McCourt spent most of his life teaching creative writing to high school students in New York City. He was the classic joke: those who can't, teach. But after amassing a life of experience, he sat down, putting pen to paper and penned the most important work he ever would. At the age of 65 he was no longer Frank McCourt, Retired High School English Teacher - he was Frank McCourt, Author. Novelist. Writer. Take your pick. Either way he brought millions to tears, inspired a Hollywood movie and all but canonized his mother as a saint in the minds of housewives the world over.
He had become a man who dedicated his life to service and was rewarded with the title of a successful artist.
"When Frank McCourt dies," I would say, ending the story on a sobering note "the headline won't read Frank McCourt, teacher, dies. It will read Frank McCourt, Author. Novelist. Writer."
Today Pulitzer Prize winner writer Frank McCourt passed away. CNN thought it was noteworthy enough to make it their top story. The headline? Frank McCourt, author of 'Angela's Ashes,' dead at 78.
Think about that for a moment. Drink that in. Next time you think you're done for, that you're never going to make it, that you've nothing ahead of you but a life of drudgery and servitude at the feet of other, more talented and more successful people, think about Frank. Think about living to the age of 65, when most people think that life is over, and beginning the work you will most be remembered for.
It's not over till it's over. Today Frank proved that once and for all. Frank leaves behind not only a life well lived, but a body of work. Whenever I feel like the world is conspiring against me and that it's never going to happen for me, I think of Frank. I hope, now, you do too.
Why did I bring up this writer and his book? Because Angela's Ashes was his first work, published when McCourt was age 65. You see, Frank McCourt spent most of his life teaching creative writing to high school students in New York City. He was the classic joke: those who can't, teach. But after amassing a life of experience, he sat down, putting pen to paper and penned the most important work he ever would. At the age of 65 he was no longer Frank McCourt, Retired High School English Teacher - he was Frank McCourt, Author. Novelist. Writer. Take your pick. Either way he brought millions to tears, inspired a Hollywood movie and all but canonized his mother as a saint in the minds of housewives the world over.
He had become a man who dedicated his life to service and was rewarded with the title of a successful artist.
"When Frank McCourt dies," I would say, ending the story on a sobering note "the headline won't read Frank McCourt, teacher, dies. It will read Frank McCourt, Author. Novelist. Writer."
Today Pulitzer Prize winner writer Frank McCourt passed away. CNN thought it was noteworthy enough to make it their top story. The headline? Frank McCourt, author of 'Angela's Ashes,' dead at 78.
Think about that for a moment. Drink that in. Next time you think you're done for, that you're never going to make it, that you've nothing ahead of you but a life of drudgery and servitude at the feet of other, more talented and more successful people, think about Frank. Think about living to the age of 65, when most people think that life is over, and beginning the work you will most be remembered for.
It's not over till it's over. Today Frank proved that once and for all. Frank leaves behind not only a life well lived, but a body of work. Whenever I feel like the world is conspiring against me and that it's never going to happen for me, I think of Frank. I hope, now, you do too.
Add a Comment
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Comment by SketchedLilly on July 24, 2009 at 2:58pm -
Frank McCourt died?!
He's one of my favorite authors...
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Comment by ROFLkiteh on July 21, 2009 at 12:28pm - It was kind of shocking to see this on the headlines considering I'm right in the middle of reading Angela's Ashes for a school reading assignment, and reading this, although it saddens me, strike me with waves of encouragement as well.
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Comment by AtomicComicNerd on July 21, 2009 at 7:42am -
I've read his novels and to say the least he's a fantastic author very inspiring in his work. 'Angela's Ashes' is one of the best pieces of liturature I have ever read.
R.I.P. Frank McCourt. give heart to you Carlyle great blog I enjoyed reading it.
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Comment by Spider John on July 21, 2009 at 5:17am - Frank McCourt was nothing short of an excellent author. I just recently tried to get a friend of mine to read one of Mr. McCourt's books, I spent a minute or two explaining just how good an author the man was. As a man aspiring to teach myself, I looked up to & learned a great deal from Frank McCourt. This one is going to stick with me for a bit.
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Comment by Raphael - like the ninja turtle on July 21, 2009 at 3:03am - always nice to read some encouraging words, thanks man!
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Comment by Jovenza on July 21, 2009 at 1:39am - Great post Carlyle. I read Angela's Ashes in school this year and I loved it.
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Comment by Porter on July 20, 2009 at 8:55pm - Nice words mate. My dad likes to keep his irish heritage close to his heart and made me read his work back in high school. R.I.P.
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Comment by shmuck on July 20, 2009 at 5:24pm -
you know i actually very recently read both "angelas ashes" and "tis", and i plan to soon read "teacher man", and its sad to see such a wonderful writer pass on.
RIP frank mccourt
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Comment by Ian Clemente on July 20, 2009 at 1:15pm -
Many heartfelt thanks, Carlyle...Hearing this news added a depressing cloud to what has so far been a fairly bright summer, particularly because I was thoroughly affected when I read his timeless tale in grade school.
But at this stage in my life, after reading your article, the news of his death affects me on an even deeper scale: as an aspiring novelist. I am currently an English major in college, and am working to hopefully teach on a collegiate level about the varying messages found in the expression of human emotions (traditional literature, plays, and especially film). But my secret passion is Creative Writing, one that I have personally studied and have worked on for a long time. In fact, my senior thesis involves writing my own novel as well (long story), It really has been a burdensome goal at times, one that has proven to be quite frustrating on occasion.
But simply put, this was a truly inspirational reminder to me: that there is no deadline for human expression. That, so long as you are breathing on this planet, it is never too late to seize the opportunity - if one chooses to accept it - to harness your inner nature and share the story you are meant to tell.
I apologize if this comes across as a bit meandering...I guess I just want to say thanks to Frank McCourt somehow - and to you, Carlyle, for reminding me about him after such an extended period.
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Comment by Damien Olivera on July 20, 2009 at 12:56pm -
I actually liked the movie, then again I saw it when I was a preteen, and it was wow. Although its not really comparable to the book.
RIP McCourt.
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