I never realized what a great influence Nora Ephron was on me or how much of a fan I was of her work until hearing of her passing last week Tuesday. I was overcome with sadness and felt lost for a moment, and wondered what is to become of the intelligent romance films that we are so used to seeing from her? I thought of her witty blogs on Huffington Post, who else can write with her cheeky verve and smarts? Whenever replays of “When Harry Met Sally”, “You’ve Got Mail” or “Sleeples In Seattle” (I read someone calling it the “holy trinity” of romance movies) come on the T.V., to the dismay of my husband for using DVR space, I happily record these movies to watch later on, delete them and then repeat the next time they are on T.V. again. You’d think by now he’d get the hint and buy the DVD’s for me or I should have them myself by now-but I digress. As I told him, they are my “comfort and inspiration” movies and being a mom at 42 of a precocious 2yr. old, I am living out another life whenever I watch Nora Ephron films, as a way of taking a short vacation.
I also have her book, “Wallflower at the Orgy”, about her time as a journalist which is a compilation of essays and magazine articles. These articles display her wit and sharpness as a writer. She had the career most female writers and I would love to have, but for me I never had the guidance or drive to try and keep pushing forward. I went about becoming a writer, not the wrong way, but the harder way. Harder being my lack of confidence and the lack of support from family members. I’ve been writing all my life, but when it came time to make my career decision while in college, I followed another love, art history, but it wasn’t my passion. To make a long story short, I am now a writer, although not the best and and not the consistent writer I’d like to be, I am doing what I love and am passionate about.
In Nora Ephron’s death and reading of her career accomplishments, her generosity as a friend and mentor, her love of food, cooking and entertaining, and love for her family and friends, I’ve fallen in love all over again with being a writer and appreciate more now the good things and the people in life that matter to me. I’m not one of the lucky people that had the chance to meet or know Nora Ephron, but through her films I’ll at least feel what it’s like to be a part of her world, and through her writings, I will always be motivated by what it takes to be a good writer.
Gwen Hardin 