Sometimes my writing flows smoothly, like a stream along well-worn channels, curving around obstacles, intent on its course.
At other times, my ideas are like ants in a disturbed ants' nest, scattering in a hundred different directions.
Sometimes my images come out almost as a list on the page:
-
a glint of a gold tooth
-
the rhythmic rocking of the boat
-
red and gold fabrics, gleaming in the midday sunshine
I take what I get, and use it any way I can, pushing aside thoughts of
should be
should do
the right way
the wrong way
There is only what there is, and it helps me to remember that:
Streams flow to the sea.
Every ant has a designated role in the colony.
Lists help you to remember.
This past week has been a disrupted one for me. It can be difficult enough to deal with self-inflicted disruptions to our writing - a tendency to get distracted by social media, or to put our own dreams and priorities last.
But sometimes Life just happens. A two-day headache that divorces you from your imagination. A phone call from the school asking you to collect your poorly son.
That's why I've learnt to take writing - especially the writing I do for a first draft - as it comes, whether it's in the form of streams, scattered ants or lists. However it comes, it accumulates and gets stuffed together. After a while it coagulates and becomes part of something bigger.
A book, with a life and an identity of its own.
How wonderful!
Until next time,
Margaret
Abigail
Those headaches are a killer, aren't they?
Thank you for this post - it's made me sit calmly and appreciate the possibility for five minutes. And I love that image of the book - makes me want to dive straight in!
Margaret K Johnson
Post authorGlad you enjoyed it, Abigail, and thanks for commenting! Yes, I loved the image of the book - it made me imagine all the books in the world with all their images coming out of them and what they would be like... Have a great week. 🙂
Katy Johnson
Beautifully put Margaret, I love the images and identify with what you're saying
Margaret K Johnson
Post authorAh, thanks so much, Katy! 🙂