What a great post. And the interview with Daniel G has given me another book to add to my “must read” pile. An instructor in my UVic Creative Writing Program, Robin Skelton, didn’t believe in writer’s block. He used to echo one of Daniel ‘s suggestion if any student was creatively stuck, he’d tell them to, “Go to the bus station, buy a return ticket to someway an hour or two away, no notebook allowed, and stare out the window during the bus ride. Ideas will come.” So simple, so wise.
Oh! YES to the idea of stopping and celebrating (or knocking on your door!) at the ending of that labour.
And Daniel captures well that other feeling of the pleasure in working, cutting, and being in the midst of a completed first draft.
When I'm creating a first draft, when it gets tough, I often pause and think about that future time, when it is a Thing, and I can finally begin sculpting with a whole stone.
"Sculpting with a whole stone" is the perfect way to describe the body of a manuscript, Alison. Reaching that moment, when a manuscript is no longer a wispy, evanescent thing, but has heft and substance, is a victory.
Yes... was out sweeping my patio, thinking how right you are with the thought of celebrating completion--it really means more than getting that note of publishing acceptance, in many ways. It's that moment of quiet accomplishment, that moment of "it is done."
As for "stone," until the first draft is complete--as complete as it can be--I always feel as if I am only assembling the tools and the materials. Nothing is there yet.
"One day, an idea came to you. It came out like the first star on a dark night, shining for your eyes only"
What a scrumptious way to describe that first sparkly moment when an idea takes hold. And absolutely yes!!! We must remember to celebrate the very fact that we have birthed a "thing". We went from flirting, to teasing, dancing, taunting, despairing, suffering, to finally releasing that "thing". Bloody right we should celebrate with champagne and jewellery.
Que top!
Until I read your piece here, I didn't know that I needed to hear (OK - "read") exactly this. And there it was.
That's so good to hear, Sharon. Does this mean you've recently completed a new manuscript? Looking forward to hearing more...
Nope - just happily noodling along with smaller pieces these days, but feeling that too is worthy.
What a great post. And the interview with Daniel G has given me another book to add to my “must read” pile. An instructor in my UVic Creative Writing Program, Robin Skelton, didn’t believe in writer’s block. He used to echo one of Daniel ‘s suggestion if any student was creatively stuck, he’d tell them to, “Go to the bus station, buy a return ticket to someway an hour or two away, no notebook allowed, and stare out the window during the bus ride. Ideas will come.” So simple, so wise.
What a great way to release the imagination! It goes without saying now that no phones should be allowed on this bus ride...
Oh! YES to the idea of stopping and celebrating (or knocking on your door!) at the ending of that labour.
And Daniel captures well that other feeling of the pleasure in working, cutting, and being in the midst of a completed first draft.
When I'm creating a first draft, when it gets tough, I often pause and think about that future time, when it is a Thing, and I can finally begin sculpting with a whole stone.
"Sculpting with a whole stone" is the perfect way to describe the body of a manuscript, Alison. Reaching that moment, when a manuscript is no longer a wispy, evanescent thing, but has heft and substance, is a victory.
Yes... was out sweeping my patio, thinking how right you are with the thought of celebrating completion--it really means more than getting that note of publishing acceptance, in many ways. It's that moment of quiet accomplishment, that moment of "it is done."
As for "stone," until the first draft is complete--as complete as it can be--I always feel as if I am only assembling the tools and the materials. Nothing is there yet.
"One day, an idea came to you. It came out like the first star on a dark night, shining for your eyes only"
What a scrumptious way to describe that first sparkly moment when an idea takes hold. And absolutely yes!!! We must remember to celebrate the very fact that we have birthed a "thing". We went from flirting, to teasing, dancing, taunting, despairing, suffering, to finally releasing that "thing". Bloody right we should celebrate with champagne and jewellery.