This is my non-writing, non-editing summer project. It’s done and it looks pretty good. Woo hoo! I’m proud of myself and my work.When I started, I thought building a flagstone patio would be challenging, but do-able. I had no idea how challenging and how much doing it would take.
As work and the number of stones I hauled increased, I realized that it is an art. And art takes lots of practice. Each time I bought more stones, one of the people who helped me load them into my car would give me a useful tip that made laying the stones go, if not smoothly, at least a bit faster, a bit easier. And by the time I laid the last flagstone, I felt more comfortable with the task. (Not to mention my arms were better muscled!)
Fortunately (or perhaps not), I’m a stubborn woman. So I finished, on Labor Day. And even repaired an aluminum bucket fountain that had been out of use for several years.
Care to jump with me to my analogy? Whether positioning flagstones or words, you don’t start an expert. Listening to the experts helps, so does a lot of practice. Some learn fast, some take more time and practice. Some have a natural eye and a great imagination. Some work from a detailed plan, others (like me) start with a vision and end of moving up a lot of stones to get to it. At some point, you stop and say “good enough.”
My patio has bumps, lumps and spaces that an expert would never leave. But I started, and I finished. If this were my career, I’d take my photo and move on to the next project, taking the lessons from this one. (For example, triangular stones fit together better).
So why do we think writing should be easy, fast, and not require training, advice, and lots of practice?
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13 comments:
I think it is a combination of a few things.
First, people who excel in their field make hard things look easy. Sinking a game-winning shot with a few tenths of a second looked easy when Michael Jordan did it. Creating and delivering a comedy monologue looks easy when Jay Leno comes on stage. Writing is no exception.
Second, reading is such a common experience. When you get something to read, it is generally quite good because it has been reviewed so many times. It takes a few seconds or minutes to read passages that might have taken hours to craft. We usually only get to see the finished product, so when it is easy to read, we naturally think hey, I could do that.
Third, with the media systems in place, we are exposed to mainly the best of the best. It is hard to write a good decent song for the first time when you compare yourself to the best professional songwriters. What might have been considered a brilliant song sixty years ago might just be a mediocre song by today's standards. If you jump back before recorded music, the best music you could find was someone you saw live. While there was only one Elvis, there are many Elvis impersonators, but none are quite as good as the original. Now that we have access to the best literature of all time in the form of a paperback, it has raised the bar.
Lastly, everyone who has received a formal education has 'passed' English. They had to write essays, research papers, and book reports. They received a grade that told them they were proficient in that subject, even if they weren't held to the most strict standards. After you get told that you are proficient in something enough times, you start to believe it yourself.
Good thoughts, Johnny.
Since I've been struggling to learn the craft of writing, I almost feel guilty when I devour a really good novel in a few hours, realizing how many laborious hours it took to write.
I guess that's why writers write. Sort of like taking hours to prepare a great meal and watching your guests wolf it down in minutes.
Kathy:
I think your patio looks positively fabulous. And I can imagine the good feeling and sense of accomplishment you must be experiencing right now.
As to the analogy, one thing about building a patio is that it forces us to do things in a certain order. You can't just go out there and throw a bunch of stones around. That is, not if you want to have something your proud of. Yes, I can see that building projects do have a counterpart in writing.
But for some reason writing seems to cause us to have mental problems. One time I heard a character in a movie say, "Everyone want to go to heaven, but no one want to die." Writing is kind of like that. We all want to have written, but we don't necessarily want to write. So I've decided on a new plan for myself.
My plan is that I will only write for the enjoyment of writing and I won't worry so much about the finished product. I will labor over words and sentences for the pure fun of it until I'm satisfied with my product. Of course, I will listen to criticism and advice, but I will not let it affect me personally. I will take it all in fun.
That's what I am currently doing, and I think your analogy was right on point.
Happy trails.
Fascinating point, Swu.
At one point, I began to see gardening as a chore rather than the joy it had originally been for me. And I began to dread it. When I reminded myself that I truly enjoyed it, it brought me ever so much more pleasure and I spent a lot more time at it.
Time to remind myself why I write.
Oh, Swu, I forgot to say thanks for your compliments on the patio.
I am pleased how it turned out.
Wow, great analogy, Kathy and one I NEED to keep in mind--and may I add the next patio you build will probably be faster and easier (although unlike your novels, I'm thinking it'll be a while).
A WHILE! Please don't make me think about it. I actually have stones left over and am trying to decide whether to add to the patio, make a walk, or sell them on Craig's List! eek.
And of course, you're right. Everything's easier with practice, except maybe having your heart broken, or losing friends.
Good advice and a very apt analogy, Kathy. And your patio looks great, perfect or not.
I think we limit ourselves a lot by NOT doing things until we can do them perfectly!
It's good to see you! I missed you in your absence. :)
Thanks, Lynda.
You're right about that concern about perfection. Right now I'm procrastinating finishing my novel, because once I say it's through, it must go out for agent queries. And I know it's not perfect!
I'll try to stick around and blog and comment more regularly. But regularity for me is an issue. Only when it comes to blogging and writing. :)
Kathy, just letting you know I awarded you the "One Lovely Little Blog" award--you deserve it!
That's beautiful. You did a super job. You gained a patio and an analogy!
Helen
Straight From Hel
Conda,
I'll dash on over to your site, Condascreativecenter.blogspot.com, and see if I can find out there what this honor means.
Thanks!
Thanks, Helen.
I've been basking in my pride of creation a bit too long. Now to figure out what to do with the remaining flagstones.
And what to do with my characters.
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