“I am raining down in pieces. I am scattering like light.”
That quote is from Suzanne Vega’s song “Small Blue Thing” which I rediscovered while sorting my CDs. And it perfectly describes my current state of mind. I don’t seem to be able to concentrate on anything. The least thing distracts me. I am scattered in pieces.
This is a state of emptiness, I think. A time to refill, to soak in, to expand and solidify. This feeling reminds me of a familiar process. Usually, three times a week, I make bread. I mix the flours, water, salt, yeast, and oil and I knead it, let it rise, punch it down, let it rise again, form it into a loaf, let it rise once more, and then bake. When that loaf is eaten, I start the process over.
You can try to hurry the bread-making process—knead it less, skip a rising—but you won’t get the beautiful loaf you expect. Right now, I am scattered. I am in the ingredients stage. I need to be patient and let the “magic” happen.
Linda Cassidy Lewis 
I go through this about once a month. It’s not specifically related to writing, but impacts it greatly. I feel as if I’m a snake trying to shed its skin – I’m writhing in discomfort. Arrgh.
But your post reminds me (because I’m going through it at this moment – I couldn’t write my poem yesterday) that it will pass. Thank you.
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You’re welcome. I’m trying not to be impatient, but right now, as the sun is sinking low, the world outside my window has turned golden, and yet all I can think of is, my feet are cold. I do so desire a rush of excellent words.
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You’re making me hungry. Great image, and rising bread is magic, so I know the writing magic will happen in its own good time.
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Must not rush. Must not rush. Must not rush.
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I love homemade bread. I’m in the “must not rush” phase too. I’ve learned something about this industry in general: That is their theme. “Must not rush”. I think it’s their way of making sure we’re sane before they publish us. If we can survive this process without pulling our hair out, they reward us. 🙂
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Ah, industry secret. I just read Nathan’s blog about this. It was funny to hear him speak from the “other side.”
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I love this: This is a state of emptiness, I think. A time to refill, to soak in, to expand and solidify.
I, too, am in a fairly constant state of distraction. When I read that line, my whole body relaxed. It’s a much better way to look at it than, “j, seriously, someone needs to save you from yourself.”
Patience. Okay… (thanks!)
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I’m happy you found something worthwhile in the post. From time to time–okay, nearly every day–I need to remind myself of the steps in the process. I just miss waking up every morning excited to work on my novel.
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Lovely analogy, Linda. I also really like the Suzanne Vega lyrics. I will have to check out the song on Itunes. Happy Thanksgiving!
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I’ve been rediscovering some quieter music lately. I haven’t followed Suzanne Vega’s career, but I find her old stuff inspirational.
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