The Spark of Creativity June 3, 2010
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Writing & Writers.trackback
Rik wrote an interesting post this morning (as he does most mornings) ~ Wing It or Plan It: How Do You Start Your Story?
Well, Rik, it depends . . .
When I do my taxes, I figure out how large a refund I need, and work backwards from there.
Sometimes, when I write, I do the same thing.
I start with the last sentence, then create a tortuous path through the underbrush of my thoughts to end the post at the beginning.
Frankly, that type of writing is a bit exhausting for me.
Other times, I look around at all the amazing topics to choose from until one cries out more insistently than the rest:
Pick me! Pick me!
Of course, that can be as challenging as choosing a single piece of Godiva from the display case.
So, most times, I just start typing and let the path unfold before me . . . reveling in the uncertainty of not knowing exactly where it will lead.
For example, in my last post, A Writer’s Life For Me, I started with lyrics running through my head (don’t ask me how they got there), and one thing led to another until I stumbled across, bumped into, or otherwise encountered Walt’s quote about Treasure Island.
As his words appeared before me, I knew I had reached the finish line.
In writing like life, if we remain open to the moment, Spirit Lights The Way.
Related posts: A Writer’s Life For Me * Eavesdropping on the Rooftop Literati * The Power Of Awesome * Austen & Dickens Had It Easy * Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland * It’s In The Mail . . .
Spirit Lights The Way 
I love your Godiva simile. I notice you use lots of similes in your writing. Just a little side point: The use of metaphors and similes is purported to be a sign of intelligence.
I love Godiva chocolate ~ picking one piece is torture for me.
BTW: I use similes and metaphors because it’s easier than describing my feelings in words . . . i.e., I’m a lazy writer. : )
Writing certainly is like a box of Godiva’s… You might not know what it’s going to taste like until you bite first and then write…
Life is like a box of chocolates . . . full of sweet surprises!
No, no, no; not lazy, as nancy curteman says, clever!
Sweet!
I suppose it is clever to be economical with my energy. : )
sorry about the typo “curteman”, correction!
Correction granted!