Got Garbage?
Compost: a combination of decomposed plants and animal materials and other organic materials that are being decomposed largely through aerobic decomposition into a rich black soil.
Ever think your daydreaming might be a waste of time? The procrastination that strikes suddenly and with paralyzing force a loss of opportunity?
Maybe not.
Deb posted a fascinating account of a conference she attended. In it, author Ursula LeGuin spoke about compost, and how it's similar to what happens in our writing lives.
LeGuin is quoted as saying,
"Compost needs silence, darkness, time and patience."
Which ingredient do you find easiest to find? Which is more elusive? Is the soil of your writing garden dry or rich?
Ever think your daydreaming might be a waste of time? The procrastination that strikes suddenly and with paralyzing force a loss of opportunity?
Maybe not.
Deb posted a fascinating account of a conference she attended. In it, author Ursula LeGuin spoke about compost, and how it's similar to what happens in our writing lives.
LeGuin is quoted as saying,
"Compost needs silence, darkness, time and patience."
Which ingredient do you find easiest to find? Which is more elusive? Is the soil of your writing garden dry or rich?
Comments
~ Wendy
Wendy, I know what you mean. :-)
Interesting post, thanks.
Silence is most important to me. I require a certain amount of quiet every so often--not just for my creative stuff, but as a person. I need lots of thinkin' time.
Hope all is well with you. :)
Thanks for stopping by Glynis!
Janna, wish I could take credit for the analogy. I thought it was pretty awesome too, which is why I linked to Deb's post. Like you, I NEED silence. Lots of noise just exhausts me.
Everything is well, thank you. :-) And I hope with you?
“Life is compost. All my life … my experience, the events … the people I have known, all my memories, dreams, fantasies, everything I have ever read, all of that has been chucked onto the compost heap, where over time it has rotted down to a dark, rich, organic mulch. The process of cellular breakdown makes it unrecognizable. Other people call it imagination. Every so often I take an idea, plant it in the compost, and wait. It feeds on that black stuff that used to be a life, takes its energy for its own. It germinates. Takes root. Produces shoots … until one fine day I have a story, or a novel.”
So fitting. I think my compost heap (i.e. imagination) is pretty rich. But if I had to choose one ingredient I lack, it's the patience to let it all germinate. I want to have my story done NOW. Heehee.
Thanks for the thought provoking post, BQE. ;-)
And Anita, I want your story done now too!!! Ha. :-) Wonderful quote! I didn't even remember that. Thanks so much for posting it.
Jeanette, LOL. That's a good point. Sometimes our ideas stink too, but that doesn't mean they don't add to our compost. :-)
The ingredient I find easiest is more a of an action - sewing the seeds! Yes, I love plotting (bwhahaha, she says, rubbing hands together in the manner of a James Bond baddie). The most elusive ingredient is objectivity - I really have to make myself step away and concentrate on that one. I think the soil of my writing garden is rich... but needs daily upkeep to keep its PH balance!
I'm always eager to jump into the next project, to get moving, to be doing something and working on something.
Jessie, I SO feel like I'm decomposing, in more ways than one. *grin*
Jayne, Hahaa! Your comment is too funny. Love that James Bond image. LOL So you're a plotter? Lucky girl! I love how you mention sowing seeds...It's not enough to have good soil. We have to put something in it, right? :-) Thank you so much for stopping by.
Emily, I know what you mean. I'm in awe that you compost. It sounds like such a good thing to do, I've just never tried. Maybe this summer...thanks for popping in. :-)
Even with that my writing soil is moist, rich and wriggling with worms.
Love the compost analogy, especially since I'm in the gardening mode these days.
Without a doubt, patience is my weak link. However, I'm learning.
When I'm wrestling with a scene or a possible blog post, I put it on hold and pray. The answer will come at the oddest times: in my sleep, taking a quick break with an icepack (today!), or reading a blog.
Blessings,
Susan :)
love this today.
compost happens!
Jill, I don't know, I've had some dark thoughts with this whole parenting thing. *grin* Great comment.
Kathryn, very true. I know you have to work faster now, but I hope you still get some of those necessary ingredients for a beautiful story. ;-)
T.Anne, yep.