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Friday, November 30, 2007

The Long Awaited Exhale

I have been working on a middle grade novel for almost a year. I am on my 6th revision. And sometimes, like today, I just get stuck. My brain gets thick like fudge and I can’t think anymore. Then, you add heartache and grief from my computer, and I reach my all time limit of frustration. So what’s a writer to do…

Without a thought to stop me and pull me back to my computer, I throw on my Uggs – it is finally cold here in the North East – grab my favorite mittens, paper, pencil, tissues, a bottle of water, and my faithful companion, McKenzie, my collie/shepherd mix.

Kenzie, hiding under my desk as I type away...


Ah the fresh air! I take deep breaths in and let it all out. I am ready, strapped with all the arsenal a writer needs – stimulation, freedom, and fresh air. So we walk, McKenzie, sniffing out any possible dangers that lie ahead, and me, staring up at the naked branches above. See, my story is about trees. I love trees and being in nature, and when I feel all clogged up inside, I need to get outside and listen to the trees.

It is great to live amongst the trees and a river. I love being on the canal listening to nature, smelling nature, seeing nature. And I come alive. Thoughts fill my head, tumbling one after the other, like the graceful autumn leaves themselves. I find a rock to sit on and take out my paper and pencil while McKenzie stands guard. And I write. I write at a feverish pace. I throw all mechanics out the window – spelling, grammar, complete sentences – none of that matters when a brainstorm thankfully hits. I just write. And when I am done and I know I am on the right path, I exhale.

It’s always the same. It feels as if I haven’t exhaled in maybe years. But when I do, I know I am done. And then I walk home, bound with my brainstorm of fresh ideas - a gift from the trees. My head is now clear, my cheeks are cold and pink from the crisp autumn air, and I am ready to begin again

Kenzie, as a puppy being loved by Emily

5 comments:

Leeza Hernandez Illustrator said...

I always need to head to the ocean when I need to think or overcome a mental block ... I experience the most amazing surge of energy when I am near the sea. It's comforting to have a physical happy place wher you can go and know it will all come togther — that and a few inhale-exhales!

Leeza Hernandez Illustrator said...

Oh and BTW, you have just been tagged! Now it's your turn to share five things about yourself!!!!

Sheri Perl-Oshins said...

OK... 1.)my favorite time of year is summer into autumn.
2.)babies' laughter is the best music to my ears.
3.) When it rains, I feel sad adn want to only stay indoors.
4.) my favorite color is green.
and
5.)I was born on my mother's birthday.

Tag. You're it!

Anonymous said...

Summer into autumn is my favirite sesons to, and i like green.

Love,
someone in ypur house

P.S the 2nd letter in my name is a "A".

Sheri Perl-Oshins said...

I think I can guess who you are, mysterious one!!!

“Personal limitation exists only in our ideas of who we are. Give up all notions of who you are and your limitations will vanish.”

- Anonymous