Meme: Writing is like

Blue - courtesy of Phil Synder

There's a new writing meme floating around out there that I discovered at Susan's of West of Mars, she of the  viva la Trevolution fame.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, go check her out.  She was tagged by Darie Helle who discovered it from and so on and so on. The meme Writing is Not like a bunch of Chocolates originated with Michelle of Greenwoman:  

Forrest Gump’s momma always said, “Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” I suppose the same could be said of writing, but . . . since we’re writers, we feel compelled to come up with our own silly comparisons.

Hence the creation of the Box of Chocolates Writing Meme–in which you may compare writing to anything but a box of chocolates.

How does it work? Take the phrase “Writing is like . . .” and finish it. Post it on your blog. Tag three others to do the same. That is all. See how easy that is?

Writing is like?   Writing has never been as necessary as breathing for me. Reading has always been that way for me.  The question made me realize, for me - writing is like diving into a rushing river and seeing where it will take me.  

You give yourself up to the flow of the river.  The flow unpredictable at times.  You never quite know what is around the next bend.   Rapids carrying you dizzily along.   Words, like the view, pass by you in a blur.  You do your best to stay afloat and once clear of the whitewater rapids, having reached a calm spot, take a breath and say wow!  

A calm pool, by the side of the bank, a place to rest, think, be, absorb the beauty around you and ready yourself for the next onslaught. You move back into the crazy flow again and suddenly you shoot into an unexpected tributary.  A side trip that either is soothing or extremely unsettling.  A side trip that gives you insight.  The water is so clear, you can see the bottom, every single pebble and the fish glisten in the sunlight.  At times, the water is so muddy, swirling and thick,  you can't see a thing.   A sudden waterfall, the drop takes your breath away. An aha moment! 

Writing is like diving into a rushing river and seeing where it takes you. You can either swim as hard and as fast as you can against the current, fighting it all the way or relax and go with the flow.  I'd rather go with the flow. 

How about you?

Tag you are it:

Michelle of The Innocent Flower

Michelle of  The Story Inside Me

Claire of A Builder of Worlds