Revision, Doggie Style
by Elizabeth Solar
Before you get too excited, this is not that kind of post.
Today’s inspiration is compliments of my trusty canine, and office sidekick, Jessie, the fabulous Goldendoodle.
Everyone needs a hero. For Jessie, I fit the bill, keeping her in kibble, properly watered, often indulging her 70-pound need to remain a lap dog. Who has two opposable thumbs, and scoops her poop into scented, biodegradable plastic bags? This writer. That, my friends, is love. In return, Jessie lavishes unconditional love and devotion, with a total lack of judgment.
Given the advantage of possessing a digit versatile enough to hitch a ride, or like something on Facebook, why are we writers so hard on ourselves?
We often toil away literal and figurative echo chambers of our own making. Crafting a story requires organization, consistency, commitment and focus – things that require a degree of quiet and solitude. However, inside our heads roar charges of inadequacy, and a nagging clang of self-doubt. Tiny gremlins wreak havoc with our confidence, and inhibit us from cavorting in the free flow of creativity. In a previous post, Victoria Fortune reflected on the benefits of daydreams on creativity, and productivity. Today let’s consider...play.
If creative fruit withers on the vine in the arid soil of negativity, it sprouts to full expression when we plant ourselves in the land of possibility, positivity and fun.
The concept of writing and fun in the same sentence may have thrown you. Hang in there.
How often do we beat ourselves up over things like editing or spelling mistakes, word count, false starts, and clunky dialogue?
Do you think Jessie cares about today’s word count? If my character is not yet ‘round’ enough? That I’ve killed off a character I thought was essential, but now seems beside the point?
No. She just burps her appreciation as I toss her another slice of turkey bacon, then waits under my desk until we break for a rousing session of fetch in the back yard.Cut yourself some slack. Watch some cartoons; sing along with your favorite hair band. Do your happy dance. Allow yourself to run amok through the fields of imagination. Meander, and explore the scary, and freaky, as well as the prettified sections of your psyche without judgment. Rather than adhere to an expectation of what our story is supposed to look like, before we place a value on every thought and feeling we’re brave enough to commit to paper, or screen, let’s be okay with the simple act of creation, Let’s play.
Your mind can be a bad neighborhood, fraught with trepidation, or a dog park - maybe an amusement park - enlivened by thrill of discovery, wonder, and the unexpected treat. Where do you want to hang out?
Keep this list handy as you write today:
Dog Lessons for People
-Enjoy the simple pleasure of a walk
-Run and play daily
-Be loyal, faithful, and quick to forgive (especially yourself – yeah, I threw that in)
-Always drink plenty of water
-Sometimes it’s best to sit close and listen
-Follow your instincts
-Keep digging until you find what you want
-Avoid biting when a growl will do
-Accept all of life’s treats with gratitude
-Love unconditionally
