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Friday, April 16, 2010

Lessons from a Flower

From an actual Storyqueen journal entry:

A flower cannot grow faster
than a flower can grow
(and that's the truth.)

Because it takes time for the roots
to adventure out from their home
in the cozy seed and
nourish the stem
so that the stem is strong enough
to hold up the head of the flower...
so that the petals can develop
and the blossom
can bloom.

You cannot rush a flower.

And that is that.

 I wrote this when I was starting something new...and it would not start.  I get impatient with myself sometimes, hoping, wishing I could write faster than I am able to. 

But I need to remember that a flower cannot be rushed.

And a good book needs to develop naturally, organically to be strong enough to hold itself together in the end.


hrh

21 comments:

L. T. Host said...

True, and true! I'm feeling you with this right now... life, more than thought, is stalling my WIP, but it's stalled, nonetheless.

Avo said...

"Don't rush a miracle, or you'll get a rotten miracle."

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Shelley, I absolutely love it - the poem AND the idea behind the poem. Thank you so much for sharing. In this sloth-like industry, we can use every reminder like this one that we can get. :-)

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Whoa. You are getting all deep on us, Shelley. That really is a wonderful way to look at it. Sometimes I see other writers who are much faster than I am and I think I'm broken or something. Mayhap, I'm a slow bloomer.

Laura Pauling said...

So true! And something we can remind ourselves of every day.

Creepy Query Girl said...

Very true. The best things take time to grow. Good analogy.

Julie Dao said...

Lovely words and such a strong message. There is no rushing a flower.

Kelly Polark said...

Lovely reminder!

Elana Johnson said...

I'm printing this out and putting it on my wall of awesome. I'm the most impatient person on the planet, and this speaks to me. Thanks.

Sherrie Petersen said...

I always knew you were brilliant. That was beautifully said.

Myrna Foster said...

I think I need to print this, too. I get so impatient with my progress in so many different areas. Thanks, Shelley. I love reading your blog.

Jackee said...

Great reminder and a beautiful way to put it!

I often think of stories as a big pot of stew. It needs to simmer and marinate and it's not done until all the ingredients are in the pot and al dente.

Have a great weekend, Shelley!

Molly Hall said...

Wow. This was just what I needed today. I find that every time I do a revision of my WIP, I have grown and reached a place where I can "see" what is needed. And I wasn't ready to write what I needed to write before that moment. I guess I'm just blooming at the right speed!

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Love "You cannot rush a flower." We sometimes allow life to become rushed. As for someone who has driven 900 miles in three days for the blood center for which I work and gotten 7 hours sleep total doing it, I know. Thanks for your delightful blog. Nothing but success in your future and only high sales for your books.

If you should care to visit my blog, here is the link {as a courtesy only do I put it here}

http://rolandyeomans.blogspot.com/

Today as I was delivering blood to a rural hospital, I smiled at a child being led out by her mother. She ran open-armed to me. Her mother shook her head and said, "It's because you have such kind eyes."

I think that was the nicest thing that's been said to me all year. May you hear something equally pleasing in the days to come, Roland

storyqueen said...

LT-Glad I am not alone! And my WIP finally started, but it is not going quickly.

Jonathon-Glad yo liked it.

Alesa-Is that a line from Miracle Max in The Princess Bride?

Shannon-Thank you. I need to remind myself of this often.

Tricia-Deep? Me? Naaaaah. Just trying to gently remind myself that there are reasons why things are the way they are...(confusing...)

Laura-We should, at any rate.

Creey QG-(Love your name!) and you are right, good things take time.

Julie-Thank you!

Kelly-Thank you!

Elana-I made the Wall of Awesome?? I am so flattered!

Sherrie-Well, not brilliant, but I am glad it resonated with you.

Myrna-Aw, thank you. and I love reading your blog, too!

Jackee-Oooh, I like that...because if the stew doesn't cook long enough, it tastes like crud. Good one.

5star-Cool...er, um, thanks for the link...even though it's kind of like spam...

Molly-Thanks for stopping by!
And I agree, I change as a writer all the time. I can't write stuff before I am ready to write it.

Roland-your comment should be a post in itself! Truly lovely. And the kind eye comment would have made me tear up if I was there!

Avo said...

It certainly is. It seemed appropriate.

Ann Marie Wraight said...

EXACTLY!

Do you think I could manage to print all that LOVELINESS on a T-shirt?

BEAUTIFUL.

Dawn Simon said...

I love your posts. You're wise and full of positive energy. Thanks for the reminder!

lisa and laura said...

Oh I love this! What a great exercise when the words are slow going.

Anne Spollen said...

I need to remember this.

Every day.

Anonymous said...

aww Shelley, I could have done my 'Q' post on you, Story Queen!! :o)