In the zone with bats and stalactites?

Sometimes a project starts to gel after many months of two steps forward, five steps back. When this happens, the best thing is to head into "the writer's cave."

How did we arrive at "cave" as the best metaphor for focused work?

I guess caves work as a cozy shelter from the storm for hermit-types. But I see a place like this and expect the resurrected Jesus to tap on my shoulder.

He is not here...he is risen. (morgefile.com)
Alternately, I imagine something equally tomb-ish. Whatever you do, don'...