Gardening and Writing – Part II, Not so easy after all!
Yesterday’s post was all about how easy some gardening (like some writing) can be. And, it’s true. Some books seem to write themselves, some plants need very little tending – just plant and watch them go!
Today I’m getting down to a little more of the nitty gritty! Without amendment, this is the kind of soil I have… not exactly the beautiful back loam that makes gardeners turn green with envy, is it?!
I took this pic as I was weeding today. You can see how dry and packed the top of the soil is. It’s hard clay and needs a ton of improvement. (Did I mention I’ve neglected my yard/garden for the past 13 years?!)
Actually, clay soil has some good points. Here’s a nice article about the good & bad aspects of clay soil. Let me highlight one good point that ties into writing – clay soil is generally very fertile. And, one bad point – it’s harder to work!
Some stories come easily – most do not. The initial idea may be great – the fertile imagination leaps forward, and you find yourself scribbling words on the page almost faster than you can think them. But, then… it all stops! You have to dig deeper – and boy, that can be hard! It feels almost seem impossible to break up the surface thoughts and get down to what your story is really about. With perseverance and practice (i.e. writing every day), you can get your thoughts worked up enough that the initial idea (your seedling, as it were) has a place to take root and grow into the story you’d imagined when you started.
As you dig and scuffle and amend your mental garden, you’ll find that your book mind is producing what you’d hoped for! Just like my actual garden (yes, that hard-packed clay soil amended with my own compost) is producing these fabulous heirloom Romaine lettuces.
We all have to work with what we’ve been given. It might be weedy clay soil that needs lots of work. It might be a great idea that needs examination, brain-storming, and lots of effort. Either way – know that your ideas are worth taking a chance on – and if you amend your thinking in ways that make sense – your story will get established in your brain and grow in the best of ways! You just have to work on getting the right mix! (in inspiration and in fertilizer!)
How’s your garden (book-related or plant-wise) growing? I’d love to know! 
