Do writing and gardening have anything in common?
I think they do. I’ve spent my spare moments today here at my keyboard hammering out the “About Us” page of a new website about to be launched. Then when my elevated shoulders and computer neck needed saving, I went out to one of our vegetable patches to weed, hoe, and whip it into shape. Writing and gardening both require:
Seeds or at least the germ of an idea
Materials and tools
Doing groundwork – Digging or research
Tenacious hard work – whether mental, emotional or physical
Weeding, pruning or editing
Great patience
Sometimes you’ll achieve a bountiful crop as a result of your efforts. And, other times, an ill wind, hailstorm, or rejection letter flattens your hopes.
With a live-and-learn approach, you will keep trying and ultimately triumph against pests, inclement weather and even writer’s block.
Yes Eve Friend – this is a very good analogy and I’ve always thought gardening teaches us faith & patience and it must also be with writing 🙂