Savoring the process (for now)

Starting work this week on another book. I love this early part of the process: brainstorming ideas; checking my own book shelves for basic references;  the first trip to a university library; checking out an armload of books; taking notes on 4 X 6 inch note cards (Yes, I still use note cards.); keeping running lists of questions, sources and ideas. These early days seem so productive to me. Research hasn’t given way to writing yet. Of course, I am just making notes on what other people have said. But I love the soft scratch of my pencil against paper, the smooth glide of my pen across card stock. This all reminds me of the Four Noble Truths for writers, from Gail Sher’s book, One Continuous Mistake:

1. Writers write.
2. Writing is a process.
3. You don’t know what your writing will be until the end of the process.
4. If writing is your practice, the only way to fail is not to write.   ​

---