Leave Room For Magic
A long time ago, watching me in the throes of yet another existential angsty meltdown about the freakin’ muddy middle of my at-the-time work-in-progress, my husband cocked his head, peering at me with befuddled concern.
“If it makes you so miserable, Jen, why do you write?”
I stopped my sulking (or it could have been my tantrum stage—both are possible) for just a minute to look at him aghast.
“Because I love it!”
“Uh…”
He was at a total loss. As was I. From the outside, yes, I did look miserable. I was struggling and thrashing and weeping—this was the creative outlet I wanted to do for fun?
But yes, because writing is not just for fun. For that I’d watch a TV show. Better yet, I’d read a book already written. Much, much (much) easier. And more fun.
Writing is hard. It’s a challenge. But when the storm passes, as I’ve discovered it always does (keep the faith!) then writing is also the greatest reward. It’s magic, to have your imagination come to life on the page. It’s enchanting to know what you’ve created out of your own head.
All we have to do, whether we’re riding high or feeling dangerously low, is to leave room for magic.