Doe Branch Ink Day 2

Just started back to work on a nonfiction book that I haven't touched in 4 years.  For the last three weeks, I've done minimal writing (if making lists counts) because I finished a novel draft I've been working on for a while.  Jumping into a new book or a long-neglected one is, for me, like jumping into the ocean:  a fine thing to do but chilly at first.   

So I'm inclined to drag out the process of re-entry.  This time, without thinking ahead, I came in from an hour and a half sturdy mountain hike, red-faced and sweaty, sat down at the computer, opened the most recent (2007) version of chapter one and started to read.  Made it through several lines before the first small change seemed necessary.  And then I was into the swim and comfortably paddling around in the story.

BTW, I'm at a writers retreat in the NC mountains, Doe Branch Ink, leading the late afternoon workshop sessions.  Mostly this is a work week for writers, no more than an hour or two a day is structured time.  Right now the whole big house is silent, except for the patter of little keyboards.  I'm writing at my laptop in the living room rocking chair beside the stove fire.  On the sofa across from me is a writer who traveled 13 hours from the tiny Arab nation of Qatar to be there (she's an American who teaches English at a university there).   A writer from Connecticut is still en route; her flight was snowed in yesterday. 

I'm feeling a bit smug about having waded into the story I'd let grow cold — and having taken a highly aerobic hike — and so far not overeaten at any of the amazing catered meals that are brought up the mountain from Zuma restaurant, coffee house, artsy/organic hangout, and cookie bakery in the mountainside town of Marshall (pop. est. 840).  Did have to indulge in the chocolate silk pie last night: an advance reward for cranking up the old book again today.

 

 

 

Categories: enhancing creativity

Tags: Doe Branch, Doe Branch Ink, Zuma