Purpose, habit

Today I made gazpacho, rice/corn salad, and a blueberry cake. Sometimes, that’s enough. I don’t mean enough to satisfy hunger but enough to create a container wherein purpose and comfort can dwell.

After the post about trump-fatigue, I had to ask: why do I do this? It’s not to afford others hope. It’s not to teach. I guess I don’t really know, but I’m pretty sure I do it for myself –perhaps with the hope that a few others find value?

Novel update: Conversion of font from Corbel to New Times Roman continues apace (industry standards). Some editing. Since I’m still not used to the modern convention of inserting only a single space between sentences, I’m closing ’em up where I catch an extra space.

Today, a few chronology issues needed sorting. And, the thing is too long.

Angel Oak, Johns Island, SC

But, I have momentum. Also, an unexpected (and pretty marvelous) thing is happening: I am in the story. Really in it. I don’t think I have been before.

So, even though the more I read about agents, the weaker I get in the knees, I don’t think fear will stop me.

When I found out I was pregnant with C, I was working in a women’s prison advocating for mothers. To calm my nerves about giving birth, I occasionally reminded myself that every single one of my clients had given birth. All of them. Surely, I could, too?

That’s not meant to be uncharitable, although the literary corollary is. The corollary says: There are a lot of bad books in the world and THEY somehow got published. Maybe I can be, too.

Drayton Hall, on the Ashley River outside of Charleston

Old map of Charleston

Magnolia Plantation, on the Ashley River outside of Charleston, SC

Have a wonderful Sunday!

8 thoughts on “Purpose, habit

  1. Nancy

    lol I love your logic Dee! Of course you can…and will! I’m so lucky to travel away through your photos and share a meal with you (well sorta) and hear your thoughts. Thank you, friend.

    Reply
  2. Liz A

    Food is love … and a way to heal

    As for why we do what we do … for ourselves, yes … but more to call into the ether and find an answering echo, to know we’re not alone

    Reply
    1. deemallon

      The community is a big part. Also, as Jude notes, there’s real value to rambling and to tracking things.

      Reply
  3. Mo Crow

    (((Dee))) good luck with finding an agent, Old Man Crow and I attended a seminar back in 2010 for aspiring writers. An editor, a bookshop owner and a writer’s retreat representative were on the panel but the key to getting published is finding a good agent and they had no clues for how to access one.

    Reply
    1. deemallon

      I’ve been reading about it and talking to others for a while. It seems a bit driven by luck, but we’ll see.

      Reply
  4. Saskia

    I find preparing food, baking, and f.e. using fallen apples from our garden for fresh juices very rewarding, calming and a pleasantly physical act, with deep rooted (subconscious) connections to all who lovingly prepare food. Not that I think about it a lot;-)
    You are a writer Dee! it will happen, it is happening

    Reply
    1. deemallon

      Yes to food. Can you imagine being a person who didnt enjoy food or a person who didn’t have access to food?

      Reply

Leave a Reply