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May 27, 2008
Not Counting Crows, but Swooping Crows
can't help it -- I am enamored of the feathered fellowship. I set out feed for the local chickadees and sparrows and finches, and hang hummingbird nectar. It pays off big time: I get more writing inspiration from this chattering chorus than you can imagine.
A clutch of crows has invaded our yard. Even though they are much too big to feed at our feeders, that doesn't stop them from bullying the smaller birds and sending them scattering.
As I watched the drama unfold today, it hit me. Those crows represent all of the things that fly at me out of nowhere: the fear of criticism, the fear I can't write another book, the fear of not being everything I can be. There is nothing in it for those crows: they can't get at the bird seed. And there is nothing in it, ultimately, for those fears and worries that swoop and peck at me. They can't change who I am or what I need to write.
If this sounds familiar, I heartily advise stopping to take a good look at the crows dive-bombing your writing efforts. They are big and blustery and persistent. But they can't get at the seeds deep within you. Let them flap and flutter. Take a step back if you need to.
Then hop right up on that perch and feed the true storytelling self within.
No matter how big, those bullies can't hurt that.
Write on!
Posted by kirby at May 27, 2008 09:00 PM
Comments
Great metaphor, Kirby! (I just wrote "meataphor" haha) But, I can't help loving crows. I think it was watching them out the window that inspired me to make them major characters in my book!
Posted by: Laini at May 31, 2008 08:33 AM
Thank you for this. Exactly the right post at exactly the right time.
Linda
Posted by: Linda Urban at June 3, 2008 07:50 AM