Back when I was making jewelry in college, I’d have periods of extreme creativity. I’d create a whole bunch of earrings, but just one of each. I mean, I wouldn’t make the pair.

The creative juices were flowing and the last thing I wanted to do was to slow down. I knew that spurt of connection to the creative center was short so I needed to ride that wave for as long as I could. When I stopped seeing interesting combinations, I’d make the other half to the pair.

I’m learning I do the same thing with writing. I have a lot of half finished pieces. Yet the waves keep coming, and I keep getting things started. Going back and finishing pieces is the last thing I want to do.

For many of my crafts I’d love to have worker bees. I designed sweaters when I was in high school and my Mom would knit them. I designed a quilt and while I pieced it together, I had it machine finished. While my jewelry is one of a kind, after I work out the pattern I’m bored and I want someone else to finish it.

I can’t do this with writing. I have no idea where I’m going until I get there. I write to find myself. I write to learn the answers to my questions. I write to stay sane.

Writing is like going to another planet and not taking a map yet you still find yourself.

This is all stuff that can’t be done for me. It is like going to the gym. If I want to get stronger, I have to do the work.