Patience Through Metaphors

Waiting: Acquiring Patience Through Metaphors

by Bish Denham

The old saying, “patience is a virtue”, is wrong. When it comes to writing and publishing, it’s a necessity. To help on your journey here are a few metaphors that may help to keep you centered and patient.

Jigsaw Puzzles

Each piece put in place is one less that has to be found; is one more that brings the whole picture into clearer focus.

When it comes to writing, instead of looking at everything that has to be done, start by sorting the edge pieces which might include: a to do list, getting your basic materials together, reading one bit of research instead of five, cleaning up your desk, organizing notes or taking notes. In other words, begin small. As each task is finished it will be easier to see what the final picture will look like.

The Gordian Knot

Legend says that whoever unraveled the Gordian Knot would rule the world. Alexander the Great approached the problem by thinking outside the box. He simply whipped out his trusty sword and hacked the knot to pieces.

I have always loved this image. All of us have moments when we feel tangled up inside. When we’ve got so much to do, we don’t know where to begin. This is when a little mental imaging can help. Picture Alexander’s sword in your hands. Picture your problems as a tangled mess. Picture yourself hacking that tangle into small manageable pieces.

At the very least, there should be a relaxation of tension. The problem(s) may not have been solved, but it is a way to begin the process of opening yourself up to thinking outside the box.

Fishing

Fishing is the best metaphor I know for the process of waiting. First you get your gear together which is equal to your notes, books, pen and paper, or your computer files.

Next, you have to find a good fishing hole. This equals researching agents or publishers. Then you have to bait your hook and throw out the line. In other words, write your cover/query letter and send it off.

Now comes the hard part, waiting for the bite. Time to enjoy lounging on the riverbank or trolling in the boat. Fishing isn’t about the bait, just as writing isn’t about the story. It’s about the whole process which includes getting ready for the next project.

Then…there’s the nibble. But wait! Be prepared. The hook may not be well set and you could still lose your fish.

Finally, there’s no need to tell anyone how exhilarating it is to land a fish. Big or small, our patience has been rewarded.

So, bait your hooks and throw out your lines. If they get tangled, whip out your sword and chop them to bits. While waiting notice that you’ve moved forward, that you have another story out there, another one taking shape on the page. Notice you have another piece added to the puzzle.

Keep yourself busy with the process of writing. Enjoy all its aspects. If you do, you won’t need to be patient because time will fly and when the acceptance comes it will take you by surprise.

Have fun and break a lead.

With over a hundred years of family history in the Caribbean, Bish Denham still has plenty of family and friends who live in the islands. She has written and published three children’s books and has had numerous stories and articles published in magazines, including the story, “The Blind Ship”, which is in the IWSG anthology, Voyagers: The Third Ghost.

She says, “Growing up in the islands was like living inside a history book. Columbus named them, pirates plied the waters, Sir Francis Drake sailed through the area, and Alexander Hamilton was raised on St. Croix, while hundreds of years of slavery have left their indelible mark. It was within this atmosphere of magic, mystery, and wonder that I grew up.

Facebook, Blog, Goodreads, Amazon