Zucchinis and Writing

The other day I snooped around our garden and found two enormous zucchinis. I wasn't expecting them. Sure, blossoms had appeared for a week or two, but I didn't think they would grow so big, so quickly.

Writing can be similar. One day we decide to write a book, just as we plant the zucchini seed. We water our writing by studying the craft, writing pages regularly, and learning about the publishing industry. At times our progress seems non-existent, or maybe we have a small break-through like the first tender leaves shooting through the earth.

We continue to write, study, learn and the plant grows. Through our careful, sustained work, a crop appears--maybe we've written a few books, articles, or short stories. Rather than pick the small vegetables, we leave them on the vine, allowing them to find their full potential as we utilize critique partners or enter them in contests.

And one day, we realize our writing is ready for submission. We head to the garden and pluck the ripe zucchini.

Some zucchini gets shredded for bread or muffins--an agent or editor represents our work. Some sits on the counter too long next to a large pile of other zucchinis--the dreaded slush pile ending in rejection. And some is given away to neighbors--we make peace with the fact not all of our stories will be published.

How is your writing like a zucchini?

Have a great Monday!

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