About a month ago I was cleaning up my back patio. Next thing I know, these little things were sticking me with needles. I finally realized it was wasps. I have never been stung before and it was quite the experience. The thing is they were relentless. Apparently, they do not lose their stinger, so they keep stinging. Once I figured out what was going on, I rushed over to the sliding glass door. I finally got in the house. After making sure none of them followed me in, I then watched the palm of my hand swell up. It looked like a balloon filling with water. I just hoped it would not pop. After some internet research, turns out I am in a small percentage of people who have severe local reactions. This includes extreme swelling, redness and pain. Aren’t I the lucky one?
The Persistence of Wasps
About 30 minutes later, I went to the patio door and come face to face with the same wasps. They had been waiting for me, peering through the door, hoping I would come back. I could not believe it. I looked at them through the window wondering if they were ever going to leave. It would not have been a problem, but I had left the water hose on. Finally, after about an hour, with the sun going down, I could go outside. By luck the hose spray handle worked, so no major water leaks.
Writing and Wasps
You are probably asking what do wasps have to do with writing? When it comes to actually sitting down and writing, you have to be persistent. Just like those wasps waiting for me, stalking me, the same goes with your writing. Find a time to write, preferably the same time everyday, then protect that time like a swarming wasp. If you have to, shut the door to the room, turn off the phone, do whatever needed to protect your writing time. Tell your loved ones to please respect your “writing time”. Do what is needed, short of sticking pins in your friends, to keep your writing time. If being persistent works for the wasp, it will definitely work for you. Letting others interrupt you has the same affect as wasp spray, it kills your flow and creativity, and then your story dies. But remember all is not lost if disturbed, you can go back to your place and start again.
When you start your next project remember the persistent wasp… protect your time, stand your ground.
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