Construction vs. Writing by Debra H. Goldstein
Most of you know my husband and I had the brilliant idea to build
a new house during the pandemic. Although we still need a mirror or picture
over the fireplace and there is an unplugged lamp sitting on our dresser, there
are no more things to unpack.
Dragging the last empty box to the street, I felt a weight leave
my shoulders. The sensation of relief and joy was the same one I get when I hit
send on a book or short story. It is a sense of accomplishment coupled with the
freedom to do whatever I want without worrying about needing more words or
meeting a deadline.
When we picked our lot last May, we had several to choose from. Now all except one have a
completed or in some stage of building house. It is only a matter of time before the last foundation is poured because the builder staked the lot this week.
His red stakes are comparable to the outline or planning stages of
an author’s new work. Like the contractor, a writer lays a foundation and then
frames the book or story with chapters or scenes. During the next three to four
months, the construction crew will transform a skeletal wooden frame into a
finished home. Through equally careful crafting, the writer’s piece will go
from a few words to the point where “The End” is typed.
The builder hopes the home will be loved and cherished by its new
owner. The writer prays for the same things from readers. In the meantime, for
both, the process begins anew.
Which one do you think is less nerve wracking?
