Tuesday, June 8, 2010

To Fresh Water or Salt Water . . .?

. . . that is the new question.


Why, you ask? (yes, you did, come on...).

Well, as some of you know, I have embarked on a new activity, doing "open water" swims with a great group of water-loving crazies from my area. It has been an exhilarating, if at times frustrating, challenge.


Though personally satisfying to me to see I can bring myself (not exactly your hardy-Survivor-type soul) to brave the elements -- cold (COLD!) water, mating horseshoe crabs one must trip over to get to the deep water, and the recent appearance of jellyfish, not to mention all the "things" I cannot see beneath the brackish water (though my fisherman-friend tells me there are any number of biting, 10-pound+ things that are likely swimming along with me just waiting for me to unwittingly happen into what he lovingly (?) refers to as a feeding frenzy) and, yes, those pesky swans -- I have, to date, been the slowest, most-pantingly-breathless member of the group. Still, I've done it. And most people wouldn't, even if those that do are way more kick-ass than I am.

So, here's the problem.

As most of you also know, much of my writing ideas -- plot, character development, those gems of ideas that come to me through what those of us who write often call our mystical, magical, and deeply-desired Muse -- often come to me under water.

And my Muse is pool-water powered. She simply has not acclimated to the harbor.

It's not my Muse's fault.

Because, try as I might, while I'm open-water swimming, there's so much panting and breathing and pushing and kicking and timing and lurking-creature avoiding going on, not to mention the constant spotting of the other swimmers so I don't unwittingly drift off toward Connecticut nor lose sight of the nearly-elusive (but-fuck-you-I-made-it!) yellow buoy, there's no way my poor Muse can come. She's sitting on a blanket in the corner of the beach with a Mai Tai and a story idea just waiting for me to come the fuck in.

Meanwhile, my agent gave me "notes" on my new manuscript and I need to rise to the occasion. And since my option period is running, I pretty much need to do that now. Not to mention the open-water group is doing "causeway" swims this week, which are at least a quarter mile further than the damned nearly-elusive yellow buoy.

So for today, at least, I'm headed toward the chlorine at the Y in search of my pool-loving muse. Let's hope she's waiting for me there.

19 comments:

  1. no no no. your muse does not just languish on a blanket in a corner of the beach absentmindedly sucking on chlorinated mai tais while you fight the open water fear. for starters, beaches don't have corners. your muse is there in the brackish brew, struggling along with you. she just takes a different form out there. and she's smarter than you think. she knows better than to distract you from all that effort in the open water. after all, if you drown, she's out of a job. instead, she remains submerged deep in your imagination. you see, while you were busy panting and breathing and pushing, kicking and avoiding lurking creatures, she was taking notes. so take heart. and remember to give her a mental nod when you're clinging to that buoy. she won't let you down.

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  2. lovely response, Lori. My muse may be hanging with you.

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  3. I'm not sure what I find more powerful: Gae's missive, or Lori's response. I'm humbled by both of your Muses.

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  4. Jeff, I would respond to your comment with a thank you, but I am sidetracked determining whether beaches could ever have corners. While my gut says no, I really would like to be right. Hmmm. ;)

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  5. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60864-d477674-Reviews-Beach_Corner_Lounge-New_Orleans_Louisiana.html

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  6. Beaches can definitely have corners. Picture the spot where the beach meets the parking lot meats the snack-bar. . . (ok, its a man-made corner, but arent all corners man-made?)
    And Lori, that was spectacular. . .

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  7. Thank you, Jeff. I won't bother to read the article, but rather will just bask in the glory of the title.

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  8. Annmarie,

    double thank you. This is turning out to be a great day. ;)

    And, Lori is a magnificent writer. Amongst other things.

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  9. I have to second Jeff's comment -- truly moved by both essays. I will say this: Gae, do what you gotta do to get the work done (the stress isn't worth it) .... but Lori is sooooo right!

    xo Barbara

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  10. I vote for the pool and what works.

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  11. she was there, waiting. didn't love her new goggles and bathing cap. but still. she did the trick.

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  12. I was going to hang out with your muse at the beach under the sun, but Lori kind of ruined it for me. ;)

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  13. What about writing in the bathtub? Water. Archimedes. Never mind.

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  14. Stop obsessng on corners, have faith that your muse is NOT going to betray you, but envision her as your goal, not obstacle... "if you falter intimes of trouble, how little is your faith? "

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  15. sorry- I forgot to double check comment for spelling/grammar before posting

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  16. Gae, I would bet you ANYTHING that once you have acclimated to the open water, the muse will show herself. There are just so many other things to THINK about right now, that the free thought thing can't happen, but all those things will get to be habit--normal...

    That isn't to say I object to the swim at the Y in the meantime, while under deadline... just that I ALSO encourage you to keep up the other... I think it's possible your muse will grow even stronger when the extra environment becomes 'normal'.

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  17. As a frequent swimmer in both the chlorine and the salt water, soon you will be forgeting what could be under water and instead looking at what is above the water - sun rises, blue skies, clouds, trees,..... There is no better place to get inspired than floating beside the yellow buoy at sunrise or watching the sky change colour.

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  18. Hey, Rob!

    I felt that way a little on the swim back yesterday. The current was in my favor, I got my breathing rhythm a little, and each time I lifted my head to breathe, the sun was peeking out over the hillside illuminating the water's surface in gold. All good. Except for the sand eels. :)

    (It is magnificent and inspiring).

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