Summary

The article "The Writer's Tree. #1" is a metaphorical exploration of a writer's journey, emphasizing the importance of perseverance through life's challenges to nurture one's creativity and writing skills.

Abstract

The article uses the metaphor of a tree to describe the growth and development of a writer. It begins with the writer's initial apprehension and gradual confidence-building as their work is read and appreciated by others. The narrative progresses through seasons of creativity and drought, highlighting the emotional highs and lows of the writing process. The author emphasizes the significance of regular writing, the joy of community, and the resilience required during periods of low productivity or writer's block. The article concludes with an encouraging message that, like the changing seasons, writers will overcome dry spells and flourish once again.

Opinions

The writer acknowledges that life's circumstances can disrupt writing plans, but consistent effort (word-drops) is crucial for the flourishing of one's writing (the Writing Tree).
The article conveys that writer's block and periods of low productivity are natural, but they should not deter one from continuing to write.
The author values the sense of community among writers, noting the benefits of friendships and connections made across the world through writing platforms.
The metaphor of the Writing Tree serves to illustrate the writer's growth, creativity, and the fruits of perseverance.
The author expresses that reading and engaging with others' work can be a form of nurturing one's own writing during times when one cannot write.
The article suggests that resilience, grit, and determination are key traits for a writer to overcome challenges and sustain their craft.
The author shares a personal connection to the metaphor, drawing from the experience of tending to actual plants during a drought, which inspired the article.

The Writer’s Tree. #1

A Writer’s Life: Water the Writing Tree Whenever You Can.

Life’s circumstances interfere with the best planning. We need to keep watering our own Writing Tree with word-drops for it to flourish. Here are some thoughts on the everyday dilemmas facing the writer, and how perseverance keeps our tree green. The drought will eventually end and spring will appear.

My daughter’s tree: Courtesy, D. Clements.

The Writing Tree Grows With Creativity.

When I began writing on this platform, my Writing Tree appeared as a small, strong plant with pretty green shoots pushing through the soil; tremulous at the start, for like the tree, the writer was apprehensive; she hit the ‘publish’ key for the first time with some trepidation.

However, confidence grew as the writer’s stories were read, responded to and clapped; admittedly the applause and reads were, at times, rather scanty, but the writer didn’t mind; as long as she was making stories and the word-drops kept falling on fertile soil ensuring growth of the tree, she was satisfied.

My daughter’s plants. Photo courtesy of D. Clements.

Is That My Writing Tree? The Emblem Of Creativity.

The first year of serious writing soon became the second. Raindrops fell steadily as words appeared on the screen and a pencil created symbols on paper. Regular watering of the little tree every day ensured its continued growth. The writer was thrilled with the results.

One day she looked up in astonishment at the flourishing specimen gracing her space. Over the months, so intent had she been on making stories, she was unaware that here before her a beautiful Writing Tree was flourishing; from the initial trembling plant that pushed its way through the soil had grown this emblem of her creativity. The most amazing fact of all, it was her very own, nurtured in the words flowing from her imagination.

Besides, there was the added benefit of getting to know other writers and making friends across the world; growing friendships across the miles, communicating in a blend of diversity, synergy, fusion and serendipity. This is a special place, this platform on which we meet.

Is That My The Writing Tree?

Is that my Writing Tree? She sat back in wonder as her reads escalated from year to year. This was cause for celebration as they had increased dramatically. Thank you, writers, readers, editors and creators of all good things.

The writer did cartwheels in her imagination because she can no longer do cartwheels in reality! She wrote more stories, once or twice managing four a week. That was a record. However, two or three a week was fine, she noted, as the tree grew.

The word-drops keep falling, her writing skills are growing and so is the Writing Tree: a fine specimen. Tall, straight, and strong, reaching for the sky; glossy green leaves, with new branches appearing as it reaches outwards and shoots push up under the leaves: new, tender growth.

The Unthinkable: A Season of Drought.

Then the unthinkable occurred. There came a season when the words dried up, a time of drought. Leaves curled inwards, changed colour, became dark green with yellow-tinged edges. As the drought-stricken, withered trees you see when there is no rain, her little tree began to shrivel.

She was heartbroken, devastated. This cannot happen, no, never!

The leaves began to fall, slowly drifting to the parched ground which began to crack as lines opened in the earth. As a child, crouching in a corner for lack of attention, her tree began to cry, and so did she.

There Is Hope.

Then, a glimmer, a few raindrops shiver in the air, the leaves regain some texture as words begin to flow again; enough to foster the restoration of fading leaves, turning them from autumn colours to green as spring comes returns.

Slowly, the change to summer fullness takes place as the writer regains strength; health returns and with it, word-drops fall and hope resumes its glow.

The writer looks up, and there it stands, her tree, repairing, growing strong, regaining its former glory.

Seasons of Our Lives: Do Not Despair At Times Of Drought.

We go through seasons in our lives. Drought is brought into our writing life through varying circumstances: a time of ill health, busyness due to demands on our time that are beyond our control; family concerns requiring our hours and days; a new work schedule, a new job, a move to another city; maybe, writers’ block occurs, something I dread; or the approach of old age with it’s changes to our lifestyle and general health.

These are trying times, often taxing our resilience to the core. Keep on, take one step, and one day at a time. Persevere. Water the tree as you are able, a few word-drops at a time. A line here, a line there, a short story, a poem. Keep watering the Writing Tree. Grit and determination will carry you through.

Do not forget to nurture your tree with fresh thoughts and ideas; if you cannot physically write, read the daily bulletin and newsletters from your favoured publications, read your friends and new writers’ stories: explore, explore, explore, let us broaden our minds through reading.

Spring and Summer Are Around The Corner.

Fellow writers and friends, we shall reach the end of the dry season and green shoots will herald spring with the promise of the warmth of summer. Let us encourage one another, let us write, read, clap, respond.

Writer’s Note: The Writer’s Tree became real to me as I tended my own plants through a drought. The analogy grew into word-drops, and my tree appeared, and this article came to reality.