Sisyphus was/is a writer. I swear it. That story in Greek mythology? About the man doomed for eternity to roll a massive stone up a hill only to see it roll back down again? Just a smokescreen. The actual Sisyphus is just a person with literary aspirations sitting at the computer, hypnotized by the glowing screen and wearing an old pair of slippers. He lives in a house full of broken pencils without a sharpener. His kids steal the only Sharpie just as the last page of his manuscript falls out of the printer, skidding across the desk and landing on the floor among the junk mail.
But Sisyphus won't quit—his twin companions, Obsession and Persistence, won't allow that. So Sis continues polishing an old idea to death, because he loves it and can't let it go. Because it's scary to face a new idea, a white page. Who knows where that will lead?
It takes courage to put the stone down and move forward. Poor Sisyphus. Think of what he'll miss.
Any fresh thoughts out there? How do you begin a new writing project? Where do you find the inspiration?
What a great analogy! Well, for me - it's okay to chuckle - I get my ideas when I'm loading the dishwasher. Haven't a clue how that is. When this idea in my WIP ends, I think I'll invite a few thousand of my closest friends over for dinner to the dishwasher juices flowing!
ReplyDeleteYou're the second blogger who used this word "sharpie"! LOL!! What is it?!?!
ReplyDeleteAwww Sisyphus!!! I say let the stone rest a while - find some kind of ledge where you can wedge it safely and go and see some other pebbles scattered around the hill! Oh and straighten up and look at the beauty around you!
Take care
x
Obsession and Persistence? They never leave me alone, and thanks to the fact that I've lived a long time with much variety - never short of an idea! :0)
ReplyDeleteGreat visuals in this post. I think putting myself in a brand new location sparks those brand new ideas. Write on!
ReplyDeleteLove the analogy! I love starting a new project. It always makes me feel more like a writer instead of an editor. ;)
ReplyDeleteI always get my ideas when I'm doing housework. It's a shame I hate doing housework; I could have a best seller out there. Love the analogy.
ReplyDeleteLove this! It does sometimes feel like we're rolling a stone up a hill, only to have it roll back down again.
ReplyDeleteJai
Inspiration can come from anywhere. But once it does, I think I'm stuck in the same cycle you describe here!
ReplyDeleteI really think you have something here... Sisyphus couldn't have been anything other than a writer :) Rolling this stone's hard work, but just think of the view from the top of the hill. That's what I want to see, anyway!
ReplyDeleteI get my inspiration from taking long walks and drinking smoothies. I'm a little bit of a smoothie monster. haha
ReplyDeletehttp://theramblingsofamadman-afam.blogspot.co.uk/