so, am i the only one who’s a bit freaked out that it’s november? nevermind the whole election thing. in new orleans we don’t have the same seasonal markers to define the passage of time. today i wore a tank top. no jacket, just a scarf. but still, it’s november. i’ve talked about national novel writing month and it makes me want to finish something, to rush through this process. the words and music festival is this month. it has been two years since i won the novel-in-progress award. and my novel is STILL in process. but even with this pressure, this measuring myself by someone else’s stick, i am reminded to trust my process. the book is smarter than i am, and it is never wrong. i, on the other hand, am often wrong. yesterday was one of those days where showing up revealed answers i didn’t know that i was seeking. at this moment, my novel will not tolerate haste. what is required now is a rigorous attention to detail. showing up to the page and being present each moment. to listen not to my ego, but to the work. to stand in it. to find and proceed in a pace of grace.
