“If we can’t solve a problem, then all we can do is digress.”
~Malcolm Gladwell~
Haven’t we all done this in our writing?
Started down one path in a story, totally coherent, and then ramble our way off course?
It may be that we have a problem in trying to make sense of what we’re attempting to convey.
We waver in a drunken stumble of thoughts and words.
Not knowing what to do with the mess or the post about purple socks.
No worries, though.
Not according to Mr. Gladwell.
There will be times when writing problems can’t be solved in any other manner.
When the only way out is to lead an audience to something else.
A bit of a diversion.
Similar to turning burnt toast into a huge bowl of creamy macaroni and cheese.
Or a smelly litter box into a bouquet of fragrant gardenia.
Going this way instead of over there.
Letting purple socks walk where they want on a page.
And feeling free to digress.
This post has been brought to you by purple socks, digression and Linda Hill’s One-Liner Wednesday. If you are wondering what One-Liner Wednesday is all about, CLICK HERE.
Linda G. Hill is the Queen of One-Liners and rules over her kingdom of followers. Check out today’s post and commit yourself to join the Queen’s one-liner army because there’s no fighting or blood, only comradery and fun with words.
If you’re giving me permission to wander, I’ll take it – thanks!
Go ahead Dan, but make sure you find your way home again. 😏
Always home for dinner.
The sign is so funny 😀
It is and applies to me in in a number of ways, not just writing. 🙂
😀
I am very familiar with this phenomena.
We are all blessed at some point in our writing life!
Diversions are a natural part of life and can lead to exciting discoveries. At least with writing, we can edit, unless it’s Saturday and we’re flowing with the Stream of Consciousness.
SoCS is a good example of being able to digress and discover, JoAnna, and have fun with it.
Excellent advice for those posts that just seem to be rudderless!
It’s okay if you can’t steer the boat down the middle of the river. There’s exciting stuff waiting along the banks. 😏
I have written a few books where I have actually said…. “But I digress.” It is so easy to get carried away in one direction and find yourself lost because of all the twists and turns you needed to add.
I understand that completely. My dad would digress a lot when telling stories, then my mom would become impatient and tell him to get to the point. In writing, there are times when I swear I’m channeling dear old dad.
Yes ma’am, we’ll get there eventually, gotta spill the water before the beans 🙂
Nice analogy, Joey! 🙂
As Jeeves used to say: “you gotta break a few eggs to make an omelet.” Bet Gladwell got his idea from Jeeves!
Ha! If that wasn’t where he got his idea from, Ally, I’m sure he’d agree with Jeeves now.
I can so relate!
🙂👍🙂