Among other things that I do in my life, I play with fabric. The colors and textures intrigue me. The designs fascinate me. One of my greatest pleasures is to have time enough to create something out the gorgeous pieces of fabric that line my studio walls.
However part of the process is the planning. The decision about what pattern and fabrics to use can move me into a state of paralysis. There are times when I simply shuffle pieces of fabric from the shelves to the table and back again. The choices overwhelm me because the possibilities are endless. It so much easier when someone gives me parameters. Unfortunately, I am usually left to my own devices to wander aimlessly around the room. At that point I often call my baby sister, who is also a fabric person. She listens patiently for a little while making few suggestions along the way as I babble. Finally, she has enough and says simply, "Just cut the damn fabric."
"Just cut the damn fabric," gets to the heart of the matter. After deciding a book will be written now, I have spent the day flinging words on a page, quite uncertain of which idea is worthy of my commitment. The time has come to cut the damn fabric, or just pick a story line and start writing. I wonder why that initial commitment is so hard. Really what I have got to lose? A quilt that looks a little funny, or a story that doesn't make sense is all that is at stake. It isn't like the world will end if that green and orange didn't go together the way I thought it would or the hero of my romance novel turns out to be a jerk. Just type the damn book! And so I shall....tomorrow.
However part of the process is the planning. The decision about what pattern and fabrics to use can move me into a state of paralysis. There are times when I simply shuffle pieces of fabric from the shelves to the table and back again. The choices overwhelm me because the possibilities are endless. It so much easier when someone gives me parameters. Unfortunately, I am usually left to my own devices to wander aimlessly around the room. At that point I often call my baby sister, who is also a fabric person. She listens patiently for a little while making few suggestions along the way as I babble. Finally, she has enough and says simply, "Just cut the damn fabric."
"Just cut the damn fabric," gets to the heart of the matter. After deciding a book will be written now, I have spent the day flinging words on a page, quite uncertain of which idea is worthy of my commitment. The time has come to cut the damn fabric, or just pick a story line and start writing. I wonder why that initial commitment is so hard. Really what I have got to lose? A quilt that looks a little funny, or a story that doesn't make sense is all that is at stake. It isn't like the world will end if that green and orange didn't go together the way I thought it would or the hero of my romance novel turns out to be a jerk. Just type the damn book! And so I shall....tomorrow.
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