Tuesday, April 20, 2010

How sewing is like writing

If you've been following, you know that we recently bought a sewing machine. This means that I get to neglect any novel or magazine writing in favor of giving myself neck cramps and eye strain.
It's OK to not write for a while, right? While my MS is in my lovely CG's capable hands? Besides, I'm using this hiatus as a writing exercise. Here are some writing and sewing similarities:

1. Patterns. Yup, you can choose whatever fabric you like, you can add whatever frills and changes you want, but you still gotta have something to start from. And it's funny how your readers expect certain conventions, too. You know, like plot and stuff.

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2. Revisions. We will not discuss how many times I had to redo the zipper on this cute little silk number I just finished. Let's just say it starts with "a" and ends with "lot". Sound familiar, writers?

3. Fame and fortune. When you're finished sewing, everyone will be amazed by your talent and stand in line for your autograph. Right? Right????

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Ooh, I love the little red silk number! Great job :)

I'm big on writing analogies, and I love yours. I was nodding my head as I read. Love the pattern line of thought.

Enjoy that machine!

Unknown said...

Wow, you sewed that? Amazing! I love the color.

And thanks for stopping by my blog!

Christie said...

Kaylie! You've been holding out on us. I love it! You look fantastic. And kudos for sewing with silky fabric. I've tried a couple of times and unfortunately it always ends up in the trash.

Angie Paxton said...

Gorgeous! I'm sure your manuscript will turn out just as stunning.

KA said...

Thanks for the compliments, everyone!
Christie, you're right about the silk. Oh my. You can hardly even pin it or cut it without it moving on you. I had to recut some stuff, and that was before I even started sewing. But I still have lots of silk material to use up. I have my work cut out for me, ha ha.

Talli Roland said...

Did you make that dress? Wow! I'm impressed!

Love the analogy. Great post!

Elana Johnson said...

Nice silk number! And yes, totally right. Autographs and all. ;-)

Alissa Grosso said...

Awesome dress! I've been dreaming about a sewing machine, but then I remember those horrible home ec memories of fighting with sewing machines. Hmm, there's probably a writing lesson in there.

Kelly Polark said...

The dress is beautiful! I am impressed with those who can sew. I bring my shirts to the dry cleaners to put buttons on them!!

Kasie West said...

Great metaphor and adorable dress. I'm impressed that you can step away from writing to sew. And yes, it's okay to step away from writing (if I keep telling myself that, maybe it will sink in).