I’m a writer, obviously, and I read blogs about the writing process. I’m also a knitter, and I read knitting blogs. Sometimes the two merge. For example, which one is this (telltale words omitted)?
I love the starting process just as much as finishing the project – and for me, with too many projects started and not enough finishing taking place, I would not get the joy of the full experience of being a … . I would only experience the starting part, the finishing remaining a mystery.
It’s from the Brian Knits blog by Brian Crimmins.
How about this one?
I’ve joked a lot of times about how contracting the occasional case of Startitis wouldn’t be such a problem if I ever contracted its awesome sister-disease of Finishitupitis. I frequently get the urge to launch madly into a thousand projects or tasks, but that’s usually where it stops. A bunch of stuff gets started, then the feeling passes. …
Imagine my shock this morning then, when I woke up, had a cup of coffee and then thought about how much I wanted to finish all my … projects. All. Of. Them. It was the strangest feeling. I started thinking about all of them, and even began … assessing what needed to be done on them and imagined the order in which they would be accomplished.
It’s from the Yarn Harlot blog by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.
Which is not to say that these knitting bloggers aren’t also writers, because clearly they are. But it frequently amazes me how much they sound like the novel and short story writers I know. For example:
- Knitters are prone to innocently walking by their local yarn shops and getting sucked in and spat out with full bags of yarn they hadn’t meant to buy, even though their yarn stash is already threatening to take over their house; writers do the same with books.
- Knitters can be so eager to get started on a project that they jump in without swatching and then get themselves in trouble; writers may also jump in without the necessary preparation (although in the case of writers, what’s necessary varies widely from person to person).
- Knitters can get weepy or homicidal if they realize they’ve been doing a project wrong since the beginning and it must be frogged and started over; the same is true of writers (and they are both dangerous, since both crafts involve pointy implements).
- Knitters can get disillusioned in the middle of a project, which is often the most boring part, with the end way off in the distance; writers no less so.
- Knitters aren’t done when they cast off, because they may still have to sew up seams, or weave in ends, or block the piece; writers aren’t done when they write “The End”, because editing is actually a bigger part of the process than the planning and first draft.
Most importantly, knitters and writers are both creating art. We’re making something that didn’t exist before, using unlikely materials (yarn and sticks for knitters; bits and pieces of real life for writers). It’s a lot quicker, easier, and cheaper to buy socks or a book than it is to make your own. Yet there we sit, hunched over our yarn or our keyboard day after day, while other people look at us funny and wonder why we’re not doing other things with our time. Sooner or later, if we’re motivated and lucky, we end up with a one-of-a-kind thing of beauty.
And then we can finally give in to those other projects that Brian Crimmins and the Yarn Harlot were talking about, and do it all again. And we wouldn’t give it up for the world.
I love it! I’m a fledgling knitter as well as a writer. I was (mentally) shouting “amen” the whole time I was reading. I do all of those things with both my knitting and my writing. I’m getting better at finishing with the writing though.
Sonia, the reason your comment didn’t show up initially is that we have comment moderation turned on.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post on both levels. Startitis is a hard thing to get past, isn’t it? Thank you for commenting!
Siri
Update: Comment moderation has now been turned off. We’ll leave it off unless circumstances require otherwise. 🙂
Siri
Comment moderation can be a very good thing. I sometimes get excessive about my comments. 😆
Well, if needed we can always bring out the Parrotfish of Punishment. 😉
This is an excellent comparison! As a writer and knitter, I’ve experienced all these problems in both pursuits.
I’ve noticed that a large number of writers I follow on Twitter also happen to be knitters, and I’ve wondered if knitting is just that popular or if there’s some similarity that draws people to the two activities.
Thanks, Lisa! I’ve definitely noticed an overlap in the arts – fiction writer and singer, songwriter and painter, etc. Creativity often takes more than one form. Handicrafts like knitting may not be as obvious, but they’re part of the same phenomenon.
One reason I like knitting is because it’s NOT like writing — it’s so concrete and tactile, and it’s (relatively) easy to see if you’ve succeeded in what you’re trying to do. I wonder if that’s also part of the appeal for other writers.
Three cheers for creativity in all its forms!
Siri
[quote name=”kdsarge”]Well, if needed we can always bring out the Parrotfish of Punishment. ;)[/quote]
*chortles* Not the Parrotfish of Punishment! Anything but that!
Siri, I think that’s one reason I end up housecleaning when I’m stuck–it’s tactile and I can see results (in my house, any little bit makes a difference :-* .)
Sonia, perhaps for your first infraction we’ll just go with the Herring of Harassment or the Chad of Chastisement. 😉
KD, I’m with you. Which one is easier and more satisfying, figuring out what’s wrong with your chapter or washing dishes? Wait, don’t answer that… 😀
Siri
[quote name=”kdsarge”]
Sonia, perhaps for your first infraction we’ll just go with the Herring of Harassment or the Chad of Chastisement. ;)[/quote]
Just a little peril then. Still I shall be well behaved. I promise.
[quote name=”Wonderer”] I’ve definitely noticed an overlap in the arts – fiction writer and singer, songwriter and painter, etc. Creativity often takes more than one form. Handicrafts like knitting may not be as obvious, but they’re part of the same phenomenon.
[/quote]
I think so too. I find that, when I’m stuck, doing something either methodical or creative helps. It helps to clean house, cook, knit, garden, etc.
That is so true. And like my several writing wips I always have several knitting wips waiting for me
Thanks for commenting, Penny! So you prefer to have multiple projects going in both cases…interesting. I only ever have one knitting project, but usually several stories in various stages (drafting, editing, outlining, “resting”). I wonder what that says about our respective processes?
Siri
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