5 Reasons Writing is Like a Mason Jar Salad

I’m on a journey to get healthier. It started earlier this year with a cheap pedometer that wasn’t very accurate. Now I have a Fitbit Zip, log everything I eat, and actually spend time thinking about how to get more plant matter into the mix. I’ve always loved mason jars, so the leap to mason jar salads was a short one. I took my first to work today.

Okay, really nice, KD, but what’s with the writing comparison? I’ll tell you.

1) I can throw anything in there I want. I’ve seen a lot of variations. Some people put salsa in their mason jars first, then everything else to make a Chipotle-copy burrito bowl. Some are making normal-ish tossed salads with creamy dressings in first. One person (at least) is making “noodles” with zucchini and a “spiralizer” whatever that is. The variety is amazing, and fascinating, and I’m looking forward to trying a ton of cool stuff.

When I write, that’s a good place to start too. I write to please me first (because if I don’t please me, I’ll never get the chance to please you) and I’ve been known to make a list of things I like and brainstorm by looking for ways to include them. Ooh, I like the magic and mystery of bridges, hmm, ruins too, ruins are fun, what about found treasure that’s not what it seems? If you find a treasure chest in the middle of nowhere don’t open it! What about the reluctant hero, who isn’t buying that it’s her turn to save the world? Yep, I can get that in there too…

2) It’s all about the layers. With mason jar salads the idea is that you put the wet stuff in first, then a couple layers that can stand up to soaking in the dressing, before adding the rest. Your onions or cucumber or tomatoes or whatever marinate yummily† while the rest of the salad just stays nice and fresh and unmixed for now.

Stories have layers too. How many times have you read something really great, and come back some time later to read it again, and seen something you didn’t see before? A character beat you missed, a theme running where you didn’t notice it but the resonance is unmistakable. Often I actually write in layers–first the dialogue, then the actions, get some emotion in there, now some imagery…

3) The container matters. Proponents of mason jar salads say it seals better. Some aver they have made mason jar salads up to a week before eating them, and the veggies stay fresh and crisp. And we’ve already covered the layers–it’s the size and shape of the mason jar that allows for the layers. Plus, it’s pretty. I like glass. I like seeing my food. I like not having that film of “oops, probably shouldn’t have put leftover spaghetti in the microwave in this.”

Scene length, word choice, chapter breaks…they all matter. It’s my job to get them right, and to do it so neatly that it looks transparent. Like glass, yeah? Barely there, but you can see the shine when I get it right.

4) The look is new, but the insides are as old as time. Salads have been around as long as we’ve known about plants we can eat. Stories have been around as long as we’ve had language, or pretty near. Making it new and interesting and fun? That’s what it’s all about.

5) It’s good for us. Salads are a super-quick and easy way to get nutrients that a lot of times we might be missing out on. Stories are a super-quick and easy way to get some of those soul-nutrients: adventure, empathy, reassurance, compassion, ideas, tolerance, safety, strength…

It’s enough to make a girl wonder why People Happy about Salad is a thing, but People Happy about Books doesn’t seem to be.

Okay, I take that back. She looks pretty happy to me. (It’s on the inside. She’s reading!)

 

† that’s totally a word.

 

Photo rights and gratitude for the image to Sharon & Nikki McCutcheon