Writing With RCS: Don't let a wag dog your tale. Some of your best writing may go a bit like the example below:
You
start writing about a dog you had. Then you are writing about sadness.
Then you are writing about personalities of dogs. You keep writing. You
find that you are writing about the effects of the past. Then you write a
poem about names. You are thinking. You are cooking. Then you write an
autobiographical self-analysis. Then you write a story about your
family. You are bringing out different aspects of your material. You are
preparing for some very good writing. Hang onto this work for awhile.
Reread
it. You are likely to find both useful material and useful inspiration
in the words, sentences, or a paragraph you have written.
I
remember an English teacher of mine , an ex-bosun's mate of the U.S
Navy. The dog example above reminds me of his frustration with me.
"Damn it, Richard," he once said, "Try this: write
"I like dogs because they have four legs, wag their tails, and bark."
Then write a paragraph each, about what you like about legs, tails, and
barks Finish it with "That's what I like about dogs." Hand it in and
forget about it."