the writing life, chapter two.

dillard says it's all about locations.
for her, writing takes place in the dark, where her memory can meet the dark. for myself, location doesn't really matter. my train of thought is almost as fast as (or even faster than) a speeding bullet. sometimes, i can't even keep up with it--i'm left in its wake, thinking "what the crap was that about? and what am i thinking about? i was thinking about this which led to that which... right. that's what i was thinking about."

yeah. it's a bit crazy. for instance, this was my line of thinking earlier.
rewriting an essay --> college essays --> starsandthemoon is done with her college apps! yay! --> idea for asking someone to prom.
yup. that's my train of thought. i'm sure that y'all have this at some point and you're like whoa, wait, where am i going here. yeah. that's my brain when i'm thinking of ideas for writing too. you saw in the latest (and only) jtllab (pronounced jet lab). here was the train of thought for that one:
a certain story i found online --> forbidden love --> homecoming --> dirty dancing --> social strata --> oh em gee. social strata. that would be so cannabalistically tasty.
yeah... don't even ask.

anyways, off the tangent express. here is what i got from chapter two!

• location is important for where writing takes place, as some things can trigger memories or emotions. this richness adds to the writing.
• the west african proverb... maybe it means that getting a quiet place to reflect is where wisdom is started? i have no idea.
• obviously, the worlds in fictitious stories are based in reality with subtle differences. this was eloquently stated in the example of the picture that dillard put up on her window.
• the chess game with somebody/something--i think it's a parallel for a battle with the muses. you make a foray into their territory first, and whether or not the muses humor you is how good your story turns out. when the muses decide that you're done, they'll wreck up any additional effort that you try to put in and ruin your story beyond recognition. i think i've gotten there. see the latest muse, hangover clock. the ending in that muse is horrific by my standards, and i think it's because i tried to end it when the muse decided it was over already. so... i might revisit that one later.