Sunday, December 18, 2011

How to Write a Book in Four Easy Steps

1. First, choose appealing ingredients, including intriguing characters - I mean apples:



2. Next, peel away the skins and throw them all together and simmer for 15 drafts - I mean minutes:


3. Then, puree (edit in a blender), drain off the excess and reserve for another story - I mean drinking:


4. And there you have it - a book!  I mean - applesauce!



Oh well, I tried.  The analogy isn't perfect.  But what corresponds best, I think, is that if you begin with good ingredients, and have the patience to combine them and simmer them and drain off the excess, you are more likely to end with something good.  

Yes? No? Maybe?



Posted by at
Labels: , ,

22 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 18, 2011 at 10:54 AM

    Love the old sportswriter Red Smith's explanation of the struggles of the writer. Someone commented once on his writing. "Writing must come easy to you."
    Red's retort, "Oh, yes, I just open a vein and bleed."

    ReplyDelete
  2. Theresa MilsteinDecember 18, 2011 at 11:01 AM

    Very clever. Now to get someone to finally purchase my applesauce...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jane LoftonDecember 18, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    I love the analogy. I just wish that, since I do know how to make applesauce, I could really translate that into being a wonderful author like you! But, as a librarian, get to savor your work, and really enjoy that far more than eating applesauce. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. martinealisonDecember 18, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    Un vrai régal, combinaison de saveurs et d'écriture...
    gros bisous

    ReplyDelete
  5. Library JewelDecember 18, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    Perfect images to accompany what seem to be 4 easy steps. They have not translated so simply for me in the book-writing process, but I keep thinking.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ReillyDecember 18, 2011 at 2:32 PM

    I think this is a great analogy! I really loved Unfinished Angel, by the way. I read it in one night! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousDecember 18, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    Remember to sprinkle cinnamon on top! It all works.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Catherine1216December 18, 2011 at 3:31 PM

    I also think this works as an analogy for writing. Now I just need to do it. I need to sit down and write. I need to pour the thoughts out, so that I can drain off the excess.

    ReplyDelete
  9. BluejunDecember 18, 2011 at 5:56 PM

    love your applesauce. I mean books.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Genie -- Paris and BeyondDecember 18, 2011 at 9:51 PM

    I believe that you make it sound easier than it is, and you left out the hard part about planting the seed, tending the tree, and harvesting the apples.

    Bises,
    Genie

    ReplyDelete
  11. brattcatDecember 19, 2011 at 6:30 AM

    yumm, isn't that a tasty dish to set before a king... or queen...or princess...or prince?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sharon CreechDecember 19, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    Genie, yes, you are right, of course.

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousDecember 19, 2011 at 7:11 AM

    You are the expert here. I wish it was as easy as making applesauce. It is hard for me. Mine were almost always for some college bookstore, many years ago.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Cezar and LéiaDecember 21, 2011 at 2:19 AM

    Amazing recipe, and so creative and cool analogy.You are very talented!
    Léia

    ReplyDelete
  15. Faith E. HoughDecember 21, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    I like the analogy. (Plus I just like books and homemade applesauce so much that anything correlating the two of them has to be good!) Patience is so important!

    ReplyDelete
  16. MalyssDecember 22, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    I'll try to remember this good (I mean delicious) lesson!

    ReplyDelete
  17. sandyDecember 23, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    I love the analogy Sharon. It's inspiring too.

    ReplyDelete
  18. KarenDecember 24, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    Lovely results but I am drawn to the third photo. I want a bottle of that. . . a Sharon Creech "book in a bottle." Ideas abound.

    Merry Christmas to you.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Bonjour LuxembourgDecember 25, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    Happy New Year dear friend
    Love to your heart!
    Léia & Cezar

    ReplyDelete
  20. Amy BrownDecember 29, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    Hm. Do you add water when you simmer? I had never thought of draining the apples; I just blend them all together after simmering. But that bottle of apple elixir looks so tempting...

    I neglect your analogy, since I am a blender (editor) myself and have never tried to make my own applesauce - I merely try to improve the applesauces of others.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Sharon CreechDecember 29, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    Amy B: yes, I add water, and the 'elixir' is SO good, and I am so grateful there are 'blenders' to improve our applesauces.

    ReplyDelete
  22. JillyJanuary 1, 2012 at 1:36 PM

    I saw this post the other day and meant to leave a comment and something happened - I clicked, something went wrong but your analogy stayed with me all day - it's still here. Perhaps I wish it was as easy as making applesauce...I fear not. But yes, the ingredients are just the same. Love this post, Sharon.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)