an odyssey…
It turns out that I can be 453 pages into a first draft and writing can still be a great unknown, with waves and undercurrents and marvelous creatures still making themselves known.
Does a practiced writer control all this better? Does Margaret Atwood, sitting at her computer to write, know now what to expect, and calmly gaze the storms in the eye, continuing unabated and unchecked? Or does she know from time to time she’ll need to step back and let the waves wash over and calm themselves before she pounces while they’re weak? Does she know her currents? Or are they changing?
I should like to reach that level of control where at least I know what to expect. But maybe, as in life, writing doesn’t come with such guarantees. Or maybe, as they say in life, once you get the hang of it, you die. 
Stumble It!
Hey Sput! You’re back! Yeah, writing can be that way, it is to me and I’m on my third book (stalled at the moment, but still).
Well, I’m querying one book, and revising/re-drafting a second, so it’s taken a back seat to that.
Dang, very cool!
Good luck! 
You’re back!
Glad to hear that your writing is going well, if unpredictably.
Egad it’s madness, writing!! thank you
Sputsie,
I can’t answer for Atwood, but the only thing predictable about my currents is their astonishing unpredictability.
The one thing that I learned from finishing the novel that I’m querying, is to keep going. Writing this current novel isn’t any easier (sorry!, I know that’s not what you want to hear), but the one advantage I do have is that I know I can fight through the slumps because I did before.
Just make yourself a cinnamon-laced cuppa coffee and BIC.
*sigh*
Oh, btw, I don’t have cinnamon. I checked today as I made my second cup for the day. What a crying shame…
BIC indeed.
Well, I know your next one’s going to rock, too!!! 