The Writer's Relationship to Their Work -- Jessica Schwier

Annie Dillard uses many examples and metaphors throughout her work called "The Writing Life." When reading through it, one particular paragraph jumped out at me. It is where she is discussing the relationship a writer shares with their works. She talks of how she does not so much write a book as she does sits up with it, like one would with a dying friend. You hold its hand and hope for improvement. You do not miss a day of comforting your friend and you shouldn't when writing a book. When you skip a day of work on a novel, it will turn on you, as would a dying friend. Dillard then discusses another example. If you are studying a lion in a cage, you must tend to it everyday and make sure it has what it needs, so it does not become angry with you. However, similarly, once you skip one day, the lion turns on you. I thought this was an extremely interesting point Dillard was trying to make. She discusses how a writer leads a boring life, always curled up in small rooms, only to focus on their writing. When looking at these examples of what can happen when you abandon your job for one day, one sees how hard writers work and how much they go through in order to create great works. This paragraph made me consider how frustrating writing must get. Tending to something every day even though it may not make any progress. This is a tough job and writers should be better appreciated. I enjoy reading Dillard because she always uses relatable examples that allow her concepts to be easily understood. This paragraph was written wonderfully and again opened my mind to thinking about what writers go through on a daily basis. Dillard really aids in allowing your imagination to think freely and to see different points of view.