Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Writing Wednesdays: The Waiting Place

The best children's books, in my opinion, are the ones that resonate not just with children but with adults. I have a similar theory about cartoons, but we'll stick with books for the moment. Recently, our friends gave us a copy of Oh, the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss. It was meant as a "Congratulations, you're moving to Russia!" gift, and also as something Jack could enjoy. I don't think my friends had anything else in mind, but every time I read it, I can't help but think about my writing career instead of our impending Russian adventure.

The part that really resonates with me at the moment? The Waiting Place. Just in case you're not familiar with it:

The Waiting Place...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.


Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.

Some of these things might ring a bell with you, too. Waiting for a Yes or No? Hello! A Better Break? Another Chance? Check and check. (Of course if you're waiting around for a pair of pants we've got bigger problems, my friend.)

I know the waiting is part of the process. But let's be honest, the Waiting Place is a bitch. Because you never know what's coming next (or if anything is coming at all!). It's hard not to feel like you're going to be stuck here forever.

According to Dr. Seuss, however, I will "escape all that waiting and staying." (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed). There are Boom Bands playing out there, apparently, and I'd really like to know just what the hell a Boom Band is. And I suppose at the end of the day if I fail to move mountains, I can at least move TO the mountains. Siberia, here I come!


3 comments:

Jennie Bennett said...

I always think about writing when I read that book too, how could I not? Good luck on the move!

Alleged Author said...

The Waiting Place is super tiring. Ugh. Though maybe I like that better than the Rejection Place. :P

Mara Rae said...

J.A. - thank you! And I suppose you could sort of apply this book to any life goal, but it does work rather well for writing :)

Cara - I seem to be hanging out in the Waiting Place and the Rejection Place simultaneously. Who can lead me to the Acceptance Place? Anyone?