Writing is like a 1950s teenage beach flick except with more sex and less friendly dolphins.

Occasionally I get pulled out of my writing time to do more... writing.  Wait. Wha? In this instance, fellow writer and ghost hunting buddy, Susan Utley, asked me to participate in the Box o'Chocolates meme started by her friend, Michelle Simkins.

BoC as explained by Michelle:

Forrest Gump’s momma always said, “Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” I suppose the same could be said of writing, but . . . since we’re writers, we feel compelled to come up with our own silly comparisons.


Hence the creation of the Box of Chocolates Writing Meme–in which you may compare writing to anything but a box of chocolates.


How does it work? Take the phrase “Writing is like . . .” and finish it. Post it on your blog. Tag three others to do the same. That is all. See how easy that is?

-Michelle Simkins aka Greenwoman.

Susan's phrase was "Writing is like jaywalking. Sometimes you just have to walk outside the lines." Excellent post and yet I went a slightly different route thus mine is:

Writing is like a 1950s teenage beach flick except with more sex and less friendly dolphins.

Let me explain:

1. You arrive at the beach loaded down with stuff you've been collecting from writing class, workshops, and 3rd grade writing competitions about you and a bear (yes, that was me and I freakin' WON that thing). You set up your tiny spot on the beach and settle down with your glaringly bare notebook or just stare at the waves and dream about the huge royalty checks in the mail.
   
   
2. Suddenly you spy a group of groovy writer chicks and dudes down the beach. They're having fun, frolicking in the waves and want you to join them. Look! They speak Elvish! Some of them have funky hand signals but you'll get the hang of it soon enough and  you're cuddling up to a brand new idea torn from the angst of your soul under a blanket and a few too many tequila shots and you're in love. Really, truly, heartbreakingly in love.
   
   
3. After feverish note taking and a few breathless moments after you figure out how the story will reach its peak, you finally get it all down on paper and are ready to share it with your new friends. Some love it to tiny pieces and tell you you're a genius. Others tell you it will never work and you need a real job. But a few brave writers step up and tell you to look out for the dolphins pooping all over your manuscript and how to fix it. They help you reign in the fluffy bits and write tight.
   
   
4. Drama rears its ugly head like the girl you accidentally knocked into the water as you start to send it out to agents and editors. The dolphins are back and they're pissed. Revise! Retreat!
   
   
5. Go back to the beach, eat some toasted marshmallows and re-write, my friend. Begone, dolphins!
   
   
6. Submit, rinse and repeat until- acceptance! Bongos are going crazy in the background and someone has busted out the limbo stick.
   
   
7. Look forward to the bigger dance party with fruity drinks with umbrellas in them.
   
   
8. While you're boogying with your latest idea, don't be surprised to see another hot piece of inspiration at the bar. You'll get to him in a minute...
   
   
9. Go back to the beach the next year with your book in hand and smile at the new writer settling down next to you. When asked, advise them to look out for dolphins and wink at the camera.

To keep in the spirit of the meme, I'm to tag three dolphinless writers:

1. Melanie Hooyenga
2. Adam Slade
3. Beth Bartlett