Baking and writing have some similarities, it occurs to me as I plug away at my manuscript.
I bake, I write.
For me, both have been passions and creative outlets since as far back as I can remember. After all, I did proclaim “books is wonderful” at the tender age of four, and years later would make that the name of my blog.
And baking? To this day, each time I bake bread I am transported to my childhood and my maternal grandmother.
Nana lived clear across the state, so her visits to our house were infrequent and highly anticipated. After giving us big hugs at the door, she wasted no time in changing out of her travel dress to her “house dress” and, on top of that, an apron that she tied around her waist.
And then she got to work.
Her mission? To supply us with enough baked goods to last until her next visit. Clearly, there was nothing commercial that could compare to her bagels, onion rolls, coffee cakes and mandel bread. We shouldn’t have to be deprived. And did we protest? Of course not.
Her week-long bake-a-thons filled the house with continuous sweetness and and yielded enough goodies to take up most of the room in our full-size freezer.
Watching her in action was awesome, but I wanted to be part of the production line. “Let me help,” I begged, and she obligingly gave me a turn at kneading the bread dough until my arms got tired. When the dough had risen and was ready to be formed into loaves, she tore off a glob for me.
Together we would bake “gingerbread” man – ginger-less, of course – plucking off pieces of dough that I rolled out with my little rolling pin. I smoothed them out, gave them symmetry, rolled and re-rolled and pinched and prodded, poking in raisins for eyes and buttons. After the gingerbread men had baked and cooled, Nana made a thin icing out of confectioner’s sugar and water that we piped on for a final flourish.
This is pretty much what I’m doing now with the novel I started during NaNoWriMo last November.
The NaNoWriMo sages tell you that you shouldn’t worry about creating a masterpiece during the 30 days of writing. Rather, the goal is to “get it down.” That is, get 50,000 words in your manuscript. It doesn’t have to be pretty.
In the end, like a glob of bread dough, you will have something to work with.
And that is what happened. I made my bread dough.
Indeed, my 50,000 words did not have the smoothness, the elasticity of a well-kneaded hunk of dough, the perfection needed to move onto the next step. It needed a little of this, a bit of that, and then another bit of this.
As I wade through the morass now, I am smoothing out the phrases that didn’t make sense, prodding and prompting a better description of my settings and characters, garnishing a scene with a gloss that makes it shine.
It can be both frustrating and exhilarating, depending on the quality of my ingredients. So each step of the way I have to inspect. Be critical. Make changes to get it as perfect as it can possibly be.
And when I know I’ve hit on something just right– just like when my bread dough rises perfectly — it is immensely satisfying.
I know that Nana would understand exactly what I mean.
I’ve been wanting to ask you how you are doing with your novel.
I would love to beta read for you when you are ready.
That bread looks heavenly, just heavenly.
Doreen McGettigan recently posted…Writing Wednesday/Social Media Manners
I would love to take you up on your offer, Doreen! Later this year. (fingers crossed)
It’s so admirable that you completed the challenge! I keep having ideas for books, but I never write them. I keep saying “someday.” And now I am seeing similar books in print. It’s great that you got all that stuff out of your brain and ready to shape.
Karen D. Austin recently posted…Books on the Art of Diagnosis
I was in the same bind, Karen. It was always “someday” for me, too. I realized that “someday” would have to be now or never.
I know what you mean. Bless you for going the distance, too!
Carol Cassara recently posted…Losing our independence
I wish you godspeed on your writing journey too, Carol.
OK. I’m officially inspired to get going on those essays I started and put aside. Just get something down: that’s the mantra. thanks for sharing your experience. I might also try to bake a challah. Maybe that’s a step too far.
penpen recently posted…Nevermind the Legacy: We should spend our retirement money on ourselves. All of it.
LOL, Penelope, that made me smile. 🙂
Not only did you make me hungry for my grandmother’s cooking and for a hunk of your challah, but you made me proud, once again, for the achievements you made during NaNoWriMo. This is a perfect post with absolute symmetry and I can’t wait to read your novel! ENTER LOUD APPLAUSE…
Cathy Chester recently posted…It’s Time To Thank Cezanne, Plato, Mr. Sherburne and YOU
You are the best!!! Thank you for your support, always. xoxo
You planted me right smack in your childhood kitchen and that took me to my maternal great-uncle’s bakery. Oh what I would give a for biale (I have no idea if that is spelled correctly but you get it) fresh out of the oven.
How this piece made me feel is exactly why I am so eager to read your novel, Helene. Whether it is a piece about life or travel or a book review or any combination, you never fail to transport me right where I need to be!
(hugging you)
This made me smile. I hope my grandsons will have similarly sweet memories of me and my baking frenzies with them.
What a treat to read the deft way you compared your novel writing to the bread making. I’m sure your grandmother would be pleased indeed. Kudos to you on the post AND on the progress with your novel. Cheers to continued success writing… and baking!
Lisa at GrandmasBriefs recently posted…15 words that belong in every grandparent’s vocabulary
Thank you so much, Lisa. My grandmother was tickled that I picked up baking from her. I feel her looking over my shoulder when I roll up my sleeves and dig in the flour canister.
LOVELY. “Her week long bake-a-thons filled the house with continuous sweetness.” GREAT sentence — so evocative in so many terrific ways, with sweetness suggesting both the ingredients and the experience of having your grandmother on premises. I really enjoyed this post, in part for a reason that you probably didn’t intend — as a mother whose son now lives across the country I’m coping with the idea that my grandchildren, when I eventually have them, will NOT be living close enough for me to see them often. Your fond memories of your grandmothers infrequent but much-loved visits give me hope. THANK YOU.
What a lovely comment, Roz. I cherish it!
Shoot. Now, I feel guilty on two fronts. It’s about time I got some bread baked *and* I’ve got a whole host of edits to do on my next novel. Love the metaphor, Helen. You’re absolutely right.
Anne Louise Bannon recently posted…What Are Tannins? Rick Longoria Explains
Thank you so much, Anne Louise. But no guilt trip intended!
I love everything about this post and, okay, I can practically smell that bread from here! I know your novel is going to be so delicious and I can’t wait to dig into it when it’s ready! xo
Lois Alter Mark recently posted…my jenny craig surprise!
Thank you, Lois! You are an amazing friend and supporter. I love you for it.
what sweet memories! I love thinking about the time my mom spent baking something yummy. Congrats about the book! Looking forward to reading it!
Carolann recently posted…Gadgets and Tech Toys Wishlist Part 8
Thank you, Carolann! Isn’t it funny how baking brings us back to our childhoods so effortlessly?
Your Nana was amazing. I would love to sit in your kitchen on baking day inhaling the aroma of homemade bread and sharing our stories. What a delightful post.
Pat recently posted…In Team Sports Girls Win Even in Loss
I would love that, Pat. I think I could sit and talk to you for hours. Someday, I hope!
So excited to hear you continue to work on your novel. IT makes so much sense..the first thirty days write to get it down on paper –not constrained by all those..”not good enough” thoughts. Now craft it.
So proud of you. Keep baking and writing..life is good!
Cyd Weissman recently posted…Anita remembered
And yours, Cyd? Update me …