So THAT’S why Chapter Nine was so sexy. See how I picked up on that right away? Well, no one would waste any time reading my post, so nobody would know that last week I wondered at Boice’s use of sexual imagery in his suggestions for writing.
In Chapter Ten we learn why. In a former life, he was a sex therapist. Or, at least, he worked at a sex clinic. Everything is falling into place now. Do it often; when you’re not doing it; think about it; don’t rush into it.
I never thought about applying the principles that Boice uses to writing, but it makes perfect sense now that I think about it. Think of all the things that mess up your love live… the list on page 124 works nicely.
Procrastination: I don’t have time.
Perfectionism: I’ll never find my Mr. Right
Elitism: This would be so much better if he/she were a super model
Blocking: (Read Boice’s definition. It’s perfect!)
Oppositional: It’s all about me!
Boice’s List of “Rules” (Oh, how we resist the word) is surely informed by his time in the sex clinic, and if only for that reason makes the list interesting and humorous and, I am certain useful and applicable for our writing. I’ve decided maybe he knows what he’s talking about.
Yeah, when I saw the word "foreplay" in the intro to Chapter 10, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. I told myself to please corral my train of thought and focus on the text at hand. But at the second Foreplay, I knew I'd been right the first time. In my MFA program, we'd talked about how writing is similar to sex: both take patience and attention to detail, among other things. (And practice!) Boice's comparison would have seemed more surprising and random if I hadn't encountered it before. Could Boice be called a "writing therapist?" I wonder if good writing habits indicate skill in...other areas. Good writing habits seem to be good life habits, in a way.
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