Peripheral Vision

I worked really hard today on my short story. I didn't once touch it.

I revised a poem, went for a walk, finished a book chapter, wrote an email, made a to-do list, typed up a blog.

When next I look at my short story, I'll know exactly what it needs. The ironic part is that if I had actually worked *hands on* at my short story, I wouldn't have gotten very far.

I've been doing this long enough, and made enough mistakes, that I've figured it out now. Instead of facing things straight on, writers use peripheral vision. Our eyes are placed laterally, like hunted animals. While you busy yourself with one scene, your other eye will be watching and learning the mysterious sights at the opposite end of the meadow.