This week, I unearthed my old bread machine from one of the lower cupboards in my kitchen. And when I say old bread machine, I do mean old. Not only could it vote, but it’s been around long enough to graduate college, complete med school, and residency before chucking it all to become a YouTube influencer.
My bread machine. She’s been around the block a few times.
I was wondering whether it would still work. Then I reasoned, why not? It’s only been napping there on the lower shelf, and there was no reason not to try it out.
So I bought a couple of bread machine mixes. Low stakes here. I decided not to go all in until I knew for certain.
What do you know?
It still works! And there’s nothing like the smell of baking bread for instant comfort. Unless it’s slicing into a warm loaf soon after.
So, my bread machine is very similar to my writing process. I’m not a fast writer. My stories need a lot of subconscious churning before they’re ready. So, this series I’m working on?
It’s been “in the works” for ten years.
Yep, you read that correctly. Ten. Whole. Years.
Granted, I’ve been doing any number of things during that time, including writing a whole other series (Coffee and Ghosts). In fact, I think I needed to write that first before writing this one.
It can be frustrating to be in this place, to have your process be the opposite of the current hustle and grind culture. But I’ve learned (often the hard way) that it’s so much better for me and my stories to write this way. In the long run, I actually get more words and more stories, have more fun, and end up with better stories.
And this week, I’m grateful that my bread machine reminded me of that.
Writing Wrongs 
Thanks so much for this reminder about giving one’s ideas the time they need to develop into their better selves. You’re absolutely right about how something of the hurry, hurry, produce something now before it goes out of date culture pushes us all to produce things before they’re ready (half-baked?). Could make a person wonder why it’s so important to publish something that’s going to be obsolete or irrelevant before the current news cycle is even over, right?
Long ago, when I was teaching remedial writing at a local community college, too many of my students struggled to complete coursework while carrying dual burdens of full time jobs and serious family responsibilities (children, ailing parents/siblings). It made me realize what a gift it was to be able to give a child time & space to develop their interests and their abilities. Also, that all children don’t develop at the same pace in all areas.
I’m glad you rediscovered your bread machine. Fresh, warm bread is one of life’s great pleasures, and the perfect complement to a chilly autumn afternoon. But if you start playing with it again, don’t forget: longer rising times –> better flavor.