Welcome to Issue 55 of Writing and Other Stuff, a newsletter by me, Kim Scaravelli, with a focus on writing with style and personality, and nurturing your creativity. Thanks for reading! And if you're not a subscriber yet, sign up here.
The first pancake is rarely pretty.
I've been making pancakes for a very long time and I've yet to have the first one look as good as the subsequent pancakes.
Maybe the pan is too hot. Or not quite hot enough.
Maybe the batter is too cold. Or not quite cold enough.
Who knows why the damn thing won't puff up properly - and is NEVER a proper circle! (I'm not a pancake specialist, just a woman with a ladle.)
In my house, when something doesn't turn out quite the way you wanted, we call it a "first-pancake-situation".
Just the other day, my youngest was working on an acrylic painting for her art class. As I was passing by, I hollered, "How's it going?".
She replied, with a slight but not dramatic sigh, "It's a first pancake."
I smiled.
Because knowing - and accepting - that the first version of something is rarely perfect, is a valuable mindset (whether you're making pancakes, or paintings, or something else entirely).
Don't get down on yourself. Or give up.
Just view it as part of the process. Adapt and move forward!
FYI: The first pancake is still tasty! And once you adjust the temperature a little bit, you will end up with a lovely breakfast.
Cool quote
“Optimist: someone who figures that taking a step backward after taking a step forward is not a disaster, it’s more like a cha-cha.”
Robert Brault, Philosopher and Author
How To Write An Analogy
❤️ I love a good analogy!
When it's done well, an analogy has the power to make abstract ideas feel more solid.
It can simplify a complex concept by connecting it to something simple and familiar. And, as an added perk, it can leave readers with vivid sensory details that linger (and inspire them to think more about the topic).
The first pancake <=> imperfection; small failures
The secret to writing a good analogy is making sure the "simple and familiar" side of things is easy-to-imagine and understand:
- Use a concrete image (like a pancake). Don't compare one abstract idea with another abstract idea.
- Compare ONE commonality. For instance, I compared the flatness of that first pancake with the small failures we often experience when trying to do something new. But I DIDN'T add a comparison between the ingredients of the pancake and the ingredients of a piece of writing - even though that could be a cool analogy! Too many comparisons in one analogy muddies the water.
- Once you get your point across, stop. A few sentences - or even a few short paragraphs, should be enough. Don't turn it into a short story!
Stuff Worth Sharing
Love this Youtube kids video. Honestly... BRILLIANT advice on how to respond when you make a mistake. (And a reminder that adults overcomplicate things sometimes... Kids just tell it like it is).
For the Word Nerds
Failure is a shitty word.
Even when we try to soften it with adjectives (e.g. small failure, minor failure), it still smells like disappointment and defeat.
Failure feels dramatic and final when it's really just a moment in your path forward.
❤️That's why I love the word HICCUP.
A hiccup is a small, involuntary happening that causes no lingering damage. It can be annoying. Or amusing. Or both. But it's not serious - or fatal.
Everybody hiccups! And that's okay.
Thanks for reading. I'll see you again June 12th. In the meantime, if you like my newsletter, here are 4 easy ways to show your support. Pick your favourite now, before you forget!
