Writing a novel is like baking a birthday cake.
First, you figure out what kind it is
chocolate, vanilla, spice, angel?
historical? horror? teen? romance?
What is your audience?
Three toddlers? Fifty seniors?
Then you add the ingredients in some order
flour, eggs, milk, sugar
protagonist, conflict, plot, setting
Then you mix them all together and add some heat
from an oven
an editor or first readers
It cooks, changing from ingredients into cake.
It’s edited from a manuscript to a book.
When it tests as being done,
it has to sit a bit to cool
Then it is shared with a small group, or a huge crowd
People celebrate with candles, smiles and songs
A cake lasts a moment, but the memory can linger.
A book lasts longer, but the memory of the first moment lingers.
Shawn L. Bird 
Could this be anymore awesome? Love it!
lol
Reblogged this on thisoldtoad and commented:
Hey teach is this method working, could be done by any?
Hey teach can it be done all on the net?
Books yes. Harder to eat a cake baked in a computer!
Reblogged this on books.pens.papers.
I really love that analogy, and it is just so accurate!! I am in the process of beginning a story now, and it’s funny that I read this post now. I have been sifting through my “ingredients”, and researching the information so that I could get to the “mixing” stage of my writing, where I can actually toss everything into the mixing bowl, and get it poured into the pan, so to speak. 🙂 Very nicely put!!
I was surprised how similar they are when I got the initial flash. The more I thought, the more connections I observed. 🙂 Good luck with your baking!
This is so true. My recipe is ever changing!!
We can’t bake the same thing every time; that’d get a little boring!
True…a great metaphorical poem, loved it…by the bye, should we by chance be wishing someone a happy birthday as well?
According to Facebook, about a dozen people I know have had birthdays the last week or so, so that might have something to do with it.
Ah, now I understand.
I loved your poem you remind me of a poem I recently wrote, it is called baking a cappucino
Another poem called ‘Poetry is a Mango Chocolate Pastry’
Thanks for sharing!
Reblogged this on On The Way To There and commented:
Love this! I so get you Shawn L. Bird!
Fantastic.
parallel is class.
Thanks.