tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post7499907137244070437..comments2024-03-25T09:56:16.164+00:00Comments on An Awfully Big Blog Adventure: The Through Ness Monster - Ruth HatfieldUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-40618000166537334772016-06-12T22:07:35.627+01:002016-06-12T22:07:35.627+01:00Great post, Ruth, and lovely to revisit the chat w...Great post, Ruth, and lovely to revisit the chat we had about just that subject back at the conference -- what a fabulous day it was. Sheena Wilkinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13847659993713606837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-35499468903016777662016-06-12T20:34:43.478+01:002016-06-12T20:34:43.478+01:00I meant that they are equal but not the same!I meant that they are equal but not the same!Ruth Hatfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964539193760803885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-71929107104770827272016-06-12T20:32:51.289+01:002016-06-12T20:32:51.289+01:00I love that comment by Pirsig - the mind being at ...I love that comment by Pirsig - the mind being at rest is exactly how it is, even if the 'rest' isn't a calm and peaceful one. Also Susan, that's very accutely described - thanks very much for your comment. What you've described is certainly the essence of how the writing process works for me. I suppose what I was mulling over is that for some, the concept of 'throughness' seems to have more of an aspect of control over the subconscious mind than for others. It's a matter of how we view our subconscious minds (and our horses), and how we view ourselves in relation to them. But I definitely agree that each plays its own part, and that in that respect the two sides are not equal. Thanks very much to all for your comments - good food for thought!Ruth Hatfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964539193760803885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-40456553921184060872016-06-12T18:49:11.008+01:002016-06-12T18:49:11.008+01:00I was there, and I know we shared similar opinions...I was there, and I know we shared similar opinions about the concept of 'throughness' as applied to horsemanship and writing, Ruth, but you've managed to put it much better than I would have done. My best writing, and my best riding, happen when I stop thinking and start feeling. Tortiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06802038428086923508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-59056003263400502832016-06-12T12:00:02.609+01:002016-06-12T12:00:02.609+01:00In software engineering, it's called The Flow....In software engineering, it's called The Flow.<br /><br />Pirsig describes it beautifully when talking about mechanics and machinists:<br />"...there's a kind of inner peace of mind that isn't contrived but results from a kind of harmony with the work in which there's no leader and no follower. The material and the craftsman's thoughts change together in a progression of smooth, even changes until his mind is at rest at the exact instant the material is right."Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09799125598133377058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-61200113401420007392016-06-12T11:52:25.346+01:002016-06-12T11:52:25.346+01:00Another non-rider here, Ruth, but your thoughts ab...Another non-rider here, Ruth, but your thoughts about the connections between "throughness" and "the zone" offer a very interesting analogy. That "Horse Tales" sounds a fabulous conference, especially for those who love the horsey world - and horsey books. Penny Dolanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16386668303428008498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-30684769367509642302016-06-12T11:03:04.126+01:002016-06-12T11:03:04.126+01:00Very interesting. I don't ride, but thought I ...Very interesting. I don't ride, but thought I understood what was meant by 'throughness' as applied to writing. But then, I understood what you meant by 'being in the zone' too.<br /><br />I think they're the same thing.<br /><br />If, as a writer, you simply let your subconscious do what it likes, wander as it will, you get - I find - a shapeless, wandering story that you can't bring to any satisfactory conclusion.<br /><br />If you rigidly control it, forcing it to conform to a plan, you get something lifeless and predictable.<br /><br />The trick is to be aware of your story, to know what it wants and where it wants to go, to be inside it - and, at the same time, to be aware of the demands of plot, the need for a shape, and to guide, to compromise with the story when necessary, to allow for its quirks and still be in overall control. In other words, 'throughness.' You are working through the story and the story is working through you.<br /><br />I don't think this means that the story-horse and the writer-rider are unequal. It means that they are both vital, cooperative partners. Neither can produce anything worthwhile without the other. The writer/editor/rider, alone, would produce something neat, orderly, correct, sterile. The horse/subconsious/story, alone, would produce something colourful, cluttered, sprawling, incomprehensible.<br /><br />They have to work together and, when they achieve 'throughness' that's 'in the zone.'<br /><br /><br />Susan Pricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738737493756183909noreply@blogger.com