“I’m thinking, for our next meeting, being the new year and all, it might be good for you to bring a business plan so that you’re free spiritedness doesn’t get blown off track from what you’re trying to accomplish. Since you’re a pantser, and all.”
He’s my accountability partner. We’re both members of the Key West Writers Guild working on first drafts of our first book. He wanted to stay on track and proposed we have weekly phone call check-ins. And he’s referring to what some writing instructors like to teach: Are you a plotter or a pantser? Plotters make outlines and plans. Pantsers fly by the seat of their pants and just see where the story goes.
“Noted.” I say as I put away the groceries from my bike basket.
“Oh…did I overstep?”
“That’s just not how I operate. I don’t even balance my checkbook and you want me to write a business plan? All the best stuff in my life has come sans plans.” Evoking the Jed McKenna quote to cross my mind once again. ‘God gives me better than I would’ve thought to ask for, and before I would’ve thought to ask.’
I’m not a panster, I’m a flow-er. And I’ve gotten to this amazing space in my life–living on an island, in a camper with my kitty, writing and business building on a seventy-some degree day in January. I’ve just had a story and poem published in an anthology and now get to bop around the island promoting it.
I did not plan this. I allowed this. I held steadily an intention of fulfilling my purpose, and am receiving (and thoroughly enjoying) the outward picturing, and support from the Universe. “There’s no way I could’ve planned all this.”
He verbally stumbles. “Uh, um, well, yes, of course. I didn’t mean to…”
But he did mean to. The same way many people of the planner and plotter persuasion have tried to reel me in, wise me up, structure me and convince me that some other, more orderly way of living would somehow be better. I was raised by a woman like this. A woman who’s view of me was akin to that of a wild horse needing to be broken. As if I would fall off the edge of the Earth if she didn’t keep me tightly tethered.
I was a wild child. Still am. Still gravitating to the edge, wanting to fly and be free–to be weightless. I didn’t like the pull on my freedom then and I don’t take kindly to it now. It chokes me, cutting off my air supply. I run from these conversations like someone from a house on fire. I’ll die if I stay inside.
I live on the fringe full-time because, ‘If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space.’
Solo Chick Traveler 
Living by one very simple principle makes life interesting… that is, I try not to make too many plans, outlines or goals that sometimes sets up the ‘stage’ for disappointment. My daily mantra is,
“Ask for everything, expect nothing and be grateful for what you receive”.
How would anyone know what you need unless you ask? Expecting nothing is not as easy as it sounds, though when you practice this, you are often surprised by being grateful…it opens up possibilities for success and dreams.
If one does not have a dream, how can a dream come true?!;)
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Lots of good wisdom in your words. I find gratitude to be a powerful force!
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“I did not plan this. I allowed this.” I love this. And I suspect that you’re perfectly positioned as a writer, cuz SO many people–especially women–are utterly titillated by the kind of life (as if there were any “kind” involved in uniqueness!) you live, but scared to live it themselves. So they’ll all buy your books!
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I’m hoping you’re right! I had a lover in Australia tell me this a few years ago, making me take it more seriously and keep better travel journals. Usually when I tell people I’m a gypsy, their eyes light up a little. Like they’re saying,”freedom.” And I think many women don’t feel free. They feel bound by their roles in relation to others–a conditioning that does us no favors.
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