Paula Panich's "Cultivating Words"

Most who cultivate plants may be content to immerse themselves in their gardening work and "have done with it." Then there are a few oddballs like me who, for some reason, feel compelled to write about their experiences, afterwards. It is for the latter group -- and for those who aspire to join our band of misfits -- that Paula Panich wrote her book, Cultivating Words.

The title, Cultivating Words suggests a connection between writing and gardening, a connection that goes well beyond Panich's comparison of editing your first draft to "weeding." This book is a practical guide to getting published and honing your skills as a garden writer. But isn't the core of gardening also to be found in its practical chores, its grunt work, such as keeping the soil fertile? It's only later that you get to stand back and admire it all. Follow the recipes for literary compost in Cultivating Words, keep your pile turned faithfully, and who knows what might sprout up? Perhaps some strange and wonderful plant!