Because my stories keep my heart pounding at night with the possibility of it all, when I can’t get words on paper, I want to scream. All my energy pools at the bottom of my heart, where it continues to yell at me all day long, “Write! Write! Write!” I have to quiet the voice like a hidden pet, shushing (发嘘声) it over and over until I get the chance to leave, laptop in hand, stories pouring out of my mind.
What poor, unfortunate lives we artists live! We’re tortured by our words, whether they’re circling around in our minds at 3 am or written on paper, looking sad and regretful that we’ve put them there. Our words laugh at us before and after they leave our bodies.
I messaged a writing mentor (导师) when I found myself running in circles. With only a small window of time to myself each afternoon, I found it hard to write. If only I had more time, I could finish my book. If only people would leave me alone, I could become an accomplished writer. It was everyone else’s fault.
Small — my mentor told me to start small but keep going. “Do what you can, when you can. Let that be enough during the busy seasons.” In her eyes, she was once me. She was once crazy with tasks that kept her hands pushing, pulling, grabbing and moving endlessly. She recognized herself in the way I talked with starry eyes about my dreamy writing goals and plans. Essays, articles and short stories flowered in my rich mind.
In a few wise words, she gave me the freedom to write in small periods of time she called “the cracks of the day”. She argued that I should run after publishing with the same desire as ever. But in her patient voice, I heard a gentle reminder of stopping running so hard and instead slowing to a sustainable pace.
So I write. I submit. I live, and I dream.
13. What can we infer about the author from the first paragraph?
A.She has a strong desire to write. | B.She has serious heart problems. |
C.She is forced to write constantly. | D.She is unable to focus on writing. |
14. What does the underlined word “tortured” in paragraph 2 probably mean?
A.Threatened. | B.Troubled. | C.Inspired. | D.Impressed. |
15. What problem did the author have in writing?
A.She suffered from a serious lack of time. |
B.Her writing was far from satisfying. |
C.She had no idea what to write. |
D.She has no one to rely on. |
16. Which of the following can sum up the writing mentor’s suggestion to the author?
A.All roads lead to Rome. | B.Strike while the iron is hot. |
C.No pains, no gains. | D.Constant drops wear away a stone. |