"My short daily essays are the buds I put on bare branches," writes Julia Cameron in The Sound of Paper (which is fast becoming my creative Bible). "If I am alert enough and an optimist, I see these buds and know that something rich is coming in. I am experienced enough to know that the light-green misting promises full foliage and real ideas that will emerge just as surely as the trees beneath my window will be heavy with green before too long."

Encouraging words to a young writer who's trying hard not to get discouraged. I write daily, or nearly daily, to "keep the clock wound," as Madeleine L'Engle puts it. Some days, like yesterday, making a list of budding ideas is all I can do. Some days, like today, are more fruitful: I wrote a new essay and sent another one to a magazine. Of course, chatting with friends like Valerie helps...she gave me resume advice, writing encouragement, and a few laughs. (What else, as she said, is sisterhood for?)

"Something's coming, something good, if I can wait! Something's coming, I don't know what it is, but it is gonna be great!"

So sang Tony in West Side Story, right before he met Maria. And so I have to believe. Something is coming. I just have to be patient. And keep putting out buds.