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The Writer's Critical Mass

If you've studied science, you've very likely heard the term "critical mass". Critical mass is the point at which major change occurs. Usually that change is explosive.

Another way of describing critical mass is to say that it is the point at which what is potential becomes actual.

Aristotle spoke of a point at which the essence of something is fully realized. In other words, that point in time when major change occurs.

There is a word to describe this transition from potentiality to actuality. The word is entelechy. "Entelechy" is a philosophical term that can be defined as the point at which something breaks forth into fruitfulness.

In a recent article in Writers on the Rise ezine, author Christina Katz used this word to speak of the concept of critical mass in regard to writing. As Katz points out, the process can be compared to the growth of a fruit tree. When you plant an appleseed, it will take a long time for the seed to become a tree. First the roots must be developed. Then those roots must sink deep into the earth and spread out. All the while, no activity is seen above the earth, but there is a lot going on underneath.

Eventually, a shoot pushes up through the ground. That shoot becomes a stalk, then a twig, then a sapling and, eventually, a fruit-bearing tree. Once that apple tree begins to bear fruit, there's no stopping it. :-)

The process of approaching critical mass, or entelechy, involves timing--God's timing. For us writers, it usually comes after a long period of diligent waiting during which we continue to press on even when we don't see results. Then, one glorious day, everything explodes.

Like the apple tree, our writing careers take time to develop. If you're at a point where it seems as though nothing is happening, take heart. A lot is happening beneath the service--within you. If you are faithful as you wait, you will one day explode into fruitfulness.

And that's my "musing that matters" for today. What's yours? :-)

Blessings,

MaryAnn

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Copyright 2007 by MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.D. All rights reserved. This blog entry may NOT be reproduced, reprinted, or published in any form whatsoever without the written permission of Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. You may, however, forward it to others, but please do so IN ITS ENTIRETY. Thank you for your cooperation.

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