A work in progress quickly becomes feral. It reverts to a wild state overnight. It is barely domesticated, a mustang on which you one day fastened a halter, but which now you cannot catch. It is a lion you cage in your study. As the work grows, it gets harder to control; it is a lion growing in strength. You must visit it every day and reassert your mastery over it. If you skip a day, you are, quite rightly, afraid to open the door to its room. You enter its room with bravura, holding a chair at the thing and shouting, Simba!
Annie Dillard highlights the unpredictable nature of creative work, comparing it to a wild animal that quickly becomes unmanageable if left unattended. She likens this process to taming a mustang or caging a lion, emphasizing that as the project evolves, it becomes more challenging to control. The metaphor illustrates that the creative process is not just a matter of straightforward labor but involves constant attention and effort to maintain authority over one's work.
Dillard suggests that neglecting the work for even a short period can result in feeling apprehensive about re-engaging with it. When returning to the work, there is a need for boldness and confidence, akin to confronting a lion with a chair. This dynamic captures the essence of the artistic journey, where ongoing interaction and commitment are essential to tame the ferocity of creativity and ensure it does not spiral out of control.
