The idea hovered and shivered delicately, like a soap bubble, and she dared not even look at it directly in case it burst. But she was familiar with the way of ideas, and she let it shimmer, looking away, thinking about something else.
The quote reflects the fragility of inspiration and creativity, comparing an idea to a delicate soap bubble that can easily pop if examined too closely. The character approaches the notion with caution, illustrating a fear of losing the brilliance of the thought if she focuses on it directly. This highlights a common struggle with creativity, where the act of contemplation can sometimes threaten to diminish the beauty of an emerging idea.
Moreover, by choosing to divert her gaze and think about something else, she acknowledges the necessity of allowing ideas to exist in their own space. This suggests that nurturing creativity often requires patience and a sense of detachment, allowing thoughts to develop and shimmer on their own before fully engaging with them. In essence, the quote captures the delicate dance between cultivating inspiration and the fear of its fleeting nature.