Order Up!

"Order up!" is a phrase heard in almost every eatery worldwide - in whatever language - whether the food served is pub grub or gourmet.

Kitchen staff never knows what they'll prepare next. It's sort of the same with writers. One day we create, another we edit. Later in the week we promote. Sometimes we do them all in one day. Even many times during the day.

Like a cook or chef, we spend time preparing, deciding not only the ingredients we need but how much of each we need. Then we cook.

We chop and dice, saute and slice. This in a pot. That in a pan. Stir up trouble in a kettle. And voila!

Our concoction is ready to plate. We want it to be as appealing to the eye as it is to the palate.

For the writer, plating is the final read and polish before we send our new manuscript out the door to meet the public.

We want the agent, editor, and reader to say, "Yummy! I can't wait to dig in."

Happy cooking!

Comments

Joanne said…
Hm, great recipe going on here! I'm not too much of a cook in the kitchen, but hopefully my words simmer into a great flavor :)
The Happy Whisk said…
What a refreshing post. Happy Cooking, to you as well.
I like you analogy. Nothing is less appealing than food thrown on a plate or words thrown on a page in a haphazard manner.
Carol Kilgore said…
Joanne - I love to cook. But not as much as I love to write.

Happy Whisk - Thanks.
Carol Kilgore said…
Jane - Both are all about pleasing the senses.
The Happy Whisk said…
Glad you liked Quiz 6. I agree, it is fun. Happy Wonder Woman Wednesday, to you.
Arlee Bird said…
I hate it when I see my food sitting there in the order window getting cold and the waitperson is doing other things. It makes me want to jump up and grab my meal.

Likewise, with writing sometimes if the dish isn't served fresh and right away, it grows cold and loses flavor. I like the writing that can be served anytime, perhaps with a little reheating, but always tastes good.

Lee
Tossing It Out
VR Barkowski said…
I'm trying to cook up a little something special today, but my better half keeps wandering into my office checking on my progress (he can't get to work because of the ice). Ever hear that old saying, too many cooks spoil the broth? They aren't too good for a book either.

Bon appétit!
Carol Kilgore said…
Happy Whisk - Wonder Woman Wednesday. OK...today I'm Wonder Woman - I'll aim for an extra hour of writing time!

Holly - You, too.

Arlee - Right. The same with me.

VR - How well I know.
Maryannwrites said…
What a wonderful analogy. I don't think I have ever heard writing compared with food prep, but it works. Made sense to me, although it did make me hungry, too. LOL
Talli Roland said…
Fab analogy! I'm trying to plate something up but the freakin' recipe is really difficult! :)
Elspeth Futcher said…
And then there are the days when you just want to order take-out.
Carol Kilgore said…
Maryann - I made myself hungry, too :)

Talli - I hate those!

Elspeth - LOL. Chinese, anyone?
Unknown said…
What a great way to look at it! I'm a horrible cook and most of what turns up is unpredictable but I love figuring out what I'll write next.
CD
Anonymous said…
What a well-crafted, extended metaphor, Carol! I enjoyed it very much!!
Wish the writing part was as easy as the cooking.
Helen Ginger said…
Great way to describe the process, Carol. Sometimes when the whole thing is done, you take another look/taste and add some spice.
Mmmm, this was a delightfully yummy post!
Anonymous said…
You said it! :D
Lydia Kang said…
Yes, no undercooked and under-garnished manuscripts to agents!
Carol Kilgore said…
Clarissa - I love both writing and cooking!

Ann - Thanks. You're sweet :)

Alex - Isn't that the truth!

Helen - Yes, exactly.

Words Crafter - Burp.

lbdiamond - or tried to :)

Lydia - Exactly. I may steal your words for my new mantra.

Mason - Cool.
Anonymous said…
Wonderful analogy, Carol. Although, now I'm hungry... While there is, every once in a while, a call for the words seeming like a pot of jambalaya, the important aspect is that the cook did that on purpose. Very good reminder for writers to stay aware of their intent as they create.
well then I intend to make the agents and editors drool then eat till they get a belly ache - is that a bad thing - u think they would want more after they recover?
Carol Kilgore said…
Kimberly - Darn, now I want jambalaya. Recipes and planning are important.

Joanna - Uh, maybe serve them smaller portions. Then they'll for sure want more :)
Writer said…
OOHHHHH I wish I had the perfect recipe for the perfect novel :) but definitely, I would love my editor to tell me, "can't wait to read more of this stuff!"
notesfromnadir said…
Good analogy. But I've learned the hard way not to write when I eat as I like a clean keyboard! :)
Hart Johnson said…
Oi! You've caused me a flashback! I've put in my time... I worked for a Microbrewery chain for about 6 1/2 years in my 20s--I really liked it, actually. I was also in grad school for part of it and it let me work physically but keep the brain for school.

So true though, all the steps. It makes me think, too--the KIND of kitchen makes a huge difference on 'prepping and ready to throw together', made to order, sitting and waiting (fast food)--the KIND of thing we're making can sometimes be one, long thoughtful thing before presentation, or can happen in several fast waves (more how I write)
Kathy McIntosh said…
What a delicious analogy, especially since I love to cook, eat and write! Often, slice and dice seems to be what my pages need.
Carol Kilgore said…
Claudia - I'm waiting to hear those words, too.

Lisa - My keyboard is a mess.

Hart - Oh yeah, all kinds of food. From microwave ready to pre-formed patties slapped on a grill to fresh-food-bought-that-morning.

Kathy - On the current draft of my WIP mostly I chopped.
Denise Covey said…
I love your analogy. How true! I do a lot of chopping as I'm too verbose!

I especially came by to thank you for responding to my 'disaster' post. I appreciated your thoughts. I kept my head above water and am now watching the river go down. I am still isolated in the CBD as am surrounded by water and no businesses are operating. Big cleanup about to begin...

BTW I have a Publication Party started on my blog. I'd love it if you could come by and read what authors have to say about getting published. Perhaps you could leave a comment about your aspirations. There are prizes each week. Please come by. The champagne's free!

Denise :)
Carol Kilgore said…
I'm glad you're OK. I saw photos tonight of highrise apartment buildings surrounded by water. Hope you get dry soon.

Can't resist free champagne :)
Anonymous said…
Great analogy. And as chefs we can become creative and come up with something new that is so unique there is someone out there who will say yes!
Carol Kilgore said…
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for that for all of us.

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