Few animals are as humble as the snail. Snails are thought of as ugly, slimy, and foul. A “snail’s pace” is frustratingly slow—a metaphor for making little progress. No one photographs snails. No one goes snail watching. When we see a snail, we look away—or worse, kill it. But there’s more to snails than meets the eye.
Why Should Writers Be More Like Snails?
I have been exploring how Daoist principles can help writers create joyful, productive, and successful writing lives. I see snails as perfectly representing a Daoist lifestyle. Snails can serve especially as symbols of the Daoist Earth Path.
Snails are close to the Earth. They can only move when their bodies lie fully against a surface and are found most often on the ground. They build their shells out of calcium carbonate, which they get from the soil, and they eat decomposing material, which is good for ecosystems.
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The Daoist Earth path is the way of simplicity and humility. Like the snail, writers on this path are grounded and unpretentious. They are steady and solid. They do not not experience writing as a race or competition. They build their shells—their strength and foundation—from the Earth.
Eating decomposing matter may sound disgusting—but you can think of it as taking the old and unsavory experiences of your life, the stuff that isn’t working in the world, and turning it into sustenance. The “snail writer” transforms what is rotten and unpleasant into art.
Moving Like a Snail
How does a snail move? By producing liquid that creates a moist surface to glide over. Becoming patient and slow like a snail can lubricate your writing, making it fluid and supple, enabling you to glide.
A snail’s movement churns up gravel and debris and unearths what lies below the surface. The slow pace of the “snail writer” does the same thing. The writer who soars or skims over material may miss the rich substance underneath. The snail writer brings it up.
Never forget that, while a snail moves slowly, it still gets from point A to point B. “Snail writers” do not try to burn through as many pages in as little time as possible, but they make real progress through steadfastness and patience.
Can you become a “snail writer”? If you can’t imagine such a thing, give it a try for a single day. Allow yourself to write slowly, without striving toward a goal. Patiently churn up what lies below the surface. Be simple and humble. Glide. How does it feel? What does it bring to your writing?
Photo credit: © zaliha yussof | Dreamstime Stock Photos
I like the idea of turning the “decomposing matter” or our lives into art. When I sit down to write I tend to write quickly, but perhaps my snail time is when I walk. I like to walk or even just sit and enjoy the world around me while I mule over a story in my head. When I do this I do feel as though I’m soaking up all the parts of life that others may dismiss and turning it into something new and worthwhile.
You say this so well, Taylor! Mulling over a story while you walk or sit definitely sounds like “snail time” to me! Thank you for commenting.
Thanks, Taylor. Walking and mulling is such a wonderful practice. That’s perfect “snail time”!
I love the way you encourage writers to slow down. I am from the East and have tried the Western way of setting goals for writing and it resulted in burn out and viewing writing as a burden. The eastern way is certainly more fulfilling and less stressful
I agree, Rosanna!