Preparation is the Key

‘I am a famous writer now’

I chant, and turn the lights down low

I say this daily, for you see

Preparation is the key

‘I am a famous writer now’

Repeating it will make it so

My guru told me that, and he

Says ‘Preparation is the key’

New sharpened pencils, pen and ink

Lined paper, foolscap, white I think

I lay them out in front of me

For preparation is the key

I quote from Chaucer, Keats and Pope

From Shakespeare too, I always hope

Their genius will bring life to me

For preparation is the key

And when the ritual is complete

I’m filled with the enduring heat

And passion of the poets of yore

I still can’t write a novel, for

PREPARATION IS ABSOLUTELY BLOODY USELESS IF YOU’VE GOT NOTHING INTERESTING TO SAY!