Whenever I undertake a history project, I end up living in two time frames – the past and the present.
Since beginning this project 10 days ago, I’ve lost the present. Tuesday is Thursday; Wednesday slipped by and Friday was a surprise.
So now it’s Monday again. A whole week has faded into something other than a memory. I haven’t thought anything about the present. I’ve read books – other than the ones I review - but have nothing to share about them.
Instead, I’m thinking about the time period I’m writing about, and I’m spending time with people who don’t exist, in situations that have already happened.
Maybe this week, I’ll work out the dichotomy between the past and the present. Between what’s in my head and what actually exists in the current time frame.
Therein lies the answer.
Comments