:: “Caving” usually has a preposition after it, specifically the preposition “in.” Most of the time we say “caving in.”

I’m revising my next novel right now. The only way I know how to revise a novel is to completely ignore the rest of the world and immerse into the book. Back when I had no kids and plenty of money (those two things are related) I used to go on a writing retreat at this point in a book’s progress.

Now, I just do retreats at home. A “home retreat” means ignoring social media, most of my other other professional work, the house, eating normal food, and every other responsibility that I can safely ignore without the metaphorical ship completely sinking.

My friend Zane Cottlesworth says that I’m “caving” when I immerse myself like this. I enter a cave and emerge with a book manuscript. The metaphor seemed appropriate. Except now that I think about it, “caving” usually has a preposition after it, specifically the preposition “in.” Most of the time we say “caving in.”

I do not want anything to cave in.

Thus, I’m changing my metaphor to spelunking. I’m spelunking this week. At the bottom of this cave I will find my novel, and then I will return.

Thank you for your patience.

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