In “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” Rick Rubin’s book on creativity, he has a chapter where he compares ideas to seeds and also makes a fishing analogy. Mixed metaphors aside, it stuck with me, partly because I am a designer and a fisherman. He says:

As if catching a fish, we walk to the water, bait the hook, cast the line, and patiently wait. We cannot control the fish, only the presence of our line.

and then:

An artist casts a line to the universe. We don’t get to choose when a noticing or inspiration comes. We can only be there to receive it.

This has stuck with me for a few weeks since I read it because I think the analogy is incomplete. An experienced fisherperson doesn't just bait the hook and hope. They look at the water and the terrain, they check for coverage, underwater structure, eddies and riffles in a stream, and insects that are spawning. They take all these observations in and carefully place their bait, hook, fly, etc. There is some wishing and hoping but more so preparation and technique and ultimately putting yourself in a situation to catch a fish.

This is the missing piece of the analogy (and the instructive piece). The artist casts a line, yes, but they do so having prepped and more importantly placed themselves in a position to receive. It’s true, you can’t force the fish to bite, but you absolutely can increase the odds, that is the unsung work of creativity and the missing piece for many.