I’ve never been good about keeping a journal. It all boils down to consistency. There are days when I skip making an entry. Life can crowd out the time I need to write down my thoughts about a day’s events. I’ve also been reluctant to pose as an expert on the writing process. If I knew anything of value about writing, my work would already be in print. I went out on a skinny limb of a tall in 2022 when I shared my 365 days of thankfulness. The exercise forced me to put myself out there with my soft belly exposed. Thank you for joining me on my journey in the written word. Therefore, I plan to keep a journal in 2023 to document my progress. I will call Entry 25: Stuck Between a Rock and Hard Place
Note: I consider editing an important part of the writing process. Editing is where all the artistry happens.
My morning writing before I started entry 25: Stuck Between a Rock and Hard Place.
I needed to do a considerable amount of research this morning. I have been to Louisiana many times, but I’ve never visited Eunice. This small city is where Mazie’s grandparents live. She spent part of her childhood there with them. I needed to understand what this community was about so I could write about it without sounding like a fool because I didn’t look into the place when I wrote the first draft during NaNoWriMo two years ago. I started using two laptops when I write. It is very useful for researching and looking up information without leaving the page where you’re doing your writing.
At the moment, I feel like I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place regarding writing and social media. There are only so many minutes in the day. Sometimes, I get so caught up in what I’m writing that the social media time slips away. Last year, I seemed to work in reverse. I’d get lost reading blogs or retweeting, and my writing time would disappear. I wonder if I will ever manage to find a balance.
The book I am currently reading entry 25: Stuck Between a Rock and Hard Place
I am still reading Alexander McCall Smith’s The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds. The art thief is about to make a move. This book is not an easy read. There is so much deep thought in the pages that a person needs to stop and think about what they have read.
What I’m listening to today while writing entry 25: Stuck Between a Rock and Hard Place
I decided to listen to The Band’s Greatest Hits this morning. This group was once known as The Hawks until they started touring with Bob Dylan in the late 1960s. I thought I couldn’t go wrong by starting my day with songs like The Weight. I’ve always liked the way these guys managed to tell a good story played to music. A lot of creativity can go down in a big pink house. That is especially true when you are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
The thing I am most thankful for at this moment.
Rooster and I took the morning and went out for breakfast. It’s been a long time since we put our work aside and went to a restaurant to share a morning meal. We used to do it at least once a week, but prices have soared, and life has gotten in the way. I am thankful we decided to go out to breakfast this morning. It was good to do something outside of the daily routine.
This old lady says
It is good to step away from what you are doing for a while. A person can come back refreshed and look at the project with fresh eyes. Life is too short to sweat the small stuff, and nobody is paying me a salary for the stuff I do. Have a fantastic day, and don’t forget to take a breath.
Who is Molly Shea?
Molly Shea is an accomplished fictional short story writer from Indiana who writes short stories and novels about a fictional town called Tecumseh. To read more of her short stories and adventures, click here.
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