Entry 36: I am in the Funky State of Mind

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 36: I am in the Funky State of Mind.

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 36: I am in the Funky State of Mind.

I have to visit the dentist and have a writer’s group tonight. That means Rooster and I have to split our writing time into segments. Working this way always puts me in a funky state of mind. I feel rushed, and I think my creativity sags.

I did manage to finish chapter 20 and get a good start on chapter 21 of Amazing Buchanan and the Beast. Thee character of Chad Wallace is developing to play a major roll in the story. This character operated in the shadows when I wrote the first draft during NaNoWriMo. He didn’t have much of a voice, but he’s has found one now. He needs to play more of a role in the story because it is written in the first person. His view gives important insight as an educated observer of what is happening with the primary characters. He doesn’t have their baggage and can be more objective.

I started writing Blitz Poems. I forgot how fun they are to create. Sometimes, I get stuck with the rules and can’t remember which word needs to go where. You know what they say about rules being meant to be broken. I don’t care as long as I’m having fun during the writing process.

The book I am currently reading right now and Entry 36: I am in the Funky State of Mind

I am reading Alexander McCall Smith’s The Novel Habits of Happiness. It’s fun to saturate myself with the style of writers I respect. I learn much about how they string words together to create a compelling story when I read someone who does it well. I finished reading one series recently that left me frustrated when I reached the end. It wasn’t that the writer left so many loose ends dangling. I don’t need all everything tied up in a nice tidy bow. Smith certainly has endings where all the questions don’t have tidy answers. I think it comes down to character growth and consistency.

What I’m listening to now and Entry 36: I am in the Funky State of Mind.

This morning, I put The Marshall Tucker Band Anthology: The First 30 years on the stereo. I saw what was left of this group play in the parking lot of a Harley-Davidson dealership in a small city near where I live. The event took place about six years ago. This group created some of my favorite songs during my teen years. I wasn’t very impressed with them now. We all get old and lose steam, but these guys appeared to be wasted. I hope I don’t outlive my creativity.

The thing I am most thankful for at this moment.

I am thankful I could finish most of everything on my very busy day. I managed to get in the morning pages, visit the gym, go to the dentist, and run to writer’s group. I’m behind on my blog posts, but there is always tomorrow. I am grateful I managed to do what I needed before my time ran out.

This old lady says

There are certain things a person can put off doing until tomorrow. The trick is to decide which things can be delayed and which  things need to be done immediately. Then, it would be best to let it go because you are only one person.

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.

Be sure to follow Molly on Twitter!

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Published by henhouselady

I am the author of Saving the Hen House. I didn't know when I started it would turn into a series. I love to ride motorcycles, the blues, my family, and going on adventures. This old hen rocks.

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