Entry 43: Writing Myself into Oblivion

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 43: Writing Myself into Oblivion.

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 43: Writing Myself into Oblivion

This morning while I was walking, I envisioned how the next five chapters should be written. I have veered so far left from the original story I will be lucky if my word count isn’t over one hundred thousand. As a punster, I don’t typically do outline, especially if it involves paper and pen. The ideas came so fast and furious that I didn’t want them to vanish into thought vapor. That’s what my writing consisted of today. I jotted down my metal notes from my morning walk.

There are days when I wonder if I am wasting my time. I could be doing a million other things, but none of them would bring me the pleasure I get from writing. Rooster thinks I’d get rich if I managed to get my stories published. Wealth and fame have never been up for consideration on my writing journey. I do it because writing has become as much a part of my existence as breathing. I might write myself into oblivion, but I will keep at it until I can’t do it anymore.  

The book I am currently reading right now and Entry 43: Writing Myself into Oblivion

I am close to the end of Alexander McCall Smith’s The Careful Use of Compliments. I should have known that Isabel would have taken up her old habit of interference. Jamie and Isabel take a trip to Jura and discover a painting that resembles the work of the artist of the painting Isabel bid on at the auction. Isabel involves herself with investigating the potential forgery of the paintings. She believes a man went to Jura to copy the famous artist’s work. Jamie worried Isabel’s interference would get her into trouble.

What I’m listening to right now and Entry 43: Writing Myself into Oblivion

I pulled John Mayer’s Heavier Things from the CD rack this morning, and I have enjoyed listening to him for the past year. I wasn’t a big fan of his back when he first started becoming famous. My first encounter with his music came when I was listening to a Pandora station that played the blues. They played one of the cover songs he did of Ray Charles song that I liked. Like like listening to his music now.

The thing I am most thankful for at this moment.

I am thankful I found the pages I thought I lost the other morning because I would be so far behind if I had to go back and rewrite everything I had worked on over the past few days. My goal is to rewrite the entire book by the end of March. I would be so far behind if I hadn’t checked my flash drive.

This old lady says

Sometimes it is a good idea to retrace your steps when facing a problem. The answer to the dilemma can be found where you veered off course in the past. If I hadn’t remembered, I would have spent days trying to reconstruct at least two important scenes. 

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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