Entry 51: Sunshine in February

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 51: Sunshine in February.

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 51: Sunshine in February

All this February sunshine has my fingers running over my laptop keys at a rapid rate. I wrote two chapters this morning. I am happy with this part of Amazing Buchanan and the Beast, and I can’t wait to finish this second draft and start editing. This one might turn into one of my favorite books I’ve written. That’s the way they all feel about all of my book babies when I’m doing the writing. They have such great potential.

I wish Word Daddy would show up this afternoon. I need to write some poetry, and I feel stuck. What I need to do is get started. That’s when the magic starts happening. The one thing I’ve learned on this writing adventure is that you can’t always go with how you feel. Sometimes you have to start from where you are and hope the muse makes an appearance once you place your fingers on the keyboard. With any luck, I’ll have two Blitz poems by the end of the day.

The book I am currently reading right now and Entry 51: Sunshine in February

It was too nice to read today. I’ll spend time with Tolstoy and his Anna Karenina tomorrow.

What I’m listening to right now and Entry 51: Sunshine in February

I decided I wanted to get the lead out, so I put Led Zeppelin’s Mothership on the stereo. That is the nickname we gave IU Bloomington back in the day before I retired. The place was nowhere as cool as Led Zeppelin, but it was in a universe far, far away from the satellite university where I worked. I didn’t do anything important in my job. It was one of those positions most people found irritating, but I  think I lived on the cool side of life because of all the secret parts of me I found too uncomfortable to share.

The thing I am most thankful for at this moment.

I am thankful to have sunshine for my birthday this year. Every February, baby expects cold, snow, or rain on their birthday. This fact was hard for me to accept when I was young since I was born in California. My mother decided to move us to Indiana after my father deserted us. I am very grateful for the sunshine I am experiencing today.

This old lady says

Some days you get rain, and other days you get the sun. Life is a mixture of good and bad. The big secret is to find the beauty in both.

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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