Entry 98: Kill Off the Swamp Hag

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 this post Entry 98: Kill Off the Swamp Hag.

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 98: Kill Off the Swamp Hag

I figured out how to kill off my swamp hag in Amazing Buchanan and the Beast this morning. The first step to ending the curse required ending the witch that cast it, or at least my characters used this method in the magic system I’m developing.

I’ve also considered all the elements that should go into this journal writing process. There are some things I need to include to make this journey more interesting since I started this process more for myself in the beginning. I decided to examine all the elements in my life that influenced my writing journey and share them as blog posts because I believe other writers might benefit from my experiences. We all have different processes that lead us to put words on the page. Therefore I plan to add the stuff I dream about and include my adventures at this stage of the game.

The book I am currently reading right now and Entry 98: Kill Off the Swamp Hag

I started reading J.D. Salinger’s Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters, and Seymour an Introduction. This collection of stories is another glimpse of the Glass family. The story begins with Boo-Boo sending her brother Buddy a letter requesting that he attend his brother Seymour’s wedding in New York City. He is the only family member that can go. Buddy asks for leave and shows up for the ceremony. The wedding never takes place, and buddy finds himself on an uncomfortable car ride with strangers who are all mad at his brother. A parade stops the vehicle, and the people inside wait for it to ends.

What amazed me about this part of the story concerned the smoking habits of the car inhabitants. I couldn’t imagine being stuck in a stopped vehicle with a gang of smoke fiends. It appeared normal for these people to light up even with a none smoker and a person suffering from a lung condition sitting trapped with them. Salinger’s writing has so many smoking references. Lighting up in public places was the norm back in the day.

What I’m listening to right now and Entry 98: Kill Off the Swamp Hag

At the moment, I am listening to Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas no, 4,9,10, 19, 20. I found this CD on the reject pile at a local thrift shop. I am so glad that I paid fifty cents to acquire it. Sometimes a little Beethoven in the morning is the perfect way to get your writer’s groove on. This experience happens to be especially true if your muse is missing in action.

What I dreamed last night and Entry 98: Kill Off the Swamp Hag

I never remember all my dreams, but I tend to catch certain elements. I dreamed I was back at my old job, working in a university police office. A small closet appeared that didn’t exist when I had the job. I was busy stashing all the books I’d read into that small space. There wasn’t enough room, and I worried I’d get in trouble for reading. A snowstorm raged outside. People’s car motors froze. They sent me out into the parking lot to repair the engines. I woke up holding one I’d removed in my hand like I was doing some heart transplant. I might mention I worked on a commuter campus. The situation in my dream became critical with the possibility everyone would be stuck there.  

My adventure for the day and Entry 98: Kill Off the Swamp Hag

The only time I went outside was to go to the gym. Rooster and I did our walk and returned home.

The thing I am most thankful for at this moment.

I am thankful that I seem to be catching up with myself. I got behind recently when I had that cold.

This old lady says

The goals I have in life are personal. I’m at the age where I have nothing to prove to anyone but myself. My health is important, so I walk five miles daily, watch what I eat, and avoid bad things like smoking. I enjoy playing with words, so I write stories and poems. Blogging is fun, so I try to post a couple of times daily. I also like to read what other bloggers say about the world. These goals have nothing to do with the rest of the world, but when I don’t work toward them, I feel like I’m falling behind. It’s an illusion. A little game I play by myself.

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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