Entry 105: Editing Saving the Henhouse

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 105: Editing Saving the Henhouse.

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 105: Editing Saving the Henhouse.

I did some editing of Saving the Henhouse this morning. The people in my writer’s groups picked up on a few things I needed to change to make the chapter I entered flow better. Having other eyes on your work is important to point out the things your mind skips over. This reach for clarity is the biggest advantage of belonging to a writer’s group.

I put Amazing Buchanan and The Beast away for a while. Putting a little distance between yourself and your book is important before editing. It gives the work time to marinate. I’ve been known to put a book away for over a year before I took a second look at it. This time around, I only plan to give it a week or so. Maybe I give it too long hanging out on a flash drive between edits.

The book I am currently reading right now and Entry 105: Editing Saving the Henhouse

I am almost finished with the first read-through of Harmony Kent’s Polish Your Prose: Essential Editing Tips For Authors. I will read this short book a second time for clarity. This work is filled with so much helpful information. I wish I’d come across it when I started this writing journey. Kent explains errors to look for in an easy-to-understand manner. I recommend this book to writers looking to “polish their prose.”

What I’m listening to now and Entry 105: Editing Saving the Henhouse.

I listened to The Who this morning. Somewhere along the way, Rooster and I purchased a 20^th Century Masters collection. This CD is part of the collection.

What I dreamed last night and Entry 105: Editing Saving the Henhouse.

I had a dream last night that made no sense at all. I was at a place where a group made Christmas ornaments and sang carols. We exited the stage, and a man suggested we move into a dark, smokey closet. I didn’t like the looks of the place, so I didn’t enter. This dream is the second one I’ve had about a closet. In the first one, I was shoving books into the small space in the office where I used to work. The closet didn’t exist when I worked there.

The adventure Rooster and I took and

We made it to the gym. Walking is a part of our daily adventure. We try to make the gym six days a week.

The thing I am most thankful for at this moment.

I am thankful it was warm enough that I didn’t need to wear a coat today. That may not seem important, but I didn’t have to lug that large piece of clothing around. We didn’t need to find a locker at the gym to stick it in while we walked.

This old lady says

It’s always a good idea to travel light. I hate having more stuff than I need. This idea is also a good way to look at life. Before buying something, ask yourself if the item will be a blessing or become a burden that clutters your life.

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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