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 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 Entry 116: Writing With My Head.
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 116: Writing With My Head
I went to work editing the first chapter of Amazing Buchanan and The Beast. I searched for ‘ly’ words. Avoided starting every sentence with he, she, or I. Also, I decided to streamline the prologue, sticking to the relevant Chandler family history, and I only hinted at the existence of the curse placed on Will. This use of foreshadowing helped me eliminate the information dump. I can sprinkle parts of it in the story with a saltshaker method. This is when it’s time to write with my head, not my heart. It’s important to create suspense in this story.
The book I am currently reading right now and Entry 116: Writing With My Head
I like how Kate Atkinson moves through the different points of view of the characters in One Good Turn. The writer uses the third person point of view, giving the characters their own chapters. The reader knows without to much explanation which character took center stage. I used this method when I wrote Saving the Henhouse.
What I’m listening to right now and Entry 116: Writing With My Head
I don’t know where Rooster and I got this CD, but I decided to listen to ‘Redneck Favorites’ today. This is a collection of country music performed by different country music artists. I figure I might as well join the neighbor in my music preference. We could engage in dueling country music tunes. An undeclared war is being wagged, people.
What I dreamed last night and Entry 116: Writing With My Head
I don’t remember last night’s full dream, but I retained fragments of the elements. Flashes of a lush garden, a fancy car, a tea set, and playing cards drifted into my mind when I woke up. These images might have to do with a combination of the book I am reading and the show we are binge-watching.
The adventure Rooster and I took and Entry 116: Writing With My Head
Our wild adventure featured a trip to the hardware store.
The thing I am most thankful for at this moment.
I am thankful Rooster found this quick trying caulking that dries fast. This allowed me to shower at home tonight.
The Henhouse Lady says
Sometimes you can find a solution to a complicated problem. All that is required of you is to search hard enough for the answer.
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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