I’ve never been good at 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 post Entry 141: Editing and New Poetry Style.
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 141: Editing and New Poetry Style
I know change is part of the editing process, but I wish I could work this out on the first go-round. It would save me so much time if my mind worked that way. The story works much better for Amazing to wake up in a tacky pink room without knowing how she got there. She recognizes the guy who entered the bar the night before and thinks Rocky betrayed her. Her first thought is about how she will escape. I like that much better than how I wrote how she got abducted during the rewrite. She must believe Will Chandler is a creep during this part of the story.
I decided to switch poetic styles. The idea of dabbling in Epitaph Poetry sounds interesting. I am making up fake people and writing short poems that might appear on their tombstones. This style of poetry should be fun to play around with, and I hope I can pull it off.
The book I am currently reading right now and Entry 141: Editing and New Poetry Style
In Elizabeth Lyon’s Manuscript Makeover, she talks a lot about the five-part structure of a story. I love how she gives a makeover checklist at the end of each chapter. My goal when this year started became to learn more about editing. This book has helped me move down that road.
What I’m listening to right now and Entry 141: Editing and New Poetry Style
Silence is the background music playing in my house right now. I still have the passing traffic on the street that runs in front of my house, and Rooster is doing his thing in the next stage of our bathroom remodel.
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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