Entry 145: Moving the Action Forward

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 145: Moving the Action Forward.

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 145: Moving the Action Forward

I got lost in my morning pages, and when I looked at the clock, it said I’d worked until 1:30 p.m. I made great progress. The problem I fixed meant that the action moved forward in the story. I eliminated needless movement and, at the same time, increased the intensity of each scene. It gave Amazing what she needed to escape the people trying to help her. Amazing believes she can’t trust anyone. I like the way the story is moving along now. This also required me to fix time and space issues in the chapters surrounding the issue I needed to fix. I like this version of Amazing Buchanan and the Beast.

I wrote another Echo Poem but thought I was finished with them. It appears I still may have a few more in me.

The book I am currently reading right now and Entry 145: Moving the Action Forward

I am still reading Elisabeth Lyon’s Manuscript Makeover. The section I am reading concerns past, present, and future tense. She explains how the tense influences the point of view you select to write in. I am finding this book so helpful.

What I’m listening to right now and Entry 145: Moving the Action Forward

Rooster is playing an “Elegant Blues” station on YouTube. I’ve never considered blues elegant, but this station’s instrumentals are awesome. I didn’t feel the need to pull out the headphones.

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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