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 159: It’s Impossible to Keep an Entire Book in Your 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 159: It’s Impossible to Keep an Entire Book in Your Head
During my morning pages, I went back over several chapters of Amazing Buchanan and the Beast. The big challenge right now is to stop fiddling with the changes I already have made. I keep coming across words I need to change and dialogue I need to make stronger. It is a challenge to look at every word, every letter, and every punctuation mark and try to make it all work together to form a whole. The task of holding an entire book inside your head is impossible. That is why I keep an Excel spreadsheet complete with characters and the movements in every scene.
I am lagging with my blog posts. This seems to be a constant struggle when I focus so much time and energy on my morning pages. The writing is the whole point if the novel will ever get done. I need to get a little ahead because Rooster and I will go on vacation soon. The time to sit dawn at a computer won’t happen then.
The book I am currently reading right now and Entry 159: It’s Impossible to Keep an Entire Book in Your Head
I am reading Jane Austen’s Sandition & Other Stories. The Parkers settled in for an extended stay with the Heywoods in Willingden. I am so glad it isn’t a custom today to take people who have trouble with their vehicles into your house. Someone breaks down on our block every week. The Parkers never locate the doctor they came looking for. They take Charlotte, one of Heywood’s daughters, back to Sandition. The people in this seaside town plan to turn it into a resort. Invalids are attracted to the sea air for its healing properties. It becomes clear that the residents have made a few errors when planning their tourist trap.
What I’m listening to right now and
I listen to disc two of John Mayer’s ‘Any Given Thursday.’ The closest thing to live music is putting on one of these CDs that are recorded live and a set of 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.
Be sure to follow Molly on Twitter!