Entry 163: I am Not Getting Any Younger

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 163: I am Not Getting Any Younger.

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 163: I am Not Getting Any Younger

I am halfway through my edits of Amazing Buchanan and the Beast. You would think I would be tired of reviewing these chapters six or seven times before I am satisfied. I am far from tired of this story, but I also want to move on to the second book in this series. That story doesn’t have a storybook element, except for one of the lead characters has a vague resemblance to Cinderella. She isn’t a victim of her family. The reason they keep her in the shadows is for her protection. Prince Charming isn’t very charming but changes as the story unravels.

I still need to find the time to blog. I sometimes feel like I can’t keep up with the posting. The thing is, this year, I committed myself to putting my morning pages first. I realized I’d never get all the editing I needed to finish in my lifetime if I didn’t make those pages my priority. The work won’t get done by itself, and I am not getting any younger.

The book I am currently reading right now and Entry 163: I am Not Getting Any Younger

I am coming to the end of Lady Susan in the collection of short works of fiction by Jane Austen entitled Sandition & Other Stories. I enjoyed experiencing how she weaved the drama in these characters’ lives using letters. People don’t write letters anymore but send emails and texts. In the next book, I will rewrite email plays an important role. I am glad I read how Austen increased the drama in this short work of fiction.

What I’m listening to right now and Entry 163: I am Not Getting Any Younger

I spent the afternoon listening to John Mayer’s ‘Heavier Things.’ Mayer is good at writing romantic songs filled with loss and longing. Those are the emotions I am attempting to create in one of my characters. I will switch what I listen to tomorrow because you can have too much of a good thing,

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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