Entry 165: Rambling and Editing

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 165: Rambling and Editing.

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 165: Rambling and Editing

Okay, I’ve had to shuffle and rewrite the last three chapters. The reason for this involved Amazing’s escape attempt happening before the small party. That move meant other elements of the plot needed to be rearranged. I like the movement in this part of Amazing Buchanan and the Beast. The same elements existed in the rewrite, but the events fall at different times. The edit has moved into chapter 32. The halfway mark is up ahead of me, and I am still not bored.

I wrote a few poems yesterday, but I still have a long month ahead and want to go on vacation. It feels like I am always playing catch-up regarding these blog posts. They are still fun to write, but I worry I am not saying anything useful or worth reading. The life lessons I am posting are more or less ramblings that don’t have much planning behind them.

The book I am currently reading right now and Entry 165: Rambling and Editing

I am reading The Watsons by Jane Austen. It is one of the small works of fiction included in Sandition & Other Stories. Austen never finished the story. It appears that she wrote it and forgot about it. Maybe the story hit too close to home. Every writer has these projects they’d rather not have anyone look at. I have an entire collection on a flash drive.

What I’m listening to right now and Entry 165: Rambling and Editing

I am listening to a CD by Patti Smith called ‘Come Again.’ I find the music eerie. This day is one of those days when I want to listen to that sound. The music rambles through my ears.

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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