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 218: A Story Cleaner.
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 218: A Story Cleaner
My morning pages consisted of listening to four chapters, deleting several pages I rewrote while moving the story forward, and searching for better sentence phrasing. Amazing Buchanan and the Beast is benefiting from this tedious process. I have become a story cleaner, and I am over halfway finished with the edits on this round. The story is cleaner and moves faster. I hope to finish by the end of August finish date.
I wrote two Golden Sovel poems using a poem by Robert Frost for inspiration. They were harder than I expected to finish. These Golden Shovels take some thought. I need to get back to random stream-of-consciousness pieces. My big issue is time. Rooster and I have taken on a project that is a time suck. It also takes a lot of energy that people our age don’t have an abundance to spare.
The book I am currently reading right now and Entry 218: A Story Cleaner
I started reading Edith Warton’s House of Mirth. Lily Bart runs into Lawrence Seldon at Grand Central Station on a hot September day. She is on a mission. Lily is in the business of marrying a rich man. She must do so to keep her position in New York’s high society. Lily goes to Seldon’s room for tea, which is a mistake because it places her in a bad position. She runs into Simon Rosewood as she is leaving.
What I’m listening to right now and Entry 218: A Story Cleaner
I decided to listen to Dave Matthew’s Band Everyday CD. I always like listening to this guy.
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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