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 272: My Bump in the Road.
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 272: My Bump in the Road
I worked on adding and editing two more short stories in Tecumseh Street Stories. The project is moving along. I am polishing both Tecumseh City Limits and Tecuseh Street Stories. They must be in good shape before I start my NaNoWriMo project this year. I would also like to have enough Golden Shovels written to get me through November. I might end 2023 writing these. Enough poems exist in the world that I doubt I would run out of material.
The writing I am doing now isn’t exciting. I’ve lived with these short stories for years. What I am trying to accomplish now is to return to these NaNoWriMo projects from the past and turn them into something that might be worth reading. I have discovered over the years that I never lack things to write about. NaNoWriMo isn’t even much of a challenge. I know what I will write before the first of November rolls around. What I’ve noticed about writers is that we all get hung up somewhere along our writing journey. The bump in the road I encounter is releasing what I’ve written into the world.
The book I am currently reading, and Entry 272: My Bump in the Road
Eldora Welty’s Losing Battles had more twists and turns than a narrow mountain road. The uncle who might have fathered Gloria couldn’t have because of a childhood injury. The introduction of another character, Mr. Dearman, places even more doubt into Gloria’s paternity. The man showed up in Banner and built a sawmill. He cut down all the trees before he disappeared. One-handed, Uncle Nathan admits to killing Dearman by hitting him in the head with a rock. The judge and his wife have been forced to spend the night. Grandma admits that her son might not be the father.
What I’m listening to right now and Entry 272: My Bump in the Road
I listened to The Rolling Stones Through the Past Darkly. This CD covers their early music. Nothing gets the juices flowing like a little Rolling Stones early in the morning.
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!
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