I love most aspects of the writing process, including editing. The magical inspiration that strikes when you least expect it. Getting to know the characters. And even more, seeing how the story develops because no matter what, the path I have planned is always changed because the characters want to go in a different direction.
Into the Editing Cave
A writer’s life is cyclical in nature. We have the shiny new idea phase, followed by the first draft, followed by self-edits (multiple rounds), then it is sent away for someone else to look at and give feedback on, and then it’s back into the editing cave (these last two steps can happen multiple times), it goes to a proofreader, then (hopefully) one more go round and we have a product we can take pride in.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Hello 2022. So happy to see you. January 1 is always a day of great expectations for a new year. A page turned where we can put the past behind us and look forward to a full 365 days in which to make a mark. The mark I’m shooting for this year is joy and success. I’ve never been big … Read More
It’s the Little Things
At some point in life, we reach the stage where we gain a true appreciation for the small things or events in life. While some of the big things in life give us good memories to hang on to, it is the small things in the day to day grind that help elevate our mood and make our heart sing.
What a Difference a Week Makes
Last week this time, my head was so fuzzy, I couldn’t think straight, I spent the bulk of the day in bed because of the fatigue levels, I had had a reaction to the chemo the day before and generally felt crappy.
The New Regime
I have been on the new oral chemo protocol for a month now, and things are going along okay. Do I have any side effects? Yep. But it would be a rare thing if I didn’t react in some way to these drugs. The worst of it is shortness of breath going up and down the stairs or if I … Read More
Story Monsters Ink Summer Reading Guide
When things are not exactly going smoothly, a bit of positive news is even more welcome than ever. And to be candid, with all months of testing I have been going through, and the results to those tests that once again put my world into a tail spin, learning that 7th Grade Revolution was featured in the July 2021 issue … Read More
The Winding Road Ahead
This is not a post I wanted to write. As the United States was falling into the rabbit hole of the pandemic in February/March of 2020, I was finishing up a six month cycle of chemotherapy. A cycle where we had high hopes for a long remission and perhaps a return to some sort of normalcy. Not that ANYONE had … Read More
Time Flies – Except in the Chemo Chair
PHOTO BY JORDAN BENTON Phew!! Time has been flying by so fast, I cannot keep up … with anything. I had good intent to keep everyone updated as to my progress through this round of chemo, but managed one post after Cycle 1, Day 1, and here is it a new year and I have completed Cycle 4, Day 3 … Read More
Speak No Evil: Look Behind the Mask
Masks. We all wear them. The different faces we present while in different circumstances … the work mask, the home mask, the party mask, etc. Societally, we are so accomplished at masking ourselves, we often don’t realize we’re wearing one. A physcial mask allows you to hide who you are, providing a sense of anonymity and an unbridled freedom to … Read More
Thrills, Chills, and Oblivion – Chemo Day 1
Chemo Round 2, Cycle 1, Day 1 The image of the roller coaster is an apt description of how yesterday went. I normally try to get my chemo updates done same day, but by the time I made it home I was well and truly exhausted. The day started early because of the 0800 start time. The staff and I … Read More
Speak No Evil: Fear
What is it about fear? It shapes and molds us, makes decisions on our behalf, builds obstacles and then throws them in our path. It puts up walls and encapsulates us in a prison of our own making. Fear wields an almighty power over our lives … because we allow it. The result of fear is a life half lived. … Read More