MJ Wallace

Since childhood, I have been an avid reader of children’s books. As an author of children’s books myself, I still read them frequently to this day! I can honestly say that Theodor Seuss Geisel (more commonly known as Dr. Seuss) inspired my love of whimsical, creative, and fun storytelling. I’m honoring him today, March 2nd—not only on his 120th birthday, but also on National Read Across America Day!

The imagination and sense of rhyme possessed by Dr. Seuss were truly a gift, and I would be hard pressed to think of any of my contemporaries who were not equally affected and encouraged by the ease with which he connected with children worldwide through his stories. I recently learned some fun facts about the prolific writer that I would love to share with you all as we celebrate his incredible legacy of creativity.

Dr. Seuss (image shared from Britannica)

Seuss graduated from Dartmouth College and then went on to study English Literature at Oxford, but changed his mind and became a cartoonist (for this, I am grateful). Dartmouth then awarded him an honorary doctorate. This is where the “Dr.” came from. Apparently, Seuss intended to write the Great American Novel one day, so he penned the moniker “Dr. Seuss” in order to save his real name for that momentous occasion. Out of all stories he wrote, only four of the books he published were written in prose (that is, using normal grammar and not some sort of poetry structure with a cadence).

Allegedly, a publisher challenged Seuss to “write me a story that first-graders can’t put down!” He was so concerned about kid’s learning to read, that he wrote The Cat in the Hat, and the rest is, well, KidLit history! Dr. Seuss received three Emmys, three Grammys, a Peabody Award and a Pulitzer Prize… it’s obvious that I’m not his only fan!

As a writer for children, I have always ascribed to the belief that one should never condescend to children. Quite often, they are a lot smarter than we give them credit for and deserve to learn from adults in a nurturing way. I draw inspiration from Seuss’s own words: “I don’t write for children, I write for people. Once a writer starts talking down to kids, he’s lost. Kids can pick up on that kind of thing.” Horton the Elephant expresses it best when he says, “A person’s a person no matter how small.” Dr. Seuss certainly understood the importance of instilling a sense of kindness from a very early age—with over 60 books to his credit, and a worldwide readership, I would venture to say that Dr. Seuss most certainly understood what it meant to write well for all people.

As a querying author, I am heartened by his “stick-to-itiveness”. His first book, And to Think I saw It on Mulberry Street, was rejected 27 times. Regardless, his many books and subsequent movies continue to be widely enjoyed, with The Grinch Who Stole Christmas being adapted numerous times. It would be nearly impossible for one to choose just one book they love most! My favorite? Well, I’ll have to ponder that while I munch on some Green Eggs and Ham.

While the original plans that Dr. Seuss had didn’t seem to pan out the way that he intended, the path that he was placed on became a tremendous gift to many—myself included! His illustrious career is a reminder that great things can happen when we don’t plan them for ourselves, indeed especially when we don’t plan them for ourselves. When I find myself feeling discouraged about a plan or vision of mine falling through, I can reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. Seuss and think to myself, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go.”

Please join me in celebrating National Read Across America Day today by picking up your favorite Dr. Seuss book! I thank you indeed, Mr. Geisel, for being such an inspiration to us all!

My heart is filled with joy! My family’s 2023 Christmas celebration is in the books, and a wonderful time was had by all! I’m happy to report that my perspective of “loving intentionally” was well maintained. Now does that mean that there were no cookie decorating mishaps, white elephant kerfuffles, or “where is everyone going to sleep” queries? Of course not! Our final tally was 33 peeps—how could these possibly be avoided? The upside of this year’s chaotic, exhilarating, absolutely, joyous celebration was a handful of happy revelations as yet another generation takes part in the festivities. Do we plan to host Family Christmas 2024, you may ask? A rousing “YOU BETCHA”, is our answer! Why, it’s only ten days out, and we’re already excitedly planning for next year!

Now that a third generation is able to partake in the fun, we’ve come full circle with the “littles”, now ranging in age from 4 years all the way down to 2 months. These youngsters naturally bring noise and messiness with them wherever they go (whether that means licking utensils mid cookie decorating or wreaking havoc on the toy bin), but we have the “middles” who now step up to help. Our dear sixteen-year-old nephew initiated (along with the help of several other nieces & nephews) a surprise toy clean-up in the basement that made our post-event efforts so much easier!

When it was time for the main meal that’s set in the middle of this three-day extravaganza, there were many dishes to be warmed (we’re talking a full microwave, oven, and toaster ALL at once), and lots of coordination to be had. My dear sister-in-law (truly my sister) stepped in and took control of managing all the prep so that I was able to enjoy our time together without freaking out. Yet another gift of selflessness allowing me to more fully experience the joy of this special time with family! 

During our second night in, I quietly stated, “I’m just too tired to clean this up (referring to our dessert and beverages). I’ll worry about it in the morning after church, choir and the Sunday morning food prep.” My beloved mother-in-law (and dear friend who’s just shy of her 86^th birthday) stepped in and said that she would take care of everything because she just “couldn’t stand to let me deal with this mess in the morning.” Let me tell you, my Sunday morning felt truly blessed thanks to Mom’s hard work, everyone who chipped in to help, and a willing coffee fairy who made sure we all stayed caffeinated. I was again struck by the fact that someone’s sacrifice allowed me to experience joy, a poignant reminder for the reasons we host this party for others in the first place!

One of the biggest struggles at Christmas 2023 was deciding where to put everyone when it was finally time for bed. We’re a late-night game-playing clan, so we were quite tired when it was finally time to figure out sleeping arrangements. In past years, we had carpeted floors from top to bottom, but this year the main floor is hardwood. My husband and I had concocted a rudimentary sleeping floor plan weeks in advance, but it naturally fell apart once we tried to put it into effect at 2am. Enter two of the “middles” (our twenty four year old daughter and nephew—partners in crime since infancy) who swooped into to save the day… or should I say night! They approached the logistical puzzle with a youthful verve, patience and logic, thus landing on the perfect solution for everyone at our “inn.” A good night’s sleep was therefore had by all (except for maybe the two teens on the leaky air mattress, sorry boys), and the following day was so much better because of their timely help!

I’m sure you’re starting to see the trend here. All of this intergenerational collaboration is honestly not something I had previously considered and yet, THIS is what our wonderful annual event is all about; THIS is why I’ve already started planning for next year’s party only a week after our time together has concluded; THIS is why, Lord willing, Family Christmas 2024 will include more family. With two more newly-announced babies announced on their way, an additional nephew with a Christmas engagement recently announced, and several beloved family members who couldn’t make it this year, I’m looking forward to even more joy, Joy, JOY!

Truth be told, our precious & joyful annual celebration helps remind me to view life through an all-encompassing perspective of LOVE—not only our love for each other, but HIS love for us.

I’m wishing you all a spectacular and love-filled New Year!!!

Every year for the last twenty years or so (with the exception of one during Covid, which we celebrated virtually as best we could), my family has hosted a three-day family Christmas celebration in our home. When I say three days, I’m talking Friday afternoon through Sunday evening. This joyous event includes two sleeps in a packed house, and a whole lot of festive fun, food, and fellowship. Our extended family (and whomever they’d like to bring along) who haven’t seen one another for awhile, gather together to enjoy everything from goodies and games, to caroling and crafts. At times, Family Christmas can be a bit of a free-for-all, and over the years it’s sometimes felt as though we were cleaning up round one just to turn around and set up for round two, with no time to enjoy (or even breathe, for that matter).

When many of the children were young, this tradition became very overwhelming. It was after one such chaotic gathering during those early years that my husband and I sat down to do what I like to call a “perspective check”. After much discussion, we pinpointed that we needed to decide what was more important to us: a neat and clean house, or precious time with the people we love. It would seem that such a decision should be a no-brainer; but, lo and behold, we discovered it was more than that. We needed to completely let go of the one to fully embrace the other.

And so we did just that.

We decided that we would do just enough to facilitate the smooth running of the event (which by the way, never runs “smoothly”—how could it, with so many people in the mix) and intentionally turn our focus toward enjoying time with our loved ones. I can honestly say that this was one of the best decisions we have ever made, because it freed us from self-imposed shackles. No one asked for perfection, and quite frankly, how could that even be obtained with twenty to thirty wonderful, loud, loving, and crazy human beings camped-out together in one home for a long weekend? It all came down to our chosen perspective, which allows us to more fully experience joy. 

I am now mid prep for Family Christmas 2023 coming up this weekend (the current attendance tally is 32 and growing). I remind myself to apply the above perspective to all my preparation for the event as well. Making lasagnas, egg casseroles, and three different types of chili for thirty people is a tall order, but for me it’s a labor of love. My “perspective check” rendered laborious tasks joyful, which in turn has fostered a delicious sense of anticipation for the beautiful time I will get to share with my family.

As I cook, I am greatly encouraged by a story that my son shared with me just this past year. My daughter in law was feeling under the weather and commented on how much she would love some lasagna. When my son offered to go out to get her some, she clarified that she only wanted my lasagna because it was made with love. More recently, my daughter who also lives away from home, texted me a picture of a polished-off pan of lasagna I sent home with her after Thanksgiving, along with the note: “Thank you so much for the lasagna Mama!!! I’m getting sick and it’s the perfect comfort food :)” For me, that is what it’s all about. I won’t focus on how good everything tastes (although this is still a very important factor), but rather that I intentionally made it with love (okay, and a little extra ricotta). 

This new perspective guides my writing endeavors as well—I am far more inclined to write continuously and, well… well! Am I meant to view my writing as a chore, or as a creative opportunity to share my words with others? Ultimately, my goal is to be a published author whose books positively affect young readers, but if I were to consider only the complete execution of this goal as a success, then I’m guessing I would’ve hit a dead end long ago. Instead, I am filled with excitement as I type every word (ok, maybe not every single word) of this holiday blog post, which isn’t necessarily directly tied to my primary passion for creative storytelling catered to youngsters. I am once again struck by the fact that life can feel richer than I could ever imagine depending upon the perspective through which I intentionally choose to view my efforts.

Well, it’s about time for me to cheerfully sign off! It’s now T-minus two days until festivities begin, and I still need to make a few pans of lasagna and write another chapter or two. I’ll catch you on the flip side with Part 2 of this blog, to be written post Family Christmas 2023. After all, it’s easier written than said!

Have a blessed Christmas and a joy-filled new year!

Aftereffect (noun)

an effect that follows after the primary action of something.

NaNoWriMo is the gift that keeps on giving. To be more accurate, it’s the write that keeps on writing… Every year that I participate in NaNoWriMo, I find there are several marvelous aftereffects, regardless of whether I’ve actually penned 50,000 words during the month of November, or not. This year, my post NaNo buzz words are: Accountability, Access, Activation and Answers. These words allow me to continue to write well beyond the month of November, and have inspired in me a newfound practice this year. My writing partner and I have decided to continue our National November Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) experience by initiating Every Month Writing Month, or “EmoWriMo”, if you will. Hopefully, these NaNo aftereffects will continue to inspire many in the same ways they have me.

Accountability has become the backbone of my newly-inspired urge to write. My writing buddy and I have already begun concocting a schedule that spans the entire year. We plan to write together once a week (at the very least) while also working on our own, and meeting up to check each other’s progress and give some encouragement. We do not view this schedule as a chore, but instead have discovered a newfound joy—a renewed zest—for writing, thanks to #NaNoWriMo2023!

Access to both old and new ideas, my previous writing process, and additional resources have provided me with the material to support this new zeal for putting word to paper. The flexibility of the NaNoWriMo experience encourages delving into these very topics while simultaneously tracking word count. Also, continuity is a given when November 30^th arrives, and participants are better prepared to proliferate new behaviors (or renewed behaviors) having taken part in this month-long adventure.

Activation is essential to NaNoWriMo success. Again, this applies whether one achieves the 50,000-word goal or not. If a writer participates in the event, they are at the very least, hoping to reignite those instincts that lead them to become an author in the first place. Ideally, once activated, this pathway will remain open and writers will continue on their quest to share their stories with the world through written word.

Answers are perhaps the loveliest aftereffect of NaNoWriMo. When writing is your schtick, questions constantly abound. Am I good enough? Will people read this? Could I use a better word here? Is an Oxford comma the same thing as a serial comma? On and on and on…

To be honest, all of these questions aren’t actually answered, but participating in NaNoWriMo has given me the courage to forge onward in my writing endeavors nonetheless. The answers I receive in their stead comprise the very emotions needed to propel me in this crazy, gut-wrenching, absolutely fabulous pursuit—getting my words into the precious hands of an avid reader who can be inspired by what I have to say. I am now bold and courageous in my quest, and I have NaNoWriMo to thank!

It is my ardent hope that all my fellow #NaNoWriMo2023 participants are spurred on in their writing pursuits and better equipped to carry on this experience clear through 2024!

Every writer has a process—a plan of attack, if you will. Stories are a delicate thing that must be intricately woven together, and (much like a tapestry) there is more than just one way to design and style them. For example, many authors map out their entire story (including the ending), then circle back to flesh out each chapter; others simply start writing stream-of-consciousness style, letting the creative juices flow, editing only after the first draft of their manuscript is complete; some start with just the ending in mind, and let their characters find their path to those final pages; and the list goes on and on.

It’s important to note that no single technique is better than another. Despite each and every individual author’s unique approach to creativity, style and writing process, the end result is the same: a completed manuscript (that will undoubtedly be edited 9,000 times before it’s truly finished). However, there is something extremely satisfying about discovering the inner workings of one’s creative process. I believe that developing a better understanding of how you work and create allows you to produce higher quality art (in this case, stories).

Some famous authors (Ken Follett, for example) like to plot out and outline the entire work and then go back, adding characters and storylines to flesh it out more fully. This method is great for writers who like to get their ideas organized and down on paper right away, making it easy for them to fill in the blanks with details and content later. Most authors who take this approach have a clear vision and general idea of how their story will end.

Other wordsmiths embrace the idea of stream of consciousness writing (Virginia Woolf is a renowned example). By simply letting ‘er rip, and writing continuously without any editing as they go (including grammar and punctuation), their rough draft is often a snapshot of raw ideas. These authors prefer the purely creative flow of words without distraction from proper grammar, page breaks, or formatting of any kind. Once the writer has completed their first draft, they will then go back and edit the details and grammar.

In my writings, I’ve discovered that deciding the project’s name comes first and foremost.  There is no story to be told without a title… but once I have the title, I can see it all in an eye-blink. A great title truly inspires me to write a great story. In fact, I apply this “title first” approach to most everything I write: novels, picture books, emails (sometimes), and even this blog post! I’ve always had a knack for coming up with jingles, taglines (often for others), and branding. This affinity for quickly procuring a name, a tagline or a pitch has served me well over the years.

After landing on an appropriate name, I then use a patchwork of the previously mentioned approaches to weave my words into the tapestry of a story. I usually outline most of the manuscript in my head and then just start writing; however, no matter what, it’s essential to have the title first so I am inspired to continue. For me, it truly is ALL in the name!

So, what about you? What’s your process in creating a masterpiece?

Hey Folks!

The novel, I mean the moment… okay the novel moment we’ve been waiting for is here! NaNoWriMo—or National November Writing Month—is upon us, and those of us who signed up have committed to writing a grand total of 50,000 words between 11/1 and 11/30. If you do the math, this comes out to approximately 1,667 words each day! Unless you’re like me and the whole clan is coming home for Thanksgiving week… then it’s 2,174 words I need to write daily.

Although we “NaNoWrimers” have signed up, logged in, and are ready to hit the road and earn badges, I thought it would be fun to share here on my blog to stay accountable, So, without further ado, as I sharpen pencils, charge up my laptop, and make gallons of coffee, I wish you all a productive & joyous journey!

November 1st — The Adventure Begins

My Itinerary

Timeline

11/1/22 thru 11/30/22

Trip Length

50,000 words

Destination

A completed first draft of my new novel!

My Strategy

D – design a game plan

My one unchanging priority will be to write everyday… no matter what. I will also make time to adjust my schedule if I need (like shifting days away from Thanksgiving week or doubling up on words for a rainy day). I will aim to work from my writing desk each day, but I will find a change of scenery if I need some fresh inspiration!

D – do set goals

My goal is to achieve my minimum of 2,174 words per writing day. On top of that, if I get behind, my goal will be to not get behind by more than one day!

D – dedicate time to write

For the sake of consistency, I’m gonna shoot for writing at the same time each day in the mid-mornings. That way, if something comes up, I’ll be able to pivot my writing time to the evening.

D – decide what to write

I am committed to writing a first draft of my new novel!

My Tools

Laptop, reading glasses, a big pot of coffee, loads of self discipline, a writing mindset, and FOCUS (okay, and maybe a glass of wine or two).

My Twitter Legend:

👎 – Didn’t write at all today

👍 – Wrote less than my daily word count goal

👌 – Met my daily word count goal

👏 – Exceeded my daily word count goal

🦃 – Thanksgiving week, scheduled time off!

At the end of each day, I will tweet one of these five emojis with #NaNoWriMo and #DailyProgress to check-in and keep myself accountable. Follow my twitter @MJWallace1963 to follow along!

This month I’m definitely counting on my tagline “easier written than said” because I sure can talk a mile a minute. Time to put my money where my mouth is… I’ll catch you you on the flip side!

(check back at the end of the month for an update on my progress!)

November 30th — The Adventure Concludes

That’s a wrap! I hope you enjoyed your “journey” as much as I did! I promised that I would post a brief NaNoWriMo update: I finished strong, just shy of 50,000 words! I DID write consistently and I was able to create new writing practices that helped me hash out most of one novel, write a contest piece, and greatly revise another WIP!

A wonderful aftereffect of this trip is my renewed desire to continue to write daily, write with focus, write well, and write with joy! Therefore, I consider NaNoWriMo 2022 to have been a smashing success, and I sincerely thank everyone involved with putting this event together.

I offer a resounding WELL DONE to you all, and thanks for following along!

With Labor Day around the corner, I got to thinking about the word labor and what it means. The idea behind Labor Day originally comes from labor unions, who proposed the holiday for the purpose of celebrating their hardworking members and providing a well-deserved break. Although the idea was first introduced in September of 1882, it wasn’t until June 28^th, 1894 that Labor Day was finally approved as a federal legal holiday on the first Monday of September. The rest is, well… history!

In anticipation of Labor Day, I found myself contemplating the definition of the word labor. It actually has four definitions according to Merriam Webster (there are more, but I will only comment on a few for the sake of brevity). What I discovered is that every definition involves an element of love.

Labor (/ˈlā-bər/) verb

1 : to exert one’s powers of body or mind especially with painful or strenuous effort
2 : to move with great effort
3 : to suffer from some disadvantage or distress
4 : to be in labor of giving birth

As a writer, the concept of labor is quite a familiar one. If you’ve ever put pen to paper in an attempt to author a piece of work, I don’t have to tell you: writing is indeed a tremendous labor of love. An author gives birth to a new creation! So many expressions in the writing world center around the word work; you’ve got your WIP (work in progress); there’s the working story, and even when you’re finished, your manuscript is referred to as a body of work. From every angle, writing involves labor in the form of researching information, writing, revising (numerous times), researching editors, querying agents, submitting drafts… (rinse & repeat, ad nauseam). This writing thing is indeed laborious, and you’ve really gotta love it in order to get your work out there.

This idea is indeed paralleled by our everyday lives; all of us labor daily in one way or another. Perhaps, you commute to and from your workplace or worksite (braving traffic, weather, & construction), where you put in several hours of hard work to earn a living and support yourself and your family. Maybe instead, you work remotely to do the same thing, but trade the tedious commute for juggling household responsibilities and childcare between meetings. Or, you may have chosen to work as a stay-at-home parent, where you care for the children you love dearly (but who—let’s be honest—render you exhausted by day’s end). Regardless of your unique situation, each requires that you exert your powers of body and mind with considerable effort. No matter whether you leave the house for a job, work remotely, are in the midst of raising a family, or something else entirely—your labor too, is a labor of love.

Finally, I look to the birth, life, death, and resurrection of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ as the most profound labor of love! I honestly can’t even hear the phrase without thinking about the distress that Jesus endured. He did all the work for me. As God himself, He went through the labor of childbirth, lived a life of extreme love, and ultimately labored the cross in sacrificial love! He bore my sins (of which there are a plenty) in the most complete, pure, and undeniable labor of love ever to occur.

“No greater love is there than this, than to lay down one’s life for a friend.” John 15:13

This Labor Day, I choose to celebrate love, the lifeblood of all labor and the greatest motivator of all. Happy Labor Day to you all—thank you for your hard work!

After several canceled trips—including a thrice postponed trek to Israel—my husband and I decided to try our luck and plan an excursion to New Mexico. As the trip approached, parts of the state became ablaze with early, unexpected, and extreme wildfires. After some heated debate (no pun intended) we decided to go for it! I researched any and all things pertaining to wildfire preparedness leading up to our departure, knowing all too well that travel plans can (and do) change at the very last minute. I soon discovered that the alert system in place for New Mexico, and in fact the entire nation, is called “Ready, Set, Go!” This got me thinking: these three words, when put together, could apply not only to my trip, but to my writing and even life in general!

1. Ready

Prepare Now: Be aware of the hazards that can threaten your community.

With regard to our trip, “ready” meant familiarizing myself with possible situations, preparing myself for cancellations (at any point), equipping to adjust itineraries at a moment’s notice, and monitoring the news. As a writer, to be ready means adapting to the ever-changing publishing world and being prepared to revise, rework, and even restart. As far as my life (as a Christian) is concerned, this stage reminds me that I need to be ready for when God decides to call me home. I must live for Him, because it could happen at any time.

Ready: Keep up to date on local news, weather watches, weather warnings, and public health recommendations.

2. Set

Be Alert: Know there is significant danger in your area.

For the trip, this translated into us living out of our suitcases as opposed to unpacking everything as usual. This way we were “set” to go immediately, if needed. I also wanted to avoid being a hindrance to the hotel employees who would need to quickly get to their families and homes. Writing wise, I see the idea of “set” as impetus to continually be writing, revising, reading, and researching. It’s important for me not to become stagnant but continue to move forward regardless of rejections, “writer’s block” or time constraints. My manuscripts need to be fully completed and polished in the event that an agent request comes in. As far as my perspective on life goes, this stage warns me that sin presents me with numerous temptations and I must be intentionally “set” in my pursuit of Jesus, the way that I live, and how I treat those around me. After all, if I claim to be a follower of Christ, I’d darn well better behave accordingly and most importantly LEAD with LOVE!

Set: This might be the only notice you receive. Emergency services cannot guarantee they will be able to notify everyone if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Be SET to GO.    

3. GO!

Evacuate: Danger in your area is imminent and life threatening.

Trip wise, “Go” makes it clear we would have to leave NOW, as our very lives may be at risk. While it was my hope it wouldn’t come to this on our trip, we knew what to do if the notification came. On the other hand, this stage relates to my writing in that my manuscripts (and me!) must be ready to GO immediately when a publisher wants to move forward. Finally, when it comes to life, I know that the time WILL come when I’m called to go home—it could be in 30 years or in 30 seconds—and we get just one shot. Regardless of the timing, I rest in the fact that God has a plan.

Go: If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand emergency services may not be able to assist you further.

I’m happy to report that the trip went swimmingly! We had a lovely time visiting the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque and seeing centuries-old petroglyphs, watching glassblowing experts work their craft live in a Sante Fe gallery, and visiting the breathtaking Rio Grande gorge bridge in Taos (check out my instagram for pics). However, we never forgot to be ready & set to go at a moment’s notice. While I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and property caused by the New Mexico wildfires, I am thankful for this reminder. Truly, a mindset of “Ready, Set, Go!” applies perfectly to so many aspects of life. What does the alert system cause you to ponder? What areas of life are you feeling unprepared in? Are you Ready & Set to GO when He calls you home?

Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to commend the brave firefighters and emergency personnel who run toward these wildfires as we run away from them; they are a courageous, self-sacrificing group of men and woman to whom I am profoundly grateful! Please feel free to join me in donating to help those affected by this natural disaster by following this link.

Never in my life have I used the excuse, “the dog ate my homework”. Have I been tempted to? Yes, of course! I’ve just never actually had the guts to say it (whether it be for fear of lying to my teachers–or more likely, not wanting to portray my sweet pup in a poor light).

That all changed when I began editing my middle grade novel.

Now, I am more than happy to command, “Chow down, Rizzo!” I begged. I pleaded. “Please eat my manuscript, Rizzo. Get it out of my sight!” As you can see, he seems to be asking my permission to do just that, right?

If I’m lucky, my dog just might eat my homework!

He didn’t try to take a nibble… he didn’t even attempt to sniff it! Perhaps I’m imagining all this because I’m hoping that he’ll eat it and then I won’t have to keep “tightening up” my novel!

One thing is for sure–this editing thing is hard!

No matter when or how you choose to do it, editing is never an easy step of the writing process. I’ve been told many times that I should just “let the words flow” when I first sit down to write. “Don’t worry about grammar, wording, or typos,” they say. By the way, who are they… and how come they know so much about my writing habits/needs/practices?

I digress.

Anyway, I’ve never been relaxed enough to just completely let words flow. I think that a person’s writing style matches their personality quirks. For example, I tend to be a teensy bit too uptight to just ‘let-er-rip’ when it comes to my writing. As with most things in my life, I’m always trying to get done today, that which could truly be done tomorrow. Then–when I do start writing–there inevitably seems to be ebbs in the “flow” of my words as I hop back to add a comma or change a character’s comment. On occasion, it even feels as though my characters are telling me to do this.

Essentially, I guess the proverbial ‘they‘ have gotten into my head, but my intrinsic need to to “fix things on-the-spot” prevails in the end. Thus, no matter how hard I try, I always unconsciously perform edits as I go. Funny thing is: even with constantly overthinking each word and contemplating every little detail of a sentence, it still doesn’t make the revision process any easier or quicker. No matter how strategically you approach the editing step, there only seems to be one consistent outcome…

Revise, revise and edit once more!

P.S. – Rizzo never did eat the manuscript. I edited it. It was painful, and it took quite awhile–but you know what? Looking back, I am so grateful for process. It was all worth it!

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#Dog #Puppy #Author #AmEditing #AmQuerying #WritingCommunity #TheDogAteMyHomework #Details #MiddleGrade