Still writing

My writing has suffered over the past two years, even though I had plenty of time while I recovered from several orthopedic surgeries. The pity-party is officially over now. I have taken to my three blogs, and am teaching a seminar for seniors on how to get started.

I have realized something ( or finally gave in and believed it). My life only works these days if I schedule tasks and appointments on a calendar; a calendar that can automatically remind me of my commitments; a calendar that is shared with the family.

This week, the first full week of February, 2017 is the start of the new focus on all things written!

This means written by me, not written by others and devoured by me! That is my weakness, reading books and manuals by others. That has to stop now.

Recently, a friend mentioned a background similar to mine, in that he was on the road meeting customers for most of his working life.

Interested in writing down some of his stories, he and I spoke briefly about how to start. I am glad that there are other people who have not been able to start writing until later in life, and I look forward to reading some of his stories. (The stories he told me as examples were fascinating, humorous, and sometimes scary. I can't wait to read more.)

After winning NaNoWriMo, on my first attempt, I followed suggestions to put away the manuscript for a period of time before beginning the edit process. Now I'm ready to unwrap those pages, and start all over. I intend to post updates on the editing process, and the frustrations experienced. This should be good!

This has gone on long enough.

I have ignored this blog, whom I will call Wilfred,  through no fault of its own. I now stand before the judgement of the blog.

You know the kind of judgement:

• What is the password?
• Where do I find the darned blog anyway?
• When was the last posting?

In my defense, though I am not sure that it matters. (An old friend once said "Never explain, never complain.)

I volunteer with three different organizations, teach 3 or 4 classes from September through June, have young grandchildren close by, have 3 blogs, and try to write.

This year, I signed up for NaNoWriMo, and was successful in writing a novel over 50,000 words in the month of November. I have come away from that experience with a new focus.

I will commit to you that:

1. I will contribute to this blog on a regular basis
2. I will make it worth your while
3. I will update you on the steps and progress of my revision of the novel

Many thanks for your understanding, dear blog

Alice Munro

I picked up a copy of "My Best Stories" which is a collection of stories by Alice Munro, forwarded by Margaret Atwood. I ashamed to say that, as a consistent reader since my early years, I had not been drawn to Alice Munro.

Some of my in-laws came from the same, Western-Ontario country, and it was a revelation to read (and hear) the voices with the dry, strict interpretation of what life is and how it should be lived. The story about the turkey farm and how the process of getting the birds to market was both magnetic and distracting. It will be some time before I can eat turkey again.

I just sat through a seminar about cumulative sentences and it has inspired me to re-visit the opening scene of my novel (yes, still in progress!).

I have heard from a number of sources that clear and concise writing is what we should aspire to. This seems to lean me in the right direction insofar as Freelance Writing is concerned. However, as I try to write a novel, or novella, I find that I need more tools to get my vision across.

I can take advice from a number of sources but should be able to pick and choose which specific pieces of advice to use--or try to use.

Using cumulative syntax may be a road that I should follow.

Yes, it definitely HAS been a while! However, I feel goog things coming. I am more focused on my novel and think I know what to do next. I promise to update this regularly!!!