Editing

I'm always surprised to find that it's been weeks since I last posted. I do have a good excuse--or not. I have been editing.

I am quite surprised to learn that editing seems to take ten times as much time and effort as the original writing did.

I must once again praise my housemate who serves as my editor. She is gentle and kind and yet very direct. Did I mention she has taught English? She has helped to guide me as I cut pages and expanded ideas that were not completely fleshed out.

I must also say that God has proved to be very cooperative in this process. I have not heard objections as I have cut dialog. (Most of which was not pertinent to the book.) God has also added dialog as needed as well. So, all in all--the editing process is much like our normal dialogs.

I have completed five chapters, some 57 pages. These pages are fully formatted and would be ready for the publisher.

I am currently working on Chapter 6 and hope to have it completed before the end of January. Please keep in mind as it is currently written it is 45 pages. Most likely it will get broken down into smaller chapters. We shall see.

I would like to think I'm working on the final draft of the book, but that is not realistic. But once this draft is completed. I will read through it all again to see if it flows properly. My editor will as well and we'll go from there.

Now as to my personal life. There are many who want to know if I am dating anyone. And while I could answer that it's none of your business, the simple truth is that I am not. I have concentrated on my personal growth and the editing of the book.

For the longest time, I didn't think it would be possible to live the intent of this book and have enough energy to devote to a relationship. I have come to rethink that. This has much to do with deep inner work I have done over the last few months. So I will tell you this: one of my intents for next year is to have a meaningful relationship.

That statement is far too short for all that it involves. I have not come up with the exact intent, as I haven't decided exactly what it is that I'm looking for. Much of my thought process has been about what I don't want. The one thing I have decided is that I would like the person to be a spiritual peer. I'll update this blog as I gain clarity on the matter.

Over Christmas I was able to visit my favorite redwood forest. It was a little cool--in the 50's and damp. I so love the connection I feel when visiting old forests.

Speaking of connection--if you have not seen the movie Avatar yet--I can't recommend it highly enough. I was very moved by it.

I have big plans for January and will announce them soon.

Meanwhile, the journey continues.

Feeling Guilty

As I drove back from a job interview today, I was feeling guilty. It is a beautiful sunny day with the temperature in the 50's. It feels a little cool to me. My jacket felt good. And I realized what the weather was back in Illinois: windy, snow with snow blowing and a high of 15. Makes me feel guilty. Luckily, the feeling doesn't last long. lol. The closest I have come to snow is to see it on the mountain tops.

Meanwhile I am busy editing and enjoying the sunshine.

The Journey continues . . .

Progress

My previous posting included a picture of El Capitan taken at Tunnel View. If you turn 180 degrees you see this tunnel. I never said I had much sense, so I stood in the middle of the road for this photo to be taken. (It's not the same as playing in traffic--but it's close.)

Once again it took me a couple of days to recover from my visit. Three days of traveling over 6 hours did me in.

My housemate had edited Chapter 2 while I was gone and provided feedback. Today I was able to make the corrections--and additions--to the chapter and am happy to report it now complete.

On to Chapter 3 which will nearly double the size of the edited book. Ohhhh, the power of the red pen.

The Journey continues.

Yosemite

During my extended stay over Thanksgiving weekend, my cousins and I made a trip to Yosemite National Pakr. This is El Capitan and believe it or not, there are two rock climbers about half way up the mountain side. The park was both beautiful and awesome. Over the next few weeks, I will post other pictures.

I am finally back in Chatsworth. Due to the trip to the park, I have traveled 6 hours over each of the last three days. It feels good to be back. I have not worked on the book since before Thanksgiving. I did spend some time writing on Tuesday morning.

I did not do well in my battle with suagr over the weekend, but am determined to return to it.

Meanwhile the Journey continues.