My Wandering Path

I began this third edit when I was taking care of Blue.  This edit has taken me on a wondering path, and at times the path has felt uphill and the end was off in the distance. This photo seems to exemplify that.

I would like to think the end is in sight, but I have no idea when it will come.  I am diligently working on this draft and much has been accomplished.  The Introduction has become the first chapter and I need to write a new Introduction.  I have cut 25,000 words.  Chapter after chapter lay in the waste.  I love my words--don't all writers?--but these words needed to go and the book is improved by it.  Oh, and the end will have be rewritten.

I have finished entering all these red-ink edits into the computer.  It's time to print out another edited version, and start again.  I just seem to work better using hard copy.  I still have a goal of having it ready for a publisher or to self publish by the first of the year.

For today, I'm celebrating having cut 25,000 words.  It's down to 120,000 words.  Now maybe I can cut another 5-10,000.  Dare I dream of 20,000?

Blessings to all who continue to hold me, and this book, in their thoughts and prayers.

My Commute

I have been commuting for almost two weeks now and was surprised to realize I was indeed, commuting.  I have been working on the major rewrite of my book.  This is the third, and final, draft. (That doesn't mean I'm not willing to do another draft, I just feel when I am finished with this one, it will be ready.) 
I am living with friends in Sherman Oaks.  I like to go down to the Palisades to work.  First at a Starbucks and then move over to the library when it opens.  This requires a commute.  On work days, I get up and go off to write/edit.  I have tried various times--7:30, 8:30, 9:30.  The commute can still be terrific--45-55, even 65 minutes.  A normal drive would be 35.
Knowing I was going to post this blog, I tried to get a picture of my commute, but the pics I got don't do justice to what it's like.
This blog is not meant to be a complaint, but a simply sharing of my current life.  I don't have any anxiety over the commute as I am always on the way to the work I LOVE.   I often listen to a book on drive, but most of all I am just thankful--I am living the life I love.  How wonderful is that!

Blessings to all.