Editing is a strange process.
I’m finding the task both hugely satisfying and exhausting. Like a skilled artist, I imagine myself adding those final touches to a painting that will lift my work. As I carve away at my stories I’m falling for the characters all over again, getting to know them intimately, their stories engraved on my mind. Even when not at the computer, chipping and adding away, my thoughts are constantly with my creations…I want to honour them by presenting them in the best way possible.
My distracted state has not gone unnoticed at home. Returning from school one day my son cautiously asked why a breakfast bowl was on the laundry basket in the bathroom. A very good question and I had no sensible answer – no doubt a new edit idea struck me between rooms. I’ve warned him to expect a lot of these unusual distractions as I battle against my perfectionist nature and concentrate singlemindedly to complete my first book.
With a selection of my short stories with a professional editor, with discussions underway for a book cover, I have been reassured that completion before Christmas is possible.
Yikes! On hearing this deadline my stomach flip-flopped with excited elation (and terror!) whilst my mind nearly overloaded as I careered through everything that needs to be done. Then, ever the Virgo, organisation took charge and with a new notebook in hand, I made lists, lots of them. These I’m slowly ticking off…
Whilst editing I have noticed my predisposition for certain words which I’ve harshly erased; even as I berate myself for my persistent use of these lame and weak phrases, I’m pleased to learn more about my writing, how to improve it with immediate effect.
Who are the culprits? Stand up words, wave goodbye and bow out!
* Also *Now *Then *At last *Just
*After all *Of course *Finally
Finally (noooo!!) one chap’s name appeared in three different stories…sorry, there’s only need for one George!
‘My short stories are like soft shadows I have set out in the world, faint footprints I have left. I remember exactly where I set down each and everyone one of them, and how I felt when I did. Short stories are like guideposts to my heart…’ Haruki Murakami
Annika Perry 
You capture this stage of book-writing so well.
Congrats to you for reaching this ‘almost, finally, there!’ phase, Annika. I can hardly wait to read your book! I also love — and recognize — this incident: “Returning from school one day my son cautiously asked why a breakfast bowl was on the laundry basket in the bathroom. A very good question and I had no sensible answer – no doubt a new edit idea struck me between rooms.”
Cynthia, thank you so much!! 😀 I was concerned that my post might seem a bit naive but then decided to go ahead as this is very much my experience at the moment. I can’t believe how close I am to having this anthology published…my head is filled with little else!
So glad you could relate to my distraction incident…I bet you have had quite a handful yourself! 😀 Wishing you a lovely weekend. ❤️
Beautiful picture of the sea shore!
Thank you so much! 😃 I took this mid-morning a couple of weeks ago on the East Coast not too far away from home…I saw the sailing boat and waited until it was in the middle of the sunlight! The light is wonderful when the sun is low in the sky like this.
Just like you, I do all of the above, Annika. While editing my last book, I put the salt and pepper shakers in the frig, and threw out the dishcloth instead of rinsing and hanging it up. It took me nearly a day to find said items. Such is the life of a writer … Seems you’re doing everything right! Keep up the good work, girlfriend:) ♥
Tina, I’m chuckling at your distracted actions and am imagining your confusion as you searched for the salt & pepper! 😃 My husband has lost his favourite T-shirt and I haven’t had the heart to tell him I might have thrown it in the bin instead of the laundry basket one day when I was writing! 😀Collataral damage of living with writers, indeed! Many thanks for your great comment and wishing you a lovely weekend, Tina! ❤️
Most welcome, Annika. I wouldn’t confess to hubby just yet. Some things are best kept secret 🙂 I once lost my favorite scarf for 2 years. Found it in a suitcase within a suitcase when planning to sell the luggage at a garage sale 🙂 Happy weekend, my friend ❤
that’s great news that you have a book of short stories almost ready for publication. well done you. you are also a skilled blogger. 103 comments on this post alone. how do you do it? i know you write thoughtful comments on other blogs, is that your key to blogging success? wishing you all the best with book publication. Libby
Libby, thank you and I’m so excited about the upcoming anthology…almost unbelievable! 😀
As for the comments, I’m honoured and humbled by them all…it feels like a wave of positive energy and encouragement supporting me on this final stage towards publication. I’ve been blogging for just under three years and in that time I am, above all else, genuine and honest in all my comments and interest shown on other blogs…that is absolute key. It’s been a joy making new friends, learning, sharing, laughing, crying with others…of course, it takes time but people understand if you have to step back now and then (as I will for a couple of months now).
Many thanks for your lovely comment and well wishes. 😃❤️
I have yet to find myself in the position of editing Annika.. 🙂 though I can quiet easily identify finding items that shouldn’t be where I left them, lol.. Only this morning, as I was dusting and polishing.. Moving things in one hand, and absorbed as I was, I found myself putting a lipstick in the duster draw,in the kitchen that I had been holding as I moved things on my dressing table.. And was quite surprised, as that wasn’t the last room I had dusted. 🙂
I think in my head I was thinking on outfits to knit barbie dolls for winter.. 🙂 lol..
Lovely to read.. and I am sure I use far too many of those offending words.. 🙂
Have a Wonderful Mid week.. :-D…
Sue 🙂
Sue, distraction can strike us whilst in deep thoughts about any creative tasks…I love the idea of outfits for barbie dolls and am in awe of anyone able to knit!! 😃My mother made several knitted dresses for my barbie dolls when I was little – even a cool bikini set!! Haha! That poor misplaced lipstick…now are you sure that gremlins were at work and moving it about….I do wonder at times! 😃
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Sue and wishing you a very special weekend. ❤️
🙂 Thank you Annika.. lol, yes I am knitting a little hat and scarf set at the moment and a cardigan coat, to keep her warm in winter woollies.. I also taught my 6 yr old granddaughter the other day how to knit .. She managed 5 rows with 8 stitches of plain knitting.. But Patience is not her strong point, So that I need to work on. LOL 🙂 You too enjoy your weekend..
Annika I’m so happy and excited for you. Wish you all the best for publishing your story. 🙂
Looking forward to reading it.
Norma, thank you so much for your wonderful and enthusiastic comment and wow, so happy you’re looking forward to reading it! 😃 Hopefully, all will go to plan…
🙂
So glad to hear about your progress and process Annika. Your final efforts at perfection seem to have a positive flow.
Janice, thank you so for your poetic words…positive flow, indeed! 😃 I’m beginning to think perfection is unattainable as even after multiple read-throughs the odd comma will slip in where there should be a full-stop…are they testing me?! 😀
Yes they are 😉😅
So glad it is going well, very exciting!! I love how you describe your work, you are a writer in every way even when you talk about your writing! xx
Lynz, bless you for your sweet comment…I’m so touched by your words and can’t stop smiling! Guess I’m a writer then!! 😃❤️ Good progress so far…fingers, toes crossed…
YEAH!
Great news on your progress, Annika! And I so get it about distractions, especially at that editing stage. And yes, favorite words! Some of mine are “that”, “few”, “almost”, and a smattering of others. It seems to depend on which story I’m working on. I had used “complement” a dozen(!) times. Eek! Needless to say, part of my editing distractions included finding other ways to say what I meant.
Fingers crossed for your anthology–can’t wait! And I’ll be playing the editing game right along with you 😀 Have a great week!
Julie, I love how we’re editing away together…just separated by the odd thousands of miles!! 😀 Yes, let’s make a game of it! A good week so far and gradually working on ideas for a blurb as inspiration hits me! Hope you’re having a successful time as well.
‘Complement’ is a new one to me and I don’t think I’ve ever used the word in a story…though you deserve lots of compliments for your work! Here’s to editing/re-writing/searching for words…wishing you a lovely creative weekend. 😃❤️
Good luck. Selecting words is important. Thank you.
Very true…sometimes I can spend ages just hunting out that right word! 😀 Many thanks for your lovely comment.
I am delighted to read that your book is in final stages. Congratulations dear friend…I am looking forward to your short stories, which I know would be delectable.
I love the way you have described your distractions…clearly tell us how immersed you are in giving the finishing touches to your book. 🙂
I am sorry I am so late in wishing you as your mail this week got pushed down as I couldn’t check my mails for two days due to some personal commitments.
Balroop, no apologies necessary…we all have so many other commitments and I know I’m falling way behind. If anything, I was becoming a little worried for you, my friend.❤️
Yeah, I’m so glad you’re looking forward to my anthology and I do hope they’re ‘delectable’ – I adore your description of them, thank you so much!! 😀😀 Oh yes, I’m totally immersed, to such an extent my mind has difficulty leaving it even if I’m active elsewhere. Taking a few hours rest by the coast with family and friends today (school holidays here in UK) – think the fresh air will be reenergising! Hugs xx
How wonderful to be distracted by the forthcoming publication of your book, Annika. I think distraction by the needs of your launch is understandable. Good for you that some of it is funny – you’ll always remember this book when you look at a bowl of cereal. Just don’t count on rest any time soon, but that’s a good thing also. Best wishes to you on this exciting endeavor.
Rest?! What’s that?!😀😀 Sharri, thank you so much for your well wishes…it is an incredibly exciting and intense time but luckily with lots of laughter thrown in! 😀 My whole family is becoming used to me rushing away to scribble down a thought, brainstorming blurb (yikes!!) ideas. The latter fills me with dread…hard enough on a novel I imagine but how to consolidate so many varying stories…still I have an inkling of an idea from one of my older posts. Oh yes, the cereal bowl incident will go down in the family archives and is already making a good conversation piece for dinners! Hugs ❤️
I can relate to your multitasking distractions. 🙂 Best of luck with your novel!
I must admit to having had many moments of distraction, particularly as a young mother, but then I always noticed the mistakes!! 😀😀 Now I’m oblivious as I work on preparing the anthology for publication…goodness knows what I’ll be like on the home stretches of my novel?! 😀
Sounds like you are almost to the finish line, Annika. Woohoo! Peggy says she always knows when I am writing in my head because I get a distant look in my eyes. Here’s to the wonderful distraction of writing, and rewriting, and rewriting. 🙂 –Curt
I’ll toast to that, Curt! To wonderful creative distraction! 😀😀 I feel I’m only half there when talking to people, the other half of me is with my anthology! Yeah…the finish line is so close but still feels a way to go…scary! 😀
Scary is a good way to describe it, Annika. 🙂 Few things are more personal than putting yourself out there in writing. –Curt
How exciting. For me, editing is my favorite part. Writing the big picture in all those minute details is hard for me, but once it’s all down, I love going back to fluff it all up with more color and nuance. Good luck, Annika. I look forward to learning more about it at the release.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Lori! 😀 I must admit that I love the actual writing of a story more…that just seems seamless to me…almost as if spoken into my soul…the first or second edit was very rewarding, making it tighter, adding creative flourishes…the latter edits of minute detail are a bit of a slog …still it’s so exciting and I keep ticking away on my list!😀🌻
I too am editing. I giggled listening to your stories (love the breakfast bowl). It is nerve-wracking and I so look forward to your first book!
Jacqui, I was thinking of you the other day when I read your post…snap! The two of us editing away…do your eyes feel like they’re burning too?? Very exciting and satisfying work…I’m ticking away on lists…but tremulous at all there is to do. I am more in awe of writers than ever before and all the elements to self-publication. Good luck with your editing … please feel free to share any funny editing-induced distraction events! 😃
I’m so excited for you, Annika, but had to chuckle at the breakfast bowl on the laundry basket in the bathroom. I can certainly understand distractions even though I’m not editing. 🙂 I loved the stand-up words, too! Wishing you all the best in this process, and I can’t wait to see the final product. Hugs ❤
Lauren, your comment has me smiling with joy and I’m so excited you look forward to seeing the book! ❤️ The words are being expelled daily, although I’m wondering if some need to remain for sense? It is a most exciting time in my life,slightly unreal and stressful but I wouldn’t change it at all! As for distractions they can enter our lives at any stage, most often the crazy busy times…parenthood is a typical one! 😀😀
Haha! I haven’t placed anything in unusual places yet but I’m sure my day will come. 😀
Glynis, I must admit I’ve placed things in strange places before, particularly when my son was very young, but then I’d notice straightaway! The difference is my totally distracted state! 😀 Let me know if this happens to you! We can have a giggle together. 😀
I can totally relate to your feeling that editing is like the last touches of paint on a painting! I actually have one that I have started some months ago but it still lacks the final touch. However I find that I need to wait until inspiration strucks rather than pushing myself too much because I already tried the latter and it backfired on me! 😂
Love how you describe the collateral damage the last stages of finishing your book influence your household 😉 And kind of woul like to draw that cereal bowl on top of your laundry 😄
Wish you lots of strength for your editing process! xxx 😄
Sarah, I just love how you would like draw the bowl on the laundry basket…I can actually picture this. The basket is a pretty turquoise colour made of woven willow-like material with a white bowl balanced on top..it would make clean fresh lines in a drawing!
Ahh…I sure need those wishes of strength…feel their healing power already!! ❤️
I’ve also found it’s best to put aside a paragraph or section of story if I’m not quite happy with the final edits and come back a day later…hopefully rest and inspiration will work its magic by then! Your drawings always seem seamless; made with deft ease and a lightness of touch. Warmest wishes to you and much fun writing & drawing! Xx
Oh, I love turquoise! Now I want to draw this scene even more! 😀 Maybe next time your son finds a bowl on top of your laundry basket you can make a quick photo and send it to me 😉
So glad you´re feeling the healing powers already and am sending you more strength through the ether! ❤
Rest and inspiration are indeed magic and I´m always baffled when they get at work 😉
Have a very lovely and creative day! Much love! xx
Hi Sarah, Your lovely comment about the basket inspired me to set up the basket and bowl in a ‘photo shoot’ in our garden. I’ve emailed you the photo, so hopefully that has got through. (I don’t know how to put photos into comments!) Wishing you a very special day. xx
Hi Annika, I got the email and photo and was so thrilled when I read your name in my inbox! Thanks so much for going through all that trouble for me, it´s been such a lovely surprise! (And I don´t know how to put photos into comments either 😉 )
Have a wonderful and creative day! xxx
Hi Annika. I think your title (“Chipping Away!”) is right on the money. It’s a challenge getting a story or book into shape.
Good luck with the project.
Neil, so glad you liked the title…it did seem to fit perfectly! Been chipping away more this morning and yes, getting stories into shape. Can one do too much? When is that point? Many thanks for your lovely comment and thoughts. 😀
Congratulations on finishing up your book, Annika! I wish you all the best with it. Editing can be daunting, challenging, and exhausting but also rewarding and cathartic. I love to get to the stage where I can chop away at my work to try to uncover the magic, mystery and beauty of the story. Short stories are so much fun to write. I hope to do another book of them next year!
I look forward to seeing you book out there! Sales are always nice! Best of luck! 🤗
Janice, thank you so much for your lovely comment. Your adjectives for editing sum up the work exactly – and some days I’m experiencing all of these emotions!! Mostly very satisfying and rewarding…at times challenging and then I decide to leave it a while to return refreshed later. How exciting that you’re considering another book of short stories…best of luck with that. Oh yes, sales would be amazing…just to have a book out is a dream for me. Until then, one day at a time (or so I tell myself!). 😀🌻
Sharing your thoughts about this final exciting part of the process is wonderful. Makes me feel part of it in a small encouraging way. Sending encouraging vibes …. now. 🙂
Ahh…I’m smiling so much at your encouraging vibes and feel honoured to have you part of the ‘team’ – to read such warm welcoming comments like yours here, to know you’re following my journey to publication means so much to me…kindness and encouragement is so heartwarming and energising! Off to work again…just need another cuppa! 😀❤️🌻
I love editing! Good luck with hitting your deadline.
Elske, editing is very satisfying and I’m enjoying correcting errors and tightening the story – it’s my eyes that suffer! 😃 Hopefully, the deadline should be manageable…I have been reassured this is no problem but don’t doubt there is a LOT of work ahead! Many thanks for your comment and a very warm welcome to my blog.
How exciting! You made me smile with your stand up words. We all have them, my constant companion used to be “very”…I couldn’t believe how very often I used it 😎. Happy chipping.
Tiny, your lovely comment is making me smile…Happy Chipping it is!! 😃😀 Very is a word I have a feeling I might overuse, and one I’ll have to look out for! It might be moved to the stand up words! I’ve found two more since writing this post…at this rate, there won’t be much left of my stories!!😃😃
Writing is hard work from beginning to end, isn’t it? Just think about how excited you will feel when it’s completely finished!
Barbara, you’re so right – when it’s finished I’ll be bopping with joy – the hard work all worth it! 😀😀
I loved your honesty Annika. And I’m so with you right now as my work has marinated and gone through re-writes and edits and finally on its way to my editor – minus many of those crutch words. I had to laugh at some of my favs – after all and just! LOL we are funny creatives, but at least we know how to clean them up. 🙂 xx
Debby, I’m smiling at your description of funny creatives’ – that sums us up perfectly!! I also love the idea of the work has marinated…I can sense the improving and ripening with age, Yeah! Congratulations on your latest book – and waving goodbye those ‘crutch’ words! 😀😀 Best of luck with your latest venture. ❤️
Thanks for the good wishes Annika. I hope I’ve cleaned them all out, but my editor wil be on me like flint if she finds any I’ve missed, lol 🙂 ❤
Annika, I sense great excitement building as your editing gets underway toward the completion of your book. I know you will succeed for I’ve not ever seen the dedication and love I see in you.
JC, wow! Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, especially your final sentence. I am very dedicated I feel and want to see this to completion. Whilst very excited I’m becoming increasingly anxious too – these two emotions seem to go hand in hand for creative artists! 😀
I’m glad you’re enjoying the editing process Annika, so many writers don’t 🙂 ‘Just’ was one of my overused words that I now make an effort to edit out!
Yep, Just is an easy one to slip in…funny how once you start to notice them, those words seem to appear and be scattered all across the pages! 😀😀 Andrea, the editing is satisfying as I feel it’s like polishing a work…I just (!!) don’t know when to stop!
How exciting, Annika! I wish you well and hope that the whole editing process continues smoothly.
Many thanks, Clare, me too!! 😀😀 All going well so far – it’s a matter of not only carving the words but also carving out the time that I need!
I think finding the time to do things is the most difficult of all!
Talk of overused words reminded me of an event when I was in primary school, many years ago. The teacher produced a box, a metal one about the size of a matchbox, and explained that two words were going to be buried, not to be used in future. “and” “got” were the two words. The class then went out into the school grounds and buried the box. Yes, I know; “and” is a very difficult one to avoid, but the overuse of words stuck with me, despite that event being sixty-two years ago.
Terrific idea from your teacher, Peter and (!!) it shows the impact of the lesson; still with you 62 years later! Maybe I should try the same for some of my crutch words! Many thanks for sharing this story. 😀
Congrats on near completion!
Many thanks, Kathy!! 😀 I’m more and more with writers who have carried out all this editing.
Well done in writing your book in the first place, Annika, and I wish you every success with its publication. It’s such an exciting time when you get that close to the big day. I like your list of ‘certain words’ that need booting out. If I were you, I’d add ‘suddenly’ to that list – although I’m really thinking of its use at the beginning of a sentence. I could say it’s a pet hate of mine, but my editor agrees with me.
As for the cereal bowl in the laundry basket… Well, it wasn’t doing anyone any harm, and writers have far more important things to think about. 😀
Exactly…one little bowl on the basket! Not doing any harm at all – of course my son is at the age where it didn’t occur to him to take it down!! 😀😀
Millie, many many thanks for your well wishes; I am so excited, almost hyped and feel I need to come down a bit as it’s a while to go yet. Many thanks for the mention of ‘Suddenly’, I can recall at least one place where I have that…I’ll go and improve!! 😀❤️
As I read your insightful post, I recall one of my favourite quotes by my favourite author, J.R.R. Tolkien “It’s a job that’s never started as takes the longest to finish.” Your commitment to your creative spirit is truly inspirational. With every word, you bring new life to our world. And that is a very very good thing.
Wow! Rebecca, I’ve read your comment many times; delighted to learn the Tolkien quote (wise wise words!) and touched by your words. I feel inspired when reading your comment and the thought of bringing new life to the world…a huge responsibility and so want to be the best for others to read and to honour my characters and stories. Hugs xx
Hugs coming back your way!!
It’s an amazing process, isn’t it? A nebulous act of love and heart combined with the skill of a mechanic and precision of a surgeon. No wonder we get distracted with such intense focus. I love the Murakami line, Annika. Wonderful. Happy Editing. This is an exciting time in the life of your book and you as an author. ❤
Diana, this is indeed a most exciting time for me…I haven’t experienced anything like it in years; sheer joy entangled with terror and doubts! Meanwhile, the editing is both fun and eye/brain burning. As always you describe the work perfectly – just hope the skill and precision are up to the task! 😀😃 So glad you like the Murakami quote…I could relate to this as I remember writing each and every short story, the thoughts that led to them and hope they will leave an imprint on the readers’ hearts and minds. Happy Writing to you, Diana. ❤️
Congratulations on getting this far, Annika. I also use a professional editor and my publisher also edits because I am pretty bad at re-reading my own stuff.
Many thanks, Robbie! 😀😀 I wouldn’t dare to publish without professional proofreading and editing as I’m sure so many errors creep in…it’s astonishing how blind we can become to otherwise obvious mistakes – the brain just does too good a job of auto-correcting them!😀❤️
Best of luck Annika, how exciting for you this is great we look forward to it see your book soon!
Paul, thank you so much for your best wishes and lovely to know you’re looking forward to my book. It is very exciting (and slightly stressful!). 😀
I can relate to a lot of your birthing experiences Annika. Thank God for an editor on my book. I was an overuse addict! Cringe. I was also tired of reading it over and over…
Wishing you a successful book launch in time for Christmas. 🌼
Brigid, warmest thanks for your best wishes – that means a lot to me! 😀 As this is my first book, the experience is all new and intense for me…perhaps it will be less so with a second book, I don’t know. Incredibly exciting and luckily not too tired of my stories or characters – yet! 😀🌻
Wonderful post, Annika. I hear you on the repetitive words we seem to use. Just, then, and of course are problems for me too.
It’s so exciting that your book will soon be ready! I’m looking forward to it. 🙂
Jennifer, thank you so much and I’m so excited to know you’re looking forward to my book!! A great feeling! 😀 I wonder if those words are like comfort food…reassuringly familiar – I’ve been chipping away at them again this morning! Good luck to you with these phrases and to editing them out where possible! 😀
You’re welcome, Annika. 🙂
Perhaps those words are like comfort food, that you don’t have to work hard to prepare? 🙂 A sign of lazy writing, I believe, and another example of how challenging it is to write something worth reading.
Wise words indeed, Jennifer…this gives me new impetus…only the finest work to be served! 😀
Oh, Annika! I can identify with both your perfectionist and distracted behaviors; the latter made laugh. But it’s exciting times and I’m happy to hear your anthology will be released soon. I can’t wait to read it. All the best!
Khaya, thank you so much for your lovely enthusiastic comment and so happy you’re keen to read it! 😀 It isn’t easy giving up on one’s perfectionist habits…but I’m getting there! Yep, I’m so excited and hyped – how does one stop a spinning mind?! 😀
Sounds daunting Annika but you’ll make it. I can’t wait for your book to be published and I for one will be buying a copy and hopefully contributing to your kitchen bop. Hope you put a video of that on Youtube!
Mike
Yeah!! 😀 Mike, so glad you’re keen to buy the book…I’ll definitely do a little dance in the kitchen…as for a video of it – no chance!! 😀
It is daunting, scary, exciting, thrilling, enjoyable…quite like nothing else I’ve done in years. Being an impatient person I’m having to be calm(ish!) 😀
Editing can leave us distracted, no doubt. And those extra, unnecessary words seem to slip in so effortlessly! ‘Just’ is a sly one. It loves to pop up throughout our work. 😁
Doesn’t it just! 😀I’m at the stage that I’m becoming paranoid about words! Distracting, unfocused is definitely me at the moment – an occupational hazard, I guess?!😀 Many thanks for your comment, Carrie…I’m the ‘baby’ of so many professional writers here on WP and always appreciate your comments.
😊
I can sure relate with those funny feelings and actions, Annika… 🙂 Loved the post and looking forward to the release of your book! xo
Hehe! 😀😀 Bette, I have a feeling there are a lot of distracted writers out there…and very confused family members! 😀 Many thanks for your lovely comment and wonderful to know you’re looking forward to the release of my book! ❤️
Giggling re that breakfast bowl and the warning you issued. Looking forward to this release Annika. All the very very best to you and hoping you will drop by the dudes xxxxxxxxx
Shey, I’d love to pop by to you and the dudes…an honour and many thanks! Can’t wait!! 😀 You should have seen my son’s face when I said things might get worse and to expect many such incidents – shock, horror…proabably worried that meal times might be affected!!😀😀 Many thanks for your comment and well wishes. xx
‘my predisposition for certain words which I’ve harshly erased’ – oh, how I can identify with that. I always have to go through removing mountains of ‘that’, for a start.
Mick, that’s one word I noticed in great numbers a few years ago…hopefully it’s been banished to the sides! 😀 It’s getting to a stage when I’m paranoid about words in general!! 😀 Lots of fun!
I know…I feel there are words I overuse without realising it and wait for people to pick me up on it.
“Why a breakfast bowl was on the laundry basket in the bathroom. A very good question and I had no sensible answer.” I laughed at this line, Annika, but in my house, the same things happen. 🙂 Wishing you the best as you work your way to the home stretch! Seeing the cover is always exciting. xo
Jill, glad to know I’m in good company! 😀 My son’s reaction was so baffled and cautious as this usually never happens…but I’m sure this is only the start…glad this could give you a laugh this morning. I am so excited about the cover and guess that is when it will all feel real…if you hear a whoop and cheer from across the pond, it’s only me on seeing the cover for the first time! 😀❤️
Wishing you all the best in these next few weeks with editing and giving birth to your anthology of short stories. I used the phrase giving birth because I found it interesting that you wrote you wanted to honor your creations. I can’t wait to read about these characters who you are bringing to life.
Bless you, for your wonderful comment, Bernadette…I’m very touched reading your words. ❤️ You ‘get’ me totally in my rather vague words and yes, these are my ‘children’ I’m releasing to the wider world. Scary…on their own and out of my control after that…I do so want to honour the stories and the characters in them. It’s a long time since I’ve become this immersed in a project and beginning to feel I’m existing in dual worlds! Bernadette, it’s a joy and privilege to know you’re so excited to acquaint yourself with the characters in this anthology! Warmest thanks. xx
Annika, I am absolutely thrilled for you and fully understand the hard work involved.
To dare follow your dream does not preclude hard work however; I do find it funny with your
son worrying about his perfectly organised mum putting breakfast bowls in the bathroom. 🙂
I am excited personally too as having read a few of your short stories on your blog I know I am in for a treat so I will be queuing up on release date.
It is amusing how you get those ‘tame’ words to stand up and march out; I recognise “just” as one I often tell off.:)
Your choices of photos and quote are perfect.
You keep at it Annika but do take walks in between or you burn that brain up.
Wishing you great success.
Miriam
Wow! Miriam, thank you so much for your wonderful and exuberant comment!! 😀❤️ Ahh…it’s heartwarming to read how keen you are to see my book…at least you won’t be queueing outside in the cold and rain…virtually is so much better! 😀 It is a lot of hard work, my poor eyes feel like they’re on fire, so thank you for your kind words of advice, lots of breaks…off outdoors for a long walk to cool my brain down. As for those words that tend to slip in, I’ve never seen that with your poetry so reckon you don’t have much to worry about! Warmest thanks again for your well-wishes. xx
Thank you for your sweet answer and hope you do keep those walks up.
The year I studied poetry quite intensively I got so scared off from “those words” and also
from what was considered ‘archaic’….Now I do with relish slip in the odd ‘just’ – just because I can.:) oh, and the ‘and’ .
you go but be careful with these eyes.
miriam
Haha!! 😀 Miriam, you dare-devil! 😀😀 Enjoy slipping in those odd words – your poems are a joy and I’ve never noticed any overuse or words that bring me to a halt in mid-read! Oh, don’t even ask about my eyes…at migraine levels at times! 😕
Best wishes and good for you for getting editing help – i plan to do that in then future because fresh eyes are key! So key! And well hope u can make your deadline of Xmas
I hope so Yvette! 😀 I’m fully aware that once my son went back to school in September, Christmas seems to be quickly upon us! Hopefully should make the deadline but lots of work to do…my family will breathe a sigh of relief I reckon by the end! 😀 I agree totally that professional help with editing is vital…and am slightly nervous / excited to see what the editor has to say..how much I missed! Many thanks for your best wishes and likewise to you. 😀❤️
Thanks for the reply and thanks for the super nice comment on my recent post – ahhhh – I owe ya one for that cos you brought some fun energy there!
And I was there with you with the coffee mug on the basket – hah!
Anyhow – how exciting – will it be one book with many short stories ?
Haha! Yvette, I have a feeling many such odd moments will occur in the coming weeks. Here’s to us and distraction! 🍷😀
Yes, the book will be an anthology of short stories…
Well looking forward to it and here is to completing your book 😊🥂
Sounds exciting. Good luck and all the best.
Gorgeous photos. I related to your editing experience and had a smile on my face.
Lucile, it is a very exciting at the moment and I’m so happy you understand the editing experience…I’m often smiling, but probably slightly manically! 😀😀 The top photo is from Pixaby – I’m always so impressed with sand sculptures; I can barely get my sandcastles to stand up straight!! 😀❤️
Annika, enjoy every moment of this exciting time of your life. You may write a short story about that later on another book.
Impressive sand sculpture!
Now, that’s an idea…maybe some of us writers should get together and write one story each about the experience and put them together in an anthology!😀
Well, you could start that!
Brilliant news on progress, Annika. When the short stories come out, you must tell us all. That will be a whole bunch of sales to start with!
Good luck on the novel, it will happen, and be a payback for the time and energy you have spent on it. Of course, the moment it gets sent off, you won’t rest. Your mind will be spinning with the next one.
Well, actually I do have a second novel in mind and made a few notes…I just don’t want t get carried away on that idea yet! 😀
Many thanks for your comment, Peter and yes, you will read all about the release of the short story collection in the coming weeks! 😀😀 I love the thought of a bunch of sales…that would have me bopping around the kitchen. Fingers crossed.