The Editing Brain Never Rests

 

This will be short and sweet--I hope. I'm now going into my 6th quarter at Eastern Oregon University and not doing too badly. I made the Dean's list for the last three quarters. Enough chuffing.

It amazes me at the convoluted way 'scholars' present their work. When a direct, simple approach would relay their idea with speed and efficiency, they choose the most obscure, winding, $18 word path imaginable. I have to admit the strength of my glasses has gone higher due to the reading of vast amounts of information spread over innumerable pages with just the slightest hint of space between the sentences. 

What a cluster! While reading a university level approved textbook that, by the way, costs nearly $200, I have found so many errors in the text I'm ready to pull out my hair. I'm tempted to write the publishing house and tell them they need a good line editor, but they might put me to work. I still have five more quarters to graduation. 

The 800 different editing styles is no excuse to ignore basic, common-sense editing. I'll just have to get my degree and show them how to do it right--if I still care.

Ta for now and watch those p's and q's. They're sneaking little characters.

Mistress of the Red Ink Pen

 The Ink well ran dry.

The pandemic created huge waves in my lifestyle. I found deep holes in the fabric of my person I didn't know existed. It has taken this amount of time to patch those holes and move to a point I can be tolerable to those around me. 

I enrolled in college to complete the pursuit of a degree and will be working for the next two years to achieve said goal. 

While the amount of writing in my life has increased, it hasn't been, unfortunately, on my novels. But -- I am writing. I will try to visit more often and gift you with my rants and raves about writing and other such topics. Until then - BIC - butt in chair.

Let the red ink flow...

Even those who claim to be 'experts', need relearning. I have given myself the gift of finishing college to receive my degree in English/Creative Writing. I can safely say -- I must have lost my mind!

I'm not sure what I was expecting but, literally, picking apart speeches by the Bard one-word-at-a-time and analyze what he was, might have been, could be saying, was not far up on the list. I understand words, a word, has the ability to change the entire direction of a sentence or thought. However, I don't feel the urgent need to take apart soliloquies piecemeal. Yet... I will do what is needed to reach my goal.

In that vein, I suggest you do the same. Keep the end goal in sight. Understand there will be many bumps in your road, but you have the wherewithall to overcome them and create magic.

Until later...

 

Mistress of the Red Ink Pen

Ruminations of a caged writer

You would think with all this time on my hands I'd be writing until my fingers bleed. Not so. I find my brain feels permanently idled. The ideas flit in and out. I get excited about putting them on the page until I sit at my computer. Then that blasted cursor blinks at me -- unrelenting -- patient -- waiting. All thoughts drain from my brain, and my stress level rises through the roof.

As human beings, we are put through so much stress on a daily basis we get used to the pressure. When we are forced to slow our life, breath, and live, many of us don't know how.

I have three sewing projects I want to accomplish. Twenty-five books waiting in the queue to be written and places I would love to visit, but I sit feeling stymied. I'll be going back to work toward the end of this week. My leave has expired, however, it may prove to be a blessing in disguise. I'll be forced to move forward. Maybe, my other projects will benefit as well.

Time will tell. Be safe, stay healthy.

Mistress of the Red Ink Pen

Hello... Goodbye

GOODBYE

This sweet face is our kitty, Dusty. She wandered into our yard about a month after we moved into our new home. She was emaciated, bones showing, and craving attention. While skittish, she soon came to trust us and went from an outdoor kitty to a house kitty. We really didn't know how old she was but we spoiled her for her last five years. 

HELLO

I've finally been hired to a full time position. I've been working as a temporary, part-time, whatever-I-could-find person since 2013. It will be nice to have a bit of security.

How has your January shaped up?

Mistress of the Red Ink Pen

New Year, New Options

Happy New Year!

A new year shines before us. Don't blow it. Stop talking about that book you're going to write, and put the words on paper or a computer. As Yoda says, "Do or do not." There is no middle ground.

Find a friend, writing partner, online group who will guide you on your journey. Make sure they have your best interest at heart. Hearing about all the mistakes you're making doesn't move you to a positive place. Do what I call 'throw up' writing. Just put all the words down. Don't edit, yet, just write. This advice is as old as writing. Once you have the unadulterated version on paper, computer, walk away for a day or two. Rest, watch a favorite program or play a favorite game. Give your brain time to recover.

Then... pick up your red pen and start to edit, edit, edit. Words don't bleed and, like bunnies, once you get started, they multiply by the hundreds. The process will be slow to start, but once you put the concept into action, you'll realize how easy it is.

Good Luck and have a safe New Year.

Mistress of the Red Ink Pen

Missing in Action

I have been missing in action. No excuses. I was never one to keep a diary as a young girl, so, putting my feelings and emotions out for all to see is -- uncomfortable. 

As with many others, I do have opinions regarding politics and religion. However, at a very young age, I learned to keep my opinions to myself. Years of working as a bartender, and bouncer, proved just how dangerous spouting off about your opinion can be.

To the business at hand; if you are an entity of any note whatsoever, make sure what you put in print shows your intelligence, not the lack thereof. Having an unlimited supply of bright compatriots surrounding you should be the key to relying on their knowledge [and loyalty] to make you appear bigger than life.

Do not follow the bad example being set in Washington, D. C. Think before you type.

Mistress of the Red Ink Pen