I have taken all of my manuscripts off of the shelves during this month and I have re-read all of them from front to back. I have rewritten Shanghai Sunset again with some major changes. I am working on typing all of the manuscripts that are still in handwritten form. Yes, I write all of my manuscripts by hand, edit, type and edit fifty more times before I ever send it to a beta reader. I write the manuscripts by hand because it feels freer to me. When I try to just start typing I get bogged down with spelling, grammar issues, etc. when I just need to get the story on the page so I don't forget important parts, I have even tried recording my manuscipts so I can then upload to my computer... that didn't work out well either. My husband bought me a livescribe pen and notebooks for Christmas, we still can not get it to work correctly. This pen requires special paper that is coded and you can have it synced with your computer and everything you write goes directly to your computer, or you can plug in the pen and transfer it that way.... great concept when it works. I have followed the instructions to the letter and still nothing, so the old fashioned pen and paper is still my preferred method of writing. I am also editing like crazy. I have written several new poems and my character, Breeze has been making an appearance again. I have made notes about a possible new manuscript in her series or a possible spin off with one of the secondary characters. I love being busy with my writing, it feels amazing. I have tried to allow for 15 minutes a day regardless of what is going on in my life, but now I can sit blocks of time aside in the evenings to focus on my craft and my stories.
During the re-reading of all of my manuscripts, I sat down and did a play list for each manuscript that just felt right at the time. I went back and compared notes to when I originally wrote the manuscript and was really surprised at how many of the songs were on both lists. I always am listening to music especially when I write or cook. I think music is good for the soul.
Not only have I been re-reading my manuscripts, rewriting some of those manuscripts, and editing all of the manuscripts, I have also been reading like crazy. I had picked up an audio book before McKays closed for the stay at home order and it was book 3 in the Wanted Men Series by Nancy Haviland. Talk about action and adventure... this series is amazing. That was the only book I had in the series and being the avid reader that I am, I wanted to run to the library to get the others only to remember that the library is closed. So I resorted to Amazon and am patiently waiting on the books to arrive. I have finally read The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings Series, I am a Harry Potter fan for sure! The Lord of the Rings
During this crazy time in our lives, it has been nice to focus on my writing and my art again. I have enjoyed spending time with my children, working on art projects. While I work having my daughter sit beside me and her doing her school work. I have also seen a lot of tv shows that I really had no idea that they even existed. I can do without tv, but I can't live without creative thought and expression. My art was my salvation after my divorce, it helped keep my sanity while I was trying to get my writing grove back in place. Now, I have both my writing and my art and I could not be happier.
Stay safe everyone.