“Truth is, every writer has to be a good editor, and you have to edit yourself. It is a skill every writer has to acquires.” ~Lisa Scottoline Got the pages for my Christmas novel last week for one more read through. Someday I’m going to keep count of how many times I read through a story …
When I was a kid, I was taught that a lady had to watch what she said. If she was irritated or stumped her toe, there was a definite limit on available words to express her vexation. Even the innocuous darn was forbidden in my house. Often, if that word slipped out, you were reminded that the word meant …
April 29, 1964 Jocie Brooke here reporting from Hollyhill, Kentucky. As always, things have been pretty boring (Dad says I should say calm, not boring) here on Main Street, Hollyhill. Dad says boring is better than stores getting robbed or wrecks happening. That might make the Banner headlines more exciting, but at the same time, somebody might be getting hurt. …
Lots to do! Deadline zooming toward me for my work in progress and the words are coming slow. Chores need doing! New floor going down in the kitchen and bathroom and new room. New floors going down need everything moved off them! Not enough hours in the day. Sometimes it’s hard getting everything done since I have to spend so …
“If you love writing or making music or blogging or any sort of performing art, then do it. Do it with everything you’ve got. Just don’t plan on using it as a shortcut to making a living.” (Seth Godin) This is my 544th post on One Writer’s Journal. When I started this blogging adventure in January 2008, I only posted …
April 19, 1964 Jocie Brooke here reporting from Holly County. I’m out at Miss Sally’s farm again. I love it when it’s our turn to eat at their house on Sundays. You see, the church people take turns having the preacher on Sundays. They have a sign-up sheet and everything. Of course, some people sign up more than other people …
What I miss today more than anything else – I don’t go to church as much anymore – but that old-time religion, that old singing, that old praying which I love so much. That is the great strength of my being, of my writing.~ Ernest Gaines I got to eat breakfast with writer friends Lonnie and Roberta Simpson …
Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them, filling an emptiness we don’t even know we have. ~Thorn Jones Some of you have been asking about how my dog, Oscar, is doing. About a month ago, one of the men working on a room remodel here at the house ran over Oscar. He was parked beside the …
April 15, 1964 Jocie Brooke here reporting from Hollyhill, Kentucky. Today’s tax deadline day. Daddy had to get his tax forms filled out and in the mail before the end of the day. In time for the postmaster to stamp it sent. He figured and refigured and added up numbers all day. I overheard him telling Wes that he didn’t see how …
Happy Monday morning! I’m late with this post because I was out of town yesterday. So to make up for it, let’s be early and talk about Christmas. I got the galleys on my Shaker Christmas book last week. So I’m going to have to invite the snow and chill winter winds into my imagination for a few days as …