Still at Work

 

“The road to hell is paved with adverbs.” — Steven King

As my writing journey continues and progress is made, I understand more than ever this Steven King quote.  I have written over 20 children’s series books in the last two years and am halfway finished with an adult murder mystery and a middle school fantasy.

When I started writing after my retirement two years ago,  I was proud of my dedication.  Day after day I wrote, creating new stories and adding interesting titles to the collection.  I built a website and investigated getting published.

Then the real labor started.  I read the stories to school age children. I discovered flaws that were not evident after all my editing.  I worked diligently to improve my story flow.  I discovered free editing software.  Grammarly and ProWritingAid.  Low and behold, another world of corrections opened up and I spent hours reworking my original material.  I presented the stories to other adult readers, who continued to critique with a fine-toothed comb.  Additional changes followed.

I needed to get my work out there!  I joined Ludington Writers, a group that supports and sustains local writers.  Some of the members are published, some are seeking those opportunities, and others are content to share their work without trying to interest a publisher.  Although weekly meetings are held, readings and feedback are conducted on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month.  I met some of the best poets, non-fiction and fiction writers,  novelists, playwrights and children’s authors on the planet!

Did I think my work was unflawed by the time I shared?  Not a chance.  I was ready for another round of editing, and I got just that.  My most important achievement was calling myself a writer and being recognized for one.  The positive support I receive from the group tells me I am headed in the right direction.  I am preparing my first book for submittal in September of this year and I am hoping it gets picked up by a publisher.

Creative writing has been a learning curve.  With a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, I spent years writing lesson plans, goals, objectives, and learning targets for my classroom and various school districts.  But every month now, I am meeting and surrounding myself with other authors.  I am renewed, almost born again.  There will be no rocking chair and knitting for this former teacher!  My new, yet old career, is keeping me busier than any job I’ve held since my first paycheck.  I hope someday there will be some financial gain from my labor.  I would like to say I’m in it for the satisfaction of self-expression, but that would be a lie.  I hope this will be my most enjoyable employment yet!

 

 

 

My backyard inspiration.

The real Herbert of my children’s series. His favorite seat was the top of my classroom candy jar.