My Journey to Become a Writer 06/24/2024 Post #176

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Yesterday I had a lot of fun filling out calendars for a new nine-month plan.

I’m kind of a strategy nerd.

What Did I Accomplish Today to Be a Writer?

I did Day 176 of the 100 Words a Day Writing Challenge 2024 through L.A. Writers’ Lab.  

Using Microsoft Word’s Review features, I listened to about a third of the manuscript I’ve been editing about my mom’s journey through pancreatic cancer and memory loss. Hearing the way things sound helps me catch glitches that my eyes sometimes miss. I like this secondary form of smoothing things out.

I spoke with someone this weekend about helping me with formatting. I’m looking forward to that. Asking for help is somewhat hard for me.

I participated in a meeting with my memoir group. People have some painful and powerful stories. I feel like it’s a privilege to have a front seat view for seeing their manuscripts unfold. We offered feedback for both pieces and spoke about some common struggles within our little writing community.

After that, I read two different pieces from fellow-memoirists and gave feedback for one, which was a rewrite of something I’d already heard. With the other, I used the editing tools in Microsoft Word and Google docs to make suggested changes and corrections. I would like to expand into editing and becoming a story-telling coach, so this is good practice for that. The two of us planned a follow-up call, because she is looking over my piece, too.

I took a step back from the draft that is due next week, so I could clear my head and come back with fresh perspective. In the meantime, a few people have agreed to read it for me, and I’m awaiting their feedback.

As far as Instagram goes, here’s a video from one of my not so impressive moments on my mower (or off of it), along with a poignant song:

My Current Home Management Strategies to Help Stay Organized as a Writer

Well, my fridge needed a major defrosting today, so I got out the hairdryer while wearing headphones, so I could keep listening to my manuscript. I cleared out the fridge and freezer and got things sorted, so that meal prep is more simple. I like to make meals in batches, then freeze smaller portions in Mason jars – and usually label them with a Sharpie and painters’ tape. This helps save time and trips to the grocery store.

I was excited to finally hang my clothesline. There’s always more to do; but I’m trying to learn to enjoy little pleasures, like keeping things neat and slowing down a bit – laundry swishing in the sun and bare feet in the grass are a big part of the small things that make me smile.

I got the rest of my buckwheat planted and am about to go to a friend’s to get some sod they dug up for their garden bed, so that I can use it for paths. Hopefully it’s not totally dead yet.

Thanks for reading what I’m writing,

Jody Susan

The post down below, from 99 days ago, is a good reminder to reset every once in a while, because we were made for rest: