33 of #120daysadhana: How to write a book

I am here. Here I am. Today is a new day. There’s something funny about how most of my posts are not really related to writing the book that I’m writing. It does keep me in-tune with my project and ensures I am writing everyday. Writing is so important to me. All the writing is important to me, because it allows me to have time and space to process and enjoy and appreciate the experience I am having. I was just writing in my notebook about how when I write with pen and paper, I feel more like myself, it physically feels very good when I write. Since I can’t really delete and revise as I write like I can when I’m on my laptop, the tone of what I write feels very close to me. I also enjoy typing, but it’s different. It feels more like speaking and I am more considerate and descriptive in the way I write, because others are reading it. It’s fun to do a little bit of both each day.

Last night when I was helping my daughter with her essay, I realized something that I often realize when I’m reviewing my own writing. She had all of the write thoughts on the page. She had organized them into the right sections. So, the editing I helped her with was reordering the sentences within each paragraph and connecting thoughts within and across each paragraph and the paper as a whole. I think it’s a nice recognition to know that we often have a lot of the information we need, and it’s a worthy process to take the time to understand and organize it in a way that effectively communicates what we are seeing and sharing. I really enjoy helping my daughter write her papers, because we talk about what we feel is missing and if the thoughts are clear, complete and aligned with her points. It’s fun to hear her thoughts and to see her working process. She is doing a great job. Even though she doesn’t like writing and she doesn’t feel she is a good writer, I’ve been really impressed with her initial drafts. She does her work and she does it well. She knows sometimes she could do better, but she also seems to have a handle on her boundaries which is great. I’m proud of her for that because she really has a clear sense and a healthy confidence in herself.

I think I learned that I actually enjoy the revision and editing process. It’s kind of fun to provide feedback and suggestions and have conversation about how to get the piece to the each next stage. There’s something I like about minding my thoughts and input in a way that is supportive and respectful to the writer, but also challenges her to do the work that needs to be done to find the missing pieces and find the flow. I think I kind of like it when I notice I’m not certain I’m understanding the purpose or the intent of something, because it helps me be open to listening and learning. It is cool to know that I have some heart for the editing process, because I’m going to have to find an editor to help me work through my own draft(s) eventually. It will be different to be on the other side of the process, but I feel more connected its value and the element of discovery it provides.

Feeling Friday…it was a good week so far!

Completely,

Laura