Welcome to 2024 - Five for Friday
Ch-ch-ch-cha-changes!
Hello everyone! It’s been a minute. As my life settles down a bit, I’m diving back in. I haven’t been away, merely retooling some parts of my life to accommodate more writing, reading, editing and living.
1. Introducing Starbuck, the tortoise shell kitty
We rescued Starbuck at Seattle Humane in Bellevue. She was found outside with goopy eyes, worms, and ringworm. At 6 months old, she’s small at only 3.5 pounds. But she’s now healthy and spayed, playful and alert and residing in the bathroom until she heals from her surgery. She’s interested in the noises and clawing and scratching under the door by Herman, our 5-year old Dachshund who I’ve written about before. He’s very excited to meet his little sister. But he’s also the highest strung dog I’ve ever met with no off-switch. So we’re doing our best to corral him for the next 10 days or so.
We recently introduced him to the neighbor’s cats. He was interested but not aggressive or overly pestering. So we have hopes the transition will go smoothly. We brought Starbuck home just today.
This year, I will make the leap and offer content for paid subscribers. Help support my writing. Subscribe today!
2. Memoir Revision Underway
I’ve finished my memoir, My Own Private Wasteland, three times. It sits at about 100,000 words, just under but with the notes section, it weighs in at 104,000 words.
The comments I’ve received are encouraging and insightful. And I’ve found a way to revamp my query letter and engage the emotional 3rd rail of my story. More on that and previews of coming attractions in future substack posts.
3. Christmas in California
My partner and I love living in Seattle. Every day, we take a walk along Lake Washington and frequently are treated to the stunning and sublime views of Mt. Rainier. She has settled in to her doctoral program, and I am settling in to my new career as development editor and writing coach. I’m also participating in local open mics, reading my own creative nonfiction.
This year, we spent a week with family in central California. It wasn’t warm but it felt so to us, with the 20 degree difference between the central coast of California and the Pacific Northwest. No sign of Bigfoot yet. There’s something about California that rests in the bones. We’re both from there - she’s from the centra part and bay area, and I’m from southern California. Surprisingly, we get along, even during baseball season. Go Dodgers.
4. Editing is Life
I’m fully certified as a developmental editor now and welcome writers to reach out to discuss their work. If you’re looking for an editor, my genres of choices are memoir, literary fiction, creative nonfiction, academic writing in the humanities, poetry, short stories, and websites.
I've been in the business of helping writers for 35 years, mostly as a college English teacher. After a couple of years of dedicated study and courses from Club Ed Freelancers, I've successfully transitioned to a freelance career. I continue to take workshops and classes in editing and networking with other editing professionals.
I enjoy editing immensely. It's intellectually challenging, infinitely varied, and rewarding. If I could edit all day and night, I would. But that would get in the way of my own writing, reading, gaming, pickleball playing, tv watching, guitar playing, dog walking, and Lake Washington-Mt. Rainier-and-(now)-cat watching.
Our lives are full and happy.
5. What I’m Reading
I was talking with one of my coaching clients about Seattle, and asked if I had read The Boys in the Boat. I’ve lived here only about 15 months. I had never heard of the book, though I had heard that it was soon to be a major motion picture directed by George Clooney. My client scolded me! I was sufficiently shamed to immediately buy the book.
As I sit with Starbuck in the bathroom, I’m reading The Boys in the Boat. I’m about half way done. Even though I know the ultimate outcome, I don’t know the details. It’s the kind of narrative nonfiction I enjoy: story driven with just enough technical insight into the subject matter. I highly recommend it. It’s fabulous.
Also, each month with Club Ed Freelancers, we read an editing craft book. This month’s book is The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Maass. I’m looking forward to it.
BONUS
I’ve recently turned 60. A doctor’s visit for some tests turned up some interesting news. The doctor said, “the remarkable thing about all the numbers in these test results is that there isn’t a single remarkable number! On each scaled, I was dead center - healthy! That’s what a steady diet of not enough exercise will do for you!
This is the year I exercise more. Use it or lose it. I quit smoking (19 years ago), I quit drinking over a year ago, I quit substances of any variety, I was vegan for about 5 years but have recently returned to eating meat. I’m more social than ever. And I while nothing substantially has changed in my life, I am happier than I have ever been.
It’s taken a while, but I finally feel ready to write in a way that I want.
So with that, happy new year everyone. Welcome back to My Own Private Wasteland.
Thank you for reading.
For you writers out there . . .
Just keep writing!
I have written a memoir and am currently revising and will soon resume querying to seek traditional publication. Please consider supporting my writing with a paid subscription. You can also buy a gift subscription for a friend or loved one. Every little bit helps!
I write about:
writing, literature, and the writing life
writing process
memoir craft
mental illness - major depressive disorder, suicide, borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder
sailing
alternative lifestyles - polyamory and kink
Until next time, I’ll . . ..
Just keep writing!
As always, thank you for reading. Comments are appreciated. Let me know what you think. Let’s get to know each other. All the best!
Lovely to know you're so happy, Lee!