Editing "Wisdoms"& A Mini Celebration

I was talking to my husband, Peter and said something like “now that I’m a writer”.

He chuckled, and I buckled.

“Is that funny?” I asked.

He said, “No. It’s wonderful. It’s just great to finally hear you call yourself a writer”.

Today I Celebrate!

It’s a mini celebration, but it still feels great. I finished all the edits. I signed off on my manuscript.

Two years of writing and editing. It is ready for the final steps, front and back cover designs and layout and PRINTING.

I am not a fan of editing, but it is so worth it. Edit with the advice of an editor, but edit yourself. As much as I don’t want to admit it, I learned so much through all the editing processes and am a better writer because of it.

Here are a few of the editing “wisdoms” I learned about short story family stories/memoir collections:

• Organize the stories, chronologically if possible

• Give each short story a title. You can always change it later.

• Consider organizing groups of short stories under a larger heading or sections of the book. There are three major sections in my book: Before There was Me (stories of parents and the war). A Baby Boomer childhood, and Young and in Love.

• Write the memoir sections in first person.

• Stay in the moment. If the story is about me as a 14-year-old, don’t add anything or thoughts that happen after that.

• Family Stories/memoirs benefit from a preface.

I can hardly wait for the big celebration - when I hold my book in my hands, when I give each of my children and grandchildren a copy, when I celebrate with a book launch.

***

Writing n the Senior Side

It has been three years since I decided I wanted to be a writer when I grow up. I was 73 years old. I started with my first 1000 to 1200-word stories in Haliburton Echo County Life. It’s hard to believe that was three years ago.. I am still writing a story every other week for this. You can find them on my website under published pieces- Writing on the Senior Side.  I wondered if it was time to stop, to take a break or change to once a month. It is hard for a writer not to write. Christmas Stores Coming!

***

Story Circle Addition to My Website

I have added a tab called Story Circle on Canoe FM. These are stories written and read by me on our local non-profit radio station. I hope you will check it out. Feedback is always welcome.

***