I’m halfway done editing Novelette 2 of my short story trilogy. There’s always some adrenaline left, this need to finish it. And I love it. I do want to get this series published as soon as possible.
I’m also using Claude to help put it together so I don’t have to worry about the technical details. I want to focus on writing the stories myself. Especially when I barely have time to write.
#writing #draft #editing #groove #novelette #shortstory #update
It feels great when I make progress on a story. Corrected all spelling, grammar, tense, and other mistakes. Other than adding a couple more things I’m one step closer towards publishing.
Going to work on Novelette 2. I expect to have the draft done in two weeks. Will update on my progress.
Ever since I decided to finish my short story trilogy it’s been a constant struggle for balance. The drive to finish editing and publishing my stories as ebooks is stronger than my need to post on my blog. However, it doesn’t mean I stop posting.
But it also means I may end up missing some deadlines or typing up my posts on the fly. I will try to stay consistent in my posts as best I can. I will also let you know when I publish my stories and post a link to them.
Thank you for your patience. Let’s keep on writing.
I recently bought a cover from Amazon to hold my notepads and other stationery items. This unknown brand cover holds a couple of 3.5” x 5.5” notepads. Unfortunately, it doesn’t fit my small collection of A6 notepads. So, looking in my cubby there were a couple blank paper Moleskine Cahiers with previous writings that I wanted to finish before buying new notepads.
But writing on blank pages is unsettling. My sentences drift off center, the sizing is inconsistent, and my paragraphs smush together like a sat-on sandwich. This chaos makes my thinking just as jumbled as if I was typing them on screen. Ever wonder why you always have trouble writing on a blank screen? It’s the same with blank pages. There’s no structure.
Lines on a paper give order in the chaotic world of writing. It tells you can write as long as you don’t overstep your bounds. You don’t need a ruler. Lines are your companions helping you make those first few steps before they let go.
So the next time I’m given a blank notepad, I’ll just sketch random stuff. Like stick figures shooting at other stick figures, tanks, ships, helicopters, and fighter jets.
I view myself mostly introvert. The comfort of home and being alone in nature recharges my batteries. My wife is also an introvert and more so than me. She often jokes as being a fungus.
As an introvert, I do a lot of writing at home: at the dining table, on the toilet, and under the covers while everyone is asleep. At first, this seems like a good thing. Less distractions and less likely to spend money on coffee and such.
But there comes a time when even the quiet starts to be the main distraction. Instead of your thoughts telling you what to write, it’s telling you that “all work and no play makes [your name] a dull boy/girl.” Writing is not just about writing your feelings and thoughts, it’s also about your experiences.
And you can’t write about your experiences if you’re stuck inside the house all the time. There’s a reason why “touching grass” is a thing. Otherwise, you’ll go crazy.
So take your writing wherever and whenever with you go. Your pencil/pen and notebook are your constant companions. Treasure the adventure.
In my previous post, My Red Phone, Notepad, and Pencil, I talk about my three main writing tools always in my pocket. But I never identified them. Now that I started another red Blackwing notepad and this is my first post about it, I’ll give you my thoughts about it.
Note: I’m not affiliated with any products or services I use. No links will be provided.
At first glance, the red glossy cover with the etched image of the Golden Gate Bridge feels smooth but doesn’t slip out of my hands. The stitching is durable and I never had trouble bending the spine. Nor I had problems with pages breaking or falling off.
Inside of the front and back cover is blank which is good so I can write anything on it. I put my contact information and a table of contents. One of my pet peeves on some notepads (Moleskine Cahiers) is having perforations on the last few pages. I hate those! And I shouldn’t have to tear them off or tape them together.
Since I only write in wooden pencil I do see graphite transfer and smearing just like any other notepad. But it writes well. The pages are cream colored so it’s easy on my eyes. I can’t say how it handles pen. I’m sure you can find another reviewer who writes in pen.
Finally, it fits well in my back pocket and it’s durable even while sitting on it everyday. It’s always ready for me to jot down my blog drafts. Now, as for the price.
It costs $18 before tax for a pack of three. $9 each notebook and with 48 pages each you pay about $0.19 a page. It’s pricey, but at least they’re durable. Would I buy this again? No, there are more cheaper options. If you ever get them, they don’t disappoint for whatever your writing needs.
Let me know your thoughts if you used them.
#writing #746 #Blackwing #notepad
I’ve reached the end of my first red notebook, all 48 pages. Finally, a notebook I actually finished and it’s a great feeling. Does this mean I’ve written everything I needed for my blog?
Not a chance. I never run out of ideas. Got plenty up the wazoo. But ideas are a dime a dozen and there are two problems with it. The first one is trying to write them on paper. Plenty of people have that problem right before it disappears from their memories.
The second problem is implementing the ideas to see if they work. Another variant of the second problem is wanting to maintain the implementation even when it’s not working. People put in so much time, money, and effort into an idea it’s easy to stick with it rather than being wrong and trying something else.
When it comes to this website I don’t have a problem with generating ideas, writing them down, and implementing them. My primary goal with this blog is an online space I can talk about anything. It’s written on paper first, then gets typed up, edited, and published.
Finding readers and subscribers, or getting compensated for my work isn’t my first, second, or third priority. This blog was an idea that took a life of its own. And so far it’s been a success. So I will continue to have ideas, big or small, and write until I can’t do so anymore.
As I retire this first notebook, transfer to another red one, and prepare to retire my first and only red pencil, I look forward to more writing opportunities and blog posts. To everyone keeping up with me, thank you for your support.
Your writing is priceless and a work of art. It should be treated with the highest care and respect. However, there’s the belief that mistakes and blemishes ruin the enjoyment of writing.
When you write in wooden pencil on paper, the older pages smear and fade. And when you write on the left page of a notebook or journal, the graphite transfers to the previous left page. It makes your paper look dirty and unsophisticated.
It’s understandable. After all, would you write in charcoal, chalk, or ink pads? Of course not. So you write in pen like a respectable adult, not a kid trying to learn their ABCs. But I don’t like the pressure of no-mistakes writing and bleed through from a pen. Nothing loses my interest more.
If the pencil transfers bother me that much I can erase them or use archival spray. Not so much with pen. But why do I like graphite smears and transfers from a wooden pencil more than pen?
Not only do I love the scratches of pencil to paper, I love the way it leaves a mark when you smear the graphite with your hands. And how it transfers to the other side of the page. It’s like a shadow. It’s there but doesn’t intrude on you as much as the loops and dots from pen. You might as well be writing in your own blood.
You may think the graphite makes the paper dirty and unsophisticated, but I see a beautiful legacy. It reminds you of your pencil’s lifespan. How it starts off new and whittles down until its usefulness ends. You come back to your notebooks and can see all that hard work with the help of your pencil’s essence. Just one of the more beautiful things in this life.
There are two cardinal rules of writing. First, you never say I’m trying to write a book, novel, short story, etc. Second, you never talk about what you’re writing in detail. Break these rules and you’ll never get anything done.
I don’t like talking about my upcoming projects because I always jinx myself. However, eventually I’m going to have to talk about them. And since I’ve been mostly consistent on posting on this blog, the momentum helped me bring back unfinished short stories out of the back burner.
I’ve stopped writing short stories for several years because I’ve been so busy. Now, I’m back in the game. I have a chance to finish my short story trilogy before the year is done.
Why now? I hate leaving anything unfinished. At this point in my life I don’t care if my works succeed or not. It’s all about just finishing. Best to be last in the finish line than to drop out completely. At least I can say to myself in the mirror that I did it.
Do you have any writing projects in your back burner? Do you want to finish them regardless if you succeed or not? Take advantage of 2026 before 2027 creeps up on you.
When it comes to my writing schedule I have it set in stone (for the most part). One week I’ll post on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The next week I’ll post on Tuesday and Thursday. The weeks will cycle.
Sometimes, I’ll post a prayer related article on a Sunday. If a holiday falls on a posting day or if I’m sick, I’ll take the day off. Finally, I’ll let you know if I need a hiatus.
Thanks for your support and patience.